This week's speaker will be Vern Mertz, veteran of a dozen trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness and Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada. He will share his adventures.
The BWCAW and Quetico Provincial Park encompasses 2.27million acres of wilderness and over 1,600 lakes. A wilderness area exceeding the size of Yellowstone National Park, where there are no resorts, homes, cabins or roads. An area where mechanized equipment such as motorboats and snowmobiles are prohibited. As in many rules there are caveats. On three of four islands along the border are cabins housing the custom officials and in case of emergencies, such as a forest fire or a rescue, mechanized equipment is used. First Nation citizens in Canada can also operate motorboats limited to 10 horsepower in designated lakes. In summer months canoeing is the paramount mode of transportation while portaging between lakes on interconnected trails, Access to the Boundary Waters in winter is by snowshoe, cross country ski or with a dog sled. The gateway to the BWCAW on the West side, is Ely, MN, and the 60-mile two-lane winding highway, known as the Gunflint Trail out of Grand Marais, MN, on the East side.
Following his 1943 graduation from Walnut Iowa High School and his tour of duty in the US Navy, during WWII, Vern Mertz attended college on the GI Bill receiving a degree in chemistry. He worked for an independent commercial testing laboratory in Omaha before establishing his own laboratory, Mertz Testing and Inspection, Inc. Upon selling his business he retired and in 1999 moved to Estes Park. In conjunction with the Northern Colorado Honor Flight, Vern and Bob Brunson established the Estes Park Honor Flight program in 2011. Their committee raises funds to pay the expenses for WWII veterans and now Korean and Vietnam veterans as well as any Purple Heart Veteran from Estes Park and Estes Valley to visit memorials built in their honor in Washington, DC. To date, 64 veterans from Estes Park and Estes Valley have made the trips. Vern, and his wife Jeanie, keep active by volunteering in the community.
President Brad Rosenbaum called the meeting to order. Anne Slack offered the invocation. Dave Evans led us in singing “When the Saints Go Marching In” for Mardi Gras, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Guest introductions were led by John Ericson - Visiting Rotarians: We welcomed back our old friend David Tavel now from Longs Peak Club. Fire Chief Scott Dorman was visiting from Sunrise Club.Guests were Eric Rose and Cory Pass of the Estes Park Police Department. We were glad to see Lori Gaglio back in town and visiting us.
Announcements
Rotary Foundation Board meets Monday, Feb. 23 at 4:00 in the Wasson Room of the Library.
First Tuesday Lunch is at Cables on March 3.
Club Board meets Thursday, March 5.
Big Duck Ken TeSelle announced his committee meets today at 5:00 at Nicky’s. He is proud to announce there are 47 on the committee! They will also be meeting right after this noon meeting to assemble the packets for the charities to pick up. All are welcome to help and meet at the Duck Central Office near Bank of Colorado.
Happy Money
Robert Ludlum was happy to feel so safe with our police guests here today.
Kerrie Hill is happy to have Dr. Scott Taylor on staff to take care of her toes when she runs into things in the dark. She is also happy to announce the Health Fair March 28 that provides free and low cost screenings.
Scott Thompson is happy that Lori Gaglio is back.
Madison Casey is looking forward to playing a Schubert piano duet on the Peak to Peak Concert Series this Saturday at 3:00.
David Tavel is happy to be remembered when he visits our club.
Raffle
Dave Evans presided over the raffle drawing, which was won by Ron Gordon.
Program
Chuck Bonza introduced our guest speaker Stan Hilkey, Director of Public Safety for the State of Colorado. Chuck was appreciative of Stan’s help cleaning up Fish Creek flood brush last year. Stan described the function of his agency and the seven areas it contains.
Submitted by Madison Casey
Rotary Quote of the Week
“Without question, when it comes to developing your character, I doubt whether any institution can compare with, or effectively substitute for, the home's potential for positive influence on the development of a personality. It is true for me. I am thankful to Rotary for reinforcing the values my parents taught me. Today I can proudly proclaim that I am what I am in my life because I was molded by Rotary. I can personally vouch for the ability of our organization to blend commerce with cause, friendship with service, and know firsthand that each of us is lifted even as we lift others."
— K.R. (Ravi) Ravindran 2015-16 (Incoming) Rotary International President
