Weekly News – Sep 16, 2026

Sep 16, 2026

Hello Everyone,

Devin Neeley was last week’s speaker and he was so interesting!  

He is San Juan County Public Relations/ Film Manager and he is one of San Juan County’s certified film liaisons with the state.

San Juan county is a film hub and is expanding their reach. They own the Totah Theater and offices and a desert village production set and are encouraging college and high school film enthusiasts. He noted that the state provides 40% tax rebates to film production companies. Also encouragingly, 60% of small businesses benefit when providing needed services to the film companies.

These companies have provided $4.9billion to the state for these services and 8400 jobs.

CLUB MEMBER NEWS  

Last week our very own special member Bob Lehmer was honored by Mayor Nate Duckett and the Farmington City Council. Bob prepared a short speech and said work on the river trails has been “a true community effort.” “Many present and former RiverReach Foundation members, volunteers, businesses, landowners, and the City of Farmington have gifted their time, skills and money” to the success of the river trails, Lehmer said.

It has been work that helped to build and develop three parks including Animas and Berg Parks and Among the Waters Park, where one can find Lehmer’s Lookout, a picnic area dedicated to Lehmer’s legacy.

These parks included 8 miles of trail along both the San Juan and Animas Rivers. “These trails are used daily by hundreds of people,” the foundation said in its letter.  Without Lehmer, “it is not an exaggeration to say the the river trails and parks in Farmington might still be a dream,” the letter said.

Jill’s Comments:  We are so fortunate to have someone who has given so much to our community and to Kiwanis. Bob is truly a very special and kind individual. We are proud that he is a member of Kiwanis

Pat Manchester has announced he’s running for City Council (Janis Jakino will not run again). Pat’s father, Bill Manchester, was Farmington’s City Manager several years ago. Best of Luck to Pat!  He will do a great job and he’s so involved in the community.

Erin Hunt, Chair for Shoes for Kids, brought a sign up sheet last week for volunteers to help sort new athletic shoes and socks for BGC students. Sorting is Fri, Oct 2 at Carpet One Plus at 3pm. We appreciate our volunteers, should only take an hour or two.

Treasurer-Jareen White has sent out annual dues invoices. Please pay asap.  The secretary has to delete anyone not paying by Oct 1 (unless you make arrangements with Jareen).  Kiwanis International bills our club for everyone on membership list.  

Our Club has 3 types of memberships-individual dues are $175, Bronze Corporate are $235, and Platinum Corporate are $685.

Laura Escopeda is leaving us later this month and moving to Tucson with Hilton Home 2 Suites. We will be sad to see her move but this will be a step up the Corporate ladder for Laura. Currently, Sonia Jojola is attending Kiwanis and taking Laura’s place at Home2Suites. They are a Bronze Corporate Member.

We wish Laura the very best.

LETTER FROM JILL

Hi Everyone, I have so enjoyed serving the Rio del Sol Kiwanis Club for the past 13 years. I have served as Secretary for much of that time.  Paul and I were instrumental in starting this club in 2013, I knew we needed a newsletter to keep members informed. Then, later, my idea was to improve the newsletter by adding pictures. Mailchimp has been a challenge and to a point, it still is!

Paul and I decided a few months back to make a huge change in our lives. We purchased a park model in Show Low, Az in Juniper Ridge. We’ve owned another one in Yuma, Az for several years. Our plan is to split our time between the two. Our moving date is October 2. Our very last meeting will be Oct 1 as Jamie Voita requested this for her presentation.

We got the wonderful idea of Dining with the Dead from the one in Yuma. I’ll say, that ours is Much Better! DWTD has been my one true passion for 13 years. Nikki has been working hard on the event and she’s doing a fine job. Joan Monninger has agreed to take over the part of deciding who we portray, scripts and actors so this wonderful event will continue on. We thought in the beginning(2013) that maybe folks would enjoy it for a few years. 13 years later, I’m proud to say it has sold out every single year since it started.

Emmeri Ortego is taking over as Membership Director and has ideas about bringing in some younger members. She will also be taking over Kiwanis FB page. FB allows Kiwanis to let our community know about our programs and speakers.

Tana McCall is taking over arranging speakers and has already begun scheduling them. I hope members will continue to meet and greet speakers to make them feel welcome.

Clothes for Kids is a program I started in 2006 while President of another organization. 20 years ago, I asked Bob Brooks if he would chair it and he’s been doing a great job ever since as it grew from 44 children to 300 children. Clothes for Kids serves a great need for underprivileged children in San Juan County and Northern Navajo Reservation, many who have never owned their own new clothes. Bob, Gary Hansen, Emmeri and I have been working to get sponsors in hopes this program continues on for many years. A Sponsor Appreciation Luncheon is planned for  Nov 12 to recognize those who are supporting Clothes for Kids as we work to raise $30,000 each year.

Paul and I are so appreciative for the Lifetime Dining With the Dead Passes presented to us at the Summer Social Sunday afternoon at Summer Jakino’s home. We were also given gift cards to the Outback Steakhouse and the Olive Garden and a beautiful orchid (I’m hoping I can keep it alive!) Thank you everyone, we are going to miss our wonderful Kiwanis Club and all our friends and projects.

Changing of the Guard-September 24

President-Jennifer Hackney

Past President-Kathy Hogan

President Elect-Cody Cornoyer

Treasurer-Jareen White-1 year remaining

Secretary-Nikki Taylor-2 year term

Directors: Ron Price and Brian Turner-2 year term

Directors remaining: Chris Troyer and Lori Monteverdi (1 yr remaining)

Membership Director: Emmeri Ortega (2 year term)

Community Director: Ed Kompare 1 year term)

KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL NEWS

A Ruby K Award honors Kiwanians who invite five or more new members during their Kiwanis career. This award is free to give and is cumulative, so previous recipients are eligible for a new Ruby K when they invite a certain number of additional members.

The Kiwanis Children’s Fund recognizes clubs, individuals or other donors who make an unrestricted gift of US$1,000 or more with a George F. Hixson Fellowship.

Kiwanis District News

KAMP KIWANIS IS NOVEMBER 6-8 IN VANDERWAGON
ONE WEEKEND-A LIFETIME OF LEADERSHIP!
Sponsor a student-$125
Volunteer to Chaperone: randrew@swdkiwanis.org

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Consider inviting a Friend to join you at Kiwanis and share with them what Kiwanis does for the children in our community!