Home Page | Rotary Club of Estes Park

Katherine Weadley has worked in libraries since 1998. Her back ground includes library work at the University of Denver, University of Colorado, Colorado State Library, Colorado Library Consortium, and she was the first Director of the Lyons Regional Library District (2015) and was instrumental in fundraising and planning for new Lyons Community Library which opened in 2019. She received her Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Denver and earned a graduate certificate in Taxonomy and Controlled Vocabulary from Simmons University in Boston. She is originally from the Detroit area of Michigan but moved to Colorado in 1991. She spent the last 20 years living in Lyons but now lives in Estes Park. She began her position as Supervisor of Programming and Outreach at Estes Valley Library in April of 2021. She has two adult children, has been married for 30 years and has two dogs.

Welcome to the New Year!

Our program this week will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided. Click on the link below to be admitted.

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 7985707369

Rotary Weekly Luncheon
Place: American Legion
Time: Lunch served from 11:30 - 12:00

Cost: $15
Parking: American Legion and the church only.

Jackie Williamson

Our Speaker this week is Jackie Williamson who began her career in 2002 with the Town of Estes Park in the Planning Division of Community Development. She became Deputy Clerk in October 2004 and, following Vickie O’Connor’s retirement, became Town Clerk on August 5, 2005, making her the 7th Town Clerk in Estes Park’s history. In May 2011 she became the Director of Administrative Services, acting as both the Human Resources Director and Town Clerk. Since becoming Town Clerk, Jackie has run 14 elections for the Town of Estes Park; throughout her career she has worked with 5 Town Administrators, 4 Mayors, 2 Judges, and 2 Attorneys.

HO HO HOliday fun!

Please feel free to invite friends and family to the Rotary Holiday Luncheon on Thursday, December 16 at the American Legion. Lunch is served from 11:30 - 12:00. There will be great food followed by a music program. Your RSVP is needed by Tuesday, December 14 at 5:00pm notifying Karol Rinehart of the number that will be attending.

kj.rinehart@centurylink.net,

Our program this week will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided. Click on the link below to be admitted.

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 7985707369

Cost: $15
Parking: American Legion and the church only.

Our Musical Program provided by

Skip Neilson

Skip Neilson is a guitarist and vocalist originally from Dallas, Texas now living full time in Estes Park with his wife, Nancy.
He began playing music in his teens and has played, toured and recorded with bands in the U.S. and Europe.
For the past several years he has been working with another EP local, Karen Nicholson, in the acoustic rock duo, Neilson/Nicholson.

They have played regularly at local venues such as The Slab, Snowy Peaks Winery, Bird & Jim’s, Elk Meadows Lodge as well as many private events, local shows and festivals.

Estes Park Health Hospital Foundation

Our program this week will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided. Click on the link below to be admitted.

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 7985707369

Rotary Weekly Luncheon
Place: American Legion
Time: Lunch served from 11:30 - 12:00

Cost: $15
Parking: American Legion and the church only.

Kevin L. Mullin, MNM, CFRE

Kevin serves as President of the Estes Park Health Foundation in Estes Park, CO. He has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management and fund raising, having previously served in leadership roles at multiple local and national organizations. He serves as adjunct faculty in the Nonprofit Leadership Program at the University of Denver. Kevin has a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from Regis University and holds the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation. He has also earned a Master of Nonprofit Management degree and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Capacity Building from Regis, and is a graduate of the Institute for Leaders in Development at the University of Denver.

Investing in Our Kids Today is an Investment in Everyone's Future

Our program this week will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided. Click on the link below to be admitted.

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 7985707369

Rotary Weekly Luncheon
Place: American Legion
Time: Lunch served from 11:30 - 12:00

Cost: $15
Parking: American Legion and the church only.

Bev Bachman, M.Ed.

As an educator with 40 years experience in public education - 36 of those years in Poudre School District, Bev Bachman has taught grades K-6, gifted-talented, and was an assistant principal. With degrees in zoology, reading, and administrative certification, Bev has a strong interest in science and learning.

Upon “retirement”, she became an education consultant. She co-formed Exercise 4 Learning (www.exercise4learning.com) with her former principal to help educators to understand the research demonstrating the connection between exercise and learning and strategies for implementing that into the educational setting to maximize the educational experience of students. She has also done education consulting around leadership, developing effective mission and vision statements, and instruction. Bev lived in Estes Park from 1992-2003, and she and her husband returned in 2011. They have hiked many miles in RMNP, walk every day, and enjoy the geology, flora, and fauna of our area. She has been Chair of the Estes Park School District Advisory and Accountability Committee (DAAC) for several years. She was part of the interim board that formed the Estes Park Education Foundation (EPEF) and has served as its president since 2019. She has also done volunteering in the schools.

Happy Thanksgiving!

No Meeting November 25, 2021

Continuing to Decide Where our ENERGY and ENTHUSIASM reside!

Please do not miss our November 18, 2021 Program

Our program this week will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided. Click on the link below to be admitted.

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 7985707369

Rotary Weekly Luncheon
Place: American Legion
Time: Lunch served from 11:30 - 12:00

Cost: $15
Parking: American Legion and the church only.

Bill Smith will be inducting new members Ben Van der Werf and Scott Robbins. Gail Corrigan is headed for a Thanksgiving with her family.

Healing Waters

It is more than a Swimming Pool

November 11, 2021

Our program this week will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided. Click on the link below to be admitted.

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 7985707369

Rotary Weekly Luncheon
Place: American Legion
Time: Lunch served from 11:30 - 12:00

Cost: $15
Parking: American Legion and the church only.

Healing Waters

1632 Unit B Big Thompson Ave.

Come hear about the Healing Waters Foundation. It is a small non-profit organization set up in 2005 by Anne Slack to make the use of water available to anyone. It has unique features that allow various activites. Annie will begin by telling of its origin. Then Bethany Matthias, a Board Member, Physical Therapy Assistant and Athletic Trainer will present the Program. Finally there will be a short video to allow everyone to see the pool, its features and some benefits people have received from it.

Time to Decide Where our ENERGY and ENTHUSIASM reside!

Please do not miss our November 4, 2021 Program

Our program this week will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided. Click on the link below to be admitted.

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 7985707369

Rotary Weekly Luncheon
Place: American Legion
Time: Lunch served from 11:30 - 12:00

Cost: $15
Parking: American Legion and the church only.

Dear Club,

Visioning for our Future starts Thursday! It includes the Club meetings on the 4th and the 18th of November. We have mentioned several times how important it is for ALL members to attend either in person or on Zoom to share your thoughts.

Just a little bit of background…….COVID-19 has disrupted all of the strategic plans and Visioning for organizations, governments, and businesses all around the world. It has been several years since we have embarked on a Visioning process. In addition, our Club has slowly diminished in size while continuing to participate in new and older legacy programs. It is time to determine where our ENERGY and ENTHUSIASM resides!

Our first meeting on November 4 will include group discussions about what energy and excitement brought us to join Rotary to begin with…and why we choose to continue to participate. Reflecting on these two areas will be your HOMEWORK until the meeting begins on Thursday. In addition, we need to hear what aspects of Rotary you feel are essential to discuss during the second meeting. We have several categories in mind but we need to know anything that is important to the group. We may not be able to cover all of the suggestions, but we definitely need to discuss the topics that several people bring up.

Our Club has a great deal of vitality. We wish to continue to build on that legacy into the future! Your opinions are very important to everyone! Please make a point to participate.

Thanks for all you do through Rotary for our Estes Valley Community and the world!

Jim Whiteneck

Happy Halloween

Committee Meeting Day

October 28, 2021

Our program this week will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided. Click on the link below to be admitted.

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 7985707369

Rotary Weekly Luncheon
Place: American Legion
Time: Lunch served from 11:30 - 12:00

Cost: $15
Parking: American Legion and the church only.

Announcements:

Community Service Committee Meeting:
- Immediately after the noon Rotary meeting ends, at the American Legion in person.
- We will be discussing adopting a family for Bright Christmas
- A project supporting a bilingual program with EVICS and Estes Park Elementary School

Duck Race Committee Meeting:
- CHANGE in the location of the Duck Race Committee meeting, still 5:00 PM October 28; but the change is that we will meet ONLY on Zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 7985707369
  - Reason: because our Software/tech people will be attending by Zoom to present their recommendations for software we need to develop to keep future Duck Races sustainable
  - They said they will have trouble hearing and understanding comments or questions from the audience if people have to wear masks — which they would

Fundraising Committee Meeting:
- Will not be meeting on Thursday, but I hope you will continue to promote the dinner. If anyone has any questions they can contact Tara at 970-577-0186.
International Grant Committee Meeting:
- Will not be meeting on Thursday

Membership Committee Meeting:
- Will not be meeting on Thursday; met by email

Terry M. Kaltenbach, CLU, ChFC, CAP

Director of the USS Midway Museum in San Diego

Our program this week will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided for our Speaker to join us. Click on the link below to be admitted.

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 7985707369

Rotary Weekly Luncheon

Place: American Legion
Time: Lunch served from 11:30 - 12:00

Cost: $15
Parking: American Legion and the church only.

Terry Kaltenbach

Terry has a track record of success that spans more than four decades in the financial services industry. His experience as a producer, regional manager, wholesaler and benefits broker, as well as his past and current leadership positions, including President of the San Diego Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and the California Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, gives him a broad perspective on the life insurance industry. Terry is also a member of the Association of Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU) wherein he has lead the California delegation in the Annual Capitol Hill event in Washington, DC

Terry holds the Chartered Life Underwriter ( CLU), Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP) designations through the American College. Priding himself as a student of the business, he has never stopped learning new techniques that advance his knowledge and expertise in the business insurance, estate planning and charitable giving fields.

