We've now inaugurated the John Early administrtion at the Rotary Club of Amarillo. John took the gavel from Immediate Past President Jake Richards. Renee Wilson assumes the role of president-elect. Doyle Moore and Gary Mitchell return as club secretary and treasurer, respectively. The new board of directors include Julie Ontiveros, David Ellis, Wes Knapp, Corinna Isbell and Val Fulkerson (director at large). Those leaving the board are Cal Harriman, Denise Blanchard, Shara Hinchey, Bill Chudej and Karen Hicks. Many thanks go to those who have served our Club in leadership roles -- and congratulations go to those who are about to assume those roles.

Jake and his wife, Mary Ann, are leaving Amarillo in a few days to start their retirement in the Lake Conroe area. Good luck to you both as you depart. Don't be strangers. Thanks for all you have done for our club and our community. And thanks also go to Past President John Huffaker for officiating.

We'll be displaying the District Governor's Banner for the next year as our own David Norris takes over as District 5730 governor. The club last displayed the banner during Doyle Moore's stint as district governor. Good luck, David, as you assume your new responsibilities.

And how about the Amarillo Police Department color guard that presented the colors prior to the start of our meeting? Well done.

Past District Governor Moore presented our cherished Club member Eddie Melin with an "authentic store bought" baton that Eddie can use as he leads the Symphony at Monday's Fourth of July extravaganza sponsored by the Globe-News. 

John Early declared the membership competition to be over. The Misfits are the winning team, garnering four new members for the club. The team presented a $1,500 check to Life Challenge, run by Bob Dunstan, as its reward for winning the membership drive competition. For the year, the club's membership is up about 10 percent. We started the year with 110 members; our ranks now number about 120, says President Early. Good job all around.

Hold-Up 2011 continues. John Kanelis introduced John and Janice Pospisil of El Campo, Texas. John and Janice enjoyed a dinner with John and Kathy Kanelis at Dyer's BBQ, a performance of the musical "Texas," and a night at the Ambassador Hotel. The Pospisils joined us for lunch, with Janice echoing the statements made for years by other Hold-Up "victims": They had the time of their lives and will remember the Rotary/Panhandle hospitality for the rest of their lives.

A big thanks as always go to the following Rotary Club members for their help with this week's meeting: Jake Richards for presiding; Jess Ghormley for leading us in song; Renee Wilson for playing the piano; Karen Hicks for her invocation; Teresa Clemons for introducing guests and visiting Rotarians; Corinna Isbell for selling drawing tickets; and Dale Bippus for greeting us. And thanks also go to David Ellis for serving as program chair for June.