Stories
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Covid GrantsLast May University Hill' Rotary Club had to cancel it's annual Zoo Day trip due to covid. The club had received a district grant to help fund the trip. The district requested that the club keep the funds and put it towards helping organizations curtail the effects and cost of covid. Our community service committee chose to help three organizations. The Connections Program for High-Risk Infants and Families - The funds from this grant provided 5 tablet devices with screen protectors to NICU nurses for the purpose of connecting families who cannot come to bedside with their babies. Annunciation School Lunch Table Plexiglass Separators - these funds provide barriers to help protect the students from covid while they eat in the lunch room. Last University Hill's provided funds to Colorado Young Leaders to help obtain Zoom licenses so they continue there programs remotely.  |
El Salvador Barra Salada School LibraryOn Thursday February 18th the Barra Salada School in El Salvador had a ribbon cutting to celebrate the new Library that the Rotary Club of University Hills provided financial support towards.  |
Vocation MonthAs the President of The Rotary Club of University Hills vast powers and privileges have bestowed upon me. One such power is to make declarations. So, I do declare February is Vocation Month. All kidding aside I thought this would be a good month to celebrate our vocations and avocations. When we all met at the Madden we wore badges that showed our professional designation. We have missed that since going virtual. So in February please list your profession next to your name on Zoom. If you don't know how to do this please ask at the start of next meeting and a fellow Zoomer will help you. Please register your business on the Districts business directory: http://rotary5450.business/ it only cost a dollar (it says $25 but there with coupon code Promo2020 on the payment page you will get $24 off.). At the February 5th meeting I said I would do this, but I am afraid it is something each member must do themselves. Please keep this directory in mind when looking for services and businesses. Finally please e-mail me your business card or contact information. Each meeting I will give a shout out to hand-full members and their professions. |
Project Cure Container |
21-22 Board Nominees
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Uhills Rotary Helps Annuciation School |
El Salvador School Library Completed
In 2020 Rotary Club of University Hills sponsored the development of a school library at the Bara Salada School in Santa Tecla, El Salvador. The project was co-sponsored with the Santa Tecla Rotary Club. The new library includes new books, new shelves for the books, air conditioning, electrical fixtures, new fan and celling. The space is now a fun place to encourage learning. The Principal's office was also updated with fresh paint, new ceiling and book shelf. |
Letter From Cliff Dochterman
On Wednesday Nov.11 Cliff Dochterman responded to Rich Sattizahn's letter to Cliff to save-the-date for our 50th Anniversary party. Good morning, Rich, What a pleasant greeting it was to receive your e-mail this morning. It seems almost impossible that nearly 50 years have passed since we chartered University Hills Rotary. I recall quite well moving to Denver in 1970. Our office (Education Commission of the States) was located in the Lincoln Building around the corner from the Brown Palace Hotel. I came from Berkeley where I had been President of Berkeley Rotary and District Governor of Rotary District 5160. Peter Bowes was President of Denver Rotary and I occasionally attended the big Denver Rotary Club. (I'm sure that I would sit in someone' s seat where he had sat for the past 25 years.) Peter asked me to speak to a meeting of a group of fellows who were trying to organize another Rotary Club in the Southeast section of Denver. The Denver Club leaders had always insisted that there should be only one Rotary Club in Denver. So, it was not an easy thing to consider that a second club could be organized, or even considered. After I spoke to the provisional group, they asked if I would be a member and president of the new club and help them get started, since I lived in that part of Denver. I said, " I have no intention to join a rinky-dink Rotary Club. However, If you want to be the best Rotary Club in the world, I'll be your President and tell you how to do it. First, you must get approval of the Denver Club, and they had turned down the idea of a second club many times. To get Denver's approval, I suggested we make three commitments: 1. That you not use the name of Denver in the Club's name. (That's why we used the name of University Hills Post Office station to identify that section of the city,) 2. That