He and his wife, Linda, founded a non-profit chapter of a Teen Suicide Prevention organization (Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program ) in 1997 that has reached over 350,000 middle and high school students, staff and parents and distributed over 1,000,000 Ask 4 Help! cards.

Terry entered Docent Training Class on the USS Midway in January 2016 and received his Yellow Hat on 5 March 2016. He crossed over the 1,000 hours of volunteer time on Midway in October 2018. His favorite assignments aboard Midway are leading tours on the Island including Primary Flight, Chart Room and the Navigation Bridge. Additionally he enjoys giving the “Catapult” brief and the “Traps (Arresting Gear) briefs as well as talking to guests about the workings of the Tactical Flag Command Center and Combat Information Center,

He enjoys giving back to the Navy that has given so much to him.

Shurie Scheel, 5440 District Governor

Our program this week will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided. Click on the link below to be admitted.

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 7985707369

Rotary Weekly Luncheon

Place: American Legion
Time: Lunch served from 11:30 - 12:00

Meal: Barbecue
Cost: $15
Parking: American Legion and the church only.

Shurie Scheel and Family

I live in Thermopolis, WY with my husband, Phillip, and our two children, Kaden (a 10-year old boy), and Alayna (an 8-year old girl). We own a local propane retail company that services about 850 customers in about 100-mile radius. We also co-own Kirby Creek Mercantile, a bakery, deli, home decor and ice cream shop in our downtown area, which opened a few months ago as part of our downtown revitalization efforts. Our children are involved in sports, and we are always busy as small business owners. However, as citizens of a very small town in Wyoming, Phil and I feel strongly that community service in not optional. If we want the world to be a better place for our children and grandchildren, we must all work together. As such, I am involved in a great number of nonprofits, including Rotary. I serve on various boards and with a number of different organizations, but my favorite has always been Rotary! I am the Treasurer and Past President of my club, Past Assistant Governor, and I serve as a facilitator, and district co-chair, for Rotary Leadership Institute. My husband and I have traveled to Kenya numerous times to manage a Global Grant for clean water for rural schools. This work for Rotary is among the most fulfilling parts of my life, and I am so proud to be associated with such a great organization!

Ampt Biking Amputee Outreach Program

Our program this week will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided. Click on the link below to be admitted.

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 7985707369

My name is Matthew Bell and I've been an amputee for 45 years. I grew up in a military family on or around Air Force bases most my life. In 2008 I got into mountain biking to help get in better shape. What I found was a community that was accepting and wonderfully supportive of anybody and everybody that joined. Over the years I would bring anybody and everybody I could into the mountain biking community. Recently I created Ampt biking amputee outreach program that allows for amputees to come out for a day event with their peers to be able to experience the camaraderie of the mountain biking community. We are now in our second season and the event coming up in August will be our third event. We've had amazing response from the communities we've been in and the participants themselves. Our goal is to reach out to anybody and everybody that is struggling with mental, emotional, and physical challenges that come with one loss.

Matthew Bell

Growing Communities Together

Our program this week will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided. Click on the link below to be admitted. Keep in mind that we will be starting at 12:00 p.m., no earlier.

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 7985707369

Lori Gosselin comes to us from Ottawa, Ontario. She is the author of two books, The Happy Place and Sounding the Drum: Community Building in the Digital Age. Since 2014, she has been developing the Community building process, a method of facilitating the evolution of a group into Community. In 2019 she graduated with her Master of Organizational Management degree and formed a company to help her fulfill her mission to spread Community consciousness around the globe. In her talks, Lori introduces the power of Community building to make organizations more cohesive, collaborative, and creative.

Lori Gosselin

Our first "In Person" Noon Rotary Meeting At US Bank July 8th!

Our program this week will be held in person but a Zoom link will be provided. Click on the link below to be admitted. Keep in mind that we will be starting at 12:00, no earlier.

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 7985707369

Angel Hoffman, MA is our speaker on July 8th. She is Regional Director of Northern Colorado Alzheimer’s Organization. Angel Hoffman has been working in the geriatric field since the early 1990's. Her experience includes both long-term and acute care with a focus on providing support and education to people living with dementia and their care partners. She has a Master's of Art degree in Gerontology from the University of Northern Colorado and Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University. Her motto for her work comes from the quote of Maya Angelou, " People will forget what you said, people will forget what you do, but they will never forget how you made them feel."

Angel Hoffman

Rick Taylor Yesterday and Today:

All things (including hair) have endings

Our program this week features club member Rick Taylor, as he completes five years as our program chairman. The program begins at noon on Zoom. Click on the link to be admitted:

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

It's the time of year when our club honors and celebrates the end of one Rotary year and the beginning of another. Rick Taylor will share some reflections with us on the theme of 'Endings'. Rick has studied

Jungian psychology for the past 25 years. Dreams (the night time variety) are important to that brand of psychology. Rick will share with us what he calls his 'Rotary dream' that he had recently. He thinks of it as just the right program to end his five year tenure as our club's program chairman.

Rick Taylor in 1976

Rick Taylor in 2021

Rotary awards $42,500 to Estes Park seniors

At a special May 19 program, the Rotary Club of Estes Park presented scholarships to 11 students help them reach their post-high school educational goals. Bill Solms, Rotary Club of Estes Park President, Doug Mann, 2019-20 club president, and Anne Slack, Scholarship Committee Chairperson, presented the awards. The scholarships totaled $42,500 and represent the club’s tradition of local support for education.

The Rotary Club of Estes Park raises funds for scholarships in several ways, including the Annual Rotary Golf Tournament for Scholarships, the Shred-a-Thon, and members’ donations. In addition, memorial scholarship funds honor former club members’ lives and passions.

The 2021 scholarship recipients include:

Meila Igel, who will attend the Colorado School of Mines, Isabella Fanucchi, who will attend the University of Minnesota -Twin Cities, and Ellie Bergsten, who will attend Concordia College, Moorehead, MN, were named recipients of the Rotary Club of Estes Park Academic Scholarships. These awards provide each student with $2,000 per year for four years and are offered on the basis of academic achievement and promise, activities, and citizenship.

Rachel Calvin, who will attend Fort Hays State University, earned the Rotary Club of Estes Park Roger M. Thorp Memorial Scholarship. It is a four-year scholarship of $1000/year for a student interested in architecture or interior design.

Alexander Henderson, who will attend Front Range Community College, received the Rotary Club of Estes Park Carver Family Vocational Scholarship. It is a two-year scholarship of $1,000/year for a student attending a vocational school, community college, or a two-year technical program.

Ruth Walker, who will attend York College, earned the Rotary Club of Estes Park Lynn Coffman Scholarship. It provides $1,500 for one year to a student graduating from Estes Park High School who is planning to major in business or related disciplines.

Lucas Pearson, who will attend Belmont in Nashville, received the Rotary Club of Estes Park Ron L. Kuhns Memorial Scholarship. It is a $1,500 award given to a student who possesses a passion and an aptitude for a unique field of study.

Cole Murray, who will attend the University of Wyoming, earned the Rotary Club of Estes Park Bob Brunson and Roger Thorp Memorial Scholarship. This is a $4,000 scholarship which provides $2,000 per year to a student who is pursuing a vocational or non-traditional field of study.

Bradon Moore, who will attend Nebraska Wesleyan University, and Ethan Hill, who will attend Colorado Northwestern Community College, earned the Rotary Club of Estes Park Lee and Alice Hagemeister Memorial Scholarships. Each will receive $1,500.

Jana Coop, who will attend Colorado Mesa University, received the Rotary Club of Estes Park Stanley Hotel Scholarship. This $2,500 award is for a student graduating from Estes Park High School who is planning to major in hotel and/or restaurant management, event planning or a wellness-related field.

The Rotary Club of Estes Park’s Scholarship Committee reviews all student applications, essays and letters of recommendation in a process that takes nearly a month. The committee then interviews several applicants for each scholarship before making final decisions.

"I am grateful for the time and opinions invested by Bruce Brown, Gregg Jurgens, Jim Whiteneck, Guy Van der Werf, Pete Sumey and Verlene Thorp in evaluating students,” said Anne Slack. “And, last but not least, Doug Mann and Bill Solms for their amazing job presenting the awards."

Scholars are invited to meet Rotary Club of Estes Park members by attending meetings as their busy schedules permit.

How our club helps children in Albania

Our program this week features club member Michelle Mann, who serves as Executive Director of Nehemiah Gateway USA. She will update the club on several Albanian projects. The program begins at noon on Zoom. Click on the link to be admitted:

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

Nehemiah Gateway USA is a member of the Nehemiah Gateway (NG) Team. The NG Team is a collaborative body of international aid organizations unified as Nehemiah Gateway.

"We exist and cooperate to improve lives and communities of people in need by empowering them at every level of society, with the tiny Balkan nation of Albania being the primary focus of our work," Mann explains.

Michelle Mann

The Estes Park Noon Rotary Club has partnered with NG USA over the past five years, providing funding and support for Albanian projects such as the summer camps for marginalized children in the Roma community and special needs children. They have also successfully applied for a Rotary International Global Grant that is helping to fund a Children’s Learning Center that better help special needs children to receive therapy and specialized care in a more customized, effective and up-to-date manner.

"The partnership between NG USA and the Noon Rotary Club has benefitted some of the most vulnerable children in the Pogradec, Albania region in a variety of ways, bringing hope and support for them, their families and local community," Mann said.

