Did you notice that our singing of the National Anthem this week sounded a bit more robust than usual? Well, we had some serious singers in our midst. Our own David O'Dell, director of the Amarillo Opera, brought us a preview program of the upcoming opera "The Italian Straw Hat." The opera, written by Nino Rota, will be peformed one night only, April 2, beginning at 7:30, at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts. The production was written in the 1850s, in France. It's a comic opera and we were treated to a number performed by Alissa Anderson and Brandon Wilhelm, accompanied by pianist Stephen Dubberly -- who paid tribute in remarks to our beloved former Club member Mila Gibson, who founded the opera in 1988. Thanks so much, David, for bringing such sparkling talent to our luncheon. Bravissimo!

Stick 'em up. It's Rotary Hold-Up planning time. This year's Hold-Up chairman is none other than Amarillo Police Capt. Jeff Lester. The Hold-Up will take place during the run of the musical "Texas." We'll be "arresting" visitors, and then treating them to a night's lodging, a meal with a Rotary couple and an evening at the Pioneer Amphitheater to watch "Texas." Details will be forthcoming. And thanks, Jeff, for stepping up to lead this great effort.

District Conference time is on tap. Rotary District 5730 will have its district conference April 28-May 1. We won't have a regular luncheon meeting on April 28, but we will be having a district conference luncheon on Friday, April 29. Let's all try to attend the district luncheon. There will be no charge for our meal. Guests will cost $16. The conference -- which will take place at the Amarillo Country Club -- will be a good one.

We have two members being proposed, both of them by Pam Rushing. Mike Abdoo and Steve Clark, both employed by Mass Mutual Insurance Co., are being proposed for membership under the classification of Insurance. Welcome to them both.

The Rotary Club Garden Party will take place June 18. Details will be forthcoming.

Group Study Exchange is coming to Amarillo during the district conference, and we need professionals to step up and provide "vocational day" exposure to our visitors from the Dominican Republic. Our GSE visitors will be in the district from April 15 through May 13 for a four-week adventure through West Texas. The major part of the exchange is to provide professional exchanges with the five-member team. We have two civil engineeers, an insurance agent, a lawyer and a special education teacher. We have set aside April 28 as a vocational day for our visitors. Cal Harriman has stepped up to coordinate our Amarillo/Canyon clubs' effort again this year. Get in touch with Cal if you can help provide vocational exposure to our GSE team. 

Many thanks this week go to: Jess Ghormley for leading us in song, with that stirring assist from pianist Stephen Dubberley; to Dale Bippus and Basil Walker for greeting us; to Dick McKay for his invocation; to Jeff Lester for introducing guests and visiting Rotarians; to J.B. Lane for selling Rotary Foundation drawing tickets; and to President Jake Richards for presiding.