Come and Hear Dr. Mike Grant Speak on Orthopedic Injuries
Dr. Mike Grant
Michael Grant, MD, grew up in Colorado, in the Green Mountain area. He completed his undergraduate education at Regis University and then attended Georgetown University Medical School on a military scholarship. After graduation, he spent two years as a flight surgeon, before finishing his orthopedic surgery residency at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center. After leaving the Army, he made his way back to Colorado, working in Longmont, Loveland, and then Estes Park. He has served the Estes community full-time since 2013, and is a member of the active medical staff at the UCHealth Estes Valley Medical Center (EVMC).
Dr. Grant will be discussing orthopedic injuries of the upper extremities.
Our program on March 19th will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided.
The next Scholarship Committee meeting will be on Friday, March 27th at 1:00pm at the Quality Inn.
Project Funds Provided New Uniforms for EPHS Future Health Professionals Students
On Tuesday, March 11, our club delivered a check for $922.27 to Estes Park High School to cover the cost of much-needed uniforms for EPHS' Future Health Professionals (HOSA) students to wear to conferences and other activities where they need to look professional. EPHS already had many HOSA uniforms, but with 18 students wanting to attend the three-day Colorado HOSA State Leadership Conference this year, there weren't enough uniforms to outfit everyone. Our Projects money enabled EPHS to buy the additional uniforms, and prevented the CTE program from having to deplete its own funds to cover this unbudgeted expense.
The students were excited to receive the check (made payable to the school, of course), and expressed how good it made them feel to know that Rotary supports them.
The uniforms will be used for more than just this one conference. “We have been attending this conference since 2021,” said EPHS teacher and HOSA advisor Cynda Basch. “We also attend the International Leadership Conference out of state when students can – I have taken students three times so far. We have a fall leadership conference for officers that we have attended several times, as well, and students sometimes elect to wear the uniforms for other activities and events where they should look professional.”
"Thank you so much," said Ms. Basch, surrounded by smiling students. "We all appreciate all that Rotary does for the school district."
left to right: students Joseph Cushner, Natalie Hernandez Rodriguez, Marli Davis, Abigail Watry (vice president of HOSA), then Beth Weisberg, Noon Rotary Community Service Director, students Vanessa Gonzalez Rojas, Fatima Ortiz Rojas, and then EPHS Teacher and HOSA advisor Cynda Basch.
Years of Duck Race History told in Badges and Pins
Beautiful historical badges over many years of Duck Races, pins, 25th Anniversay CD's, and ducks. I'll have them at the Rotary Meeting for you to add to your collections, or come on over and pick through them at our house.
Chuck Bonza
Badges and Pins
From Duck Wrangler Chris Davis
Please return all duck barrels by Friday, March 20, to the Quality Inn. Also, please follow these instructions for sorting individual barrels:
Please mark off the corresponding numbers on the inventory sheet with the numbered ducks in your barrel. If you have ducks with numbers outside your barrel's range, please separate them, place them in a zip-lock bag, and return both the barrel(s), the zip-lock bags, and the inventory sheet to the Quality Inn by Friday, March 20.
Thank Quack!
What Fun Was Had at Our Duck Sort
Thursday afternoon at the Event Center typified what Rotary is all about...having fun while giving Service Above Self. About 20 people were sorting, including members, spouses, and friends. They included Gregg Jurgens, Scott Robbins, Beth Weisberg, Chuck and Dale Bonza, Gary and Isabella Fanucchi, Leslie Van der Werf, Tara Moenning and neighbor Donna Dommert, Madison Casey, Chris Davis (our Duck Wrangler), Barry and Mary Hannigan, Dave Boon, Bill Solms, Pete Sinnott, Jim Austin, Karol Rinehart, Rick Life, Dennis Gellhaus, Dave Evans, Jack Ford, Jill and Gary Zerhan, and me. (Matti from the Event Center jumped in, too.)
It took us about 1.5 hours to sort 12,000 ducks. I asked everyone to let me know when they found #1. But no one did. I couldn’t believe it, as there is such a wonderful picture of Mary Hannigan from two years ago. (See below) Well, at the end, Chris confessed he had put #1 Duck into the barrel when he and Chuck were setting up the event for us. He said he did not realize it was a big deal. (See below)
Afterwards, we each took a barrel of 500 ducks home to make sure we had the correct numbered ducks in each barrel. Dave Boon helped me get my barrel outside, but the wind was so strong it tore the lid off. Dave had left, and the wind turned the barrel over while I was trying to fetch the lid. Little ducks went everywhere. Fortunately, Gary and Isabella came to my rescue, and we caught every duck and placed them in the car.