Michelle has worked in the international world of non-profits for over 30 years. Her specialty is organizational development and the establishment of accounting and internal control systems for non-governmental organizations.

Widely travelled and having lived abroad for a number of years in various countries including Albania, Germany and India, she is experienced in public speaking in multilingual settings and is able to bring business skills into culturally diverse settings. Whether through teaching accounting skills in a mud and grass hut in South Sudan, training entrepreneurial leaders in the mountains of North India or reviewing non-profit practices in the Balkans, she has sought to help enterprises and leaders grow in integrity, transparency and effectiveness as they serve their local communities and society. Michelle also teaches Financial Accounting as a guest lecturer at Nehemiah Gateway University in Pogradec, Albania.

It was during her years in Albania in the late ‘90s where she was first introduced to the expanding and impactful work of Nehemiah Gateway. Nehemiah Gateway USA, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) international relief and development organization.

She currently lives in Colorado with her husband, Doug, and has three grown children and a grandson.

This week's program:

The Salvation Army and The Red Cross

Our speakers this week will be Gordon Slack and Bill Howell. They will update the club on the role of two important organizations in our community, The Salvation Army and The Red Cross. The meeting will begin at noon on Zoom. Click on the link below to be admitted to the meeting:

Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

Bill Howell Gordon Slack

Bill Howell is a 18-year resident of Estes Park having retired from a 32-year career in Law Enforcement. Having moved from the Los Angeles area after his retirement, Bill became involved in many Community Organizations, initially with Sunrise Rotary, Veterans Association as a Hospice Volunteer and a lifetime member of the Marine Corps League in Loveland. During the Flood of 2013, Bill offered his expertise as a disaster worker having worked many disasters in the Southern California area over his previous career. While denied at the time because he was not locally vetted, Bill joined the American Red Cross and trained as a Mass Care and Disaster Volunteer. Since joining the Red Cross, Bill has deployed to 20 Natural Disaster throughout the United States including a Volcano in Hawaii. During the Cameron Peak Wildfire, Bill worked 12 to 18 hour shifts as the Red Cross Liaison with the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management and the Town of Estes Park. Even after being evacuated himself, Bill continued his work assisting in finding emergency housing and disaster relief for those affected by the wildfire. Bill continues to work with the Red Cross preparing for the upcoming flood and wildfire season.

Following three years in the Army, Gordon Slack went back to school to earn a degree in Computer Science. After 10 years writing software, he screwed up and got into management. He escaped management and began a 25-year career in industrial sales that took him to several foreign countries including California. Gordon and Annie have lived in Estes Park for 20 years.

Posted by Rita DuChateau

The week's program:

A year for the Estes Park history books

How would you describe the past year in Estes Park? It certainly has been a year like no other. Mayor Wendy Koenig will join our Zoom meeting on Thursday, May 13 to give us her impressions of the pasts 12 months in our little mountain town.

Click on the link before noon: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369. Our Zoom host, Scott Thompson, will give you access to the meeting.

Mayor Koenig is a 50-year Estes Park resident and attended school in Estes Park, graduating in 1973 from Estes Park High School. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in 1977 and Master of Science in 1978 from Colorado State University and earned her Doctor of Audiology in 2004 from Central Michigan University.

She was a two-time Olympian in the 1972 Munich Olympics and 1976 Montreal Olympics and her 28-year career in track and field exposed her to national and international politics as an athlete, team manager, USA track and field athlete representative and board member, Olympic Committee representative and Olympic Committee Board member.

In 1987, Mayor Koenig returned to Estes Park to raise her family and continue working as an audiologist. As an audiologist, she served on legislative committees for business regulation and state conventions. Since her return to Town, she has been involved in many town committees and boards including the Park Hospital District Board of Directors, Senior Center Board, Estes Park Lions Club and the Town Board of Trustees. In April 2020 Mayor Koenig began her four-year term as Mayor for the Town of Estes Park.

Posted by Rita DuChateau

Duck Race fans broke records May 1

The Rotary Duck Race proved for the second year that a pandemic could not dampen the community spirit that propels the 33-year-old event. Because a record number of ducks were adopted, 7,198 to be exact, the 65 Participating Organizations will receive a projected $118,579 to shore up their budgets and continue their important work in the Estes Valley.

The May 1 event got an early start with a breakfast at The Egg of Estes for Duck Race Committee volunteers, followed by the Estes Park Running Club’s Duck Waddle 5K on the scenic Lake Estes Trail. Beginning at noon, programming was live-streamed from The Estes Valley Community Center’s Lazy River and viewed on YouTube, Facebook and TDS Channel 8/108 - The Rocky Mountain Channel. A Pre-Flight Show featured performances by singer/songwriter Cowboy Brad Fitch and Ballet Renaissance. Kurtis Kelly and Scott Thompson served as emcees and provided lively commentary as Major Sponsor and little race ducks navigated the current of The Lazy River. Personnel from the Estes Valley Fire Protection District, Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department and Pinewood Springs Fire Protection District represented first responders that were honored this year for their heroic efforts during the recent wildfires. They participated in the duck drop and shared a timely message about wildfire preparedness.

The top prize winners for 2021 were:

Mark Wagner - $5,000
Donald Kutz - $2,500
Christopher Marr - $1,000
Kenny Lefebvre – Yellowstone Vacation Package
Debby Westley – Glacier National Park Vacation Package

In addition, over 300 merchant prizes were awarded. All winners are listed on https://www.epduckrace.org/2021/05/01/2021-prize-winners/

Leading the Rotary Duck Race flock this year as ‘Big Duck’, Bill Solms met the challenge of capturing the spirit of the event without the benefit of its traditional outdoor venues and cheering race fans. After the last duck was plucked from The Lazy River, Solms ‘quacked out’ some well-deserved thanks to several partners.

“On behalf of Rotary and all those who worked so hard to help this event accomplish its purposes, I thank all who invested in this venture: the Town of Estes Park, the Estes Valley Community Center, Mayor Wendy Koenig, Chief David Wolf, and all of our other firefighting forces!”

Solms is most appreciate of the strong community support that resulted in a record-breaking number of Duck Adoptions.

“This year’s 33rd Rotary Duck Race allows us to send vital support to 65 participating non-profits as summer begins,” he added.

The race is available for viewing on YouTube for anyone who missed the big day or just wants to see it all again. Click on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFNORj1tnfk

Looking ahead to 2022, the Rotary Duck Race Committee is anticipating a return to the traditional format, with ducks racing on the Fall River from Nicky’s to Riverside Plaza. During 2020 and 2021, the race occurred indoors and without spectators, for the safety of race fans and volunteers.

One former Big Duck said the 2021 race “proved its mettle and staying power for this community by hanging in there for the long haul and adapting to a worldwide pandemic. The fact that the Duck Race is standing strong and ready to go back to the river shows its important value to the community because people show up to support it no matter what.”

Don Widrig, volunteer since 2002 who wrote the 41,000 lines computer code that runs all aspects of the race added his praise, “I rank this as the best race that I have ever participated in.”

Since its inception in 1989, the Duck Race has distributed $2.9 million to various Participating Organizations.

May 6 program:

Water Quality Management in Estes Park

Our program this week will flood you with information about our town's water quality and how it is maintained. Bring a gallon or two of questions! Our presenters will be Chris Eshelman, Town of Estes Park Water Superintendent, and Deb Callahan, Town of Estes Park Water Quality and Laboratory Supervisor.

This week's meeting will be on Zoom. Click on the link before noon: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

Chris Eshelman has worked for the Town a total of 12 and half years. Formerly, Chris operated his own local excavation company. He grew up in Estes Park, raised his kids here with his wife, Marlys, and is looking forward to introducing his new baby granddaughter to the Town as well.

Chris Esheleman

Deb Callahan has been with the Town for three+ years after retiring from her laboratory career at the Water Purification Plant in Sioux Falls, SD. She is in awe of the beauty of Colorado! Deb enjoys exploring new places and advocating for her two daughters to follow her lead and move to Colorado too!

Deb Callahan

Posted by Rita DuChateau

Ballet, folk, and waddle await Duck Race fans

The Rotary Duck Race is just a few days away, so it’s time to plan your Virtual Race Day fun. The day takes flight with the 9 a.m. Duck Waddle, a 5K sponsored by the Estes Park Running Club that will encircle Lake Estes. Before the little yellow rubber ducks hit the water, be sure to tune in to the Pre-Flight Show at noon, featuring clips from historic race day footage, an appearance by Lucky Duck and recognition of Major Sponsors. Next up, at 12:40 p.m., the live event coverage begins from the Lazy River at the Estes Valley Community Center. Adoption sales end at 1 p.m. The ducks will race starting around 1:15 p.m. Major Prize winners will be announced as the first five ducks reach the finish line. All other prize winners will be posted on epduckrace.org by 5 p.m.

The event will be live-streamed for viewing on YouTube, Facebook and TDS Channel 8/108 - The Rocky Mountain Channel. No in-person attendance by the general public will be permitted.

Special moments will include several songs by singer/songwriter Cowboy Brad Fitch, a favorite of Race Day crowds, as well as an enchanting performance of Duck Lake by Ballet Renaissance.

“It’s my great pleasure to once again be part of our town’s annual Rotary Club Duck Race,” said Fitch. “With the help of Sean Doherty from Nick Mollé Productions, we have been able to contribute to the virtual event this year. I encourage everyone to participate in the Estes Park Duck Race, which helps so many organizations and individuals in our community.”

The Ballet Renaissance Ducky Ballerinas have delighted Race Day fans since 2013 with their performances along the Duck Race route and are happy to be part of the 2021 live-stream.

