Come and Meet Melissa Gruber, Director of Development Veterans Community Project, Longmont
Melissa Gruber
Melissa Gruber is the Director of Development for Veterans Community Project (VCP) of Longmont, a role she has held since April 2023. Raised in Colorado Springs, Melissa has always been deeply committed to serving those who served. Her career has been dedicated to the Veteran nonprofit sector, with a focus on development, community engagement, and awareness. At VCP of Longmont, Melissa finds the greatest fulfillment in working alongside dedicated partners—like Sunrise Rotary—who share a passion for fixing Veteran homelessness in Colorado. Her leadership fosters meaningful connections that drive impactful change in the lives of Veterans, and their families, across Colorado. Melissa is married to her husband, Nick, and together they share their home with three energetic dogs who keep them on their toes.
Melissa will present on the work VCP is doing, and how Rotarians can get involved.
Our program on May 1st will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided.
This was a special meeting to celebrate our club’s achievement of 100% Paul Harris and presentation of pins to all members.
Guests of Rotarians:
Tim Moore introduced our numerous guests today;
District Governor Julie Haffner and husband Gene
Bill Howell of Sunrise
Gordon Slack, Area Governor
Karen Morgan, District Governor Elect
Lois Sumey.
Annie said no birthdays. She noted that it is Harry Livingston and his late wife Mary’s anniversary.
Announcements:
Carl Robicheaux reported he walked the river course with Tim Moore and the river looks great for our ducks!
Dave Boon said we have 4 RYLA slots open for high school youth and 1 young RYLA slot open. He needs volunteer counselors for the week.
Scott Robbins said Coffee Talk will be postponed a week, due to Duck Race, to Saturday May 10, as usual 8:30 at The Inkwell.
Scott Thompson said Duck Committee meets today after this meeting at Quality Inn. We have $90,000 of duck adopters, almost half way to goal. Remember, Friday night before the race we are invited to the Stanley but need to RSVP to Scott. Friday week after the race we have a wrap party at the Holiday Inn. Tomorrow Friday, we have a test run of ducks at 10:00 and we will video record it. We need help to pick up the ducks and time them. Then there will be another test at 2:00.
Program
PRESENTATION OF PAUL HARRIS RECOGNITION – Annie said today we celebrate our Club as a 100% Paul Harris Club. This means every member has donated $1,000 this fiscal year to the Rotary Foundation, either financially or by donor points. Our members contributed $12,986.87 to this and Thor Homme, Past President of our club, donated his Rotary points so Ron Gordon and Annie Slack were able to offer a 2:1 match.
District Governor Julie Haffner presented the awards. Ron Gordon read the names.
Annie recognized honorary members Gary & Kris Hazelton, not present today, with a Paul Harris award. As prior members each served as Big Duck, and their Estes Park News continues to give us free publicity.
$10,000 plus donors were announced-Kathy Groesbeck, Thor Homme, Tom Maher, Jim Whiteneck, and Anne Slack.
Ron then introduced recipients by group and those present came forward to receive their pins: The groups and associated total past and present donations were: Group 1 Paul Harris first time for $1,000; Group 2 $2,000; Group 3 $3,000; Group 4 $4,000; Group 5 $5,000; Group 6 $6,000; Group 7 $7,000; Group 8 $8,000.
Each group was photographed, and then we took a group photo of all.
Remarks by District Governor Julie Haffner.
Remember the District Conference is in Loveland at the Embassy Suites June 12-14.
Happy Money:
Gordon Slack was happy.
Carl Robicheaux was happy for many things.
Beth Weisberg was happy for Annie and Ron’s work to get our club to Paul Harris 100%.
Bill Smith was happy for our club’s achievement and for his son who is also a Paul Harris and President of his club in Dickenson, North Dakota.
Jim Austin was happy for our District Governor and DG Elect being here today. It’s great to be part of our club. His 85th birthday was last week and he donated $85
.Scott Robbins enjoyed his trip to Las Vegas to see his step son.
Gregg Jurgens is happy that Carl is happy
Bill Solms congratulates Annie on getting this 100% PH accomplished and for getting younger members.
Dennis Gellhaus is happy for his mother’s wonderful life as she passed on this morning at age 95. He donated $100 for his mother.