By the way, Isabella is going to run Merchandise Sales for us on race day. We were so pleased to meet her!
So I am home, counting ducks in the 2001- 2500 barrel. I found one duck that did not belong in my group. I notified Chris so he would know where that errant duck was (#2616) before March 20. When I finish counting, I’ll take my barrel over to the Quality Inn to wait for May 2. Hopefully, we will have enough snow melt to push those little guys down the river.
Thanks to all of you who helped out. It was so much fun being with you.
Annie
Report back on Solar Panel initiatives for Kharkiv Institute: Rechargers and Montana to Kharkiv Grant (Thank you Rotary Club of Estes Park)
Words Kseniia Minakova
Thank you so much for your email and for your continued support. Knowing that people like you and your team are thinking of us means a great deal in these challenging times.
Regarding the solar panels: Yes, they have been distributed among my colleagues to serve as a backup power source.
Currently, the solar situation is quite difficult due to the weather and season. However, even with limited sunlight, these panels are crucial. In some districts, we only have electricity for 2-3 hours a day. The panels are helping us keep our phones charged and stay connected during these prolonged power outages.
Montana to Kharkiv
The National Technical University “Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute” received a batch of solar panels from the United States of America as part of the international volunteer initiative “Montana to Kharkiv”. The equipment traveled thousands of kilometers – from the mountainous state of Montana to the front-line Kharkiv – and will be used to develop the university’s energy infrastructure, as well as as a training base for students and veterans. The initiator and coordinator of the project was an American volunteer of Ukrainian origin, Andriy Lenets. The initiative began after consultations with the scientist of NTU “KhPI” Ksenia Minakova, who confirmed the possibility of using solar panels at the university. The other day, NTU “KhPI” unloaded almost 4 tons of equipment. 170 large solar panels were delivered to Kharkiv Polytechnic, which will become part of the university’s energy infrastructure, as well as 25 small panels for creating mobile power systems and implementing educational and research programs.
Kseniia panel charging Montana
Meeting Notes for March 12, 2026
President Jack Ford rang the bell at 12:00.
Scott Robbins gave the Invocation.
Jack led the Pledge of Allegiance.
We sang “When Irish Eyes are Smiling,” accompanied by Madison Casey.
Chuck Bonza announced Jack's birthday, and the Club sang "Happy Birthday". Jack replied that he wore his hat in honor of the hat that Chuck wore last week. "This is my 1926 hat, and if you've seen hats, photos, old photos of minors, they often wore a hat that was like this. If you turn it upside down, it's a handy little wash basin. But I had it on my head this morning when I arrived, this was all cinched up, and the wind ripped it right off my head, and down the street at 100 miles an hour. Fortunately, the wind popped it into the parking lot behind where MedX used to be, or it would still be rolling somewhere."
Jack with his hat
Announcements:
Dennis Gellhaus asked for another volunteer for a position on the Foundation.
Lawrence Trifiletti confirmed that 658 ducks have been sold so far, raising more than $13,000 for the Foundation.
Madison asked for help with sorting the squares for the Duck Squat.
Chuck Bonza reminded everyone that the duck sorting will happen after today’s meeting.
Jim Austin made a plea for contributions to Shelterbox.
Jack Ford announced that we will not be doing a full audit of the club finances, but that Jill Zerhan and Gary Fanucchi will help Gregg Jurgens and Longley Parker do a full inspection.
Happy Money:
Jack Ford contributed $88 for his 88th birthday, which was March 12. Everyone sang “Happy Birthday” to Jack.
Beth Weisberg is happy for Jack’s birthday.
Bill Solms is also happy for Jack, and he complimented the Bonzas for the amazing work they are doing on the Duck Race.
Dave Boon is happy because JoAnn Batey will be a counselor for RYLA this summer. He is also happy for the help he received from Guy Van der Werf and the UC Health Emergency Room recently.
Annie Slack is happy for Jack.
Carl Robicheaux is happy that Lee Lasson will fix his computer today.
Bill Solms is happy that Carl has kind words for him.
Madison is happy for Jack.
Program
Guy van der Werf introduced Jason Van Tatenhove, who discussed aspects of artificial intelligence, including problems, benefits, and possible future uses. Jason is an accomplished author, journalist, and expert on political extremism and the challenges of the digital age. His work delves into the pressing issues of our time, including the intersections of technology, misinformation, and societal shifts.
Jason presenting Jack giving Jason a Piece of the Rock
Adjournment
President Ford led the pledge 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.
