Come and Hear about UTSD from Suzanne Jurgens and Matt Allen
Suzanne Jurgens, Matt Allen,
District Manager Operations Manager
Suzanne Jurgens has been a resident of Estes Park since 1986 and raised her family in the community. Prior to joining the Upper Thompson Sanitation District, she was employed with a local engineering firm. Ms. Jurgens began her tenure at the District in 2014 as Financial Officer and advanced to Assistant District Manager in 2020. Following the retirement of former District Manager Chris Bieker in January 2025, she assumed the position of District Manager. Ms. Jurgens is dedicated to supporting the District’s ongoing success and is committed to guiding its evolution as it enters a new chapter of wastewater service for the Estes Valley.
Since 2012, Matt Allen has served the Upper Thompson Sanitation District in the Collection Department, first as an Operator and subsequently advancing to Foreman and Superintendent. In 2021, he was appointed Operations Manager, assuming responsibility for both the Wastewater Treatment Facility and the Collection Department. A lifelong resident of Estes Park, Matt has worked in the local wastewater industry since 2007. He finds fulfillment in serving the Estes Valley and remains committed to protecting the region's natural resources and environment.
Suzanne and Matt will be providing an update on the Upper Thompson Sanitation District and its future plans.
Our program on October 9th will be held in person, but a Zoom link will be provided.
Economic Development & Workforce Council Luncheon Menu Rotary Club of Estes Park 100 years old in April of 2026 Membership Minute New Member The 2026 Friendship Card Meeting Notes Meeting Recording
Meeting Notes for October 2, 2025
President Jack Ford rang the bell at 12:00. Dennis Gellhaus gave the Invocation. Jack led the Pledge of Allegiance. Madison Casey played the song “This Land Is Your Land.”
Guests of Rotarians
Carl introduced the guests:
Sharon and Wayne Groome
Gary Fanucchi - Rotarian-in-waiting
John Gehlhausen
Announcements:
Carl gave a preliminary Elk Fest report: gross receipts slightly more than $4,000 in beer sales, and Polio tips of $336.50, Net results will be reported after all expenses are tallied.
Annie had three announcements:
The Duck Race signup sheet is circulating.
We still need candidates for President Elect and Youth Services Director. At the District Assembly, Annie heard of sharing a position, such as Co-Presidents (talk to Guy), or a Co-Director for each Youth Service area: RYLA, Exchange Student, Interact (talk to Grant).
Madison would like a backup for his Foundation work, someone with some investment experience.
Scott Robbins announced the Membership Committee meeting here, right after the Club meeting, and Coffee Talk, this Saturday at 8:30am at Inkwell and Brew.
Dale announced the Foundation Matching Charitable Donation Program between now and November 6th, for donations to one or two qualified local non-profits. Donations from $50 to $200 will be matched.
Happy Money
Milt is happy that Lee saved his bacon, twice.
Chuck thanks Carl for his hard work for Elk Fest.
Bill Solms thanks Milt and Carl for their good work.
Carl thanks everyone who helped with Elk Fest.
Program
Guy introduced Milt, who presented The Russia - Ukrakne War Part 3: Rotary in Russia. The winner of the door prize, great chocolate, was Isaiah Johnson.
Milt presenting Part 3 Jack thanking Milt for the 3 programs
Adjournment
President Ford led the Four-Way Pledge, and rang the bell at 1:00.
Peter Sinnott's wife, Stephanie, passed on September 29, 2025. No service arrangements have been made yet.
Have Fun While Helping Ukrainian School Children
At the Oct. 16 Meeting, we will have solar panels for you to decorate with pictures and positive messages. The panels will be sent to Ukraine for children to use when the electricity goes out, which it often does. They use them to charge their phones and other USB chargeable devices.
We will bring markers. Please bring your good thoughts and creative ability. See you there!
PUMPKIN DAY AT EP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is OCTOBER 24
Noon Rotary's annual give-away of pumpkins at the Elementary School is one of our most fun events of the year. Come help set up 510 pumpkins in the Elementary School parking lot to turn it into a pumpkin patch, and watch the elementary school kids' excitement as they come out class by class to pick out their own pumpkins to take home (free!). Pumpkin Day this year will be on Friday, October 24. Please show up at EP Elementary School's parking lot (in front of the school) at 8:10 a.m. to help unload all of the pumpkins from Sue Fereday's flatbed truck. And then stay to watch the fun.
Contact Beth with any questions or to RSVP, at weisberg.family@verizon.net . You don't need to RSVP, though -- it's fine to just show up on October 24 and help out.
Bright Christmas Collection Continues
Our club's collection for funds to adopt a family from Bright Christmas this year continues. We will be collecting cash and checks at Rotary meetings through October 23, for anyone who wants to participate. Once we have our grand total, we will know how large or small a family we can provide holiday gifts for this year.
This is purely voluntary. Nobody is keeping track of who contributes and who doesn't. If you do want to contribute, we will be passing around a collection can this Thursday and twice after that, for cash and checks. Any checks should be made payable to Rotary Club of Estes Park Foundation, and please be sure to write "Bright Christmas family" in the memo line. (If you make the check payable to Bright Christmas, we will deliver it to them for use in their general fund, but we won't be able to use it for our adopted family.) Donations are tax-deductible, to the extent you deduct your charitable contributions.
Gregg is keeping track of all of the money we collect, so if you miss the collection, can and want to donate, you can give your donation directly to Gregg.
If you have any questions, please contact Beth at weisberg.family@verizon.net . Thank you, and happy holidays!
The Rotary Club Board
Needs YOU!!
Check "Yes" to volunteer
We are in need of two Volunteers for President Elect Nominee (PEN), and Youth Services Director. Based on what I learned at the Rotary Assembly in Cheyenne last week, those positions can be filled multiple ways.
If you are interested in being PEN, but cannot complete a year’s obligation, ask your Rotary friend if they will share the position with you. There could even be three members to split the year for PEN. Remember, this task does not occur immediately. In 2026-2027 you would be responsible for Speakers. It is 2027- 2028 that becomes your Presidential Year.
For Youth Services, your responsibilities can be divided into three parts with three different Rotarians. One member would cover RYLA; another would take care of Interact; a third member would follow on Exchange students. If you enjoy being active and being with young people, this is the position for you.
If you are interested, please contact Guy Van der Werf for the President Elect Nominee position at gvanderwerf@estesvalley.net. Contact Grant Delbecq for the Youth Service Director position at grdelbecq@msn.net.
Thank you so much. We need your help.
Annie
Nominating Committee Chair
Elk Fest 2025
Rotary’s Beer Garden
Young Native American Visitors enjoying beer
boys dancing
Thanks to everyone who participated in helping our Rotary and Carl Robicheaux, our Fund Development Chair, to set up, run, and take down the Beer Garden last weekend. It was a beautiful two days most of the time. It began to rain late Sunday afternoon, but the Elk Fest was over, and those of us helping with taking things apart, didn’t mind the rain too much.
Carl announced at Rotary this past Thursday, that beer sales brought in just over $4000, and the Polio Tip jar collected $336.50. He will give us final costs once he has had a chance to look at the numbers.
Again, thank all of you for your help.
Annie
Why End Polio?
From President Jack:
Why End Polio?
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.
