Come and Hear Thaine Norris, Founder of Walking Together Press, devoted to supporting grassroots libraries in Africa.
Thaine Norris
Thaine Norris is the founder of Walking Together Press, a non-profit Christian publishing company devoted to supporting grassroots libraries in Africa through global book sales and by providing free library editions. Thaine worked primarily as a software engineer, but as a follower of Jesus, he has sought ways to integrate ministry into daily life, which has led to many rich adventures both locally and globally. Thaine and his wife, Erika, are long-time residents of Estes Park, having raised their six children here.
Our program on October 23rd will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided.
Invocation by Dale Bonza. Jack led the Pledge of Allegiance. We sang “Home on the Range”, accompanied by Madison Casey
Announcements
Dale reminded us that the Foundation Matching Charitable Donation Program runs until November 6th.
Annie had two announcements:
The Foundation meeting will be held after this meeting, at the Quality Inn.
We still need a President-Elect nominee, as well as a Sergeant-at-Arms nominee.
Scott Robbins had two announcements:
He has reorganized the Badge Box, consolidating badges in alphabetic order. The next step will be to put the new slot numbers on the back of the badges.
The Board of Directors has approved Jill Serhan's membership application. This is the first of three announcements.
Beth had two announcements:
The Bright Christmas Family collection can is being circulated. The donation total will determine the number of people supported, so every donation counts. Next Thursday, October 23, will be the last day to contribute.
Please check the Duck Race sign-up sheet for a job you can do.
Valerie announced that Scholarship applications are now open for the high school seniors. The scholarship committee will have a brief meeting on October 23rd, right after the regular Rotary meeting.
Program
Chuck introduced the solar panel decorating activity, and pointed out that the tables all have markers, Ukrainian pictures, and phrases, along with an overhead slide show of panels and schools with them.
Rotarians pitched in, markers at hand, to send positive messages to Ukrainian school children. We completed six solar panel phone rechargers. These will join other panels completed by Lakewood Rotarians, on their way to schools and other NGO destinations where power cuts are frequent.
Six panels for Ukraine A table of artists
Artists Suzy and Karol
Adjournment
We concluded with the four-way test.
Submitted by Dave Evans
Jill Zerhan Bio
Jill Zerhan is applying to re-join the Rotary Club of Estes Park. She was previously a member of this club from 2000-2008. She moved to be closer to children living on the Front Range. Previously she was an active volunteer with the Duck Race, the Shred-a-thon, the pumpkin distribution, and the Golf Tournament as well. In addition to her volunteer work with our Rotary Club, she volunteered with the American Red Cross in Westchester, OH and Nashville, TN.
Jill was originally from Farmington Hills, MI. She worked for forty-seven years as an RN in a wide variety of capacities. One thing she is most proud of is starting pet therapy programs in a couple of different medical facilities. She travelled extensively in the U.S. following her husband’s career in the insurance business. She has lived in Ohio, Indiana, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Jill is divorced, has two children and two teenage granddaughters. She remains close with her ex-husband who also lives in Estes Park.
When asked about why she wants to be a member of the Rotary club of Estes Park, she says “for two reasons. First, it’s a great way to meet people and secondly, helping people is in her bones. Nursing and the spirit of service never ends.” Although not officially a member of our club, she is volunteering for this year’s Elkfest and is committed to helping with the 2026 Duck Race.
Tara Moenning is sponsoring Jill’s application for membership.
Final Week for Bright Christmas Collection
Our club's collection for funds to adopt a family from Bright Christmas this year will end on Thursday, October 23. If you want to participate and haven't already donated, please bring your cash or check to this week's noon Rotary meeting. Once we have our grand total, I will be letting Bright Christmas know how many people we can provide holiday gifts for this year.
Donating is purely voluntary. Nobody is keeping track of who contributes and who doesn't.
Any checks should be made payable to Rotary Club of Estes Park Foundation, and please be sure to write "Bright Christmas family" in the memo line. (If you make the check payable to Bright Christmas, we will deliver it to them for use in their general fund, but we won't be able to use it for our adopted family.) Donations to Rotary Club of Estes Park Foundation are tax-deductible, to the extent you deduct your charitable contributions.
Gregg is keeping track of all of the money we collect, so if you miss the collection can and want to donate on or before this Thursday, you can give your donation directly to Gregg.
If you have any questions, please contact Beth at weisberg.family@verizon.net . Thank you, and happy holidays!
India Projects Update
From Mark Lee:
Greetings Rotary Friends,
Wanted to give you a quick update on the India projects.
The septic system project has been completed. Picture attached. Here is a thank you note about the project from our CEO, Dr. Gnakan:
Dear Brother Mr. Mark Lee, Before I proceed further to respond to your queries, let me personally, on behalf of the children and Staff and BoTs and the entire Bethania India family, express our deep-felt gratitude to your goodself first, and to the Rotary of Colorado/ US for their generous grants for the most vital need of water for our children in this dry land, We thank you all profusely for these grants. In Indian Vedas (religious volumes) it is written that those who provide to the thirsty they are divine and God bless them with greater birth in their next life (Hindus believe that one's quality of next life depends upon the quality of charity they give in the present life.) We appreciate and are grateful to you and to the 4 star Charity navigators, Rotary for this great help.
The water filtration system is on order and will be installed soon. Picture of the system attached.
Thank you all!
Regards, Mark
The completed septic system project Water filtration system
PUMPKIN DAY AT EP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is OCTOBER 24
Noon Rotary's annual give-away of pumpkins at the Elementary School is one of our most fun events of the year. Come help set up 510 pumpkins in the Elementary School parking lot to turn it into a pumpkin patch, and watch the elementary school kids' excitement as they come out class by class to pick out their own pumpkins to take home (free!). Pumpkin Day this year will be on Friday, October 24. Please show up at EP Elementary School's parking lot (in front of the school) at 8:10 a.m. to help unload all of the pumpkins from Sue Fereday's flatbed truck. And then stay to watch the fun.
Contact Beth with any questions or to RSVP, at weisberg.family@verizon.net . You don't need to RSVP, though -- it's fine to just show up on October 24 and help out.
Why End Polio?
From President Jack:
Why End Polio?
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.
