Jim Jonell and Guy Van der Werf Discuss Shots in general and polio in particular

          Jim Jonell                     Like Grandfather, Like Grandson

Jim Jonell is a retired clinical psychologist who has specialized in adult and adolescent post trauma development. Jim has also had experience as a polio survivor and the issues of Post Polio Syndrome. Jim has been a strong supporter of Rotary’s efforts to stop this disease.

Guy Van der Werf, MD, grew up in the Netherlands, Florida and Arizona, graduated from Stanford University where he majored in the mathematical sciences (mathematics, computer science, statistics, and operations research), and received his medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine.

After completing his family medicine residency, he worked at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center, before moving to Estes Park in 1992.  After two years at Timberline Medical, he helped found the Family Medical Clinic, now known as UCHealth Primary Care - Estes Valley Medical Center. Ten years ago, he returned to Timberline Medical, now known as the UCHealth Primary Care - Estes Park.

Over the last 34 years, he has had various leadership roles at the Estes Valley Medical Center (EVMC), including founder and medical director of the Family Medical Clinic (FMC), founder and president of the Management Services Organization (MSO), president and chair of the Estes Valley Physician Network (IPA), president and chair of the Estes Valley Health Network (PHO), Chief of  Staff of EVMC, medical director of Prospect Park Living Center, medical director of Estes Park Home Health Care and of the Hospice of the Estes Valley, medical practice leader of UCHealth Primary Care - Estes Park, as well as medical director of Cheley Camp and most other local camps.

In addition, he has been committee chair of the Medical Staff Pharmacy & Therapeutics, Infection Control, Bylaws, Credentials, Medical Executive Committee, and Quality Improvement committees.  Furthermore, he served on the Estes Park Medical Center Foundation Board, Boulder Valley Independent Practice Association (BVIPA) Utilization Management Committee, Park Recreation District as soccer coach, Park School District Committee on Talented and Gifted Children (TAG), and Boy Scouts of America as merit badge leader.  Recently, he founded Doctors Off the Clock, a group of retired physicians, to positively affect health care in the Estes Valley and the viability of EVMC.

Moreover, he has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Estes Park, serving in many capacities over the years and currently is serving as your president.

Finally, he has been married for 35 years to his wonderful wife, Leslie, has two amazing children, Ben and Annika, and two precocious grandchildren.  Life is good!

Jim and Guy will discuss immunizations in general and polio in particular. Jim will share his experience as a polio survivor, and will make a short presentation on what Rotary International has done over the last 45 years to wipe out this horrible virus. We encourage you to support Polio Plus, Rotary International's active effort to eradicate polio from the world. Please make sure to stay well immunized.

Our program on October 22nd will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided.

Click on the link below to be admitted.

Meeting link:

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/6699965961?pwd=SIazSZwTeOJFvlIrinb2QYB7ohYAoU.1

Rotary Weekly Luncheon

Place: American Legion

Time: Lunch served from 11:30 – 12:00

Cost: $20

Parking:  American Legion and the church only       

As a courtesy to our members, please silence your cell phones during the meeting.

Thank You!

October 22nd LUNCH MENU

Duck Race Committee Meeting

There is a Duck Race Committee Meeting on October 22nd, after the Club meeting. The Duck Race is looking for an event day coordinator.
 

Are you Social?

Rumor has it that members of our Rotary Club do more than serve. We are also social! Come show your social, five to seven p.m. on Wednesday, October 21 at JoAnn and David Batey's house. See flyer below.

Here's the deal! The Bateys provide the house (251 PIne Tree Ave.--just off of Pole Hill Road). We provide our beverages of choice and an appetizer or other food to share. Some call this a "potluck"!

The Batey's house has a steep driveway. It's on Pole Hill, you know! Weather is predicted to be good through next week, but it would still be nice if those of you with limited mobility can park at the top of the driveway. Those less limited can park further down the driveway.

I have forwarded the names of people who signed up at our meeting on Thursday to JoAnn. Additional Rotarians are certainly welcome as well. Just call Joann at ph. (713) 299-2584 and let her know you will be coming and how many of you there are (i.e. a spouse or partner or date).So come out on Wednesday and "show your social" to fellow Rotarians at JoAnn Batey's house. See you there!

