Come and Hear Brian Tseng Discuss Safety in the Rocky Mountains
As a board-certified MD/PhD pediatric neurologist/neuromuscular physician-scientist, Brian Tseng is currently the CEO of The POLG Foundation, a rare disease research advocacy group [https://polgfoundation.org]. Throughout his career, he has led diverse teams to develop and bring forward many new medicines approved for use in infants and children with rare disorders in particular genetic. Brian has deep experience in translational and clinical development of novel molecules (small, biologics, cell-based, AAV genetic replacement, and CRISPR-mediated gene editing) for infants and children. His most recent clinical/academic practice has been at Massachusetts General Hospital – Harvard Medical School and previously Colorado Children's Hospital. His Physiology undergrad degree is from Univ of Calif Berkeley and he has a PhD in molecular biology from MD Anderson Cancer Center – Univ of Texas at Houston McGovern Medical School. His pediatric internship/residency was completed at Denver Childrens Hospital and his pediatric neurology fellowship was at UCSF.
Dr. Tseng also teaches in several medical schools including with the Gates Foundation Univ of Sienna and volunteers on several Boards of non-profit Patient Advocacy and Patient Foundations. He is also on the Board of Directors for the N=1 Collaborative. [Our Story | N=1 Collaborative ].
He is also NOLS Wilderness Medicine First-Responder, a Dept of Interior Parkmedic MD and serves on the RMNP Search and Rescue team here in Estes Park.
Our program on May 7th 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
Kudos for an amazing Duck Race
The Club’s decision last summer to continue our leadership in the Annual Estes Park Rotary Duck Race was vindicated with great praise and appreciation for the 2026 version! The leadership of the Four Ducks, Chuck Bonza, Susie Blackhurst, Annie Slack, and Beth Wiseberg, and all the Rotarians who stepped forward to do their part, deserve our heartfelt thanks for the $194,000+ raised to support local nonprofits in their services to the Estes Valley Community. Hoorah and well done, my fellow Rotarians!
Jack Ford, 2025-2026 President
ROTARY DUCK RACE #38
MAY 2, 2026
A GREAT SUCCESS!
After weeks of worry if there would not be enough snow melt to move the little rubber ducks down the river, the race had enough water to be a huge success. We woke to a message of “Rise and shine, Quack, Quack” from our esteemed Sheriff, Carl Robicheaux, at 5:56 AM. The weather couldn’t have been better, and the crowds were excited to watch our Finish Line folks catch the ducks as they reached the end of their journey.
The final number of ducks in the water was 9, 557. The amount of money raised for 70 non-profit organizations was $193,430. Total duck sales: $210,225. The first prize of $10,000 went to Timothy Haight, Johnston, IA; the second prize of $6,000 went to Antoinette Petersen, Loveland CO; and the third prize of $4,000 went to Becky McConnell of Highlands Ranch, CO.
Lucky Duck even wore a blue cap to match her likeness on the 2026 button. Four of our Event Sponsors ($1,000 donations) had tables and tents on display. Eighteen Sponsor Ducks were on display with 6 from the High School art class, 6 from the Middle School art class, and 6 from the Elementary School art class.
Youth In Action showed up Friday afternoon to help set up tables, chairs, garbage cans, and traffic cones. Saturday morning was a flurry of activity as Rick Papineau set up tents, Beth Weisberg and Annie Slack labeled tables so the organizations that wanted tables could find where they were supposed to set up.
The Police Auxiliary and Bill Howell oversaw the traffic of cars coming in and out of the Visitor’s Center Parking lot so everyone was safe. Isabella Fanucchi ran the Merchant Sales with the pre-race assistance of Brad Rosencranz. Madison Casey had a successful Duck Squat with the assistance of Stephanie’s duck. Jack Ford sold Friendship Cards. Volunteers sold extra buttons from previous years' Duck Races. The list goes on.
Call to the Post bugled by Dave Scott excited the crowd. The Duck Wrangler, Chris Davis, and his helpers had an exciting day keeping up with the pace of duck drops. Bill Solms and Scott Robbins kept banners flying and late additions of QR codes to all the signs.
Carl Robicheaux had a most challenging day with sweeper and river patrol volunteers facing the challenges of the shallow pools and eddies to assure the ducks got to the finish line (sometimes as much as 2 hours later).
