Come and Hear Chuck Scott Speak About Dick’s Rock Shop
Chuck Scott was involved in public education for 37 years as a coach, teacher and administrator. For the last 8 years of his career, he was the Principal at Estes Park High School. Currently, he owns the Red Rose Rock Shop and Dick’s Rock Museum with his brother Carl. Also, he owns Coffee on the Rocks and Venue on the Rocks with his daughter Kenzie and her husband JD. He is a Colorado native and has spent most of his life in rural parts of the state. Estes Park is his favorite place to be.
Chuck will share with us a bit of the history of Dick’s Rock Shop, an Estes institution, which has been selling rocks from Colorado and from around the world since 1939.
Our program on April 16th will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided.
No Meeting Estes Recycles Day Coming Up Soon John Denver Tribute Concert Coffee Talk Meeting Notes Meeting Recording
Foundation Board meeting today (May 21st)
New Member Application
On April 7, 2026 the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Estes Park voted unanimously to forward the application of Wendy Aschenbach, for membership in our club to the general membership for approval. As per our bylaws, this is the second week her bio is published in the Spoke. This is your opportunity to provide feedback to your officers regarding this application. If no comments are received by Thursday, April 23, 2026, Wendy will officially become a member and her induction into the club will be scheduled.
Wendy Aschenbach has lived in Estes Park on at least a part-time basis since 1993. In recent years she has split time between a home and business in Montrose, CO and Estes Park. She now resides in Estes Park on a full-time basis. She founded Smart Business Solutions in 2007 and continues to provide business and consulting services through this company. Prior to that she had a long career working for IBM including development of a timekeeping and payroll management system, developing and implementing an on-line subcontract system as part of a federal contract while working with IBM. Local business connections include retail sales management for the Twisted Pine Fur and Leather company, serving as office manager for the Rocky Mountain Transit Management, and Assistant Manager of the Timberline Medical Clinic.
Wendy is an active person listing favorite activies as hiking, biking ,kayaking, and skiing. She volunteers with the Estes Park Museum, PEO, and community events including the Scottish/Irish Festival, the Rooftop Rodeo, and, most importantly (for us Rotarians) the Great Estes Park Rotary duck Race.
Wendy is being sponsored by Ben van der Werf. In accordance with our bylaws, this notice will be published for two consecutive weeks in the Spoke. Anyone with comments about Wendy and her application should contact Jack Ford, President, or Scott Robbins, Membership Director. If no concerns are raised, Wendy Aschenbach will be approved for membership April 30, 2026 and we will schedule a formal induction at that time.
FYI our club currently has 58 members, Wendy would be our 59th member.
Thank you.
Scott Robbins Membership Director
Community Clean-Up Day on April 25
On Saturday, April 25, 2026, we will hold the annual Spring Community Cleanup event, to clean up the town so it will look beautiful for the May 2 Rotary Duck Race.
Tara and I would welcome 2 or 3 volunteers from our Club, to meet at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot on the east side of the Visitor’s Center. to hand out route assignments and orange trash bags to everyone coming to participate in the trash pickup. We are usually done by 9:30 a.m., more or less.
And/or, if you would like to pick up trash on April 25 (or even a day or two later, at your convenience), please let Beth or Tara know, and we can give you your choice of routes in advance. Each route takes about 1 1/2 hours to cover, and there will be a dumpster at the Marina designated for this project, where you can drop off the bags of trash when you're done.
If you want to participate in any capacity, or if you have any questions, please email Beth at weisberg.family@verizon.net, or else tell Tara or Beth in person.
Thanks!
Notes for April 9, 2026
President Jack Ford rang the bell at 12:00. Isaiah Johnson gave the Invocation. Jack led the Pledge of Allegiance. We sang “April Showers,” accompanied by Madison Casey.
Guests of Rotarians
Guy Van der Werf introduced the guests, Marty Casey, Neal Standard, and Ron Gordon. Ron is recovering well from various illnesses, and is hoping to be in Estes more often.
Announcements:
Bill Solms and Dave Boon are new members of the Foundation.
Happy Money:
Beth Weisberg is happy to see Ron Gordon.
Barry Hannigan is happy for Ron.
Neal Standard is happy he goes to two Rotary clubs, and that he is doing a “Day of Service in May” with his other club.
Guy Van der Werf is happy for Ron.
Dave Boon is happy for Ron and for a recent rafting trip where he swam Skull Rapids and rowed 60 miles last week.
Bill Solms is happy for Ron, the work Chuck Bonza is doing for the Duck Race, and for Dave’s rowing.
Ron Gordon is happy to be here.
Program
Guy van der Werf introduced his son Ben, who gave us a presentation about all things rowing: how to row, the history of the sport, the makeup of the boats, the races and organizations, and many other topics.
Ben with Oars and Scull Ben, Jack, Piece of the Rock
Adjournment
President Ford led the pledge and rang the bell at 1:00.
Barry Hannigan
Meeting Recording April 9, 2026
The meeting featured Ben Van der Werf speaking about the sport of rowing.
Just For Fun
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.
