Ed Grueff started in the restaurant business in Chicago in 1971. In 1977 he made his way to Estes Park, where he opened and ran several restaurants and businesses, including the Bighorn Restaurant, Mountain Man Restaurant, Ed’s Cantina, Estes Park Brewery, Longs Peak Grilling Company, Twin Owls Steakhouse, and most recently the Sugar Shack. Not ready to fully retire, he found a location in Loveland in 2023 and began converting it into a dog foster/rescue. He began fostering dogs in May of 2024 and now fosters for the Pet Association of Estes Park. In the last year, Buddy’s House has fostered and helped adopt out 70-80 puppies and dogs.
Our program on August 28th will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided.
Happy New Year! Rotary Duck Race Vests Are Coming No January Duck Race Team Leader Meeting Coffee Talk
Meeting Notes for August 21, 2025
President Jack Ford rang the bell at 12:00. Jim Jonell gave the Invocation. Jack led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Guests of Rotarians
Bill Solms introduced the guests: Gary Fanucchi, Jean Rismiller, and Atlas Rhode. Atlas is a scholarship recipient of our club. Jean is our Area Governor.
Rotary Scholar Atlas Rhode with Tara
Announcements:
Bill Smith needs help providing transportation for a friend.
Chuck Bonza gave an excellent speech about the Duck Race, focusing on the many benefits it gives to our community. He gave examples of how it is critical to things like childcare, social justice, support for families….and many, many others. He asked that all Rotarians keep that in mind as we work on the Duck Race for next year.
Jim Whiteneck announced that the Foundation will meet at 1:30 at the Quality Inn.
Annie Slack said the deadline for getting a flat of Palisade peaches is tomorrow. The cost is $60.
Jean Rismiller asked for support for the Sunrise Rotary’s Arts and Crafts Show this coming weekend. The event is Sunrise’s largest donation activity. The vendors need and appreciate help during the event. Sunrise is also putting on the Autumn Gold Festival on Sept. 20-21, so please consider helping with that event as well.
Chuck Bonza described the impact of our Duck Race.
Happy Money:
Wayne Newsom is happy for his and Virgil Holtgrewe’s birthdays.
Jim Whiteneck is happy to see everyone and for Wayne and Virgil’s birthdays.
Beth Weisberg is happy there are now four Big Ducks. She is also happy that she encountered a mountain lion and it didn’t attack!
Dennis Gelhaus is happy for Virgil’s birthday.
Ruby Bode is happy that Atlas Rhode is at the Rotary meeting.
Scott Robbins is happy to see everyone here and for Albon Shaw’s talk today.
Carl Robicheaux is happy for his dog’s friendliness.
Tom Maher is happy for Wayne’s birthday.
Bill Solms is happy we will have a 37th Duck Race.
Albon Shaw is happy for his son’s new job.
Program
Jack Ford introduced Albon Shaw, our District Governor Elect. Albon gave an overview of Rotary and also discussed ways in which the club could continue to succeed with its various activities. He focused on ways that the District could help achieve those goals, and provided encouragement for all to continue their good work.
Since we finished early, Jean Rissmiller took a few minutes to give an update on the Clean Water Project in Ecuador.
DG Elect Albon Shaw Jean discussed the
with President Jack Ford Ecuador water project.
Adjournment
President Jack Ford led the four-way test and rang the bell at 12:43.
From Tara: a huge thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers, with results to follow.
Karen McClure's Celebration of Life
Karen’s Celebration of Life will be held this Wednesday, September 3rd, at 2 PM at the Presbyterian Community Church of the Rockies, followed by a reception. The service will be live-streamed and recorded for those unable to attend in person. Both the live stream (shortly before the service) and the recording (shortly after the service) can be accessed by scrolling down on this link: pccrusa.org. Plan to go to support our fellow Rotarian and friend, Dave Evans.
For further information in Karen’s obituary, refer to the August 8, Estes Park News.
Letter From Rene Moquin
July 12, 2025
Friends:
Several of us have come together to address the countless need for affordable dementia/memory care services in Estes Park and throughout our country. Our monthly memory café and the development of a Dementia Day Care Center in Estes Park are efforts currently underway. In fact, Rotary and others have made a financial commitment to the proposed Day Care Center.
Our concern speaks to home care, non-medical and custodial care. These services, although welcomed, are not obtainable and are cost prohibitive to those on Medicaid and others. In many cases this population needs the services the most. Greater access and lower costs for home care would allow dementia clients to stay in their home longer and avoid the heavy costs of assisted and/or nursing home care and this should be our overall goal.
While Rotary and others have made financial commitments, we are asking community members to call Senator Bennet on behalf of those who need access to home care services, especially for those on Medicaid and others and ask for his leadership in creating legislation that supports a variety of accessible and affordable home services. I think we would all agree that dementia clients being able to stay in one’s home is preferable and less expensive than other forms of care. The Senator has been on record in addressing this matter. We need his support and the support of his colleagues for appropriate home care legislation that assures accessible and affordable care to all of those in need.
On a personal note, my wife, Joanne, is facing dementia challenges. We can afford home care services but many folks in our community cannot. Home care, non-medical and custodial care are most needed in the home but are cost prohibitive for Medicaid recipients and others.
In Colorado, Senator Bennet’s office can be reached at 303-455-7600. We need his support and the support of his colleagues for appropriate home care legislation.
So I thank Rotary for its commitment to this health issue. We hope to continue our efforts.
As you have heard me say before, each of us must find our something. This is our something.
Rene Moquin
970-980-7722
renemoquin66@gmail.com
Buddy's House Dog Fosters
Buddy’s House 2857 N County Road 27 Loveland, CO 80538
Dog Fosters buddysfosters.org 970-278-7976
Buddy’s House Dog Fosters 501c3
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dog foster facility operating since May 2024 and are proudly partnering with the Pet Association of Estes Park. Majority of fosters can only care for one to two dogs at a time, but we have taken in up to 15 dogs at a time as fosters. The Pet Association of Estes Park rescues from kill shelters and surrender situations, but they don’t have a physical location to house these dogs. So, Buddy’s House was built entirely around the needs and comfort of these dogs; allowing us to foster more dogs at a time and save more lives! Because we are a nonprofit organization along with the Pet Association of Estes Park, both facilities rely entirely on donations.
Our mission is to give these sweet angels the individual love and care every pup deserves no matter the length of their stay. Whether they live out the rest of their days with us, or find a loving forever home, we believe all dogs deserve to feel safe, loved, and happy every step of the way. We care for dogs of all ages, breeds, and backgrounds—many of whom have come from difficult situations and need extra time, love, and care to heal and adjust.
To continue offering high-quality care and proper nutrition to the dogs we foster, we rely heavily on the support of our local community. All donations play a critical role in helping us meet the daily needs of our animals. By donating dog food—whether dry kibble, wet food, or specialty diets—you directly contribute to the health and well-being of dogs in our care. Every donation makes a difference and allows us to stretch our resources further to support more animals in need. We’re deeply grateful for any help you can offer.
Stop by our facility on the Masonville road and check us out!
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.
