UPCOMING PROGRAMS

June 25th - Installation Banquet, Tierra Santa

January Attendance was 71% February - 74% March - 69%

Make-Up online at www.rotaryeclubone.org

Recent Programs

Joe Vasquez presented Pat Bubb, Tec Prep of the Rio Grande Valley Executive Director, to the club on May 11th. Pat explained how their organizations prepares high school students for college as well as providing skills for the work place. She said in 2004 they assisted 17,000 Valley students, 648 of those were from Weslaco.



President Bertha Suarez welcomed Port Isabel Rotarian Tom Plumb to the Club on May 18th. Tom, has recently moved to PI from Vermont, where his club sponsored an international project building homes and schools in Honduras. Tom's new club, Port Isabel, has adopted the project. They are planning a trip to Honduras Sept. 7-23, he is encouraging Rotary Clubs throughout District 5930 to get involved.


Rotarian Brent Baldree presented the Knapp Medical Center Foundation to the club on May 25th. Foundation Director Esperanza Garza showed off equipment provided to Knapp by the generous donors to the Foundation.

Orientation for the Entire Club

Rotarian Joe Vasquez presented a Rotary Orientation program for the entire club. Most new members receive Joe's program when they join, but it always a good idea for all club members to review. Pictured are President Bertha Suarez, Joe Vasquez and Program Chairman Armando Martinez.

April 2006 Programs

April was an exciting month for Weslaco Rotary. Rotarians began the month with a social on April 6th at John and Melissa Lackey's beautiful home. Social Chairman Hector Montalvo did a great job with the food! Sorry, no photos!

Weslaco had an official visit from Assistant District Governor Ron Risica on Thursday, April 13th. Ron congratulation the Weslaco Club on its' many accomplishments and gave an brief overview of the upcoming District Dinner to be held for all the clubs in the Valley at Weslaco's Best Western Palm Aire.



Rotary District Governor Nominee Tom Moore of McAllen brought the Chilean Group Study Exchange Team to Weslaco on April 19th and 20th. Once again Weslaco Rotarians displayed "service above self" by hosting the group. Thanks to Juan Medina for hosting GSE Team Leader Hector Gaytan (industrial engineer); John and Melissa Lackey hosted Jorge Cortes (metallurgical engineer); Randy and Tracey Winston welcomed Karen Cutbill (English tranlator and teacher); and Fernando and Elsa Saenz hosted Lucia Vargas (attorney). Also in town visiting the the Texas A&M Director was Luis Pinones (agriculture engineer). Each Rotarian scheduled activities for their guests and then brought them to the Rotary meeting on the 20th for a special presentation on Chile. Pictured is GSE Team Leader Hector presenting a special banner to Weslaco President Bertha Suarez.

April 27th's program was Rosie Rodriguez of Project VIDA. She gave an inspiring talk about how VIDA helps adults with their educational growth. Picture are VIDA Counselor Norberto Garcia; Rosie Rodriguez; and Program Chairman Armando Martinez.

Congratulations March & April Students of the Month

March Students of the Month were sponsored by Lone Star National Bank, Desi Walker and Armando Martinez.
Students were (l-r): Weslaco East students Jesus Oliva, Jr.; Renee Sanchez; Weslaco High students Vanessa Hill and Eric de la Garza.

April Students of the Month were sponsored by AEP-Texas and Knapp Medical Center. Students were: (l-r): Weslaco East students Mauricio Cuellar and Cristina Castillo; Weslaco High students Alexandra Cavazos and Edgar Gil; and Rotarian Randy Winston.

Report from the Weslaco Economic Development Corporation

Rotarian Hernan Gonzalez gave an update on the economic health of Weslaco on March 16th. He was introduced by Weslaco EDC Board Member and Rotarian Robert McAllen.

Hernan discussed a number of new developments in Weslaco including the growth in the medical community, location for Walgreens, expansion of Woodcrafters and business development Pueblo Amistad. Weslaco's sales tax is 15.9% above where it was last year at the same time.

"Netiquette"

In today's world etiquette is still quite proper, especially on the Internet! Freddie Vaughan presented a program on proper use of the Internet and the proper way to e-mail. For example, using all capital letters is rude, it is the same as shouting! Other useful tips: learn to use BCC when sending multiple e-mails, so as to not share others' addresses, don't copy photos, etc. from the Internet as they may be copyrighted, and use work computers vary sparingly...especially when performing personal tasks such as shopping or sending personal e-mails. Freddie is a librarian working on a Masters in Library Science, and the wife of Weslaco Rotarian Richard Vaughan.

Spaghetti Supper - Another Success

Spaghetti was served up on Thursday, Feb. 9th cleanly by hairnet adorned Rotarians.

Local Historian Manuel Cano Enlightens Rotarian

Rotarian Roger Albach presented a history lesson the Weslaco Rotary Club. Former Rotarian Manuel Cano spoke to the club about Mid Valley History.

Jan. 19 Rotary Progam and More!

Rotarian Lina Fuentes Johnson presented Weslaco High School Baseball Coach Eddie Serna as her program. Eddie gave the Club a much anticipated highlight of the upcoming season.



Students of the month from both high schools were recogized by Rotarian Randy Winston. Special thanks to January Student of the Month Sponsors Montalvo Insurance and Sigler, Winston, Greenwood. This months students are WHS: Steven Torres, Esmeralda Penuelas; WEHS: Lauren Beard and Ramiro Pina.

Rio Bravo, Tamps., Mexico Club Visits Weslaco Rotary

Rio Bravo, Mexico Rotary Club President Jesus Fortanelli gave the Weslaco Club an update on their joint project, the Rio Bravo Clinic. The Weslaco Rotary Club and Rio Bravo Club have been recognized internationally for the clinic project. The Sept. 2005 Rotarian Magazine featured the clinic with a detailed article and photos. The Weslaco Club President Bertha Suarez presented the Rio Bravo Club with a check to complete this year's pledge of $6,000 to continue supporting the much needed clinic. Pictured above are clinic project founder Weslaco Rotarian Robert McAllen, Rio Bravo Rotarian Gilberto Lozano and Jesus Fortanelli, and founder Trainor Evans; President Bertha Suarez; and Rio Bravo Rotarian Gerardo Perez.

Yet Another New Member!

Rotarian Julia De Leon officially pins Weslaco Rotary's newest member Sulema Cuellar on January 19th. Sulema has two businesses in Weslaco: Sulema's Hair Fashions and Sister's Closet.