Miller Creek Therapeutic Riding Program
This morning's meeting began with Curt Belts leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ramey Kodadek gave the invocation, a great reminder about our focus on trust, fellowship, ethics and service above self.
Sergeant At Arms David Bardwick went to humor first, with a reading of several misprints in actual church bulletins. He then introduced guests Gin Graham (Anne Guest); Mary Dalton (Julie Titchbourne); Chrissy Orangio (Susan Hay Patrick); and visiting Rotarians Tim Furey (Noon Club) and Sarah Clapp (Palm Springs).
President Susan Hay Patrick thanked Greg Johnson for a wonderful event last Saturday, the Montana Repertory Theatre's opening night gala. Susan said the play was fantastic and if you missed it, see it soon!
Susan Patrick also announced that she, Lou Bahin and Ramey Kodadek attended a reception last Friday for Partnership for Children. She said it was a great event, with a discussion of Partnership's plans for the future. Susan said that the importance of relationships for kids with "normal" adults is critical and that the leadership at Partnership showed its appreciation for all we do.
Susan also announced that we are providing "Cuisine for Clays." Patty Clay has had surgery following a fall on the ice, and the club will be providing meals to Bobby and his family. Please see Susan Patrick if you can help.
Susan reported that per Carl Prinzing, Bob Brown is back in town and at work. We hope to see him soon!
Glenn Marangelo announced that Five Valleys Land Trust has met its match challenge and will be celebrating with an event on Friday, February 5th. This free event will be held at the University Theater from 7 to 9 pm, and will feature M. Sanjayan, The Nature Conservancy's lead scientist, as well as the internationally renowned violin soloist Eugenia Choi and acclaimed concert pianist Christopher Hahn. See
www.fvlt.org
for more details!
Mary Windecker invited us all to Community Medical Center's Voices of Hope Cancer Education Summit on Wednesday, February 3rd from 4 to 9:30 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn. This free event features several panel discussions and a reception as well as a speech by New York Times bestselling author and cancer survivor, Joni Rodgers. See
www.voicesofhope.org
for more details!
Darko Butorac announced that this Friday evening (January 29th) is the Symphony's Family Concert, "The Symphony goes WILD." Tickets are just $6 for the concert, which will be at the University Theater at 7pm. This is always a fantastic concert-don't miss! (And if you missed the story in the Missoulian on January 28th, look for it!)
Susan Patrick then spoke about membership. We've recently lost several members, for "good" and various reasons (moving, health, economy). Susan said the membership committee is working on a membership drive, but we all need to think about ways we can help build membership. The easiest: invite someone to a meeting!
Susan then announced that Eva (Rotary exchange student from Spain) has moved in with a new host family, though recently had some issues with some "youthful hijinks." After many discussions with Eva, her hosts, various Rotarians, etc., Susan has decided to give Eva a second chance. Susan will be keeping in close contact with Eva, but asks that we all help. Please keep Eva in mind and include her in your family events when appropriate or possible!
COOKIES: Susan Patrick had cookies this week for Susan Muralt (who will receive hers from Susan later this week at lunch); Greg Johnson for the wonderful play "Leading Ladies;" Anne Guest for her nomination for downtowner of the year; and Kara McCarthy with thanks for her help in talking through Eva's situation. Shawn Rosscup is also celebrating a birthday this week, though it was missed in our records. The club serenaded Shawn with "Happy Birthday" (where is Jim Clark when you need him?).
Those with contributions to the MSR cookie jar this week: Susan Patrick in honor of the gala at the Rep and everyone's help in working through the issues with Eva; and Bill St. John in honor of Eva, saying he understands as he "makes questionable decisions every weekend!"
Bill St. John then introduced our speaker, Barb Rolf with the Miller Creek Therapeutic Riding Program. Barb has worked with kids with special needs for 25 years, and explained that she's "rekindled" this program in the last year. Bard works in outreach for the Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind and is working on her doctorate through the University of Louisville.
Barb explained that her daughter Katie (now 26) is blind, has cerebral palsy and cognitive challenges. Katie started in a therapeutic riding program in Colorado at age 7, and it helped to make miraculous changes in Katie's life. Barb said that this lead her to ultimately establish the therapeutic riding program here.
The Miller Creek Therapeutic Riding Program is located at 4845 Lower Miller Creek Road, behind the Walmart on Highway 93. This nonprofit is a certified program with certified riding instructors. The program is completely volunteer-based and funded 100% by private donations. Athletes are charged $25 per lesson, but no one is turned away. The program serves the public age five or greater, and participants must have a handicapping condition that has been certified by a physician. The program has an exclusive agreement with the YMCA's adaptive riding program. Barb Rolf also works closely with Special Olympics and will be coaching at the equestrian venue in the Bitterroot on May 8th.
Barb explained that the program is safety conscious with exclusively-made bridles, helmets and adaptive saddles. Specialized saddle pads (gel-filled impact pads) are used to protect the older horses. The program has a current need for more pads ($150 each).
Barb explained that the goals of the program are to assist the riders with self-determination, empowerment, confidence, etc. Barb explained that the horses provide unconditional love, and the riding provides physical benefits ("normal" motion and warmth) as well as social and emotional benefits to the riders. Barb showed photos of a lesson from start to end-great examples of the program in action.
Barb was asked whether she can take the program remotely. She said that due to insurance issues and the need for the (currently non-mobile) mounting ramp, the lessons are provided at the Miller Creek location.
Barb provided brochures about the program to those at the meeting, and said that her marketing is mainly done through her connections made through her background in her work.
Following this interesting program, Susan Patrick thanked Barb, and told her that a dictionary will be donated by MSR to an area third-grader in her name.
We then closed the meeting with a recitation of the Four Way Test.