By Ann Butler
Neighbors Columnist
Congratulations go to Jim Bolen, who was recently named the latest Lusche Fellow of the Kiwanis Club of Durango.
The award is named for Norris Lusche, a former district governor of the Rocky Mountain Region of Kiwanis who went on to become the international president of Kiwanis. (That is a very big deal, as I’ve noted before. The international presidency of service clubs often goes to members from large clubs in major cities, and often to members from other countries, because it’s a responsibility and an honor given to just one of the more than 600,000 members in 80 countries each year.)
The award, much like a Paul Harris Fellowship in Rotary, is given for a financial contribution of $1,000 to the Rocky Mountain District Foundation, which supports The Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute, Rocky Mountain Club District of Key Club International (a service club for young people) and grants to clubs in the district for their projects, most of which benefit youths. In Bolen’s case, the club donated the money to honor his contributions.
Bolen was recognized for his efforts and unwavering support of Pancake Day, Salvation Army bell ringing, club director, assisting with the Bill Mashaw Golf Tournament, heading up the Kiwanis team for the Adaptive Sports Association’s annual Dave Spencer Classic and serving as the club’s program chairman among many other occasions when he has volunteered. He led the Kiwanis to victory in the 2015 bell ringing/fundraising contest held with arch “rival” High Noon Rotary Club.
Bolen was inducted by Charlotte Pirnat, former club president and current lieutenant governor of the district.
The club used the time to recognize its already-inducted Lusche Fellows, including Steve Schlageter, Mark Simon, Don Southworth, Uta Carleno, Lisa Barrett and Mac McInnis. Some fellows no longer live here – Jan Brown Reed, Don Baker and Ken Amundsen, who was the general manager of newspapers here at Ballantine Communications Inc. And of course, everyone had to take a moment to remember the club’s Lusche Fellows who are no longer with us, Bill Mashaw, Robert Tyner, Fred Kroeger and Robert Emmanuel.
The award comes with the signature maroon jacket of a Lusche Fellow, sort of like the green jacket for winning the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National but no putting required, just a big heart, some generosity and a commitment to Kiwanis.
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