Peace Pole Dedication May 16, 2026

Special Update - Hippo Rollers in Botswana
Longmont Rotary - Update Okavango, Botswana, HippoRollers
CLUB NEWS & EVENTS 

At our recent meeting, we welcomed Chuck Herring, co-founder of Longmont-based All Source Analysis, who shared fascinating insights into the $100 billion geospatial intelligence industry. Drawing on three decades of experience in satellite imagery, Herring explained how his company produces unclassified, shareable "finished intelligence" to solve complex problems for governments and commercial industries.

While the massive geospatial market is flooded with raw data, All Source Analysis differentiates itself by combining cutting-edge artificial intelligence with human expertise. Their global network of elite, highly trained analysts interprets high-resolution satellite imagery, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), mobility data, and open-source research to safely evaluate remote, dangerous, or inaccessible areas.

Herring detailed real-world use cases, demonstrating how his team successfully tracked illegal cross-border mining activity for the U.S. State Department and exposed supply-chain discrepancies for major financial institutions.

More than 80 community members gathered at the Dickens Farm Nature Area for a meaningful Peace Pole Dedication hosted by Longmont Rotary. The day began with a park cleanup effort in partnership with Twin Peaks Rotary, as volunteers worked together to care for our local natural space and demonstrate Service Above Self.

Following the cleanup, attendees gathered for the formal dedication of the Peace Pole, which carries the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” inscribed in multiple languages. The ceremony highlighted the importance of unity, understanding, and community connection. Jim Holderman shared thoughtful reflections on the practical meaning of peace, encouraging those present to consider how peace begins with everyday actions, mutual respect, and compassion.

One of the most inspiring moments of the event came when four student Peace Poem winners read their original poems. Their words brought hope, creativity, and heartfelt messages about kindness, reminding everyone of the importance of empowering young voices in building a harmonious future. The ceremony concluded beautifully with the students unwrapping the ribbons around the Peace Pole, symbolizing our shared local and global commitment to peace. A big thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible and to our Sponsors, Minuteman Press and Los Palmeros.

 

Emily Vallery, president-elect of the Sunshine Club, shared the remarkable 125-year history and mission of the organization, emphasizing its deep roots in service, compassion, and community partnership. She described how five 13-year-old girls founded the club in 1902 to “spread sunshine” throughout Longmont, eventually evolving into a major provider of dental care for underserved residents. Vallery highlighted the club’s longstanding partnerships with local organizations, including Rotary Club of Longmont, noting generations of shared leadership and service. She explained how the Sunshine Club supports families through dental clinics, school outreach, senior programs, transitional housing assistance, scholarships, and community encouragement initiatives. As the club historian, Vallery also discussed using AI to digitize and analyze 120 years of archives, uncovering extensive Rotary connections and preserving Longmont’s civic legacy for future generations while preparing for the club’s upcoming quasquicentennial celebration.

Matt Eldred, CEO and President of TLC Learning Center, shared the organization’s long-standing impact and bold vision for the future. Founded in 1956 by local families seeking better opportunities for children with diverse needs, TLC has grown into an inclusive early childhood education leader serving children of all abilities. Caldwell highlighted the critical importance of early childhood development, noting its lifelong impact on education, health, and community outcomes.

He introduced the nearly completed TLC Early Learning Collaborative, a 43,000-square-foot facility in Longmont that will expand childcare, therapy services, and community engagement. The new campus will also provide space for nonprofit partnerships and support for families, including those in informal caregiving networks.

Eldred emphasized that investing in early childhood yields significant social and economic returns, strengthening families and the broader community. He closed by inviting Rotarians to engage with TLC’s mission and celebrate its 70th anniversary and grand opening this summer.

 

Longmont Rotary proudly recognized local students with two distinguished honors: the Slick Haley Awards and the Student Compassion Awards.

The Slick Haley Award honors students who have overcome adversity while achieving academic success. Dr. Al Carr shared the legacy of Dr. James “Slick” Haley—an accomplished athlete, World War II Army surgeon, and Longmont’s first surgeon. A dedicated Rotarian, Haley was deeply committed to helping young people succeed. As Dr. Carr noted, recipients are honored in the name of “a truly outstanding Rotarian, surgeon, and community leader.”

Rotarian Ken Kanemoto introduced the Student Compassion Awards by sharing the legacy of his father, Jimmy Kanemoto. The Tower of Compassion in Kanemoto Park symbolizes love, empathy, understanding, gratitude, and selfless giving—values reflected in this year’s honorees.

2026 Award Recipients
Skyline High School: Daisy and Brayden
New Meridian High School: Neo and Delaine 
Silver Creek High School: Cory and Devin 
Longmont High School: Avienne and Mya 

Eric Hozempa, a long-time Boulder County resident and nonprofit leader with 30 years of experience, serves as CEO of the Community Foundation. With a background in philosophy from CU, he brings a thoughtful, proactive approach to identifying and addressing community needs.

