Past President Jennette Bill recaps an exciting Labor Day weekend for Rotary Exchange Students. Rotarians provided many wonderful tasting side dishes, salads and desserts for the potluck dinner with the 16 exchange students and their five Rotex chaperones. The chaperones had all been exchange students from the U.S. to other countries. During a program, the kids shared impressions they’ve observed: compared to some other countries we eat a lot of cheese; our houses, cars and roads are big; some enjoy our lunches as they normally eat rice and beans for lunch every day and that gets tiresome; they like getting to choose their high school classes and changing rooms; they are enjoying the diverse scenery of Arizona. “The weekend was a highly successful bonding experience for the students,” Jennette said. “Thanks to all the Rotarians who contributed.”
Golf Tournament Big Success for Imagination Library
Eddie’s Promise Golf Tournament held over the Labor Day weekend raised over $10,000 for the Verde Valley Imagination Library. Sixty-eight players participated in the tournament. Second Place winners are Dick Neal, Nathan Bill, David Bill, and Eddie’s son-in-law and golf course architect Ken Kavanaugh. About 125 participants enjoyed lunch, the silent auction, and other activities. Thanks to everyone who supported this event!
Check out a human book at the Sedona Public Library
Sedona International City of Peace, Rotary Club of Sedona and the Sedona Public Library are presenting a Human Library event at the library on Thursday, Sept. 21, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in celebration of the International Day of Peace. The public is invited to become readers, select a human book, listen to a short presentation, and engage in dialogue with the book selected. Human books will share their stories of being marginalized, categorized, or stigmatized for their differences. In the process, stigmas or judgments around such things as religion, sexuality, mental or physical challenges, homelessness, and lifestyle choices, for example, are explored with the goal of dissolving prejudices with people one might normally avoid or dismiss, gaining understanding and developing new ways of relating. For more information call the Sedona Public Library at (928) 282-7714.
Club sends more books to Africa
On Sept. 6, a truck picked up four more pallets of used school books to be delivered to the Rotary Club of Seabrook (Houston), where they will join other pallets of school books to be sent by sea container to Rotary Clubs in Uganda, for distribution to local schools. This is part of our "Books for Africa" program (called "Books for the World" by Seabrook). The four pallets of 100 boxes, nearly 5,000 books, weighed approximately 3,500 lbs. This follows the club’s shipment last November, when Gary Karademos and John Crawford drove two U-Hauls filled with approximately 20,000 books to Houston. The books were donated by: Big Park Community School (Principal Debbie Jones); West Sedona School (Principal Scott Keller); and generous contributions from Sedona residents: Linda Exley, Beverly Copen, and Rosalie Bock. Those who helped load the truck include (L-R) David Simmer, John Lothrop, Jennette Bill and Dave Young.
Speakers share benefits of a vegan diet
Don and Bev Fries discuss reasons why a vegan diet benefits not only humans, but the world. Don and Bev say we were built to be plant eaters. "When we eat plant-based, whole food we are putting the right fuel in our bodies, resulting in clear eyes, minds, and bodies." In addition to human health, plant-based living impacts planetary health and animal welfare. The Fries teach Vegan 101 through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Yavapai College. You can also learn more at http://healthyworldsedona.com/ You can sign up now for the Jan. 18-19, 1918 Sedona Health and Nutrition Conference at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sedona-health-and-nutrition-conference-2018-tickets-37379526169 Club President Dave Young announced the book "Snail & Worm Again" will be donated to the Sedona Public Library on behalf of Don and Bev.
John Crawford says goodbye to Rotarian friends
Rotarian John Crawford said goodbye to the club during its Sept. 5 meeting. He shared about club projects he supports, donating funds to each culminating in a $500 gift to Big Park School and $1,000 to the club's Books for Africa fund. Addressing the group, he said "You are what I'll desperately miss from Sedona." The club presented John with a bottle of fine scotch along with a bottle of single malt Swedish scotch from Dick Weisbaum. John said, "I will dream of our milk of human kindness."
Cynthia Bishop-Weisbaum presents Club President Dave Young with a flag from the Rotary Club of Grove, Oklahoma. Cyn and Dick exchanged Rotary flags on their cruise through the Baltic Sea, sharing a make up meeting on the Viking Star with over 30 Rotarians from around the world. They also exchanged flags with the Rotary group of Melbourne, Australia (their flag is on its way). Good job mates!
Rotary Club of Sedona Village Satellite member Jan Groves promotes the upcoming Tee Up Fore Big Park School activities which begin with Sip & Savor on Friday, Oct. 6, at the Vista Room in the Collective, and includes live and silent auctions. MC Jennette Bill and Auctioneer Kris Kazian will have fun drumming up bids for some great trips, dinners and other experiences. Saturday, Oct. 7 is family day, with BBQ, putting contests for kids and adults, car shows and the helicopter ball drop. To make reservations, purchase balls for the ball drop and more information go to http://www.teambigpark.com/
Dates to Remember
Sept. 21--International Day of Peace--Human Library event, Sedona Public Library, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 25--Charitable Fund Board meeting, 4:30 p.m. at Starbucks.
Oct. 6--Tee Up for Team Big Park, Village Rotary Live and Silent Auction Party.
Oct. 7--Ball Drop, Putting Contests, Food & Fun.
Oct. 10--Community Service meeting, 8 a.m. at T Carl's at Poco Diablo.
Oct 26-30--US/Mexico Friendship Conference in Scottsdale.
Oct. 30--Community Supper at St. Andrews.
Bashas' Cards available--another way to support your club
Please remember to use your Bashas' card. See Dick Youngberg for a replacement or new card. Your card is worth $20.00 when you buy it and you can increase its value before using it. Each month the value of your purchases are added to other purchases made by club members and supporters and six percent of the total amount is forwarded to the club's Endowment Fund. The club receives about $1,000 each year from this program. Please let family members and others know this is another way they can support our efforts.
Shop on AmazonSmile and support club
Shop on Amazon and get a portion of your purchase donated to the Rotary Club Charitable Fund. Simply go to https://smile.amazon.com/ to sign up and/or select Rotary Club of Sedona and start shopping!
Editor: Linda M. Clark
Contributors: Lynda Brown, Damian Bruno, Miki Dzugan, and John Terhune.
Golf Tournament Big Success for Imagination Library
Sedona International City of Peace, Rotary Club of Sedona and the Sedona Public Library are presenting a Human Library event at the library on Thursday, Sept. 21, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in celebration of the International Day of Peace. The public is invited to become readers, select a human book, listen to a short presentation, and engage in dialogue with the book selected. Human books will share their stories of being marginalized, categorized, or stigmatized for their differences. In the process, stigmas or judgments around such things as religion, sexuality, mental or physical challenges, homelessness, and lifestyle choices, for example, are explored with the goal of dissolving prejudices with people one might normally avoid or dismiss, gaining understanding and developing new ways of relating. For more information call the Sedona Public Library at (928) 282-7714.
Don and Bev Fries discuss reasons why a vegan diet benefits not only humans, but the world. Don and Bev say we were built to be plant eaters. "When we eat plant-based, whole food we are putting the right fuel in our bodies, resulting in clear eyes, minds, and bodies." In addition to human health, plant-based living impacts planetary health and animal welfare. The Fries teach Vegan 101 through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Yavapai College. You can also learn more at 
