Investing in Early Child Care and Education: How are we doing?  

Nancy Almond, Executive Director of Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success (EVICS), will speak at the Rotary Club of Estes Park on Thursday, May 10, at their regular noon meeting.  She will give an overview of EVICS services, current status of childcare and early childhood education services in our community, and talk about why it should matter to each of us.  In addition, Almond will give a brief overview of the results from the Childcare Needs Assessment.

Nancy Almond

With over 20 years of work experience with and on behalf of young children, Almond has been employed as an elementary school teacher, a director of children’s ministry, and a residential camp program director.  Furthermore, she has work experience with both public and non-profit agencies in promoting public education and information, coordinating training conferences, and creating collaborations.

Nancy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education/Therapeutic Recreation and is a 2010 graduate of the Buell Early Childhood Leadership Program.

As the EVICS Director since 2006, Nancy supports Estes Park’s early care and education programs, coordinates training and professional development and promotes community investment in early childhood.  Also, Nancy supervises the Estes Park Parents as Teachers Program.

She enjoys living in the mountains, pursuing many outdoor activities with friends and family, and being a part of a small community.

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 1.2 million Rotary members in 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary clubs have been serving communities worldwide for more than a century.  Rotary clubs, around the world, initiate projects that address critical issues such as conflict resolution, hunger, poverty, disease and illiteracy.

The Rotary Club of Estes Park meets Thursdays at the Rodeway Inn in Estes Park, located at 1701 North Lake Avenue on Highway 34 just west of Dry Gulch Road. Visitors interested in learning more about Rotary and its programs are welcome to attend.  Buffet is served at 11:30 a.m., the Rotary business meeting opens at noon, and the program begins at 12:30 p.m. 

May 3, 2018 Meeting Highlights

President Kathy Groesbeck welcomed Estes Park Rotary members and called the meeting to order at noon. She recognized Tom Maher for his 29 years of attendance at the annual duck race and wished for good weather this coming Saturday. Chuck Bonza gave the invocation by describing the Navaho ten commandments that define man’s relationship to the Earth, Nature and Mankind. Dave Evans led us in a spirited rendition of “Take Me Out to the Duck Race”, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Dale Bonza introduced Assistant District Governor Linda Vomaske and her husband Bob, who are here for both the District Conference and the Duck Race. They will be volunteering with us in Bond Park on Saturday. We were happy that Wayne Newsom brought his wife, Pat, as his guest for lunch today.

Announcements

• Wayne and Pat Newsom brought back sombreros from a recent vacation.They will be worn by Rotary volunteers in Bond Park on Saturday to acknowledge Cinco de Mayo.
• Look for the large duck in the swimming pool at The Ridgeline Hotel where the District Conference is being held. It will remind people to adopt a duck.
• Longley Parker donated two touchscreen computers to facilitate duck adoptions.
• Tara Moenning reminded us that the rescheduled Shred-a-Thon will be held on June 23. The town clean-up was phenomenal last Saturday. The scrap metal drive brought in $510, and Mike donated $200 to the school scholarship fund. The club sang "Happy Birthday" to Tara.

• Chuck Bonza announced that Josh the Otter will be attending the Estes Park Elementary School water safety event for four Kindergarten classes on Friday, May 18 at 10 a.m. Two additional volunteers are needed from 9:45-10:45 to read aloud to the children. Jim Austin and Jay Haroff/ Daphne are already planning to help. Kathy agreed to join in on the fun that day.
• Roger Thorpe called for help to set up and take down chairs and tables at Bond Park.
• Kathy thanked Roger Thorpe for donating several pieces of artwork he created for the District Conference Silent Auction that will be held this weekend.
• There will be a work party to paint the shelter house by the lake on Monday, May 21, at 10 a.m. Wear paint clothes.
• Kathy thanked Assistant District Governor Linda Vomaske for attending our meeting today and gave her a “Ask Me About Rotary” pin and a ‘4-way Test’ souvenir coin.

Paul Harris Awards

Virgil Holtegrewe and Assistant District Governor Linda Vomaske were proud to present two Paul Harris awards. Thor Homme received his Paul Harris award certificate times seven. His new pin honors eight years of $1,000 donations and includes two rubies. Kathy Groesbeck received her Paul Harris pin and certificate and the special honor of being recognized as a Paul Harris Society Member. This Society is for members who have pledged to donate $1,000 or more every year to the Rotary Foundation for its projects and activities to help people around the world. A special chevron is added to Kathy’s pin to denote her Paul Harris Society membership.

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Program

Rick Taylor introduced our speaker, Bethany Matthias of InHome Fitness Solutions, who encouraged all present to improve their strength, balance and stability to prevent falls and injury. She runs a program in Estes Park which tailors a fitness program to individual clients.

The meeting was adjourned with the 4-Way Test.