The Community Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to improving life in the St. Vrain Valley—now and in perpetuity. It manages permanent endowments, distributes 

grants and scholarships,and responds to emerging challenges through targeted projects. In 2025 alone, the Foundation awarded approximately $3.5 million and has contributed over $30 million since its inception.

Key initiatives include scholarships, early childhood literacy through the Imagination Library, emergency assistance programs, and innovative community partnerships. By connecting donors with local needs, the Foundation ensures lasting impact, flexibility, and support for a wide range of causes across the region.

 

 

Rotarian Ken Cline shared his lifelong connection to aquaculture and the importance of fishing to communities and the economy. His journey began when his father returned from World War II and started a trout farm, which he eventually took over in 1978. Through his work, he witnessed the rapid growth of the recreational fishing industry and later served in leadership roles advocating for the sector. A major study showed that fishing generates over $2 billion in spending and supports a billion-dollar economy in Colorado. Beyond economics, he emphasized fishing’s deeper value—creating memorable experiences, strengthening families, and inspiring conservation, illustrated by stories of people discovering joy and connection through catching their first fish. 🎣

Kimberlee McKee, Executive Director of the Longmont Downtown Development Authority (LDDA), recently addressed the Longmont Rotary to share the vibrant future of the city’s core. With a track record of sparking $500 million in investment and adding over 600 housing units, McKee highlighted Downtown Longmont as a critical connector between Denver and Northern Colorado.

Key Development Highlights:

  • Hotel Longmont: Opening on or around June at 3rd and Kimbark Steet, this 84-room boutique hotel honors local history and will include a rooftop restaurant and ballroom.
  • Local Square: The LDDA is transforming a vacant gas station into a "town square" featuring shipping container boutiques, an artist-in-residence program, and a performance stage.
  • Transit & Education: Significant focus remains on the First and Main Transit Center, with active discussions regarding relocating a Front Range Community College campus to the downtown core.

Strategic Vision

McKee emphasized a "people-first, locally-driven" philosophy, noting that 80% of downtown businesses are locally owned. Using mobile data to track visitor trends, the DDA is enhancing "placemaking" through projects like "disco dumpsters" and improved wayfinding. As Longmont prepares for the Sundance Film Festival, the DDA is focused on ensuring the city’s unique "local vibe" remains its greatest economic asset.

Kelly Sage, President and CEO of the Longmont Economic Development Partnership (LEDP), recently detailed her strategic vision for the city’s growth. With a career spanning Northern Colorado’s most influential economic roles, Sage emphasized that a thriving community depends on primary jobs—employers like Smucker’s and Seagate that bring fresh revenue into the local economy from the outside.

The "CARE" Strategy

Sage summarized the LEDP’s mission through the acronym CARE:

  • Creation of new opportunities.
  • Attraction of high-value industries like Aerospace and Bioscience.
  • Retention of existing businesses (comprising 80% of their work).
  • Expansion of local staples.

Current Landscape & Future Outlook

While Longmont boasts a high local workforce retention rate of 41%, Sage noted critical challenges, including a median housing price that strains affordability and a million square feet of vacant industrial space. She highlighted a specific need to modernize aging facilities to meet the "clear height" demands of advanced manufacturing.

Looking ahead, Sage is preparing for the massive $2 billion projected impact of the Sundance Film Festival in 2027 and advocating for a "3.0" economic plan to ensure Longmont remains competitive against regional neighbors while preserving its unique quality of life.

 
 
Longmont Rotary hosted its annual March talent show. What a spectacle! We had kazoo and harmonica players, lots of singing-opera too, animal calls, jokes, and a reading of the cowboy
 
code of honor. Thank you, John Dern, for your emcee prowess. It was sweet and sentimental-Rotarians coming together in fun and fellowship. The 2026 Longmont Rotary Talent Show will be one for the books!
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Club Meeting Info
Longmont Rotary

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Tuesdays at 12:00 p.m.
803 3rd Ave.
Longmont, CO 80501
United States
Our noon meetings are in-person and a buffet meal is provided. Lunch is served at 12pm. The actual meeting starts at 12:30 and ends at 1:30 pm. We also have a Satellite group that meets in the evenings. See website for details.
Click on the image above to learn about Longmont Rotary's Satellite Club. 
 Rotary Theme 
"Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change-across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves."
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Upcoming Programs & Speakers
Dr. Andrew Cowell
Jun 09, 2026
Arapahoe Language Project
Rotary Day Out
Jun 16, 2026
John Eastman
Jun 23, 2026
World War 2 Experience
President(s) Ceremony
Jun 30, 2026

Rotarians setting up for the Annual Coat Distribution event at the OUR Center.

Longmont Rotary is an active participant in this project.  To read a recent news article, click on THIS LINK. 

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