Rotary Club of Weslaco Texas

2006-06-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

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

2006-06-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-04T12:19:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-04T09:34:00.000-07:00

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

2006-05-04T09:20:00.000-07:00

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

2006-03-23T09:55:00.000-08:00

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"

2006-03-23T09:32:00.000-08:00

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

2006-02-15T12:12:00.000-08:00

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

Local Historian Manuel Cano Enlightens Rotarian

2006-02-01T14:00:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-01-24T15:45:00.000-08:00

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

2006-01-24T15:29:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-01-24T15:15:00.000-08:00

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.

Gerry Bower is welcomed to the Weslaco Rotary Club

2006-01-16T15:19:00.000-08:00

Gerry Bower was inducted into the Club on January 12th. Jerry moved his business, Total Lawn Care, to Weslaco recently and joining Rotary was the next step! Gerry had been a member of a McAllen Club and knew the benefits of Rotary. Gerry was sponsored by Rotarian Martha Noell.

Pueblo Amistad Business Development on Expressway 83

2006-01-16T15:08:00.000-08:00

Eddie Rodriguez of Reyna Properties was the invited guest of Rotarian David Fox on Thursday, January 12th. Weslaco's business growth seems to have exploded in the last few months and Eddie previewed the Pueblo Amistad Business Development being built by Reyna Properties and and Cantu Properties. Pueblo Amistad is a multi-phase office and commercial complex. Pictured are Fox and Rodriguez. For more information visit www.reynaproperties.com or www.tierrasanta.com.

New Members Welcomed January 5, 2006

2006-01-09T15:56:00.000-08:00

President Bertha Suarez welcomed three more members to the Club at the January 5th meeting. Pictured are Erin Wise, Texas State Bank; Melanie Vanderveer Riley, Posture Reversal Chiropractic Clinic and her sponsor Lina Fuentes Johnson; and Thelma Marroquin of Alamo Bank who is transferring from the Donna Club.

Weslaco City Manager Anthony Covacevich Addresses Rotary

2006-01-09T15:48:00.000-08:00

Rotarian Jack Tate brought Weslaco City Manager Anthony Covacevich to the club for an update on City activities.

Covacevich reported on the financial state of the City including:

Sales tax in the last 6 month increased 12.56%
Water & Sewer rates increased 35% last year, and the city is collecting all fees more effectively which will increase the City's revenue.
Property tax was held another year at .69 per $100 evaluation
Weslaco's gross tax base has reached $1 Billion!

Welcome New Rotarian Lilly Elizondo

2006-01-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

Lilly Elizondo of Woodcrafters was welcomed to the Weslaco Rotary Club on December 29th. Rotarian Randy Winston and Rotary President Bertha Suarez sponsored Lilly. Randy is shown officially pinning her Rotary lapel pin on her jacket. Lilly has been assisting Rotary for a number of years and was an organizer of the Rotaract Club at the University of Texas Pan American (UTPA). Lilly is a recent graduate of UTPA with a degree in Marketing. Lilly has also assisted Weslaco with the Annual Spagetti Supper fundraiser and the Adoption Awareness picnic. Recently she visited Rio Bravo Rotary Clinic with the Weslaco Rotary Delegation and provided photos of the visit to the club. Her classification will be Manufacturing.

2006-01-05T09:21:00.000-08:00

Leadership Mid Valley Presentation - Dec. 29th

Rotarian Robert Vanderveer brought the Weslaco Rotary Club a program on Leadership Mid Valley. His guest speakers were Becky Van Burkleo Leadership Board member and Program Chairman; and Leadership Class Member Melanie Vanderveer Riley. The Leadership Program develops leadership skills and acquaints the participants with the "workings" of their community. This year's class has 15 members.

Rotary Serves...At the Feast of Sharing

2005-12-28T09:08:00.000-08:00

The Weslaco Rotary Club assisted the City of Weslaco and HEB Food Stores for the Weslaco-Mid Valley's 3rd Feast of Sharing held on Friday, Dec. 16 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. According to Volunteer Organizer Howdy Smith, over 3,000 meals were served.

Fifteen Weslaco Rotarians signed up to volunteer for the event. This is the 2nd year that Weslaco Rotary has assisted. The effort was organized by Weslaco Rotarian Lina Fuentes Johnson.

Dec 15 '05 - Teach for America

2005-12-16T08:33:00.000-08:00

Weslaco Rotary members were inspired by the energy of this week's program, Teach for America.

Presenters were Emma Doggett, Executive Director for Teach For America in the Rio Grande Valley and B. Garza Middle School Teach for America teacher Ashley Carlson. Ashley is a May graduate of Duke University and teaches English and History at B. Garza. She said her first day of inservice at the school was exciting because an assistant principal tried to enroll her in the 7th grade! She shared stories of teaching experiences at B. Garza and how her challenges have been her greatest rewards.

Teach for America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates who commit two years in an urban or rural public school in the nation's lowest income communities. The Teach for America teachers hope to become lifelong leaders for expanding educational opportunities. Teach for America has brought in 500 teachers to the four-county Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
They currently have 175 teachers serving school districts from Roma to Brownsville, with three teachers in Weslaco. The cost for a business to sponsor a teacher is $5,000. For more info on Teach for America check out their website at www.teachforamerica.org.

Special thanks to Rotarian Brad Bierstedt for bringing the program. Brad and his company, Magic Valley Electric Coop are sponsors of Teach for American. Brad also organizes the annual Texas Scholars Program in the Weslaco School District.

Hands Across the Border

2005-12-14T12:39:00.000-08:00

The Weslaco Rotary Club and Rio Bravo, Tamps., Mexico Rotary Club have continued to collaborate for the health of the residents of the Mexican Border community of Rio Bravo. Representatives of the Weslaco Club visited the Rio Bravo Rotary Clinic on Thursday, Dec. 1st. The purpose of the visit was to assess the needs of the clinic, and get to know the doctors and nurses. Weslaco Rotarians were amazed at the success of the Rotary Clinic. "Residents of the neighborhood "colonia" are tracked with chart on the wall. Nurse's aides know exactly which households have an ill family member and know when they need to visit. Immunizations for tuberculosis and other rampant diseases on the Mexican border are administered to the neighbors of the sick. It's a wonderful system that works," stated Weslaco Rotarian Community Service Lane Chair Lina Johnson.

The clinic was established in 1999 by the Weslaco and Rio Bravo clubs with a 3-H Grant for Health and Sanitation in Mexico. Original Weslaco Club organizers were Manuel Cano, Robert McAllen and Brad Bierstedt. A driving force in the Rio Bravo Club was Trainor Evans. The Weslaco Club remains committed to the continued success of the clinic and has committed a donation of $100 per member per year.

Christmas Music for Weslaco Rotary

2005-12-14T11:42:00.000-08:00

If you missed last week's meeting, Dec. 8th, you missed the sounds of Christmas provided by Valley Grande Academy. Weslaco has been home to this Seventh Day Adventist private high school since 1937. The students musical program includes a number of bell choirs, vocal choir and the beautiful sounding and beautifully made wooden marimba. Thank you to Rotary member Joe Cardenas for arranging such a special program. And the food! Vegetarian Chinese was great.