The 2026 Rotary Duck Race was another amazing success. 73 Estes Valley charitable organizations will benefit from all our hard work. Thank you to all for volunteering to help our Estes community be a better place. Thank you, thank you to our heroes, our 4 Big Ducks. Without you, the Duck Race would not have happened.
With feedback from many of you, as well as local merchants and volunteers, there was a general sentiment that the community was happy with how the Duck Race was run. And that we would like to have the Rotary Duck Race in 2027. With increasing economic stress in 2027, members of our community will be more reliant on our Estes charitable organizations. The need for the Duck Race remains to help these charities.
This Thursday, we would like to get more feedback about the 2026 Duck Race, and start organizing for the 2027 Duck Race. Our immediate need is to have our members step up to be Big Ducks.
Looking forward to our get together this Thursday.
Our program on May 21st will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided.
Remembering 9/11 Upcoming Meetings Photographer Volunteer Needed Two New Member Application Bios Coffee Talk Meeting Notes 9-10-26 Meeting Recording 9-10-26 From the Chaplain
Foundation Board meeting today (May 21st)
New Member Application
On May 12, 2026, the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Estes Park voted unanimously to forward the application of Maxwell (Max) Guinn to join the Rotary Club of Estes Park to the general membership for approval. As per our bylaws, this application biography must be published in the Spoke for two weeks before he can become a member of the club. This is your opportunity to provide feedback to your officers regarding this application. If no comments are received by Thursday, June 4, 2026, Max will officially become a member, and his induction into the club will be scheduled.
Max Guinn comes to our club from Bend, OR where he grew up. His work in telecommunications brought him to Colorado in 2016. He lived in Fort Collins for three years before relocating to Estes Park, where he worked for Trailblazer installing fiber optics for the Town of Estes Park. Max returned to school at CSU, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 2025, at which time he began employment at the Bank of Estes Park.
Max looks forward to being an active member and volunteer with the Rotary Club of Estes Park.
Max is being sponsored by Anne Slack. Anyone with comments about Max and his application should contact Jack Ford, President, or Scott Robbins, Membership Director.
FYI our club currently has 59 members, Max would be our 60th member.
$35 Cash, check (Rotary of Estes Park), Credit Card $37
Rotary Innovative Summit
in Fort Collins at the Hilton
June 5th - 7th
Our District Conference is coming up June 5th - the 7th. This is a meeting where you can enjoy a weekend filled with thought-provoking speakers, hands-on experiences, and meaningful connections that last a life time. Our Club is offering five members the opportunity to attend this conference with $150 off the registration fee. As of May 18th the rates increased to $350. Full Conference Registration includes the meet & greet, all meals, speakers, and breakout sessions for the entire conference. This does not include any recreational activities or your hotel room.
Go to http://rotary5440.org. Look on the home page for 2026 District Conference. Sign up for the conference and bring your receipt to Gregg Jugens. He can reimburse you the $150. I really hope five of you will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity that the Board is offering you.
Annie
DO YOU ENJOY ORGANIZING DOCUMENTS?
BECOME OUR ROTARY’S HISTORIAN
At our May Board meeting, we approved the establishment of the position of a Historian. In cleaning up our storage units, Chuck Bonza and I discovered a large tote filled with newspaper clippings and pictures. However, they are all in large envelopes or loose in the box. We need someone who enjoys organizing to take on the project, so when we celebrate 125 years of existence, members and guests can see where we have been and what we have accomplished. Please contact me either in person, by email at anneslack@aol.com or by cell at 970-231-6697 if you are interested.
John Denver Tribute Concert
With Link to Sponsorship Form Update
The John Denver Tribute Concert website has gone “live”. The concert will be held on Saturday, August 22nd, 2026 at the Ruesch Auditorium at the YMCA of the Rockies. Tickets can now be purchased at the Visitor’s Center and MacDonald’s Book Shop.
The website address is: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/john-denver-tribute-concert-tickets-1988557930300?aff=oddtdtcreator. There will be many opportunities to serve, but the first will be for all of the membership to become a sponsor. Sponsors will receive assigned seating with 4 tickets at the $500 or higher level, 2 tickets at the $250 level and 2 general admission tickets at the $100 level. Please give this important fundraising event your consideration and watch for an email with the accompanying material to be emailed to you soon.
Update from Tara: We want to thank those who have already become sponsors for the concert and encourage those that have not to do so😊. Also, I will be passing around a list of locations for a poster, and will want people to sign up for a (one) location to place a poster. For example, Chuck took one to put up at the Presbyterian Church, Carl took one to put up near his office, etc. Annie took one for Ace Hardware. Pick a place you frequent, and put a poster there.
Duck Race Video and Pictures for Your Viewing Pleasure
Taken by David Hernandez of North Peak Media on Race Day, these pictures capture the spirit of the day. The link below takes you to a folder in the Google workspace used for the Duck Race. With help from Lee Lasson, Chuck Bonza has shared the folder and its contents with everyone.
The folder contains 39 photos and one video. A double-click on any photo will open it for your inspection. A click will close it. The filename of the video is "VIDEO DUCK RACE 2026.mp4". A double-click on the video will start the video. A click will close it. Here's the link:
We sang “My Country 'Tis of Thee,” accompanied by Madison Casey.
Jack led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Guests
Ben Van der Werf introduced today's guests:
Max Guinn, 3rd meeting
Wendy Aschenbach, final meeting as a guest
Amber Galey
Bill Solms
Announcements
Annie announced that the Board voted to offer 5 members $150 each toward the registration fee for the district conference, and encouraged members to attend. Also, the Board established the position of a historian; Contact Annie if you want to volunteer.
Karol Rinehart announced President's Night.
Rick Life announced that he has gotten more Narcan doses for anyone who wants one.
Beth Weisberg announced the Community Service Committee meeting here following the Club meeting.
Scott Robbins announced some planting at a retention pond of the Habitat for Humanity housing project; a sign-up sheet is circulating.
Jim Austin announced collections for ShelterBox, and said that over 3 years, we've raised over $8,000 at $10 a donation.
Madison reported that the Duck Squat raised $635 to the Rotary Foundation, for community grants.
Jack announced that next week's scheduled speaker, Lee Lasson, had stepped aside, so that Rick Life could lead the club in discussing the Duck Race, including recruitment of Big Ducks for next year's Duck Race.
New Member Induction
Scott inducted Wendy as a new member, and acknowledged Ben as Wendy's sponsor.
Ben, Wendy, and Scott
Program
Guy Van der Werf introduced Amber Galey, who discussed cancer screening.
Amber Galey presents Jack Gives Amber
cancer screenings a Piece of the Rock
Adjournment
Jack adjourned the meeting with the Four Way Test.
Dave Evans
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.
