Barry and Mary Hannigan on their Trek in Peru Luncheon Duck Adoptions are Open Community Service Com. meeting Feb. 26 Kick Off Night Solar Panels Made it to Kharkiv Water Filtration System Installation in India Meeting Minutes Meeting Recording
Estes Dementia Day Care
L to R: Mary Mesropian, Jane Stuart, Madison Casey, Pete Sinnott, Annie Slack
Last week at Rotary, the Club presented a check for $82,000 to the Estes Dementia Center. Also, Pete Sinnott announced that a donation of $100,000 has been received from the Newendorp Family Charitable Foundation. These gifts are so appreciated as they bring the project closer to its goal to raise $500,000 before launching the program to ensure sustainability.
When EDDC does open next year, it will be staffed with professionals and trained volunteers to provide an activity program for individuals living with dementia as well as respite and support for their caregivers. “In the Estes Valley, it is estimated that 10 percent of the population 65 and older – some 350 individuals – are living with dementia, a progressive disease that has no cure.”
Mary Mesropian, Jane Stuart, Madison Casey, Pete Sinnott, and Carl Robicheaux are founding members.
EDDC’s Vision is to foster a culture of care and support in the Estes Valley, for adults with dementia and their caregivers.
EDDC’s Mission is to serve local adults with dementia through a safe, caring and enriching day program while offering caregivers essential time for respite.
EDDC’s Values are compassion, dignity, safety, and joy.
On October 23, 2025, Beth Weisberg and Chuck Bonza delivered a check for $750 to members of the Estes Park Police Auxiliary, to support the EPPA's Blue Santa program. Noon Rotary's Project Funds (mostly funded by sales of Friendship Cards) provided the money.
The Police Auxiliary has just begun their 2025 drive for donations to their Blue Santa program, which provides non-perishable food, toiletries, and other items to home-bound and senior residents of Estes Park who need some help and extra cheer around the holidays. Last year they helped over 90 local recipients, and they anticipate more need this year than ever. They were excited and extremely appreciative for our donation.
Photo L to R: Beth Weisberg, Jim Bernard, Lori Bradford, Julie Lee, Michelle Fanucchi, Rick Life, Chuck Bonza
Solar Panel Destination
This week, we received the shipping information for the solar panels we decorated last week. They are going to the Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute. Kseniia Minakova is receiving them on behalf of the Institute. She’s an interesting person. We also have her email address as a contact.
Dr. Kseniia Minakova is an Associate Professor of Physics at the National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute" (NTU "KhPI"). She is also the Head of the Optics & Photonics Laboratory in the Micro- and Nanoelectronics Department and the Deputy Secretary of the Admissions Committee. Her professional activities continue despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Background and Education
Affiliation: Dr. Minakova is part of the Department of Physics at the Educational and Scientific Institute of Computer Modeling, Applied Physics and Mathematics at NTU "KhPI".
Degrees: She holds a Ph.D. in Solid State Physics from the Institute of Electrophysics & Radiation Technologies at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. She also earned a Master's degree in Theoretical Physics from V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University.
Key research and academic contributions
Solar energy: Her current research focuses on theoretical calculations and modeling of thermal physical processes in solar cells. She aims to find modern solutions and technical improvements for solar collectors and photovoltaic systems.
Nanotechnology: She is an expert in areas including nanomaterials, nanotechnology, thin films, and photovoltaics. She has spoken at international conferences on nanotechnology.
STEM promotion: Dr. Minakova is actively involved in promoting and developing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, especially for women and young people.
Decorated Solar Panels
Pumpkin Distribution at EPES Brings Joy
Six Rotarians, twelve high school Youth In Action volunteers, and four staff from MacGregor Ranch set out 510 bright orange pumpkins in rows in front of Estes Park Elementary School on Friday, October 24, and then watched as class after class of children came out and scattered, each child finding the perfect pumpkin to take home. One young boy said he was looking for a pumpkin that would be big enough to hollow out and wear as a mask. Some wanted the biggest or the brightest orange pumpkin, and others (being practical) wanted one that was easier to carry. The youngest children rolled their pumpkins into the building. The YIA students helped the little kids choose or lift -- whatever was needed -- and wrote each child's name on the bottom of their pumpkin. It was a sunny, clear day, and smiles and excitement were everywhere.
