I hope you have something nice planned for tomorrow's lunch because we are NOT meeting for the regular Rotary meeting this week! We will instead be meeting this Monday, Aug 30, for the 2nd Annual Craig and Kyle Whitney Memorial Golf Tournament at Colorado Springs Country Club.
Last year, being our first Whitney Golf event was such a lovely experience. Claudine Dickson, Holly Flores, and I kept watch at one of the holes and measured the ones that looked like they went a long way. I don't know this kind of golf. But I rock at miniature golf! (Craig is looking down at me right now and rolling his eyes. SO. HARD.)
The early morning was FUH-REEZING!! Once the sun came out, we thawed ourselves and it was a beautifully sunny (albeit windy) day. Lunchtime was delightful and fun to see everyone after zoom only for oh-so-long. I was impressed hearing about the services available at Salvation Army from Doug Hanson, their Executive Director.
Everyone who knew Craig knew of his commitment to the Salvation Army. Because of Craig, we always ring bells in the winter outside King Soopers and I hope our club never stops that wonderful tradition!
I really grieved when we lost Craig. I went to see him in the hospital just after Kyle had passed away. I'm so glad I got that last glimpse of the guy who made me laugh every single time I saw him at Rotary or around in the community. At the golf tournament luncheon, I remember fighting back the tears when once again I heard some sweet tributes to this well-loved man. But I also realized that we were sincerely enjoying our memories of Craig. And that was when I stopped grieving so sadly and started being appreciative that I had those years in the club with him. Do I wish he was still here? Absolutely. But life had other plans.
Think for a moment about someone you've lost. Does the first emotion of this person's memory evoke feelings of sadness? Anger? Regret? Gratitude? Hunger? (Just trying to see if you're paying attention.) I hope you feel some gratitude. It's pretty easy to reflect on how you felt when you lost them but are you taking the time to celebrate the beautiful times as well? I know I need to do better at that.
Last week, my daughter called me to say that one of her high school friends that lived with her for a while after they graduated was in a horrific motorcycle accident. He spent 22 days in the ICU and then succumbed to his injuries on August 15. This young man was 34 years old. His life was a constant struggle. Nothing came easy to him. He didn't have a very stable family life. I just hope he was happier toward the end. In time I will start thinking about the times he hung out at our house during high school. He had a fairly constant smile but it was always guarded. When I told my son that this young man had passed away, Stephen said "That is really sad. But this makes me appreciate how good I've had it in life." Music to a momma's ears. RIP John.
This week's Random Awesome Deed suggestion is to carry a few dollars in quarters with you and be ready to add some time to parking meters when you see they are low. No one will ever know it was you but you'll get that warm feeling in your heart - the very definition of altruism.
Now let's go forth, be great stewards of Rotary and Catalysts of Caring in our Community!
Please be well, be safe, and be kind. There are a lot of people out there needing just that.
No lunch today. Monday August 30 at Colorado Springs County Club.
We will not have a meeting on Friday, August 27 but rather we will have lunch at the Colorado Springs Country Club at noon on Monday, August 30 to cap off the Whitney Golf Tournament. All Rotarians, golfers or not, are encouraged to attend this lunch of fellowship and fun. Weather has been guaranteed to be just beautiful! See CALENDAR page for full details of the Monday event.
You are all invited to a Rotary Happy Hour on September 9, 5-7 pm at Lawrence Dryhurst Gallery, 122 E Kiowa. The gallery will provide beer, wine, water, and light appetizers. This social will be an opportunity to see all of the Petite butterflies on display. Thank you to Rotarian Wayne Smisek for hosting this event!
We need an estimated headcount for this event so please respond to this email with your count if you plan to attend!
You can find all things FLIGHT 2021 in this column every week! Also, check out WWW.CSFLIGHT.ORG!
FLIGHT 2021 will be virtual one more time!
We will be working under the direction of Steve Weed Media at the Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy!
Raffle Tickets
Raffle tickets are available! As in years past, we are asking each Rotarian to take responsibility for selling or buying 10 raffle tickets priced at $10 each. The prize is a stunning butterfly created by local celebrity artist, Al B. Johnson. The raffle squad this year is Jenn Cancellier, Cody Burket, and Caryn Adams. Tickets can also be purchased at the front desk of The Gasper Law Group at 128 South Tejon, Suite 100. All money and stubs need to be returned before the Flight event on September 25. Please let Caryn Adams know ASAP if you need your raffle tickets mailed to you; her email is caryn@gasperlaw.com.
~Sponsorship information:
If you are interested in being a sponsor for FLIGHT 2021 at one of the many sponsorship levels available, please click here for the:
Flight Install (Sept. 1st, 9 am-12 pm): Volunteers are needed to transport the butterflies/dragonflies from Status Symbol Auto Body (322 E. Cucharras St. 80903) to the Pioneer’s Museum at 9 am and to assist in the install of the butterflies/dragonflies at the Pioneer’s Museum lawn. For transport, we are needing Rotarians with large trucks or trailers to assist in moving the large items and for the install, those who can manage heavy lifting are greatly appreciated!
