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 Wonder beneath our feet
By David Dell
If you travel between Boquete and Volcan along the Orange Blossom Highway then chances are you will pass over a small bridge at Macho de Monte. Few travelers realize the spectacular wonder that exists right beneath their feet. The problem is the 80 foot deep canyon is narrow at the top only allowing light around midday. If however you take the slightly more risky adventure and walk through the canyon – you will see the most spectacular natural wonder in all of Chiriqui.
On a warm January morning I set out with several fellow adventurers to see if we could find a reasonably safe way to enter the canyon. With climbing ropes, carabiners and a small collection of pitons we felt well equipped. The only safe way to enter the canyon is from the north side at river level. The problem is that the canyon entrance has a narrow mouth no more than ten feet across and the river funnels through here with a vengeance. With fellow Volcans, Marty Berke, Andrea Gonella, Phil Lawson, Gordon 8888 and Paul **** we attached our safety rope to several well anchored pitons. Gingerly, Marty Berke and I made our way around the rock corner and with the waterfall cascading over our heads, descended into the first big pool. The first job is the toughest as the waterfall is pouring over you and you have to disconnect from the safety line and immediately swim across the 30 foot pool to the gravel bank. This is not for the fainthearted or the out-of-shape. I am nearly 67 years old but regard myself as fit for my age.
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Outstanding Chiriquí Women
By Jaydene Morrison
 Claudia de Morales’ dream is unfolding. She and Francia Pinedo have started the Brother Elred Wetli School. Claudia teaches Kindergarten and Francia teaches first grade and works as the principal. It was exciting to get 13 students in Kindergarten and 7 in First Grade, as this was a new school. Their goal is limit the class size to 25 students.
Claudia is an impressive Volcan female with a strong sense of commitment to whatever she does. She feels her strengths are her ability to tackle difficult projects, be faithful to her commitments and a good friend to others. Consequently, all who know her believe the school will be a big success.
Claudia said, “I believe all businesses should ‘give back’ to the people in their community”. This is a most impression commitment on Claudia’s part. What a wonderful world we would have if all businesses had that philosophy! Claudia and Francia are putting this philosophy into action by the cleanup process of one of Volcan’s primary streets - Calle El Estudiante. By taking on this project they are challenging the people of the Florida neighborhood to also take responsibility for their street in their community and it has worked. When the clean up began, people appeared with machetes and power machines to help. Fifty students filled over a 100 trash bags. The whole Earth Day event was a big success in Volcan this year. The women have continued this commitment throughout the year. They have stayed true to their philosophy. Every month they get the neighborhood together to clean the trash along the street. They have now planted trees along Calle El Estudiante. Be sure to drive by to see the changes they have made.
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 EL CLUB ROTARIO DE BOQUETE
APOYA AL CUERPO DE BOMBEROS
Es de madrugada. De repente usted se siente gravemente enfermo y en necesidad de atención medica. Llega la ambulancia. ¿Contara con abastos suficientes para mantenerlo a usted con vida hasta llegar al hospital?
En el mes de octubre, la comunidad Boqueteña aprendió la posible respuesta durante un foro abierto de la reunión de los martes por la mañana (TMM). John Earl, Gail Cody y Doug Tyler de la ‘Fundacion Boquete Hospice and Health’, Griselda Álvarez (paramédico), Ricauter Rovira del Cuerpo de ‘Bomberos de Boquete, y Susan Peterson del Club Rotario de Boquete presentaron información sobre el estado actual de los abastos de la ambulancia y las necesidades que aun existen para apaciguar las preocupaciones legitimas en referencia a adecuados cuidados de salud de emergencia.La respuesta de la comunidad fue positiva. Varios cientos de dólares se donaron o se prometieron en cuanto se haga disponible una cuenta de banco de parte de un comité o una organización responsable.
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International artist helps Boquete
by Chris McCall
 Vivianne Lachaud, born in Provence in the south of France. She had a difficult and traumatic childhood until, at the age of 5, when two wonderful farmers from southern France, adopted her. Her parents taught her to love flowers and nature. They were also spiritual and through their example influenced her to take a similar path. Later in life these teachings became the basis for her success as an artist. For most of her life she actually hated art. While in school she studied dance and ballet. At the age of 20 she moved to South Africa and later met her husband and they moved to Hong Kong.
As a means to relieve stress she enrolled unsuccessfully with western and European style art teachers - she hated it! “The teachers bored me to death,” she said. A friend suggested she view a demonstration of the Chinese style ink and brush painting. Vivianne fell in love with the method. Chinese Ink and Brush requires the artist to be in a standing position, the artists paint from their heart not from years of studying technique. Vivianne was one of seven applicants from the 30 that applied who were accepted to attend the Chinese Paintings Master’s school. The style requires the artist to be in touch with their heart – that was why she was accepted. The art style is spiritually based, not on technique.
The art teacher, Ms. Chan, recognizing Vivianne’s talent, encouraged her to study with three Chinese Masters of the art, Masters Joseph Ottan, Chao Fei-Shih, and her favorite, Yang O-shi.
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