RYLA campers were front and center this week as they shared their experiences at this year's District 5730 youth leadership camp. Past Club President John Early helped lead this year's RYLA event, held Lone Tree Bible Camp near Ruidoso. We had 104 young people attending RYLA and they all came away from the week's activities better people. Some of the campers who gave testimonials to us told of how RYLA was a "turning point" in their lives. Alex Webber told of us of his difficult early life as a youngster in his native Siberia, but how RYLA has taught him to "trust others" more completely. Carlotta Nilhius, our club's international student from Germany -- and a former RYLA camper -- saw her experience as a transforming experience. This is what Rotary is all about. Good job, John. And thanks for your service to RYLA, to our district and to our young people.

Terry and Kathy Gabel of Lakewood, Ohio were our latest Hold-Up "victims." They couldn't join us for lunch the day after being treated to some barbecue at Feldman's Wrong-Way Diner and a showing of the acclaimed musical "Texas." But they made it clear that they echo the sentiments expressed by hundreds of other Hold-Up guests: This was an experience they'll never forget. Their hosts for the evening were John and Kathy Kanelis. Thanks to Amarillo Police Capt. Jeff Lester for coordinating the Hold-Up program this year and thanks to Amarillo Police Sgt. Brent Barbee for "arresting" our latest guests. We have just one more week of Hold-Up to go before we call it a season. Thanks also to Feldman's for providing the complimentary dinners.

Rotary International Foundation raffle tickets are in our hands. They're selling for $10 apiece. The winner of this year's drawing gets a $1,000 Visa gift card. It's for the Rotary International Foundation, always a worthy cause. Return cash and ticket stubs to Gina no later than Nov. 1.

Cal Harriman would like to invite all Rotarians to attend a production of Texas! for free (yes, FREE) on the evening of Aug. 16. This represents an extraordinary opportunity and is made possible by our friends at Cal Farley's Boys Ranch. Please RSVP to GinaRodriguez. All guests will sit in a special section with staff and residents of the ranch.

Many thanks to the following Rotarians for their service this week:
President-elect Mike Good for presiding.
David O'Dell for leading us in song.
David Walvoord for his moving invocation and for selling Foundation drawing tickets.
Dale Bippus for greeting us.
Johnny CRowley for introducing guests and visiting Rotarians.
Julie Ontiveros for serving as August program chair.