no members of the Denver Club would be asked to join the new Club nor take any members away from the Denver Club. 3. That the members would all live in the Southeast section of Denver. Then I called some friends at the Rotary Office in Evanston and urged them to approve the new Club right away, since there had been a desire by Rotary International for many years to have a second club in the Denver community. We had a huge Charter Night celebration and gave the Denver Club all the praise for starting the new Club. Then we started to get everyone involved in some club activities. Nearly all the members attended the District Conference, and worked on Youth Exchange, international projects and community activities. Everybody had a useful job in the club. Several years later I was having lunch with Karl LeMasters, the staff member in charge of club activities on the Rotary International staff and I asked, "If you could pick one or two of the best Rotary Clubs in the world, who would top your list?" Karl's answer was, "I think I'd pick University Hills out in the Denver area." Karl had forgotten that I had been a former member Of University Hills. But, that was the kind of reputation the Club had. I can assure you that I would enjoy attending a 50th anniversary, but that is out of the question for a 95 year old guy, who doesn't get out much anymore. warmest regards, Cliff Cliff Dochterman |
Service Day at Metro CaringFriday November the 13th Rich Sattizahn, Martha Diss Sundby, Georgia and Mel Grusing, Patrick Plank, Mike Hitchcock, David Wood, Egbert Maben, Bill Curnow and Danchen and Dan Astle volunteered at Metro Caring Provisioning Center. The eleven Rotarians repackaged 1,880 lbs of dry foods. Enough for 1,200 families to get some of the food we processed. Team Curnow and Mabens lead the way by repackaging 800 pounds of beans. This is a projected that the Denver Cherry Creek Rotary Club is heading up through the Covid crisis. They need 80 volunteers a week. If you would like to work a shift or know of somebody may be a high school student that is required to do service hours you can click on this link to sign-up https://signup.com/go/URZxUJE.      |
Notes from 12-04 Meeting
Notes from December 4th meeting- After 18 minutes of Zoom banter among 20+ members, President Dan called for the meeting to commence by asking David Wood to mute all in attendance. There was a slight delay, and David’s voice, slightly altered, came on-line apologizing for his delayed response as he had just been through a life altering situation with one of his clients. David said that during a call there was a circumstance where there was an unusual silence, and this pause created concern, and it was evident that the caller was having a life-threatening issue. After some telephone calls and activity by others, it was determined that David’s client was lucky to be talking to David, and that with the help of others he was alright. Joe McCaffrey provided a thought provoking inspirational calling for a return to calm from the wild period of race issues, national elections, and general unrest. Twenty-six members and guest participated in the Pledge of Allegiance. President Dan proceeded to announcements:
Revisiting the Vocational Talk portion of the Rotary Program, President Dan call on Xenia Matteson to the central panel to make her presentation. Xenia’s story begins in Arizona where her father was in the Aviation Industry. She and her sister grew up in Scottsdale, and eventually she graduated from nearby Arizona State University with a degree in communications from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Knowing that key positions in communications existed in New York or Los Angeles she opted for Denver to become the self-directed person she decided herself to be learning along the way in grade school and high school by doing odd jobs, like baby-sitting, car washing and all-around errand person. Seeing the gratification of others in the real estate world, she dedicated herself to becoming a Realtor, where after 18 years she feels accomplishment and satisfaction, both personally and for her clients. She enjoys riding her bike and skiing. After Covid, she hopes to visit Spain, and participate in the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). Bill Curnow, Sergeant-at-Arms, So, broken pencils are pointless, and those who do not save (properly) often are less than accurate. Bill did admit that during his truancy, he learned to scuba dive—making his first solo dive on his 70th birthday in Kauai. (Puhi!) Martha noted that there were many members of our club not on our Zoom calls, and that we all should make note of those missing and individually reach out to them. Bill switched gears from Sergeant-at-Arms to providing the introduction for today’s program speaker. Ron Green, is an educator, and a great friend of Bill’s who also is married to Bill’s and Kathy’s daughter. So, yes, that make Ron Bill’s son-in-law. on provided a power point presentation that gave background into his topic, a program which provides a great leverage to educators to help in youth education. Ron noted that the “launchpad” of the Epic Ethics Program was from discussion following the shootings in SandyHook Elementary School in Newtown,m Connecticut. The ultimate question posed was “what could Rotarians do?”  Click here for more : An Ethics Based Literacy Program Thought for the day: Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” |
