President Graham Rogney with Kevin Boryczki, General Manager at Tahoe Blue Event Center
TAHOE BLUE EVENT CENTER RUNS SMOOTHLY WITH KEVIN BORYCZKI AT THE HELM
After spending twelve years in hockey and baseball broadcasting, Kevin Boryczki shared with the Minden Rotary Club that he was ready to take on a huge challenge five years ago as the General Manager at the soon to be built Tahoe Blue Event Center. Commuting every day from Gardnerville, Boryczki has been the GM throughout the construction of the center and now oversees the day to day operations.
The Event Center was originally supposed to open in December of 2022 but was delayed due to supply chain issues. When it finally opened in September of 2023, it was worth the wait. The Center is 27,000 square feet, can seat up to 5600 people and serves food and beverages all prepared onsite with a full time chef and 15 staff.
While the building is owned by the Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority, it is managed by the Oakview Group (Boryczki’s employer). The building was set up to be no burden to taxpayers - with annual revenue sufficient to cover operating expenses. The revenue comes from admission fees, usage fees, concession stands, entertainment tax and tourism taxes. Four dollars per attendee goes to the Lake Link - this totaled close to $800,000 in fiscal year 2025. Non profit groups can sign up to run the concession stands to earn money for their group. The facility also tries to offer as much local food and beverage products as possible.
The first event was a wedding and subsequent events in 2023 included conferences, a Pitbull concert, and the ESPN / Top Rank Boxing. Subsequent years have included comedians, conferences, concerts and the introduction of the Tahoe Knight Monsters - a hockey team affiliated with the Vegas Golden Knights. The Knight Monsters have made it to the playoffs in both years of their existence. The addition of the hockey team fits nicely with Boryczki’s past experience with the Boston Bruins.
Upcoming scheduled events include the Happy Together Tour (8 different groups with 1960’s-1980’s music), comedian Nate Bargatze, 16 conferences, a major college basketball game in November, international sporting events, youth hockey, cheer events, and, of course, the beloved Tahoe Knight Monsters. Possible future events Boryczki is working on include Broadway productions like those at the Reno Pioneer Center.
2026 MINDEN ROTARY CELEBRATED 100 YEARS IN THE CARSON VALLEY
Mark Gardner with an introduction and the Governor's proclamation
Attendees
at the Carson Valley Inn
Ken Miller
Graham Rogney
Pat Garrahan
100 Year Celebration
President Graham Rogney announced in July his 100-year Anniversary Goals:
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!
100 THOUSAND DOLLARS RAISED - this will include our fundraisers as well as those we volunteer at for other community events.
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.
EVERY ROTARIAN EVERY YEAR - Each club member contributes at least $25 to Rotary International during the 2025-2026 year.
MINDEN ROTARY CELEBRATES 100 YEARS!
During an elegant suit and tie dinner at the Carson Valley Inn, the Rotary Club of Minden Nevada celebrated 100 years of service to the community with nearly 100 Rotarians and friends in attendance.
Master of Ceremonies Jim Hale led us through the night starting off with Rotarian Mark Gardner sharing a few of the local Rotary projects and the proclamation from Nevada Governor Lombardo.
Next, Past District Governor and keynote speaker Stacy Graham wove a wonderful story about Minden Rotary's 100 years of fellowship, leadership, service and changing lives in the Carson Valley. She shared that Minden Rotary was the 8th Rotary Club formed in our district and "that distinction matters - because pioneers do more than simply arrive first. Pioneers establish culture. They establish leadership. They establish expectations. And for the past 100 years, Minden Rotary has established a culture of service that continues to shape Carson Valley today." She also shared that "Minden Rotary existed long before many of the service organizations we recognize today. Before the Lions Club arrived in 1953… Before the Kiwanis Club was established in the early 2010s… There was Rotary. Rotary leading. Rotary serving. Rotary investing in the future of Carson Valley."
Past President Ken Miller shared stories from the past - of past projects, of past Rotarians and of past Presidents (and some crazy demotion stories).
Current President Graham Rogney shared our present success stories - including successful fundraising in the community totaling close to $100,000 this year and MANY hours of local service.
President Elect Pat Garrahan shared his excitement for the future of the Minden Rotary Club. “I have always considered the Latin phrase acta non verba, meaning action, not words, as the foundation for accomplishing most anything. We can talk, plan, and analyze until the cows come home, but it’s action that gets things done. Fortunately, our club is one that acts and gets things done.”
Rotarians from the Tahoe Douglas club were kind enough to return the club bell which they stole at the Foundation Dinner in April. The bell stealing is a long-standing tradition of Rotary Clubs across the world. This time the bell was returned with engraving to honor the 100 years of service by the Minden club.
Our outbound exchange student, Madi Francis, talked with the club to express appreciation to the club for sponsoring her and giving her the opportunity. She shared with the club a more personal review of the exchange program introduced and inspired some of our new club members to what this Rotary Exchange program does for our students.
Madi has a fundraising goal for this outbound exchange, to the tune of $2,500, then another $5,000 she must fund herself for the program and she has already paid towards the program. She will be working on community fundraising this summer. Please consider giving a donation to assist Madi.
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). See the October 23rd newsletter for Eric's craft talk.
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, served on tribal council, works for Washoe Native TANF as the project and resource specialist, and attended Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence Kansas. Craft talk about his current occupation done at the December 4th meeting!
Mark Gardner, sponsored by Dick Schwabe, was inducted into membership on March 12. Mark is the current Chairman of the Douglas County.
Kathy Morales received her badge and Rotary pin March 5, 2026.
Warner Quon is the father of a current Rotary President (in Colorado)! Warner was inducted at the Rotary Foundation Dinner on April 9, 2026.
Jill Borggreve found out about Rotary through Sam Steele and the Pickleball Pancake Breakfasts. Jill was inducted at the Rotary Foundation Dinner on April 9, 2026.
Andy Sheppard received his red badge on May 7, 2026. Andy has an Electrical Engineering degree from Sac State and spent time in the Navy. He has been involved with startups in California - and is very glad to be out of that state.
Wes Brogran has lived in the Carson Valley his entire life - with the exception of time in the Air Force. He has a 5 year old son and is a Commercial Real Estate Agent.
We look forward to hearing the rest of the craft talks soon and getting to know you better!
6/25 5pm - Graham’s Demotion party - Minden Gazebo bandstand
6/26, 7/17, 8/14, 8/28 and 9/18 - Minden Concerts in the Park. Stay tuned for Minden Rotary hotdog dates!
7/2 - Pat Garrahan’s first meeting as Rotary president - Patriotic Bar-B-Que held at the Minden Park and celebrate our country’s 250 th birthday.
9/19 Rotary Club Minden's Oktoberfest @ Heritage Park