“Ballet Renaissance is pleased to support this year’s annual Estes Park Rotary Duck Race Festival livestream with an original performance of Duck Lake,” said Brianna Furnish, Ballet Renaissance supporter and children’s ballet instructor. “Inspired by the traditional characters and choreography of Swan Lake, Duck Lake, produced by Nick Mollé Productions, features select Ballet Renaissance students, along with a cameo appearance by Rotary’s very own Lucky Duck. Ballet Renaissance extends a special thank you to Leslie Glover and Mark Holdt, who hosted three outdoor rehearsals, and film day for the performance. Here’s to a great race.”

According to Big Duck ‘21 Bill Solms, Race Day promises to be memorable because many volunteers have waddled up to join in the feathered fun.

“Please do not miss the ‘Mystery of Lucky Duck’ and the performance of our middle school volunteers that will ‘mix it up’ in the Lazy River,” Solms said. “Special appearances by mariachi ducks, first responder ducks, and various medical duck personnel will dare the raging waters of the river to distract the creatures appearing within in order to free our race ducks to seek the finish line!”

The global pandemic has affected traditional Estes Park events, but the Duck Race Committee anticipates that the live-stream broadcast will appeal to all Duck Race fans.

“This year's Duck Race shows how resilient the members of Rotary can be during times like these,” Solms said. “But Rotary could not succeed in its mission to support the Town and its non-profit organizations that put their energies into all aspects of this event without the vital contributions from our Major Sponsors, the athletes from the Estes Valley Runners Club, the Renaissance Ballet and its choreographic talent, our local and talented Brad Fitch, businesses providing merchant prizes, and so on. There is no shortage of enthusiasm. Our first responders have been some of the most prolific duck adoption promoters! A special shout-out to Mayor Koenig, Fire Chief David Wolf from Estes Valley Fire Protection District, the neighboring Fire District departments participating, as well as Kurtis Kelly and Scott Thompson, our Race Day Masters of Ceremonies. Join us on Race Day, May 1^st, starting at noon Mountain Time. You will be glad you did.”

To be a part of the day, plan to adopt a duck or a flock by logging onto https://www.epduckrace.org/adopt-ducks/. All adoptions are being handled online. A full schedule of the day’s events is also available on https://www.epduckrace.org/schedule/

The Duck Waddle begins at 9 a.m. near the Estes Park Parking Structure and follows the Lake Estes Trail. Details are available on https://estesparkrunning.org/our-races/duck-waddle-5k/

Silence is not Golden, it's Lonely:

Hearing and Technology Update

Our program on Thursday, April 15, will feature Audiologist Cory Workman, former president of the Colorado Academy of Audiology.

Dr. Cory Workman

Dr. Workman "Dr. Cory" comes to Estes Park by way of Idaho. He received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Idaho State University in his hometown of Pocatello, Idaho in 2006. He received his doctorate in Audiology in 2013, also from Idaho State University. He completed a clinical residency with Colorado West Otolaryngologists Ear, Nose, & Throat physician's clinic in Grand Junction, CO. He spent three years in Grand Junction specializing in hearing loss and balance disorders. He also coordinated the implantable hearing device program while there. Most recently, Dr. Cory has worked in Boise, Idaho with Southwest Idaho ENT as a clinical audiologist. Dr. Cory specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss, balance and dizziness disorders, hearing aids, repairs, wax removal, hearing protection and assistive devices. He brings a personalized, straightforward approach to his patients and enjoys improving the lives of those he serves.

Dr. Cory has served on the national Student Academy of Audiology board of directors from 2011 to 2013 and as president of the Colorado Academy of Audiology from 2014 to 2015. He carries board certification from the American Board of Audiology and is very active nationally for the professional of audiology.

Dr. Cory and his wife, Melinda, have two daughters and share a love of music, the arts and the great outdoors. They can be found around town looking for the best live music or in the outdoors biking and skiing. They are excited to be a part of the Estes Park community and look forward to many years ahead.

This week's meeting will be on Zoom. Click on the link before noon: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

Duck Waddle set for Duck Race Day

While the Rotary Duck Race will be conducted without the traditional riverside crowds this year, there is a big way for everyone to get Race Day off to a healthy and fun start. Sign up for the Duck Waddle 5K and get your feet moving at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 1.

The event is sponsored by the Estes Park Running Club, and after having to cancel the 2020 Duck Waddle, planners are more than excited to offer it this year. Safety precautions will be in place, so it’s best to plan ahead for the Duck Waddle. The race begins and ends in Bond Park and the route includes a scenic trek along MacGregor Ave., Big Thompson Ave. and Fall River Rd.

Here’s what you can do to ensure a place in the starting line:

Go to https://estesparkrunning.org/our-races/duck-waddle-5k/ and register. Late registration is April 26 - May 1, with a $7 increase to the entry fee. In-person registration available, 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. on Race Day
Adult registration is $30 and includes a Duck Adoption (value $20) and “Firefighter Duck” shirt ($5 added).
Seniors (60 and up) registration is $25 and includes a Duck Adoption (value $20) and “Firefighter Duck” shirt ($5 added).
Youth 14 and under will be charged $25.
Pick up your packet between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on April 30 at Med-X of Estes Park, 158 First St. OR in Bond Park on Race Day beginning at 8 a.m.
All participants must observe social distancing guidelines and wear a mask at all times, except while running.

“We want to have a safe and fun race for everyone!” said Belle Morris, Estes Park Running Club President and Race Director. “Join us by following our Social Contract agreement for COVID-19 precautions. All participants are asked to wear a face mask at all times, with exception while running or walking during race. Social distancing at the start line and at the separate finish line is expected. A time-trial interval start, of 3-second spacing, will allow participants adequate spacing.”

A special commemorative race shirt will be available to the public for purchase on Race Day for $20, Morris added.

Following the Duck Waddle 5K, top finishers will receive awards and prizes. These include 1^st and 2^nd place male and female overall. Additional awards will be presented to 1^st and 2^nd place, male and female, in the following categories: 13 and under; 14-16; 17-19; 20-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70-70; and over 80.

“The Estes Park Running Club provides their unique and challenging schedule to all of our runners,” said ‘Big Duck ‘21’ Bill Solms. “Their participation in our Duck Race Festival in this unusual year shows their individual caring and dedication to our cause of raising support and directing attention towards all of our non-profits in the Estes Valley!! Please join them in their special Duck Waddle this year by running in the race and/or by adopting one of their racing ducks.”

April 8 program:

Economically Speaking: the state of Estes

Adam Shake will be our featured speaker on Thursday, April 8. He will present on a topic that affects all of us in many ways: the state of the Estes Park economy. Our meeting will be on Zoom only, so log in before noon with the following link and be welcomed by Scott Thompson, our meeting host: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

Adam Shake

Shake is the President/CEO of the Estes Park Economic Development Corporation. He served nearly 15 years in the U.S. Army before working in Washington DC for 11 years before moving to Colorado. Since his arrival in Estes Park, he’s served on the boards of Visit Estes Park, Estes Valley Partners for Commerce and Flinch Forward as well as volunteering for many other community initiatives.

April 1 program:

How has Rotary influenced Russia?

“Will it be Beneficial to All Concerned?” Many Rotarians since the 1990's economic devastation of Russia, most notably the Eugene, Oregon Rotary Club, believed helping Russians met the purpose of the Four-Way Test. Certainly, “Will it Build GOODWILL and BETTER Friendships?” fits the bill. As Mikhail Gorbachev said, “It is better to be friends than to be enemies. It is better to do business than to do war.” Thus, Rotary stood tall … and still does today.

What have we learned since three Swedish Rotarians first visited Russia in 1988 and the first club was chartered in Moscow in 1990? What have hundreds of American Rotary Clubs given to the Russian economy and stability (before the pandemic, of course)?

Milt Garrett is possibly one among a very small handful of American Rotarians who have, over many decades, consistently aided in that Four-Way Test consideration across Russia’s 11 time zones.

Milt Garrett

This summer’s return trip will be Garrett’s 23^rd year working with Russian entrepreneurs. A self-funded Rotarian, he’s twice been selected as a citizen diplomat. Ten of 23 years he did this work pro bono as a Rotarian. He’s a former member of the Rotary International’s U.S.-Russia Intercountry Committee.

In the Fall 1999 with the Grand Junction Rotary Club, and later sponsored by a San Francisco organization that Congress funded, Dr. Garrett was sent across America to many Rotary Clubs. When there, he spent a first full week as their lead instructor and taught industry-specific delegations of Russian men and women. Local Rotarian hosts were responsible for the expenses for the three weeks of training. The purpose of this effort by Rotarians and San Francisco was to restart the economic recovery of Russia. What has he learned? Has Rotary really been beneficial to the Russian entrepreneur? If so, how has it helped in their economy since the Christmas Day 1991 breakup?

Dr. Milt Garrett will answer those questions with his presentation: “How Has Rotary influenced Russia?”

Join the Zoom meeting before noon by clicking on the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

Posted by Rita DuChateau

Club grant will help feed the community

The Rotary Club of Estes Park has a longstanding commitment to address areas of need in the local community and has recently awarded a grant to help with a shortfall of holiday collections by The Salvation Army.

Due to the COVID pandemic, the bell-ringing campaign sponsored by The Salvation Army came up short this year. The Community Service Committee of the Rotary Club of Estes Park, which vets and recommends grants funded by the club, recently delivered $1,000 to the Community Corner Café to help provide weekly free dinners for all Estes Valley residents. Half of the amount came from the club’s Friendship Card proceeds, and $500 was donated by a generous club member.

