Minutes for August 8, 2016
Posted by Michael McIntosh on Aug 08, 2016
The Casper Rotary Club
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Rotary Club of Casper WY
Meeting Summary
8/8/2016
President Jim Ruble called the meeting to order promptly at 12:26, and welcomed everyone to the club meeting.
Inspiration, Pledge, 4-Way Test:
Darren Devine
Chad Pew and Lisa Hubbard were the greeters today, and Lisa introduced the members who brought guests:
First, Visiting Rotarians Robin Mundell from the Rotary Club of Green Valley/Henderson, NV. and Jim Mertz from the Pueblo, CO Rotary Club – who has just moved to Casper;
- Red Nickerson introduced Harry Brubaker;
- Steve Loftin introduced Becky Byram; and,
- Mary Koernig introduced Lisa Scroggins (NCPL Exec. Director).
A BIG Rotary Welcome to all of our guests!!!!!
Song and Merriment:
Dennis Lower shared a couple of funny jokes for our enjoyment, and then Gary Pehrson led us in singing “Clementine.”
Induction Ceremony:
Secretary Lori Klatt performed the induction ceremony for Lisa Scroggins, who was sponsored by Mary Koernig.
Family of Rotary:
President Jim announced that Bob Auflick is dealing with some family medical and senior care issues. A “thinking of you” card was routed through the meeting.
Robin Mundell announced that her husband’s surgery was successful and he was recovering at Elkhorn. They will be here a few more weeks.
Tim Havasi announced that Gene and Deb Theriault are celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary today.
Rotarians of the Week:
President Jim recognized the club members who had sold Duck Derby tickets at Bear Trap over the weekend and asked them to stand. Peaches nominated Dennis Jack and Mike Stepp for calling the club members who had not picked up their tickets to sell and Tim Havasi for delivering them. Lynn Lockhart nominated her husband, Tom, for taking 1st place in his division in the Pink Ribbon Race over the weekend in Cheyenne. Robin Mundell nominated John Griffith, Lauren Griffith, and Lynette Boatright for starting their new restaurant, Racca’s, in the Old Yellowstone District. It opens this Wednesday!
Club Announcements:
- Steve Loftin reminded the 6 volunteers about packing food for the Food Bank of the Rockies (2:00 – 3:30) after today’s meeting.
- Dave Elmer reported that the ducks had all been counted and sorted last Wednesday night. He thanked the following Rotarians and their family members for helping: Jim Porter, Larry Madsen, Martha Rakestraw, Grant Stombaugh, Dick Wimbish, Dave McNulty, Deb and Gene Theriault, and Hal Hutchinson. He also announced that a sign-up sheet for duties the day of the Derby is on each table. Lisa Hubbard updated everyone on the prize donations and Brian Deurloo pushed the members to sell, sell, sell.
- Dennis Jack reminded the club members that our Blood Draw is next Monday before the meeting at the Parkway (9:30 – 1:00). Secretary Lori will send out another email with the sign-up for donation times.
- Nicole Tholson reported that the sign-up sheet for greeters and invocation is circulating through the meeting. Please sign up.
Program (Rob Rosser, Casper Mountain Biathlon Club):
Treasurer Dick Jay introduced today’s speaker. Rob Rosser is the director, coach, and project manager for the Casper Mountain Biathlon Club. He also coaches for the U.S. Paralympic Nordic and Biathlon team. Rob was an Olympian in the 1998 games in Nagano, 3 times North American Biathlon Champion, 5 time U.S. National Champion, former U.S. Army World Class Athlete team and National Guard Biathlon. Captain Rosser spent 21 years in the Army National Guard and is an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran.
Rob introduced his wife, Cathy, and Biathlon Board members – Bill DeVore and Daren Gruner.
He presented photo presentations of the building of the biathlon course on Casper Mountain and thanked Harry Brubaker and Mick/Susie McMurry for their significant contributions. The County owns 40 acres for the course, the City owns 200 acres, and the Casper Mountain Biathlon Club operates the course. Rob explained a lot of the intricacies to the sport: the targets are on a frame system. Biathlon is the most physical sport in existence – a combination of cross-country skiing and shooting. Europeans rank it their second most beloved sport, next to soccer. There is a huge youth focus and Olympic training is ongoing. Last winter the first year that Casper was able to host events at the course on Casper Mountain. Paralympic athletes use the same courses. There is also a special program for wounded veterans. Casper has an exchange program with Sweden. Beginners use electronic rifles; typically 22 caliber or below range. The current cross country ski trails are used as wells as new ones that are being completed. Funding to complete the course is ongoing. The Wyoming Business Council was a huge supporter with a $500,000 grant, and the City and County have made large contributions with one-cent funds. Private donations have also been significant. The Biathlon course operates on a small budget, but parking lot paving and trail surfacing is still a need. A typical biathlon race covers 800 meters – 50 kilometers. Participants usually shoot 2-4 times at 50 yards. Bill DeVore invited club members to go see the course!
Next week’s meeting will be back at the Parkway Plaza and the program will feature Jim Logan, the State Veterinarian. The meeting adjourned at 1:21 p.m.
