Greg Muhonen, received his BS degree in Civil Engineering from Stanford University and completed Graduate Studies in Arctic Engineering at the University of Alaska, Anchorage. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in Colorado who has used his training and life experience to serve the transportation needs of Larimer County residents for over 39 years. His civil engineering work spans private land development, land use entitlement review, traffic engineering, municipal policy, and public works capital project design and construction. In July 2024, he completed his 10th year as the Estes Park Director of Public Works, where he oversaw all aspects of the Streets, Parks, Engineering, Facilities, Parking, Transit, and Fleet functions for the Town of Estes Park. In April 2025, he began a new role as the Town’s Stormwater Engineer.
David Greear is a graduate of the University of Texas, where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. He brings over 34 years of engineering experience as Public Works Director in State, County and City government. He served as the Public Works Director for Travis County in Central Texas. David joined the Town of Estes Park as Public Works Director in 2025.
Muhonen and Greear will discussing Estes Park Public Works projects past, present, and future.
Our program on December 11th will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided.
President's Night Reminder Duck Race Team Leaders Meeting
Community Clean-Up Day on April 25 Duck Race Day Breakfast Happy Birthday RCEP 1926-2026 With a little help....
Meeting Minutes Meeting Recording
Duck Leaders for 2027
We’re looking for 2, 3, or 4 little ducks getting ready for the Duck Race of 2027. The existing ducks of Chuck, Suzy, Beth and Annie have found that it spreads the load so it’s not such a consuming job as just having one Big Duck.
Each of us brings a different strength that fits together to cover the many components of a Duck Race. Especially, prior to the Duck Race readiness items like place, sponsors, participating organizations, volunteers, entertainment, publicity, kick off night, and race day itself spreads nicely and eases the load if there is more than 1 Big Duck.
Remembering my call last week for a Big Duck and hearing none, it’s time to ask you to consider being a 1/3 or 1/4 Duck and have a group working alongside us now to learn the ropes.
Our club’s contribution of facilitating a Duck Race for their benefit is a unique highlight of our club. When describing this fundraiser for others, rather than for ourselves, to other Rotarians brings a gasp of amazement and the question: “Why don’t we do something like that too?” Fort Collins Breakfast Club did exactly that and will be going for their third year.
Talk to us, talk to Big Ducks that did it by themselves(Scott Robbins, Beth Weisberg, Kathy Grosbeck, Bill Solms), and let us know if you would like to join now. We’re at a great place for you to learn.
Nomination Slate Approved
Last Thursday, we approved our Nomination Slate for 20226-2027. I want to thank the members of the Nominating Committee for their service: Barry Hannigan, Dennis Gellhaus, Jack Ford, Guy Van der Werf and Grant Delbecq.
Our Bylaws require that with 55 active members, one-third of the membership constitutes a quorum and that would be 19 members. We had 21 members present and received 10 proxies. I will bring that information to our next Board Meeting so it can be permanently recorded.
The Nominations for the Rotary Club Board for 2026-2027 are: Officers: President: Guy Van der Werf, President- Elect: Open, Past President: Jack Ford, Secretary: Sarah Walsh, Treasurer: Gregg Jurgens with Assistant Treasurer: Longley Parker, Sergeant-At-Arms: Bill Solms, Directorates: Club Administrator: Karol Rinehart, Membership: Scott Robbins, Youth Services: Ruby Bode - Interact, Dave Boon - RYLA, Chris Davis - Exchange Student.
For the Foundation, this year’s nominees are Gregg Jurgens, Suzy Blackhurst, Valerie Van der Werf and Dale Bonza for three-year terms.
Thanks to everyone who stepped forward to assume a position. You are what Rotary is, Service Above Self.
Annie
WRAP PARTY FOR BRIGHT CHRISTMAS GIFTS
On December 2, 2025, seven Rotarians wrapped approximately 70 gifts for the three families our Club has adopted from Bright Christmas this year, including 10 children and three sets of parents. We worked diligently for nearly an hour and a half, and it’s a good thing Gregg made the Quality Inn Breakfast Room available to us, because we needed the entire room for the boxes of gifts and supplies, and space for everyone to spread out as they worked.
Chuck and Dale brought soft red and white Christmas hats for us to wear, JoAnn wore jolly holiday bells, and everyone enjoyed seeing the toys, art supplies, games, books, quilts, and other gifts that our adopted families will be receiving. We’re excited to think of how happy the families will be when they open their presents!
Many thanks to Gregg for the use of his hotel, and to all of our volunteers, who brought tape, wrapping paper, scissors, To/From gift labels, and other supplies, not to mention their enthusiasm and wrapping talents. And of course, thanks to all of our generous Rotary Club members who donated the money to make this all possible.
Some of the gifts Paula Edwards and Beth Weisberg
LtR JoAnn Batey, Dale Bonza, Scott Paula Edwards and Jack Ford
Robbins, Chuck Bonza, Jack Ford
Meeting Notes for December 4, 2025
President Jack Ford rang the bell at 12:00. Bill Smith gave the Invocation. Jack led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Announcements:
Chuck Bonza has the new Friendship Cards for sale. There are 71 participating merchants this year.
Scott Robbins invited all to Coffee Talk on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 8:30 a.m. at Inkwell and Brew.
Chuck Selling the new Friendship Cards
Annie Slack read the nominees for the various club officers for the last time, and the club voted on the slate. Annie had ten proxies and there were 16 members in attendance, so a quorum was present. A motion to adopt the slate was made by Barry, seconded by Jack, and passed unanimously.
Guests of Rotarians
Jack Ford introduced the visitors: Jean Rismiller and Bruce Brown.
Happy Money:
Jay Harroff for his twin brother, who is not doing well.
Scott Robbins because Dave Boon has applied to join the club. Dave did not have a sponsor, so Scott auctioned off the honor, and Guy Van der Werf won.
Rotarian Stories
Jack Ford told a Christmas story about his father coming home from WWII in 1946. His father made it a point to visit all his relatives. Jack also fondly remembers a soap box derby with his father in 1949.
Chuck Bonza also told a Christmas travel story from 1949 when he was driving in a bad snowstorm. He picked up a hitchhiker who was from the Air Force academy.
Program
Ruby Bode introduced the High School Freshman Treble Choir who sang three songs, directed by Brianna Gress. There will be an all-school vocal concert on December 17 at the YMCA, including students from grade school, middle school, and high school. The time will be posted in the paper soon.
Treble Choit
Brianna and Ruby
Adjournment
President Ford led the four-way test and rang the bell at 12:45.
Barry Hannigan
Meeting Recording December 4, 2025
Our meeting included election of officers, announcements, happy money, and we enjoyed the Estes Park High School Treble Choir. If you missed the meeting, you can check out the recording.
From The Chaplain
Do you know a Club Member who needs assistance? Maybe a ride to meetings, or just a phone call to keep in touch? Please contact Bill Smith 970-420-1033 or billsmithbronx1956@gmail.com.