Botanical Garden 10-15-20On Thursday October 15th a Group of twelve from University Hills Rotary toured the Denver Botanical Garden. An event planned by our Fellowship Chair Xenia Matteson.      |
RIP Holger Virtual Luncheon & Polio Fundraiser
VIRTUAL LUNCHEON WITH RI PRESIDENT HOLGER KNAACK Guest Speaker: Rachel Lonsdale, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Sunday, November 1st via Zoom REGISTER NOW! (Denver Rotary Club members register with your club) Each $25 donation will be matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation - helping to vaccinate 125 children per registration! Both you and your club will earn donation credit. Additional polio donations beyond the $25 are encouraged! Donate online at www.endpolio.org |
Making a Difference: Colorado Wildfire ReliefThe Disaster Response Committee is currently working with local contacts in Grand Lake and other effected areas to determine how best to distribute donated funds.  |
Shelter Box 14er'sBrittney Woodrum, Shelter Box Ambassador, climbed all 58 Colorado 14'ers this summer with a Shelter Box strapped to her back. University Hills Rotary through direct contributions from our members sponsored Brittney's climb to the summit of Mt. Sneffels in Ouray County. To learn more about Brittney's project go to www.shelterboxusa.org/fourteeners.  |
Shelter Box: The 14er ProjectThe Rotary Club of Rotary Hills sponsors Mt. Sneffels in the district's 5450's Shelter Box 14er Project. Paul Bauer spearheaded the effort to raise $1,400 from club members to sponsor one of Colorado's 14ers. Paul picked this mountain saying; "It has always been my favorite mountain range since I first contracted hay fever." Shelter Box: The Fourteeners Project Shelter Box: Fourteeners ProjectThis summer, Britt Woodrum, a Rotary Peace Fellow candidate, will climb all 58 of Colorado’s ‘Fourteeners’ to raise money for the disaster relief organization, ShelterBox--with the organization's iconic aid box on her back! ShelterBox is currently playing a key role in the international COVID-19 response, providing immediate shelter and basic supplies to those facing natural or man-made disasters that have left them homeless. Britt's goal is to raise $1,400 per mountain, adding up to over $82,000 for this organization's incredible mission. To learn more, feel free to visit the project's website: www.shelterboxusa.org/fourteeners or email Britt directly at: Brittney.woodrum@gmail.com You can fallow Britt's blog at: www.facebook.com/The14ersProject Happy Climbing and Good Luck, Britt! |
Rotary InternationalBinish Desai began working on an eco-friendly brick made out of recycling and waste, when he was 11. The former Rotary Youth Exchange student, inventor, and entrepreneur credits Rotary with giving him the support to pursue his dreams. Now he’s giving back through a new Rotary club.by Geoffrey Johnson photography by Chaitali Mitra Every hero has an origin story. “I was 10 years old when the entire journey started,” explains Binish Desai. It began with a cartoon called Captain Planet, an animated TV series from the 1990s about an environmentalist with superpowers. Desai can still recite the show’s refrain: Captain Planet, he’s our hero / Gonna take pollution down to zero! “That tagline stuck in my mind,” he says. “I wanted to do something to help Captain Planet.” Click here for full story |
District 5450District 5450 Virtual Conference is Coming UpSaturday, Aug. 29 via Zoom Each $20 donation will be matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation - helping to vaccinate 100 children per registration! Both you and your club will earn donation credit. Click Here for Agenda 8:30-9:00 am - Selection of Rotary Videos (Great for Newer Rotarians) 12:30-1:00 pm - Selection of Rotary Videos (Great for Newer Rotarians) |
Current StatusNew Meeting Location (at noon on Fridays)Maggiano's Little Italy 7401 S Clinton St Englewood, CO 80112 Please RSVP to dastle@avitusgroup.com by Thursday morning We will continue to have the Zoom option https://zoom.us/j/787663544 |