Roxy Hause (left) and Rev. Bruce Brackman (right) happily accept the $1,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Estes Park representative Beth Weisberg to help with the Community Corner Café.

The Community Corner Café is based at Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church on Dry Gulch Road, near Good Samaritan Village. Free meals are provided every Friday between the first Friday in October and the last Friday in April, between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Due to COVID, meals are “to go” during this CCC season.

“Community Corner Café is about Community, celebrating our ‘common unity.’ We provide good nourishing meals at no cost to anyone in Estes Park and surrounding areas,” said Bruce Brackman, pastor of Shepherd of the Mountains. “So far this year we are averaging over 225 meals every Friday night. We are so thankful for the Noon Rotary’s grant of $500 and a $500 match by an anonymous donor. We absolutely would not be able to serve without the generosity of the Noon Rotary and other organizations that consider Community Corner Café an important ministry to Estes Park and surrounding areas. CCC is funded purely by grants and donations.”

Founded in 1926, The Rotary Club of Estes Park is a service organization open to all. The club currently meets on Zoom on first four Thursdays of every month. Meetings begin at noon, with an optional lunch served at 11:30 a.m. Interested in joining? Contact Anne Slack, membership chairperson at anneslack@aol.com. To help the club’s philanthropic efforts, consider buying a $10 Friendship Card for local discounts at any of the following locations: Cabintique, Country Market, Macdonald Book Shop, Mad Moose, Nicky’s Steak and Seafood House, Quality Inn, Safeway Guest Services, Rocky Mountain Gateway, Wynbrier Home and Wynbrier Ltd.

What You Need to Know:

Getting Around Downtown This Summer

This week's program will head off unwanted parking tickets, because as they say, Knowledge is Power!

Both parking and transit in Estes Park will look a little different in Summer 2021. Plans to implement seasonal paid parking were put on hold in 2020 due to COVID, as was the vision for expanded transportation offerings around Town and down the hill. However, even with the pandemic, parking areas downtown were as full, or in some cases, more full in 2020 than in previous years. This presentation will cover the Town's plans for resuming implementation of seasonal paid parking in 2021, new parking permit options for business owners, employees and locals, and proposed transit service offerings.

Our speakers will be Vanessa Solesbee and Matt Eisenberg, Town of Estes Park employees.

Vanessa Solsesbee

Solesbee has been the Town's Parking & Transit Manager since 2018 and has worked in the parking industry for 13 years. Prior to joining the Town staff, Vanessa was President of The Solesbee Group, LLC, a management consultancy specializing in parking strategic planning for municipalities and universities. Vanessa has worked with communities all over the US and Canada, as well as many mountain west clients including the cities of Boulder, Fort Collins, Denver, Parker, Castle Rock, Longmont, Aurora, Jackson Hole; Cheyenne, Provo, Missoula, MT, and Billings. Vanessa lives in Estes Park with her husband, John, and two daughters Ava Fox (5) and Ella Bee (2).

Eisenberg is General Manager of The Car Park’s Estes Park branch. He and his family relocated to Estes Park from Boise, Idaho last year to help the Town with the implementation and management of its seasonal paid parking program. Prior to Boise, the Eisenbergs lived in Telluride for over a decade, and are very happy to be back in Colorado.

Click on the Zoom link before noon on Thursday and our host Scott Thompson will invite you into the session: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

This week's program:

Financial Literacy for Women

This week's program will be presented by Andrea Anthony, who will provide information on what women should know about managing finances. She aims to help women navigate difficult financial life changes. Our speaker is well known to at least two club members, Michelle and Doug Mann, because Andrea is Michelle's sister.

Andrea Anthony

Andrea Anthony, CPA, CDFA, M. Acc.. has over 30 years of accounting experience and has served as a director, treasurer, and advisor for numerous boards, from nonprofits to private companies to political organizations. Her Estes Park, Colorado-based firm, Changing Tides CPA, Inc., gives her the flexibility to address a cause close to her heart—assisting women to attain financial literacy so they are no longer at risk of financial exploitation, ruin, or abuse. This includes aiding elderly women who find themselves suddenly alone and unfamiliar with financial matters as their late spouse was the one who "took care of everything."

Anthony, licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in both Florida and Colorado, is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA). She provides a range of needed services:

Divorce financial analysis
Support services for those divorcing, separated or contemplating either
Eldercare financial counseling and assistance
Small business and personal accounting consulting, such as company oversight, internal control reviews, cash flow management, budgeting, and cash flow forecasting.

Anthony received her Masters of Science in Accounting from the University of North Florida and began her career with the two firms that would later become Price Waterhouse Coopers. She is the Finance Director for St. John's Academy, a private school in St. Augustine, FL., where she has served for more than 25 years. Anthony has also volunteered accounting support to nonprofit humanitarian agencies in Kosovo, Albania, and Sudan. Recently, she served on the Board of Directors for The Betty Griffin Center in St. Augustine, FL, which helps local victims of domestic violence and their children. She is currently Treasurer of the Board for The Historic Stanley Home Foundation.

Join the meeting by clicking on this link before the program begins at noon: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

This week's program:

American Legion plans for Wall of Honor

Our program on Thursday, March 4 will feature an exciting project sponsored by the Estes Park American Legion Post 119. Our speaker, Deborah Schmitt, will describe the Wall of Honor Project, which aims to commemorate the service of our veterans, their family members and the community.

Deborah "Sunny" Schmitt is a member of Post 119 and the Sunrise Rotary. She retired from the Air Force after 22 years of active service.

Deborah Schmitt

To join the meeting on Zoom, click on the link before noon and Host Scott Thompson will welcome you: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

Estes Park to honor role of historic women

Our program this week will provide the background, scope and progress on the Estes Park Women's Monument Project. The goal of the project is to celebrate the role of women in the growth and success of Estes Park. Ron Wilcocks, chair of the Estes Park Women's Monument Project Committee, will present.

Ron Wilcocks

Wilcocks, who moved to Estes Park in 1999, is co-owner of Earthwood Galleries of Colorado, which includes Earthwood Collections and Earthwood Artisans. He is an active volunteer, having previously served as Vice President of the Cultural Arts Council, Vice-Chair of the Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority and other community-based boards and committees. Currently, he is a member of the Parks Advisory Board and the Transportation Advisory Board, as well as leading the Women's Monument Project.

Previously, Wilcocks applied his bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science in several lead software engineering positions, including as a Director at the US West/Quest Advanced Technology Labs in Boulder. Married to Ann for nearly 37 years, Ron and Ann raised their two children in Estes Park.

To join the meeting on Zoom, click on the Zoom link before noon. Scott Thompson, our Zoom host, will welcome you. Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369.

The 4-legged ladder:

Carl Robicheaux to explain estate planning

This week's program will feature one of our own, Carl Robicheaux. His program is titled: Simple Estate Planning - The Four Legs of the Ladder.

Carl Robicheaux

Carl was born and raised in South Louisiana. He graduated from Loyola Law School in New Orleans and is licensed to practice law in Colorado, Louisiana and Connecticut. Carl's vast experience in his varied legal career has spanned over 33 years. He has represented individuals and companies in small cases and multi-million dollar litigation.

Carl has worked as a solo practitioner and with a small, three-attorney law firm providing legal services to rural clients needing affordable and professional legal representation. He has also represented multi-national insurance companies and Fortune 500 companies in personal injury litigation.

After caring for his elderly mother Carl realized that individuals need a strong voice to help them through everyday legal issues. Carl moved to Estes Park and opened Elkhorn Law, devoting his practice to estate planning, probate, real estate, HOA law, elder law issues, business formation and governance. Carl also provides general legal counseling.

Carl is the Vice President and Treasurer of the Rotary Club of Estes Park Foundation. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Estes Park Health Foundation and the Estes Chamber of Commerce.

Carl enjoys spending time with his wife, Aime, his 3 dogs, hiking, playing golf and attempting to fly fish (when his flies are in the river and not a tangled mess).

To join the meeting on Zoom, click on the Zoom link before noon, and Scott Thompson, our Zoom host, will welcome you. Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369.

This week's program:

Rosenkrance to discuss learning in a pandemic

Imagine for a moment the logistics required to deliver instruction to 1,100 students in elementary, middle and high school during a pandemic. We've invited our Estes Park School District R-3 Superintendent Sheldon Rosenkrance to describe the process, challenges and successes of the past year.

Rosenkrance came to Estes Park as superintendent in August 2014. He is in his seventh school year at the Estes Park School District as Superintendent of Schools.

Sheldon Rosenkrance

Originally from Mackay, Idaho, he attended Idaho State University as well as Washington State University. He was both a teacher and a principal in Idaho and Washington prior to coming to Colorado. Sheldon was a principal for Coupeville Middle/High Schools for eight years on Whidbey Island in Washington when he accepted the position of Superintendent of Schools in Estes Park. This will be his 33rd year in education and he has a great passion for providing the best educational opportunities for students, staff, and community.

Sheldon’s wife, Janie, is a math teacher for the Poudre School District. They have four daughters. Their youngest, Carlie is a graduate of Estes Park High School and attending CSU. Cassidi is a recent graduate of Colorado State University, Chelsea lives in Seattle, and Nikki and her family live and work in Greeley. Their family has had a great transition from Washington to Colorado and they truly enjoy being part of such a supportive community. In their free time they enjoy hiking and exploring the many wonders of Estes Park and the surrounding Rocky Mountain National Park.

Superintendent Rosenkrance truly believes that Estes Park is a special place and is appreciative of the opportunity to build on the strengths of the district, as well as the ability to partner with the community to enhance these efforts.

