Walt Borneman Discusses Tales from the Road - 50 Years of Writing History
Walt Borneman
Walt Borneman has lived in the Mountain West and written about it most of his life. His experiences range from climbing its mountains and rafting its rivers to evacuating his hometown in the face of a monster firestorm. His book on Colorado’s mountains, A Climbing Guide to Colorado’s Fourteeners (with Lyndon J. Lampert), was first published in 1978 and in print for twenty-five years. Walt’s titles include the New York Times bestseller The Admirals and books about James K. Polk, western railroads, and Alaska. His book Reckoning: The American West on Edge will be published in spring 2027.
Our program on October 15th will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided.
As a courtesy to our members, please silence your cell phones during the meeting.
Thank You!
October 15th LUNCH MENU
RSVP needed for Rotary lunch
RSVP DEADLINE, MONDAY, October 12 BEFORE 12 NOON. RSVP to Karol:kj.rinehart@aol.com
Rotary Lunch Menu for Thursday, October 15th:
Sub sandwiches, pasta salad, chips, dessert.
RSVP to Karol: kj.rinehart@aol.com before 12 noon, Monday.
Included In This Spoke Edition
Walt Borneman Discusses Tales From the Road Personal Donation Program Reminder Fund Development Committee Meeting Bright Christmas Donations HELP WITH PUMPKIN DISTRIBUTION DAY Make the Most of your Rotary Membership Meeting Notes 10-8-26 Meeting Recording 10-8-26 From the Chaplain
Personal Donation Program Reminder
Fund Development Committee Meeting
Fund Development Meeting on 10/22 at American Legion immediately following the Noon Rotary mtg.
Bright Christmas Donations
Noon Rotary will be "adopting" one or more families for Bright Christmas again this year, as we have done for the past several years. These are families who live or work in our community, who need help providing gifts for their children for Christmas. Bright Christmas is a nonprofit in Estes Park that was founded in 1984 by Jean Austin (Jim's late wife), and they identify and vet all of the families who apply for help. Starting on October 8 and throughout October, we will be passing around a collection can at every week's noon meeting for any of our members who choose to participate. The more money we collect, the more people we can help.
Then, in early November when Bright Christmas assigns families, we will know how much money we have and therefore how many people we can "adopt." Last year, due to extremely generous donations by our members, we were able to buy gifts for 11 people in 3 different families!
Donations to this project are not tax deductible. Donations made directly to Bright Christmas are tax deductible, but cannot be used for our adopted families.
Checks and cash are welcome. Gregg will hold and keep track of the money.
If you have any questions, please contact Beth at weisberg.family@verizon.net. Thanks to everyone for making the holidays brighter for our local families.
OCTOBER 23: COME HELP WITH PUMPKIN DISTRIBUTION DAY!
One of our most fun Rotary events of the year will be held at Estes Park Elementary School on Friday, October 23. Safeway/Albertsons Foundation has approved our application for a donation of 510 pumpkins, which will be delivered on a flatbed truck to the parking lot of EPES that day at 8:15 a.m.
Come help unload the pumpkins from the truck and set them out in rows, like a pumpkin patch, in the parking lot outside of EPES. Then watch as the elementary students come out class by class, and each child gets to pick their own pumpkin to take home for free. It's joyful and funny and fascinating to watch.
This will be the 91st annual pumpkin giveaway, which was started in 1936 by former Estes Park Mayor and Rotarian Ron Brodie, and was continued by the Rotary Club of Estes Park after Brodie's death.
Please email Beth if you have questions, at weisberg.family@verizon.net . No need to RSVP -- just show up in the EPES parking lot at 8:15 a.m. on Friday, October 23 if you want to participate.
Make the Most of your Rotary Membership.
Whether you're new to Rotary or want a refresher, our Welcome to Rotary webinar on October 14th will help you discover ways to get involved, build connections, and find opportunities that match your interests.
President Guy Van der Werf rang the bell at 12:00.
Rick Life gave the invocation.
Guy led the pledge of allegiance.
We sang “The Band Played On” accompanied by Madison Casey.
Various club members provided summaries of the last year’s activities.
Announcements
Scott Robbins: We have six new members this year already. A new brochure for membership is on the way, and we need someone to help with social events.
Guy Van der Werf provided Carl Robicheaux’s comments. The club’s John Denver Concert, Shred-a-thon, and Friendship Card have all done well. Please send a contribution to National Rotary as those funds come back to the club to help our activities.
Gregg Jurgens described how Shelterbox helps those in need. The club needs about $200 to complete a new box, so please donate when the can comes around.
Beth Weisberg announced the following:
The date for the pumpkin distribution is Oct 23 at 8:15 a.m. Come and help set them up. Tom Maher shared that the distribution has been going for 91 years! Rotary took it over in 1987, so this is our 39th year.
Nov. 25 is the meal at the Senior Citizen’s that we underwrite, along with the district. Two more volunteers are needed at about 10:30 a.m.
Annie and Gordon Slack will have a table at Embers for the Thanksgiving Buffet. Please see Annie if you would like to join them.
Community Service this year sponsored the following:
Clean-up day before the Duck Race, Volunteers for the Senior Citizen Barbecue, various projects with EVICS for children 4-14 years old, and painting for older children. The club also helped with uniforms for the 18 students who attended the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA). The club also made donations to Estes Dementia Day Care, Learning Place, and the High School.
Chuck Bonza announced the following:
Showed a “thank you” video from Ukraine from the children who received new shoes. The children have all lost a parent in the war.
We also send three pallets of food to the front-line villages in Ukraine that have been liberated.
Two projects provided clean water to schools in India.
A project provided solar panels for recharging in Ukraine. More of these are needed as their power infrastructure is constantly targeted.
A school rebuilding project in Nepal will be coming up soon.
Dave Boon discussed student programs, including his Empowering Opportunities, which provided a new prosthesis for a girl with no leg from Nepal. Dave also described the Interact, RYLA, and young RYLA programs. Students in the 10-12th grades can apply for the July 11-16 camp at the YMCA and 7th grade students can apply for camps on July 18-23 and 25-30.
Ben Van der Werf summarized the progress on the Duck Race by mentioning the leaders of various committees. The theme this year is Lucky Duck in a rowing shell. There are a few changes, such as only one duck drop and no activities at the Visitor’s Center parking lot. Helpers are still needed for permitting, sponsors, and merchandise.
Jack Ford read the slate of officers for next year for the third time. The slate was adopted unanimously. Jack also mentioned that Virgil Holtgrewe joined the club in 1959, so he’s been a member for 67 years!
Dale Bonza: The matching grant program from the Foundation has a $400 limit this year. The first week of November is the cutoff for your donations.
Annie Slack: End Polio Now day is October 24.
New Member Induction
Scott Robbins inducted new member Fred Thibodeau, who was sponsored by Barry Hannigan. Fred gave his short introductory speech.
Fred Thibodeau's induction
Adjournment
President Guy led the five-way test and rang the bell at 1:00.
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.