Project Cure to HondurasFOUR ROTARY CLUBS AND PROJECT CURE COLLABORATETO AID CENTRAL AMERICAN HOSPITALSHow two U.S. Clubs and two Honduran Clubs, together with Project C.U.R.E., collaborated to provide assistance to two struggling Honduran hospitalsBy Joyce Hersh In a complex international service project, two U.S. Rotary Clubs have completed a one-of-a-kind, joint effort involving two Honduran Rotary Clubs and Project C.U.R.E, an internationally known humanitarian organization headquartered in Centennial, Colo. The plan: to ship life-saving medical equipment and supplies to two government-operated hospitals in Honduras, one in La Paz and the other in the city of Comayagua. What is unique is how the story behind this effort evolved and was made possible by the generosity, cooperation and hard work of the four Rotary Clubs and Project C.U.R.E. - Click Here for video of the project.  |
University Hills Rotary Supply & Clothing Drive--January 17, 2020In response to club demand, William Collier announced another Supply and Clothing Drive. He will have his truck at the entrance to the Palazzo Verdi before the meeting on January 17 to collect supplies for Senior Support and Sacred Heart House. Needed items include: |
Copy of September 20 Club MeetingThe Rotary Club of University Hills (Denver) September 20, 2019 President Dick Castleman opened up the meeting at 12:28 PM Inspiration and Flag Salute By Rich Sattizahn “As long as you feel pain, you’re still alive. As long as you make mistakes, you’re still human. And as long as you keep trying, there’s still hope.” [Attributed to Susan Gale] Guest(s): Visiting Rotarian: Tracey Ippolite, NorthxNorthEast Rotary Austin RYLA: Bill Mufieh, Madison Mufieh. Denver University Rotaract (Paul Bauer and Mel Grusing): Denver University Sophomore Caitlyn Olson (Current Rotaract Club President), Caden Coniff Friends of Bill Curnow: Cathy Curnow, Paris Curnow Green, Vann Curnow Green September 20, 2019 President Dick Castleman opened up the meeting at 12:28 PM Inspiration and Flag Salute By Rich Sattizahn “As long as you feel pain, you’re still alive. As long as you make mistakes, you’re still human. And as long as you keep trying, there’s still hope.” [Attributed to Susan Gale] Guest(s): Visiting Rotarian: Tracey Ippolite, NorthxNorthEast Rotary Austin RYLA: Bill Mufieh, Madison Mufieh. Denver University Rotaract (Paul Bauer and Mel Grusing): Denver University Sophomore Caitlyn Olson (Current Rotaract Club President), Caden Coniff Friends of Bill Curnow: Cathy Curnow, Paris Curnow Green, Vann Curnow Green |
September 13 Club Meeting
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Pay Your Quarterly Dues or Make A Donation |
Summary of Club Activities 2018-19Rotary Club of University Hills-Community Service 2018/2019 Clothing Drives Club Rotarians donated cash, clothing, cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene items twice a year, to Senior Support Services and Sacred Heart House. Directed by club Rotarian William Collier, and delivery of items added 8 hours of volunteer time. |
Club Meeting August 10, 2018THE ROTARY CLUB OF UNIVERSITY HILLS (DENVER) August 10, 2018 President Andrew Dodgen opened up the meeting. Thank you to Phil Krug for greeting us today. INSPIRATION AND FLAG SALUTE Thank you to Steve Whisenhunt for inspiring us today and leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Our club has a very long heritage of nonsectarian invocations. My invocation is from a long-forgotten Rotary prayer page. "Creator and sustainer of all that is or ever will be, accept our thanks for this day and all its blessings. We ask that you guide and direct our Club, its leaders and our actions. Grant that each of us may feel our responsibility to Rotary, to our community, to our country and indeed to all countries and peoples. Bless our fellowship today and bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies, in your service. Amen." GUESTS Hunter Ferry, Rotary Scholar at CSU. Jacob Chakowski, Rotary Scholar at Mines and Hunter's friend, Peter Decherman. Assistant District Governor Ken Hope. SERGEANT AT ARMS Paul Bauer shared some mighty fine jokes to get us started: When I went in to see my doctor earlier this week for an annual check up, I thought I was feeling really good. After doing the usual poking and prodding, the doc left the room and came back with several vials of pills. “Here,” he said, “Take the green pill with two big glasses of water when you get up in the morning. An hour later, take the white pill with another glass of water. Take the blue pill with a big glass of water after lunch. Mid afternoon, take the orange pill with plenty of water, and repeat that at dinner. Then, just before going to bed, take the red pill with several big glasses of water.” I was stunned. “My god, doc,” I said, “what on earth is wrong with me?” “Relax.” he said “You’re just dehydrated.” Did you hear the watermelon joke? Probably just as well… It's pitiful. My friend Gene invited me over last