To join the meeting on Zoom, click on the Zoom link before noon, and Scott Thompson, our Zoom host, will welcome you. Meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369.

Posted by Rita DuChateau

Ducks to swim in Lazy River May 1

It’s official! Thousands of little yellow ducks will swim again in 2021. After taking a year off for a virtual race in a television studio 2020, the ducks will again hit the water on Saturday, May 1 at the 33rd annual Rotary Duck Race Festival.

The Duck Race will be modified due to COVID safety guidelines, but it is guaranteed to bring a much-needed morning of joy and fundraising. Details are still being “feathered out” but what we know is that the race will take place at the Estes Valley Community Center and utilize the Lazy River for the little yellow paddlers. Because no one can predict what state and county guidelines will be in place on May 1, the Rotary Duck Race Festival will be live-streamed and available on several platforms so that families can safely gather at home in front of their TV or computer screens to celebrate the annual progress toward the finish line.

The 33rd Estes Park Rotary Duck Race Festival will benefit 64 Participating Organizations. They will begin to sell Duck Adoptions in early March. The organizations are busy plotting online sales strategy, as all Duck Adoptions will be handled online.

“Sixty-four local Participating Organization are ready and excited to launch the adoption season stating in early March,” said Larry Williams, Rotary Duck Race Festival organizations committee chairman. “This is a great way to support your favorite nonprofit and have fun watching the ducks in the Lazy River on May 1."

By holding the event indoors without crowds and eliminating paper adoption sales and handling, the volunteers who power the race will be kept as safe as possible, according to Big Duck ‘21 Bill Solms. Fewer Rotarians and town employees and will be needed to support the race this year, so that health and safety can be enhanced until the full scope of activities can return, hopefully in 2022.

This week's program:

Fire fire management officer to present

This week's program will feature Mike Lewelling, fire management officer with the National Park Service, Rocky Mountain National Park. HIs program is titled, "Fire Management and the East Troublesome fire at Rocky mountain National Park" To join the meeting on Zoom, click on this link before noon: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369. Meeting host Scott Thompson will provide access to Rotarians and visitors.

Mike Lewelling

Lewelling has been the Fire Management Officer at Rocky Mountain National Park for almost 15 years. He started his federal career in 1990 at Zion National Park where he had a summer job as a fee collector and was also collateral duty firefighter. He stayed at Zion for five years working as a backcountry ranger and firefighter. Then in the summers of 1996 and 1997 he moved to the Grand Canyon to work as a firefighter. In the summer of 1998, he started the year at Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks as an engine captain, then got his first permanent job back at Zion as a station captain, supervising two engine crews and the fuels crew. In 2000, Mike was promoted to prescribed fire specialist at Zion. In 2001, Mike moved to Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California where he became the fire management officer (FMO). In 2006, Mike accepted the FMO position at RMNP and has been here ever since.

Mike stays active in the local community as the president of the Estes Park Cycling Coalition and helps coach the high school mountain bike team. He is also a CrossFit Coach at CrossFit Estes Park.

Lewelling received his Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education from Western Oregon State College in 1990, and also graduated from the two-year technical fire management program in 2006. He has lived in Estes Park for 15 years with his wife and two high school age daughters.

Inspiring, sustaining recovery at Harmony

Our speaker this week is Jim Geckler, CEO of Harmony Foundation since July 2017. The mission of Harmony in Estes Park is to provide the foundation for sustained recovery from the diseases of drug and alcohol addiction. To join the meeting on Zoom click on this link before noon: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

Jim Geckler

Geckler is a native of Buffalo, NY who has served the recovery community in a professional capacity for almost 20 years. Jim has constantly sought to open the path to treatment for families and individuals. His experience has touched all phases of the continuum of care, from establishing the first LGBT recovery residence in Minneapolis, leading families through the process of intervention as Chief Operating Officer of Addiction Intervention Resources, to multiple leadership roles at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. As Chief Executive Officer at the Harmony Foundation, Colorado's oldest residential treatment program, Geckler has worked to expand access to services for all people seeking recovery and to guide the next phases of Harmony’s development. His greatest honor is in helping people find new ways to manage life.

Work at Harmony brought Jim and his family to Colorado, where they have set down roots in Allenspark. His passion for community engagement led him to a position on the Estes Park Restorative Justice board, supporting alternate opportunities for people to make amends to their community. Jim and his husband Peter are pleased to be apart of the Estes Valley and excited to be new Coloradans.

Jan. 7 program-

Crossroads' Brian Schaffer to present

Brian Schaffer has served as the executive director of Crossroads Ministry since May 2018. In addition he is the chaplain for the Estes Valley Fire Protection District and a member of Sunrise Rotary.

Brian Schaffer

Join the program by clicking on this Zoom link before noon: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

Before joining Crossroads, Schaffer served in Alaska with Catholic Social Services providing system support and collaborative leadership for agencies working with homeless families in the HUD coordinated entry system and rapid rehousing program. He was also an outreach pastor at the largest church in the state and led New Hope on the Last Frontier as their executive director where he launched a recovery services program, job training center, life coaching and peer mentoring to augment the already existing food and clothing distribution.

He was active on advisory boards for the Salvation Army and Anchorage Cops for Community and served as a volunteer prison chaplain. The last two years in Alaska he helped establish Acts 247 Recovery Church to reach people in recovery from addiction, homelessness and incarceration. In each of these assignments he worked collaboratively with churches, government agencies, businesses, and volunteers..

Before this he served in pastoral assignments with the Church of the Nazarene in Texas. While living in Houston he founded and served as the executive director of Urban Link, a Christian community development organization. Preceding his time in Texas and Alaska, he served as a missionary in Central America and the Caribbean, worked at a small oil company in Kansas and Oklahoma as well as taught in both public and private schools.

Schaffer believes that his life’s mission is centered in mobilizing communities to love their neighbors through acts of compassion and words of life. This calling has been translated into a career that is uniquely suited him as a spiritual, cultural, and civic leader.

He received a bachelor’s degree in education from MidAmerica Nazarene University and a master’s degree in ministerial leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Growing up in the flatlands of Wichita, Kansas he always dreamed of living a life filled with adventure. After graduating from MNU where he met his wife, Deborah, they began their missionary journey together. And 31 years later, they have three grown sons and one daughter-in-law in Texas and Tennessee.

“I’m amazed at all the ways that Crossroads has been involved in the lives of people in need, from tragic events such as the floods and fires to providing occasional assistance with rent, utilities, medical costs, repairs, fuel, or whatever else that has brought their life to a screeching halt," he said. "Restoring hope in a loving manner has been a trademark of this exceptional organization and I am grateful to the board of directors for the opportunity to be their Executive Director."

Adapted from an article that appeared in the June 2018 Trail-Gazette

This week's program

Special guest: Olga Ortega

Our speaker this week will be Olga Ortega, a well-known restaurant owner whose support of the Hispanic community in the Estes Valley is inspirational. She will present a short program and then answer our questions.

This description of Olga comes from Sybil Barnes as part of the 100 Years - A Celebration of Women series:

The guiding principle of Olga Ortega’s life is that all good stories never come without painful stories. She came to Estes in 1992 as one of the second Latino families to stay year-round. Olga has dealt with painful circumstances including family mental health issues resulting in the suicide of one of her siblings.

Olga is grateful for the community she found here. Initial support was provided by Barb Wahl, the public health nurse, who advised her through pregnancy and the birth of her son. Five years later, the family was joined by a beautiful daughter. Both are EPHS graduates and successful in college. They also help in the family business – Mountain Home Café – which Olga and her husband, Enrique, have owned for 13 years.

Olga is always willing to make a difference for those in need. Mentors made an impact on her family to pay it forward by staying strong. She says “We embrace our community with a commitment to service.” She has sponsored an annual Cinco de Mayo feast which is free to all. During the recent pandemic, she partnered with Crossroads to provide free meals and fabric masks to hundreds.

For a smiling face, excellent food, and interesting conversation, stop by and see Olga.

This week's program:

Jonathan Shibley on Making a Lasting Impact

Join your club this Thursday on Zoom to hear our program on Global Advance. Our speaker will be Jonathan Shibley, Global Advance President, who will join us on Zoom and be introduced by Doug Mann.

Jonathan Shibley

Since 2000, Shibley has helped shape the organization’s growth and international impact. Global Advance has provided leadership training for more than 836,700 pastors, business persons, and women leaders in 104 nations. He founded the Marketplace Missions initiatives of Global Advance, which focus on equipping thousands of Christian entrepreneurs and business professionals around the world with vision and acumen to become catalysts for fulfilling the Great Commission.

According to the organization's website, "Global Advance was founded in 1990 by Dr. David Shibley. In the 1980s, God put a vision and burden in his heart to provide encouragement, resources, and training for frontline pastors in destitute nations of the world."

Jonathan Shibley holds a Business Degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He and his wife, Sarah, have three children.

Scott Thompson will be our Zoom Host. Join the program by clicking on the Zoom link before noon:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

Thursday's program:

Dr. John Meyer on when to call the chopper

Our program this week will feature Dr. John Meyer, Estes Park Health Chief of Staff. His program is "When to Call a Chopper - an Emergency Department Presentation."

Join the program by clicking on the Zoom link before noon. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

Dr. Meyer describes his leadership style as “laid back and approachable” and that has worked for him as a leadership trainer at the YMCA, as a camp counselor, the captain of his football team and now in the Emergency Department. “I may appear laid back,” Dr. Meyer adds, “but there are things that I actively want for this community. I want this town to have an excellent hospital with excellent patient care, and so do the other physicians.”

