Author, cowboy and horse lover - H. Alan Day was keynote speaker at a Rotary Club of Scottsdale luncheon meeting held at Scottsdale's McCormick Ranch Golf Club. When introducing Alan Day, Rotarian Don Loose stated that Alan's upbringing branded him a cowboy from the day he was born. Alan is part of the third generation to grow up on the 200,000-acre Lazy B cattle ranch straddling the high deserts of Southern Arizona and New Mexico. Alan's granddad settled on the ranch near Duncan AZ in 1880. As settlers, many firsts were initiated - first jersey cow, orchard, bank, schoolhouse... After graduating from University of Arizona, Alan returned to manage the Lazy B for the next 40 years. Alan over the years purchased a cattle ranch in Nebraska and a ranch in South Dakota that became the first government-sponsored sanctuary for unadoptable wild horses. Alan developed and successfully used a herd modification-training program for his 2,000 head of cattle and 1,500 wild mustangs. Alan noted being a rancher meant more than cattle and horse ranching. Being a rancher meant being a plumber, electrician, butcher, bull roper, windmill and well repairer and much more.
The Rotarians and guests enjoyed the lively, wise, humorous and witty stories shared by Alan on the everyday life of a cowboy - especially 
stories that included the blessings that came with being Sandra Day O'Connor's brother. Alan talked about sharing their favorite horse, named Chico who lived 32 years. Alan and Sandra wrote a book together. Before starting the book, Alan asked Sandra "How do we go about this?" at which Sandra replies "Yellow legal tablet and number two pencil." Together they wrote Lazy B, which went on to become a New York Times bestseller and resulted in the authors giving talks together around the country.
stories that included the blessings that came with being Sandra Day O'Connor's brother. Alan talked about sharing their favorite horse, named Chico who lived 32 years. Alan and Sandra wrote a book together. Before starting the book, Alan asked Sandra "How do we go about this?" at which Sandra replies "Yellow legal tablet and number two pencil." Together they wrote Lazy B, which went on to become a New York Times bestseller and resulted in the authors giving talks together around the country.Now retired from ranching and working on a novel, Alan divides his time between Tucson and Pinetop, AZ. For more information about Alan's books see - www.alandayauthor.com.
At the start of the meeting, Club President Kent exchanged Rotary Club banners with a Rotarian Norman Wicks visiting from England's Hexham Rotary Club. Additionally, Ken welcomed Tom "Tish" Tischer and Jay Tenison as returning club members and Nathan Mountford as a new club member.
For more information about the Rotary Club of Scottsdale speakers, projects, programs and meeting dates and locations - see www.scottsdalerotary.org. Visitors to Club meetings are always welcome - call 480-945-6158.