Sunday to watch baseball, and before the game started, he served lunch. I noticed the plate my hamburger was on had what appeared to be a film-like covering. Despite my better intentions, I wasn’t very subtle. “Gene, are these plates clean?” I blurted out. Glancing at the dishwasher, he said “They’re as clean as Dawn can get them.” I felt somewhat reassured until I noticed my salad bowl had little black specks all around the edge. Again subtlety failed me. “Gene, are you sure these bowls are clean?” “Just as clean as Dawn can get them.” So we finished lunch and settled in to watch the game. Now I was beginning to feel a little queasy, and I normally have trouble sitting still for baseball anyway, so I excused myself and headed for the door. Gene’s big German shepherd was lying in front of the door, and as I approached, he stared up at me and started growling. “Gene,” I said, “Your dog won’t let me out.” Without looking up from the TV, Gene called out: “Hey, Dawn! Come here, girl.” Why is the letter T like an island? Because it’s always in the middle of water! Jim was telling me that last week one night his grandson stayed overnight with him. Since the boy was really keyed up, excited for the sleepover at Granpa’s, it took a while to get him settled, but Jim finally took him upstairs, tucked him in, turned out the light, and returned to reading his book in the family room. Shortly after the quiet was shattered with “Granpa! Can you get me a glass of water?” Jim replied, “No, just go to sleep.” A minute later, his grandson called again, “Granpa! I’m really thirsty. Can you get me a glass of water?” Starting to get a little exasperated, Jim responded, “No. I told you to go to sleep. And if I hear one more peep out of you, I may have to come up there and spank you.” The deafening silence lasted less than thirty seconds. “Granpa! When you come up to spank me, can you bring me a glass or water?” Jeff Stottler just got back from two weeks in Ireland. Phil Krug went on a family trip and reunion to Indiana and Ohio. Martha Diss Sundby, Jim MacDermott, Gus Achey and Bud Laber handed out back packs for the Southwest Improvement Council, one of the community groups our club supports. Chris Weir was out playing golf when he realized his twins were turning six: wow! Time flies. He was also at the Real Estate Impact Breakfast put on by the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce. Gus Achey thanked everyone for helping with the Southwest Improvement Council back to school event. Ken Hope was looking forward to attending the City of Centennial Celebration Under the Stars, hosted by his Rotary Club. David McKinley said his kids were headed off to Honolulu. Mike Hitchcock mentioned that our own Rocky Rauchenstein is turning a young 94. Paul Bauer mentioned that Larry Zimmer will be her in two weeks and he will match the funds raised during Sergeant at Arms. |
Les Pedicord Lester D. Pedicord Les died February 24, 2018. Les was a graduate of East High School, Denver, and received his BS and MBA at the University of Denver. He went on to form his own CPA firm and an investment advisory company. He was extremely active in both community and professional organizations: Colorado Society of CPAs, and Roundup Riders of the Rockies (RRR). Les was a Charter Member of the University Hills (Denver) Rotary Club and served as its fourth president for the Rotary Year 1974-75. His contributions to Rotary causes and fellowship are countless; he was a very generous colleague. Les is survived by Jean, his wife of 27 years; his 3 children: Jill (John) Peterson, Britt (CeceStack) Pedicord , and Julie (Jim) Adams; his grandchildren Sarah, Maddie, Britt, Nellie, and Jem; his sister Jennie Moore; three step-children; and 11 step-grandchildren. Les is proceeded in death by his sisters Corrine Amato and JoAnn Pedicord . Memorial service will be held on Friday, March 9, 2018, 2:00 PM, Hope United Methodist Church, 5101 S. Dayton St., Greenwood Village. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to RRR Heritage and Trails Foundation, Inc., 823 S. Perry St. #120, Castle Rock, CO 80104 |
Meeting LocationMagianno's Little Italy7401 S Clinton Street Englewood, CO 80112 Dan Astle, Club President 2020-2021dastle@avitusgroup.com720-775-9545 |
Ruth Wilson's Book List
RUTH WILSON’S LIST OF FAVORITE BOOKS
This list will help all of us in understanding what kind of person Ruth was.
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Did You KnowUniversity Hills Rotary Club has achieved the rare designation of "100 percent Paul Harris Fellow Club" not once but twice in the past 9 years. And through the E Brent Hobson Scholarship Fund, we have awarded over $300,000 in scholarships to graduates of Colorado high schools pursuing STEM degrees at Colorado colleges or universities in roughly that same time period. |