Shane O’Meara application for Membership

In accordance with our bylaws, individuals seeking membership in the Rotary Club of Estes Park must complete an application, be approved by the Board of Directors, and information on the prospective member must be published in the Spoke for one week. If no concerns are raised in the week following publication, the prospective member is approved for membership in our club. 

Shane O'Meara has applied for membership in the Rotary Club of Estes Park and her membership profile is hereby forwarded to club membership for approval. 

Shane is a Loan Officer with the Bank of Estes Park. She was born in Boulder, CO, graduated from Fairview High School, and attended Regis University and CU Boulder. She has 25 years' experience in banking, has been married to her husband, Scott, for twenty-eight years and has two children, Kaylie, and Piper. Shane and her family live on a five-acre farm in Berthoud along with a menagerie of animals (goats, dogs, a snake, and in her words, “a grumpy pot-bellied pig”).

Community involvement is important to Shane. She and her family have volunteered regularly at the Mountain Flower Goat Dairy in Boulder. Shane served as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of that organization. She is researching non-profit organizations in the Estes Valley and hopes to serve on a Board of Directors of one of those entities. She sees membership in our Rotary club as an opportunity to meet people, volunteer, and become part of the Estes community.

Anne Slack is sponsoring Shane. 

If no concerns are received by Tuesday, October 27, 2026 regarding this membership, Shane will be approved for membership in our club. 

OCTOBER 23:  COME HELP WITH PUMPKIN DISTRIBUTION DAY!

One of our most fun Rotary events of the year will be held at Estes Park Elementary School on Friday, October 23. Safeway/Albertsons Foundation has approved our application for a donation of 510 pumpkins, which will be delivered on a flatbed truck to the parking lot of EPES that day at 8:15 a.m. 

Come help unload the pumpkins from the truck and set them out in rows, like a pumpkin patch, in the parking lot outside of EPES. Then watch as the elementary students come out class by class, and each child gets to pick their own pumpkin to take home for free. It's joyful and funny and fascinating to watch.

This will be the 91st annual pumpkin giveaway, which was started in 1936 by former Estes Park Mayor and Rotarian Ron Brodie, and was continued by the Rotary Club of Estes Park after Brodie's death.

Please email Beth if you have questions, at weisberg.family@verizon.net . No need to RSVP -- just show up in the EPES parking lot at 8:15 a.m. on Friday, October 23 if you want to participate.

Meeting Notes for October 15

President Guy Van der Werf rang the bell at 12:00.

Carl Robicheaux gave the Invocation.

Guy led the Pledge of Allegiance.

We sang “Give My Regards to Broadway” accompanied by Madison Casey.

There was one guest, Terry Rizzuti.  

Announcements:

• Guy Van der Werf congratulated Carl Robicheaux for his birthday today.
• Carl Robicheaux announced that the Fund Development Committee will meet at the Legion after next week’s club meeting.
• Ben Van der Werf said the Duck Race Committee will meet next week at the Legion after the club meeting.
• Scott Robbins invited everyone to a new social event next Wednesday, Oct. 21, at JoAnn and David Batey’s house. It will be from 5-7 p.m..  Please bring whatever you would like to drink and something to share.
• Dale Bonza reminded everyone that the matching donation program will end on November 5.
• Beth Weisberg asked persons interested in the pumpkin distribution to meet at 8:15 at the elementary school on Friday the 23rd.
• Madison Casey reminded committee members of the Foundation meeting today at 1:30 at the Quality Inn.

Happy Money:

• Ben and Valerie Van der Werf are happy about their anniversary.
• Tom Maher is happy that he made it to Rotary today without his “wheels.”
• Dennis Gellhaus is happy for Carl’s birthday.
• Bill Solms is happy for Ben and Valerie’s anniversary.
• Carl is happy for Chris Davis’s birthday and that Tom didn’t need wheels.

Program

Rick Life introduced the speaker, author Walt Borneman.  Walt discussed his life as a writer, telling many anecdotes about his work.

Guy thanks Walt for his presentation

Adjournment

President Guy led the five-way test and rang the bell at 1:00.

Barry Hannigan 
 

Meeting Recording October 15, 2026

Walt Borneman discussed Tales from the Road - 50 Years of Writing History