Flight Reveal (Sept. 3rd, 4-8 pm): Volunteers are needed on Friday, Sept. 3rd from 4-8 pm.
Volunteers will initially meet at Status Symbol (322 E. Cucharras St. 80903) to transport the petite butterflies to the Pioneers Museum and set them up inside. Three volunteers will monitor the butterflies inside (1 at each butterfly table) and three volunteers will be stationed outside to assist with other needs of the event.
At the end of the event (7:30pm), volunteers will assist with transporting the butterflies from the Pioneers Museum to the Dryhurst Gallery.
Silent Auction information:
Do you have items you would like to donate to this year's FLIGHT? We would love to feature your item in the silent auction. The auction will take place virtually, Saturday, September 25. Please download this form, https://bit.ly/2TnrpBr Complete the form and send it to Amanda Salmons at amanda@greenivybookkeeping.com. The deadline for donations is Saturday, August 28.
2021 Backpack Bash: with Pikes Peak United Way and COSILoveYou! Multiple dates/times are available to participate and a great opportunity to get much-needed school supplies into the hands of children in our greater Colorado Springs area.
Learn more at https://backpackbash.com Sign up to volunteer or provide donated items. Let Samantha Chapman know if you volunteer or donate items.
Care & Share with the Broadmoor Rotary Club on the 2nd Monday each month from 1-3:30pm.
You will be joined by two members from the Broadmoor club, 2 interact members, and 2 of our members are welcome to sign-up.
We are still in need of 3 volunteers for the golf tournament, please let Samantha know if you are available on Aug 30th from 7am -noon.
Flight Reveal install, Sept 1st. We would love your help.
Sept. 3rd Mt Carmel Patriot Give Back Day- 3 time slots to volunteer (7-10, 10,1, or 1-3). Sign-up coming soon.
Volunteer with the Broadmoor Rotary Club on the 2nd Wednesday each month at Care & Share!
Flight Install (Sept. 1st 9am-12pm): Volunteers are needed to transport the butterflies/dragonflies from Status Symbol Auto Body (322 E. Cucharras St. 80903) to the Pioneer’s Museum at 9am and to assist in the install of the butterflies/dragonflies at the Pioneer’s Museum lawn. For transport we are needing Rotarians with large trucks or trailers to assist in moving the large items and for the install those who can manage heavy lifting is greatly appreciated!
Flight Reveal (Sept. 3rd 4-8pm): Volunteers are needed on Friday, Sept. 3rd from 4-8pm.
Volunteers will initially meet at Status Symbol (322 E. Cucharras St. 80903) to transport the petite butterflies to the Pioneers Museum and set them up inside. Three volunteers will monitor the butterflies inside (1 at each butterfly table) and three volunteers will be stationed outside to assist with other needs of the event.
At the end of the event (7:30pm) volunteers will assist with transporting the butterflies from the Pioneers Museum to the Dryhurst Gallery.
The community service committee meets via zoom on the 3rd Thursday at noon each month! Let Samantha know if you want to join the committee.
If you are interested in participating in our International Committee, please email Jordan Davis at Jordan@sociallyexceptional.biz to be added to the notification list!
Our committee is meeting in person - the 2nd Friday of every month (Sept 10), directly after the weekly meeting at Sportivos and we guarantee it will be less than an hour! Many exciting things happening all around the world! Don't miss an opportunity to be part of this!
If you have bulletin announcements, please email the EXACT WORDING of your announcement to KSaltmarshVoss@yahoo.com by Wednesday at 5 pm. I don't write your announcements but I do make them nice 'n' fancy!
As you're doing your shopping online, did you know that you can support our Rotary Club with every Amazon purchase? Here’s how:
Go to smile.amazon.com (not amazon.com). Amazon Smile is the same company, same account, same password, but the Amazon Smile program gives one half of one percent of every purchase to charity. No, it’s not a lot, but it’s also not nuthin’ (to be exact: about $150 for the Club so far). So again, go to smile.amazon.com
Sign into your Amazon account as you normally would
On the very top left of the page, next to the AmazonSmile logo, are three horizontal bars. Click there for the drop-down menu.
Scroll ALL the way down to “Your AmazonSmile”; it should be the last option right before “Sign Out”; Click on “Your AmazonSmile”
On the right side of the page, click on the “change charity” box under Your current charity (Note: If you are currently supporting another charity, that’s awesome! These instructions are for those who are not doing so. Also, if you have not previously selected a charity, your default option will be St. Judge Children’s Research Hospital.)
Type in Community Service Fund of the Rotary Club of Colorado Springs; click Select
That’s it. You’re all set. Just remember to go to Smile.Amazon.com when you shop from now on.
You are all invited to a Rotary Happy Hour on September 9, 5-7 pm at Lawrence Dryhurst Gallery, 122 E Kiowa. The gallery will provide beer, wine, water, and light appetizers. This social will be an opportunity to see all of the Petite butterflies on display. Thank you to Rotarian Wayne Smisek for hosting this event!