Jack Ford is happy for his 7th great grandchild and there is another on the way.
Ron Gordon is proud of our club. When Annie asked him to help do this 100% PH project, he was shocked at the prospect but is happy that everyone contributed to get it done.
Annie is happy for Ron Gordon taking this PH project on.
There are extra Paul Harris pendants and lanyards on the back table.
A special cake is now served to celebrate.
Adjournment
We ended with the four-way test.
Rotarians
Submitted by Madison Casey
Update from President Anne Slack
It is finally here! Rotary’s Duck Race is next Saturday. Scott Thompson and Bob Fulton have worked hard to present a Festival for everyone to enjoy: The Great Estes Park Duck Race. They have had help from numerous other Rotarians: Anna Weddle, Isaiah Johnson, Chris Davis, Tim Moore, Scott Robbins, Carl Robicheaux, Jim Austin, Lee Lasson, Longley Parker, Gregg Jurgens, myself, all the members that solicited prizes from Merchants...just an entire cadre of Rotarians. Congratulations to all of you for volunteering your time, energy, and resources to our Duck Race.
Be sure to buy your Duck Adoption ticket for your favorite charity. Come along on Friday night to the Stanley for the Launch Party at 5:30 PM. (See article in this Spoke.)
This was a one-year experiment to evaluate the benefits of a festival. We have worked on it for a year with weekly meetings, press releases, creating a wire Duck for the Christmas parade, etc. Let’s see how it goes next weekend. Hope for good weather and the best outcome.
Daffney Harroff has applied for membership in our club. She was born in Irving, Texas. She moved to Estes Park with her birth mom, Jill, when she was an infant. Daffney was adopted by her grandparents Jay and Jane Harroff when she was three years old.
Although her application to our Rotary club is new, she is no stranger to the Rotary Club of Estes Park. Many members recall Daffney as a volunteer for the Rotary Golf Tournament and the Duck Race when she was in high school. She also volunteered with American Legion Post 119. In her words, she "has always enjoyed being active."
Daffney attended Estes .Park schools, graduating from Estes Park High School in 2020. Since then Daffney has attended UNC for two years. The wanderlust grabbed her, and she travelled and worked in the hospitality business for a year or so. Now she is attending Front Range Community College, and expects to get her Associates degree in sociology. She is considering going on to get her BA degree, and has expressed an interest in psychology in addition to her current major.
Daffney returned to support her father, Jay, after her mother, Jane, passed away earlier this year.. She likes walking her dog and hiking. Daffney says "I am happy to be back in Estes and be with my dad!"
According to club bylaws, if there are no objections within days of publication, the applicant shall be considered elected to membership.
Our Rotary Club Foundation will match all donations up to $25,000 to benefit the Estes Dementia Day Center initiative. Rotarians and the public are encouraged to use this grant to double their donation amount.
The Estes Dementia Day Center is expected to open in early 2026. Its mission is to provide a safe, stimulating experience for those suffering from early to mid-stage dementia, while also allowing respite for caregivers.
This initiative hopes to raise $500,000 prior to opening, in order to ensure the sustainability of the center. Donations are tax-deductible.
Come kick things off with us at the Stanley and meet special guest Patrick Warburton! You’ll also have a chance to connect with Duck Race adopters who are sticking around for the post-race concert. Or just come enjoy live music from Burn the Ballroom!
This free event will honor The Rotary Club of Estes Park for presenting The Great Estes Park Duck Race, and your presence will make a powerful impact on our community. All that is required is to adopt a duck, get the promo code and RSVP for 1 or 2 free tickets.
Hope to see you there.
Coffee Talk
Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025 Time: 8:30 a.m. Place: The Inkwell Coffee Shop, 2nd floor
From Longley - 2025 Tulip Festival
We went to the 90th Tulip Festival in Pella, Iowa today. The Town plants over 300,000 tulips every year. After the plants die down, people are free to harvest the bulbs, and the flower beds are replanted with annuals so the town is colorful all summer long. In the late Fall, the flower beds are cleaned up and new bulbs are planted to start the cycle all over again.
Longley and Julie at the Tulip Festival
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.