Dr. John Meyer

A career in medicine was a natural choice for Dr. Meyer. “I have always had a passion for working with people and helping others,” he says. “This, along with a passion for science made it an easy fit for me.”

As a trained Emergency Medicine physician, Dr. Meyer’s expertise is in helping people who’ve suffered an accident or serious sudden illness. To establish trust and open communication in these critical situations, Dr. Meyer treats each patient like a friend or family member. “I am open and friendly with everyone I work with, as well as patients.” Immediately establishing rapport allows him to quickly address patient needs and take the proper course of action.

In his free time, Dr. Meyer spends time with his wife and two sons. In addition to going to the gym, skiing, and hiking, he enjoys listening to music, playing percussion, and “having as many laughs as I can dream up!”

Nov. 12 program:

Director to present on the Urgent Care Center

Our program this week will feature Barb Valente, B.A., B.S.N., R.N, the director of the new Estes Park Health Urgent Care Center. The Urgent Care Center is a new venture for Estes Park Health, and provides an additional care option for Estes Park residents and visitors. Valente joined Estes Park Health in 2016, and accepted her newest role in December 2019.

Click on this link to join the meeting on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

Barb Valente, Urgent Care Center Director

The Urgent Care Center provides treatment for immediate or same-day non-emergency care for fevers, flu, coughs and colds, ear infections, minor broken bones, minor cuts and burns, altitude sickness, etc. It is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., and no appointment is needed to be seen for care.

Prior to her current role, Valente functioned as a Triage and Float R.N. for the Estes Park Health Physician’s Clinic, doing telephone triage and working with all the providers. Before joining Estes Park Health, she worked as a NICU nurse for Boulder Community Hospital, and North Colorado Medical Center (Banner Health) before that. At Boulder Community, she was Chair of the Unit Based Council for three years, providing education, policy/procedure review, staff competencies and skills assessments based on evidence-based nursing practice.

Nursing is a second career for Valente; she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from University of Northern Colorado in 2009, where she participated in the Second Degree nursing program, as well as being a full-ride Hansen Nursing Scholarship recipient. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Pepperdine University in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Music. Her first career was as a music teacher, where she had her own private music studio for 10+ years.

Valente’s nursing career has been spent ensuring high quality patient care, patient education, providing a safe environment for patients, and furthering the industry in this ever-changing world of healthcare. She and her team are committed to making a positive difference in the health and well-being of all they serve at the Urgent Care Center.

When Barb is not working, she loves spending time with her husband and two teenage children, performing with her band, and doing anything outdoors. She lives just outside of Estes Park, and is excited to be able to be able to offer this new service line of care for her community.

Posted by Rita DuChateau

This week's program:

Carol Stark to present on Paul Harris giving

You may not know, but November is Foundation Month in Rotary. There's no better time than this to hear from our District 5440 Paul Harris Society Representative Carol Stark.

She will join our meeting via Zoom this week and will provide an overview of the benefits of giving to Rotary International's Paul Harris Fellowship program, the Paul Harris Society, or of becoming a Major Donor or Benefactor. Many members of our club are Paul Harris Fellows, 32 to be exact. Of that number, 17 are Multiple Paul Harris Fellows. In addition, three among us are Benefactors and another three are Major Donors. Six club members have pledged to donate $1,000 annually, which places them in the Paul Harris Society. Carol will explain each level of recognition and why it's important to consider R.I. in your charitable giving.

Carol Stark is past president of the Loveland Rotary Club, past Assistant DG for the Greeley clubs, and PHS and TC (Triple Crown) chair for the District. She has been a Rotarian for 15 years. She is the owner of a company that makes fire nozzles. As she puts it, "Nozzles and valves, things that go on the end of a firehose. Specifically, products used for wildland fire fighting. Yes, we have been busy lately."

Join the meeting by clicking on this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

Posted by Rita DuChateau

E. P. Rotary Club marks progress toward a polio-free world

Urges Rotarians, residents to help end the paralyzing disease

Rotary Club members in Estes Park are taking action to raise awareness, funds and support to end polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that still cripples children in parts of the world today. World Polio Day is Saturday, Oct. 24.

The club has donated $1,000 to the Rotary International Polio Fund, and club members are encouraged to make online and mail-in donations. To add a donation to this worldwide effort, go online to https://www.endpolio.org/ and select the Polio Fund, or send a check made out to The Rotary Foundation with Polio Fund in the memo line, to The Rotary Foundation, 14280 Collections Center Dr., Chicago, IL 60693. To download a form to send with your check, click on this link: https://clubrunner.blob.core.windows.net/00000005241/en-ca/files/homepage/donationformpolioeradication/123_contribution_form_en_20201009005509.pdf

When Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, polio paralyzed 1,000 children every day. Great progress has been made against the disease since then, with the number of cases reduced by 99.9 percent. Polio is currently present in only two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. The initiative has vaccinated 2.5 billion children in 122 countries.

A highly infectious disease, polio causes paralysis and is sometimes fatal. It can strike people of any age but mainly affects children under five. As there is no cure, the best protection is prevention. For as little as 60 cents worth of vaccine, a child can be protected against polio for life. After an international investment of more than $9 billion, and the successful engagement of over 200 countries and 20 million volunteers, polio could be the first human disease of the 21st century to be eradicated.

“And we remain committed to the end,” said Ron Gordon, International Service Director for the Rotary Club of Estes Park. “We encourage everyone to make a donation to bring about the end of this disease in our lifetime.”

With polio nearly eradicated, Rotary and its partners must sustain this progress and continue to reach every child with the polio vaccine. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk. Rotary has committed to raising $50 million each year to support global polio eradication efforts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged to match that 2-to-1, for a total of $150 million each year.

Rotary has contributed nearly $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to ending polio since 1985.

“The last few vestiges of this deadly virus remain In Afghanistan and Pakistan,” said Bill Solms, Rotary Club of Estes Park President. “This year Africa was finally declared wild polio virus free after three years of no cases! We cannot relax our guard until the same occurs in these last two countries; until then testing, education, and vaccinations must receive our full support."

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who unite and take action to create lasting change in communities around the globe. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to improve lives through service. From promoting literacy and peace to providing clean water and improving health care, Rotary members are always working to better the world. Visit endpolio.org to learn more about Rotary and the fight to eradicate polio. Three videos about the fight to eradicate polio are available on: https://www.endpolio.org/resource-center - video

This week's program:

New YMCA manager Shannon Jones to present Thursday

Shannon Jones is the new General Manager for the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park. He and two colleagues from the Y will speak about the programs and fascinating history of the Y of the Rockies in Estes Park.

As general manager, Jones manages all operations at the 800-room property, including 130 full-time employees and 1,000 seasonal staff and volunteers. In addition to the traditional demands of leading a dynamic and diverse operation, he will also cultivate and maintain relationships with key donors and members who support the YMCA Association philanthropically.

Shannon Jones

Jones was born and raised in Southwest Nebraska, some might say close enough to Colorado and Kansas to have multiple residencies. He worked on a local farm at a young age and learned quickly what hard work was all about and the value in serving others.

Jones earned an Associate Degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management at Cloud County Community College. His internship with Marriott Corporate was to be a short stint, then back to school to obtain a bachelor’s degree. Instead, he was asked to participate in their Manager-in-Training program based on his attitude and effort during the internship, and now, after 31 years in the Hospitality Industry, obtaining the bachelor degree remains on his bucket list, possibly a retirement goal.

His volunteer activities include food drives, Red Cross, local church, and homeless shelters. He lists his hobbies as family, outdoor activities, fly fishing, hunting, college football, Hawaii, and more family.

His family includes wife Jill and children Hunter, Scoutt and Larkyn. Hunter and Scoutt both worked for the YMCA in Kearney, Nebraska. Jones frequented the Y while raising three active kids, so he describes his history with the YMCA as having been "on the receiving end of the mission and the core values shared with all that utilize this wonderful organization's services."

Zoom link for the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

This week's program:

Rick Taylor to present on leadership

"Our program is about a particular kind of leadership model," said Rick Taylor. " It’s called collaborative leadership and it is the opposite of the heroic model where the one recognized leader is the indispensable one with the plan."

So Zoom in or come to Nicky's for this timely presentation to our club. Why timely? The Nominating Committee is searching for next year's leaders, and the Duck Race Committee has just completed the process of choosing a new Big and Little Duck. Rick's presentation may energize our approach to leadership!

The Taylors

The presentation will include a 15-minute video on the theme of collaborative leadership by an experienced leader in the field. After the video, Rick Taylor will share a few thoughts of his own. Then he’ll facilitate a conversation with all of us together on our theme of collaborative leadership. He'll pose a few questions for us to consider.

Rick has had a variety of leadership experiences, all in the non-profit sector. His primary career for 20 years was as a YMCA Director for Ys in Denver and Houston. Since retiring from paid work in 2011, his volunteer work has been as a leader in several local volunteer organizations, including Rotary, Estes Park Non-Profit Resource Center, Boulder Friends of Jung, The Journeys Class for Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies, and two local Homeowner's Associations.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

This week's program:

C.E.O. Vern Carda to discuss EPH's challenges

Besides Covid, the topics of conversation and concern in Estes Park during the month of September have been the Cameron Peak Fire and the financial issues facing our local hospital. Residents are watchful of the firefighters' progress, the evacuation maps and the red flag weather warnings. At the same time, hospital officials have been dealing with a red flag warning of their own: loss of revenue due to the pandemic which is affecting the future of the facility.

