Weekly Newsletter

October 23, 2025

 

Rotary Club of Minden President Graham Rogney with Suicide Prevention Network Coordinator Michelle Simpson

 

 

“The hardest part of someone getting help is making the first step to walk through our doors”, according to Michelle Simpson, Outreach Programs Coordinator for the Suicide Prevention Network.  This is the only not-for-profit organization in Nevada that provides direct services for those at risk of suicide.  The Suicide Prevention Office, located in Minden, is not a 24-hour crisis line.  Services provided include healthy coping skills, self-care, and knowing the signs of suicide training, support groups and programs, and many other preventative trainings and outreach.  Fourfull-time, three part-time and a cadre of volunteers assist with these important services.  According to Simpson, last year there were 12 suicides in our area and 10 males with 7 of them over 60.  
Simpson mentioned the veteran community is a hard group to reach. The Suicide Prevention Network is open, willing and wanting to reach this group.  Also, according to their website, national statistics state “90% of individuals who died by suicide had a diagnosable mental health condition at the time of their death, usually a depressive disorder or substance abuse disorder.”  
Every service the Suicide Prevention Network offers, is free -a small portion of those services are born by grants.  Their biggest fundraiser occurs spring.  This event is called “Gotta Dance” and is based on the “Dancing with Stars” format.  Local community members are invited to be the “Stars” and are paired with dance instructors from the Dance Workshop.  This year’s fundraiser will take place on Friday, March 27, 2026 and will include the current President of the Rotary Club of Minden, Graham Rogney as a dancer.  Other dancers are still being confirmed.  Tickets will go on sale in December.  For more information, check out their website at https://www.spnawareness.org.

 

Craft Talk from new member Eric Barter

 

After 32 years in retail, Eric Barter got a call from his nephew, Owner and CEO of Bad Boys Bail bonds, offering him a job.  Eric says he was forced to “change his mentality from a ”flat head prisoner to strongman prisoner."  The motto of the business was (and is) “because your momma wants you home”.

Eric set out to meet every criminal defense attorney to change the image.  He researched every attorney in the area.  He would attend every California Attorney seminar held and would do drawings for lots of promotional materials - from t-shirts to mugs and lanyards - and the drawing entry would provide all of the contact information he needed.  His goal was to become the best bailsman - “smarter, more prepared and ready to go into court without fear…and always returning calls immediately."  His image was completed by always wearing a suit and tie.

Eric held a position on the Criminal Courts Bar Board of Directors - a position never before held by a bail bondsman.  And he was the President of the Rotary Club of Arcadia - also a position never held by a bail bondman!

Eric officially retired a couple of weeks ago.  Welcome to the club Eric!

 

100 Year Celebration

President Graham Rogney announced in July his 100-year Anniversary Goals:

  1. 100 PROJECTS - Anything we do to help in the community - including both Rotary projects and non-Rotary projects.  This doesn't have to be the entire club - it could be projects done by one or several.  In order to collect this information, we have created a LINK for you to record your community service!
  2. 100 THOUSAND DOLLARS RAISED - this will include our fundraisers as well as those we volunteer at for other community events.
  3. INCREASE MEMBERSHIP TO 100 - who do you know in the community that would make a good Rotarian?  Introduce them to the club!  There will be a social meeting each month to help all of us introduce potential new members to the club.
  4. EVERY ROTARIAN EVERY YEAR - Each club member contributes at least $25 to Rotary International during the 2025-2026 year.

The Rotary Club of Minden is happy to welcome the following new members:

  • Ric Casper is a graduate from Carson City High (but is quick to add his 3 kids all graduated from Douglas High).  He attended BYU as an undergraduate and Yale Law School.  He worked for the US Attorney's office for 4 years before coming back home and working for the Douglas County District Attorney's Office
  • Loral Langemeier from Live Out Loud Publishing.  Loral has 2 kids (Logan age 25 and Tristan age 18).  She is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan, has an MA from Omaha and is a writer.  AND she's dating President Graham.
  • Eric Barter from Bad Boys Bail Bonds (Past President from the Rotary Club of Arcadia).
  • Daniel Crawford, sponsored by Howard Vipperman.. It was said he is the first native American to become a member in the Rotary Club of Minden. He is a Douglas County native, spent time in Diamond Valley, graduated from school in Douglas, serves on the tribal council, works for TANIF as the project and resource specialist, and attended Kanas tribal school.

We look forward to hearing the rest of the craft talks soon and getting to know you better!

Rotarians Lori Breyer, Past President Sam Steele, Pat Garrison, Whitney Bouillon and President Graham Rogney helped Gardnerville MainStreet with the 5k Fun run for Breast Cancer Awareness.  Missing from the picture:  Ric Casper.

NOVEMBER

11/6 Carson Valley Art Association Judged Art Show - setup from 10-3.  Ken Miller has a sign up for volunteers.

11/6-8 VOLUNTEERS Needed for the FERRIS 50 Endurance Run Sign UP Here

11/7 District Foundation Dinner at the Atlantis Casino, 6pm  Register HERE

11/7 Wranglers and Whiskey, Minden Mill Distillery, Fundraiser for Boys and Girls Club, Tickets HERE

11/8 Rotary Clubs in Action Leadership Workshop  Register HERE

11/8, 5:30pm - Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce Community Recognition Awards, CVI

11/21 6:30pm - Minden Fortnightly Fundraiser at CVIC

11/27, 8:30 am - Carson Valley Turkey Trot begins at Minden Park

DECEMBER

12/4 - Town of Gardnerville Christmas Kickoff/ Gazebo Lighting (Heritage Park) - need volunteers to serve hot cocoa and cake - more information to come

12/5 - Minden Park Gazebo Lighting

12/5 - Genoa Christmas kick off

12/6 - Genoa Breakfast with Santa

12/6 - Holiday Museum Gala - free admission at the Garnderville museum - volunteers needed during the event

12/6 - Parade of Lights - we will put together a float (western theme) - more information to come

12/12 FOOD DRIVE – Share your Christmas Food Drive - all day at the Carson Valley Inn

12/13 Wreath Across America at Buckeye and Douglas County Cemetaries -  Includes a ceremony for Veterans and wreaths placed on gravestones

12/20 and 12/21 - Project Santa Claus - more information to come

2026

4/9/26 District Foundation Dinner

5/1-5/3/26 District Conference at Grand Sierra Casino.  Register HERE

5/16/26 Rotary Club Minden's 5th Annual Giving Cup @ Genoa Lakes

6/9/26 Rotary Club Minden's 100 Year Anniversary Celebration @ CVI

 

October 30 - No midday meeting at the COD Casino; Club Social, 5:00 at the Carson Valley Country Club CLubhouse Restaurant

November 6 - More to come…

November 13th - Heather MacDonnell, Minden-Tahoe Airport manager

November 20th - Ken Miller on the Rotary Foundation