Start line manager Rick Life kept the cage, boom truck, duck counts, and ropes straight for successful duck drops (eventually immersing himself in the river). Karol Rinehart kept the rope and crowd ready for the drop from the bridge.
The IT crew led by Jeff Lindberg and Lee Lasson, kept us up-to-date, including posting all the winners the same day of the race.
Stalwarts at the Finish Line, led by Ben V, did a masterful job of netting ducks, picking the precious 250 from each of the first two flights, and finally the big time winners and merchant prize winners.
Lucky Duck and Bill Bradford from the Police Auxiliary kept the friendly and photogenic presence of our favorite character with the crowds everywhere. The finish line is where it all ended.
Then there was Madison with the Duck Squat and Isabella Fanucci with the Merchandise, who brought their own joy to the occasion.
If we missed you, we appreciate and love you, too.
Thanks to Beth Weisberg, Suzy Blackhurst, Chuck Bonza, and Annie Slack for months of work organizing this event. Thanks to all our Duck Race Committee members and Community Volunteers for their hard work to make this year’s Duck Race a success. Thanks to our IT team of Jeff Lindberg, Lawrence Trifiletti, Lee Lasson, and Dave Evans.
We, the Rotary, send a big Thank You for making the 2026 Rotary Duck Race a huge success!
Thanking Kurtis Kelly for His Portrayal of Joe Mills
Annie Slack and I have started a collection for an honorarium to give to Kurtis Kelly for his insightful portrayal of Joe Mills’ key role in our community’s successful effort to start a Rotary Club here in Estes Park on April 26, 1926. We hope that you will join us in making a contribution to a bowl marked for this purpose, on Gregg Jurgen’s check-in table. We will use our collected contributions to write one check from our club to give to Kurtis as an honorarium for his presentation.
Watching Dr. Jim Pickering’s face as Kurtis portrayed Joe’s role, I can tell you that Kurtis “nailed it!” with his portrayal of Joe Mills. Kurtis has a special gift for bringing to life important moments of our community’s history, and I hope you will join us in expressing your appreciation as we celebrate our 100th anniversary in Rotary.
Jack Ford, 2025-2026 President
Dirt, Grounds, and Dates
Hello, fellow Rotarians. You might ask yourself what dirt, grounds and dates have in common or you might wonder if your Membership Director is off his rocker! The truth is all three things can be true. For now, let's just deal with the first two and leave consideration of my mental status to your imagination.
First the dirt(y) part. Our club has an opportunity to participate in cooperation with the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition and Habitat for Humanity in a landscaping project. The retention pond adjacent to the Habitat for Humanity housing on Raven St. is in need of some greenery. On Tuesday, June 16 at 1:30 p.m. a work crew of members from a local church and volunteers from our club will plant shrubs and other plants at the retention pond on the 1700 block of Raven St. Tools and gloves will be provided by the Estes Valley Watershed Coalition, however if you have a favorite pair of gloves and hat, you are free to bring them. This is an opportunity to serve the residents of the neighborhood, Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley, and the Estes Valley Land Trust. A sign-up sheet will be posted at Thursday's meeting.
Now to the grounds part. No, I don't mean the grounds at the retention pond on Raven St. I mean Coffee Grounds. For the past eighteen months or so, our club has been very fortunate to have had the Inkwell support our Saturday Coffee Talk get togethers. It has come to my attention that some of our members would like to participate, but are unable to climb the stairs at the Inkwell due to mobility limitations. Consequently our next Coffee Talk will be held at Raven's Roast, across Riverside Plaza from the Inkwell, at 8:30 a.m. on May 9, 2026. See you there!
Scott Robbins
Membership Director
Pictures From the Duck Race
Working the Duck Race:
Heidi, Peggy Sue, the hat Youth In Action set up tables,
they made for Lucky Duck chairs, garbage cans, cones
In the river, catching the very first ducks
From Start to Finish:
Duck Race Sponsors:
Sponsor Tent
Sponsor Ducks from the High School, Middle School,
and Elementary School art classes
Festival Fun:
Duck Squat Highland Brass
Coffee Talk
Date: Coffee Talk delayed until September 12 due to Labor Day Weekend
Time: 8:30 a.m. Location: Raven's Roast
Be there or be square!
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.