The YIA high schoolers all said that they remembered when they had attended EPES and experienced their own Pumpkin Days. Several EPES teachers came over to tell us that this was their favorite day of the school year, and to thank us for continuing the tradition. A passerby came over to say that we were "spreading a lot of joy."
This is the 90th year of this annual event. It was started in 1936 by President of the Rotary Club (and owner of Brodie's Supermarket), former Estes Park Mayor Ron Brodie. After Brodie's death, our own Tom Maher led the effort to take over the pumpkin distribution, and the Rotary Club of Estes Park has been doing it ever since. Thanks to all of the Rotarians who came out to help!
Crowds of kids and pumpkins Lots of smiles
Ruby in a box to reach Little kids rolling big pumpkins
all the pumpkins
Youth in Action w Beth Weisberg, Flatbed truck, boxes,
Susan Fereday on the right side pumpkins and workers
Meeting Recording 10-23-2025
Our speaker, Thaine Norris, the founder of Walking Together Press, described his work supporting grassroots libraries in Africa through global book sales and by providing free library editions. Our recording of the meeting is split in two parts this week. PART1 and PART2.
Meeting Notes 10/23/25
President Jack Ford called the meeting to order. For Invocation, Chuck Bonza remembered the Rotarians who have passed on during his time in our club. Jack led the Pledge of Allegiance. We sang “I’d Like to Teach The World to Sing”, accompanied by Madison Casey.
Guests of Rotarians
Dona Burke, District Governor Nominee in Houston, who has visited us before.
Gary Fanucci was back with us.
Neil Standard was back visiting us from Peak to Peak Rotary in Blackhawk/Central City.
For today’s presentation to Estes Dementia Day Center were Mary Mesropian, President and Jane Stuart Secretary.
Jack acknowledged members’ wedding anniversaries.
Announcements:
The presentation was made of $82,000 donation to Estes Dementia Day Center. Photos were taken of Foundation Vice President Annie Slack presenting a giant check to EDDC board members- Pete Sinnott, Mary Mesropian, President; Jane Stuart, Secretary; Madison Casey, Treasurer. $25,000 of this is our club foundation’s grant to EDDC, and the remainder is from many individuals, both in and out of our club.
Michelle Mann showed us a short video of the Summer Camp in Albania that our club supported for special needs children. Nehemiah Gateway Albania hosted 30 kids for two weeks divided into two sessions.
Beth Weisberg said this is the last day collecting donations from us for Bright Christmas. She received a $1,000 donation so we can help many to have a better Christmas.
Beth said pumpkin distribution is tomorrow Friday at 8:10 am at the Elementary School. Sue Fereday is again supplying her truck and trailer and Safeway provides the pumpkins.
Scott Robbins said he again organized our name badges in the box so check your number on the back to file it.
Annie Slack says Duck Race Committee meets November 13 here after this meeting. We need Coordinators for various portions of this event. She has sign up lists for jobs.
Annie said we need someone to join the foundation to complete Jim Whiteneck’s term, as he has had to resign for health issues at home.
Chuck Bonza reported for Dale Bonza that our foundation’s $200 match for members’ donations to local charities runs through November 6.
Chuck updated us for the International Committee that the solar panels to Ukraine are at UPS to be shipped.
Valerie Van der Werf said the Scholarship Meeting will meet shortly today right after this meeting.
Program:
Thaine Norris of Estes Park told us about his calling to supply books to the Jenta area of a major city in Nigeria and how he started the initiative of Libraries to Africa. He described the evolution from his bringing books there, to meeting a young local man who wanted to spread his joy of reading, to their starting a small library. Then they started Walking Together Press to print books in the public domain at very low cost for the library.
Jack gives Thaine a Piece of the Rock
Adjournment
We concluded with the four-way test.
Notes by Madison
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.