A community-wide discussion of a proposal to permanently close Estes Park Health Living Center has included tele-town meetings on Sept. 9 and Sept. 23. The hospital's board of directors will vote on the proposal to close EPHLC and is seeking community input. Their goal is to make a decision in mid-October, according to the EPH website. https://eph.org/our-services/living-center/proposal/

Hospital C.E.O. Vern Carda will be our speaker this week.

Vern Carda, EPH CEO

Carda has been with EPH since March 2020. Previously, he was Vice President of Regional Operations for the Billings Clinic in Montana. Billings Clinic is Montana’s largest health care organization and serves a region covering much of Montana, northern Wyoming and the western Dakotas.

Posted by Rita DuChateau

Virtual Duck Race nets $96,577 for organizations

On a warm sunny day, perfect for the Estes Park Rotary Duck Race, the weather didn’t matter for the first time in 32 years. The First (and hopefully last) Annual Estes Park Virtual Duck Race took place inside the studios of the Rocky Mountain Channel in downtown Estes Park. In a very unusual year, the virtual race meant spinning a gold drum with entries instead of cheering the yellow ducks as they bobbed in the river. It eliminated in-person attendance at various Estes Park locations, but instead featured a YouTube live stream watched by fans across the nation.

Because cancelling the Estes Park Rotary Duck Race was never an option, 67 local participating organizations will collect $96,577 to bolster their budgets in this challenging year.

“Estes Park is an amazingly giving community, and this year is no different,” said ‘Big Duck’ 2020 Karen Thompson. “Everyone that adopted a duck should pat themselves on the back for making this year’s race successful.”

The race fans who generously adopted ducks reaped 438 prizes due to the hard work of the Merchant Prize Committee and the donations of sponsors. The winners of the major cash and travel prizes were drawn during the live broadcast and all prizes were posted on www.epduckrace.org.

Winners include:

Sammie Johns, Chino Hills, California - $2,000
Lois Ellingwood, Estes Park - $1,000
Ron Bell, Salt Lake City, Utah - 3-night stay at Tenaya Lodge, near Yosemite National Park, tour of Yosemite
Wayne Park, Estes Park - 3-night stay at Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone, tour of Grand Canyon or Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park
Linda Schneider, Estes Park - 3-night stay at The Pine Lodge, Whitefish Montana, near Glacier National Park, guided park tour.

Delaware North Parks and Resorts donated the travel prizes.

The gold prize drum was spun several times and winners’ tickets were pulled by Honorary Duck Pluckers, individuals whose years of contributions have made the Duck Race a continuing success. Honorary Duck Pluckers also shared their favorite race memories with emcee Kris Hazelton, reminiscing about everything from rain, snow, lightening and dunks in the river, to rogue ducks tossed fraudulently into the stream. Honorary Duck Pluckers were Wayne Newsom, Tom Maher, Gary and Kris Hazelton, Wayne and Judy Andersen, Lee and Sandy Lasson, and Don and Barb Widrig.

Nick Mollé and Sean Doherty of the Rocky Mountain Channel hosted the event in the Channel 8 studios and both filmed for the live stream. They also created a 45-minute Pre-Flight Show featuring vintage race footage, interviews and clips of Big Duck and Lucky visiting Major sponsors.

“I can’t say enough about the professionalism of Sean Doherty and Nick Mollé,” Thompson said. “Their ability to produce a high-quality video in such a short amount of time was amazing. They were fun to work with and very patient with our lack of experience.”

Mollé, who began filming the Duck Race in 1993, shared his reason for stepping up to produce the virtual race.

“I have a lot of memories of the Duck Race and my kids always loved it,” Mollé said. “It’s our pleasure to be a part of the Virtual Race this year. I think what I most love about the race is that it makes so many people happy in this town.”

Big Duck 2020 Karen Thompson summed up her experience of leading the flock in a pandemic that forced postponement from May to September and then a rapid planning of the virtual event.

“This was a race that definitely took a lot of flockwork,” Thompson said. “Three weeks ago, we were concerned we would only have about 2,000 adoptions, but people really stepped up the last 10 days and we ended up with a very respectable 5,721 ducks in the race. I am pleased the participating organizations made a final push to get their supporters to adopt ducks. I am also grateful for our 87 sponsors that provided funds, allowing us to purchase prizes this year. While the Merchant Prize Program was confusing to some, it came together quickly and the merchants were very appreciative of our efforts. Everyone on the committee did whatever was needed to have a successful race, and I am so proud of all of them.”

The process has begun to notify the winners of 438 prizes of their lucky ducks. Thompson encourages winners to remember to redeem their prize certificates.

"Please redeem your prize! Merchants participate in these types of events for several reasons, one of which is to draw more business through their doors,” she said. “If prizes are never redeemed they get discouraged and may not continue to participate. If you, personally, don't want the prize, redeem it anyway and share it with a friend that would appreciate your thoughtfulness."

Top 10 selling Participating Organizations included: Glen Haven Volunteer Fire Department, Rotary Club of Estes Park Foundation, Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park, Pet Association of Estes Park, Rocky Mountain Conservancy, Estes Park School Bands, Knights of Columbus, Estes Park Health Foundation, Lifelong Learning of the Estes Valley and Eagle Rock School.

“I think the organizations did a great job selling adoptions given the situation with the pandemic,” Larry Williams, Duck Race Committee chair who recruits and supports Participating Organizations.

Sept.17 program:

Unanticipated: what I've learned in my first year as town administrator

This week's program will be presented by Travis Machalek, who serves as the Town Administrator of Estes Park. If you are attending via Zoom, click on this link before noon so that ZoomHost Scott Thompson can invite you to the meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369

Travis Machalek

Machalek has worked for Estes Park for five years. He was born in Fort Collins and raised in Laramie, Wyoming. Travis has worked in various capacities for city and county governments in Wyoming, Kansas, and Colorado. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Wyoming and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas. Travis lives with his wife Ashley in the Estes Valley.

Posted by Rita DuChateau

This week's program

Learn about LaPuente's work and mission

This week's program will be presented by Lance Cheslock and Shanae Diaz from La Puente in Alamosa, Colorado. Cheslock is the executive director and Diaz is the volunteer coordinator director. They will present on Zoom. Click this link to join the program before noon. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7985707369. Zoom Host Scott Thompson will invite you to join the meeting.

Our club has donated to LaPuente and several club members are regular volunteers at the Alamosa facility in the San Luis Valley. The vast and isolated region of the state experiences national high rates of poverty. Poverty begets hunger, homelessness and other crises that destabilize families. La Puente is the Alamosa community's response to address the effects of poverty by providing a safety net of services where individuals and families get what they need to stabilize, heal, strengthen and ultimately thrive. La Puente offers a network of services that include: an emergency shelter/soup kitchen, a food bank plus 14 pantries throughout the San Luis Valley, housing supportive services, youth stabilization services, homeless prevention and crisis intervention resources, street outreach, social enterprises and so much more.

"Our club has supported La Puente with grants and assistance including service visits from club members," said Bruce Brown, one of the volunteers from our club. "La Puente's newest initiative is geared towards serving the most vulnerable in the community, the unsheltered homeless who are not actively seeking resources and are living on the streets, in abandoned houses and along riverbanks."

Lance Cheslock

Cheslock has served as the executive Director of La Puente since 1989. He is a strong advocate who believes in sharing the story and dynamic of the silent epidemic of rural homelessness, in Colorado and nationally. He loves listening to the stories of those who experience and overcome homelessness and has enjoyed many adventures going undercover to stay in homeless shelters throughout the United States and abroad.

Posted by Rita DuChateau

An easy way to help the Duck Race

Have you adopted your ducks? It's easy to adopt online at https://www.epduckrace.org/adopt-ducks/

Lucky says that if everyone in the club:

1. Adopts 2 ducks for themselves

2. Gets 4 friends/family to adopt.

Based on our current active and honorary membership, we could have additional sales of:

70X2=140 (Members)

70x4= 280 (Friends/family)

_____________________

Total: 420

Are you on Facebook? Post something today to encourage your friends and family to adopt a duck.

Send an email to your friends and acquaintances to make them aware that the Duck Race is still happening.

Not feeling creative? You can copy/paste this:

This year’s Virtual Estes Park Duck Race on Saturday, Sept. 19 will not take place in the familiar venues, but will deliver all the excitement that comes with a traditional race. All you need to do is adopt a duck online at epduckrace.org and then tune in to Channel 8-The Rocky Mountain Channel to view a virtual race proDUCKtion. The Rocky Mountain Channel’s free app can be downloaded at the App Store or Google Play. All broadcast links will be available at epduckrace.org.

The broadcast will begin at 11 a.m. with a Pre-Flight Show featuring interviews, clips from historic footage, and appearances by mascot Lucky Duck and ‘Big Duck’ Karen Thompson, the leader of the 2020 flock. At 12:40 p.m., the broadcast will go live from the studios of Channel 8. You can adopt ducks right up until 1 p.m. Shortly after 1 p.m., watch the exciting Tail Spin, the live reveal of the top prize winners.

Major prizes and over 400 Duck Bucks certificates for local merchants will be awarded. All winners’ names will be posted on the Duck Race website on race day, at epduckrace.org. Winners also will be notified by email. Major Prizes include:

Cash Prizes: $2,000 and $1,000
Travel Prizes: Pine Lodge on Whitefish River near Glacier National Park, Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone National Park, and Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite National Park. All travel prizes are three-night accommodations for two people. Travel prizes, which have expiration dates well into 2022, include extras that vary between resorts. Delaware North, the lodging and concession corporation that includes the Ridgeline Hotel in Estes Park, generously donated the travel prizes.

To adopt a duck or a flock, visit epduckrace.org/adopt-ducks/ and choose a Participating Organization to receive $19 of each adoption fee.

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