Ashton Hewitt and Christina King risk life and limb by taking a selfie with two happy seniors  on their way to the Lindley Hut last Saturday. Let's assume they parked for the photo shoot.

 

"There's nothing quite like that combination of white snow on the peaks and yellow and orange leaves everywhere," according to Jeep Tour co-organizer John Sarpa. "And Peter Waanders's  paella was a total hit." Thanks to participation by approximately 15 Rotarians, including Committee Chair Justin Barrow, 25 seniors enjoyed a spectacular fall outing. After a stop at Toklat for a quick history lesson about the legacy of the Mace family, the convoy made its way to the Lindley Hut where lunch was served and firewood was stacked. (See more photos below.)

 

 

 

Speaker:  Jeff Cheney. Currently a military defense attorney, Jeff previously served 10 years in the office of the District Attorney for the 9th Judicial District (Garfield, Rio Blanco and Pitkin County). Jeff is currently running for the position of District Attorney.

 

Jeff told a series of stories about his extraordinary life; from losing his mother when he was eight, to watching his favorite crop duster perish in a plane crash, to serving in the Army in Iraq. Each story ended with the same lesson: it's good to be of service, "because it just feels good."

 

Guests: Only one guest! Visiting Rotarian, Ed Queenan, President-Elect of the Carbondale Rotary Club.

 

 

Kathy Klug reminded Rotarians that they might want to send their grandchildren or great-grandchildren to the 12th Annual Colorado Western Slope College Fair on Sunday, October 2, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. This amazing event features representatives from 250 colleges; students attend from 82 different high schools! 

 

Steve Wickes passed around several thank-you notes from the Aspen Camp. "My name is Ethan," wrote one camper, "I am 13 years old and I am from Austin, Texas. My favorite activity was high ropes. I loved it so much. Thanks for your donation to Aspen Camp. I am here because of it."

 

"Deciding to spend my junior year abroad living in Nantes, France, was an experience that has forever changed me, my ideas and views on different parts of the world and values of life." Our returning exchange student, Melanie Doyle, wrote a thoughtful letter-to-the-editor extolling the virtues of the Rotary Exchange student program. Read Melanie's full letter on the Aspen Times website.

 

 

September 29 : Dr. Dewayne Niebur who recenlty returned from a two-week medical mission to Burundi, a landlocked country in the African Great Lakes region of East Africa.

 

October 6: Allison Daily, Executive Director of Pathfinders.

 

October 13: Michelle Kinder, Executive Director of the Momentous Institute.

 

Our new Speaker Committee is recruiting two months ahead. How great is that?

 

 

Dwayne Romero channeled Jim DeFrancia's happiness for the Naval Academy's football win last week. Dwayne also announced proudly that Army had beat the University of Texas last week; ("that's UT El Paso," he added quietly). One might wonder if Four-Way test question #3 ("Will it build goodwill and better friendships?") is softening the heretofore bitter Army/Navy rivalry in our club. Let's see what happens after the December 10 Army/Navy football game.

 

Deborah Breen's husband, Mark, has just completed 20 years as a New York State Trooper and will be re-locating to Aspen soon. Kathy Klug's daughter has just opened a legal clinic at Bagram Air base, the largest U.S. military base in Afghanistan. The legal clinic has been busy since opening day. Kathy will be sending fresh-baked cookies weekly and invited fellow Rotarian-bakers to join her.

 

Llywd Ecclestone appreciates the College Fair, and mentioned how his daughter benefitted. Roger Nicholson (channeling the absent Maurice Emmer) encouraged Rotarians to read Melanie Doyle's letter-to-the-editor. (See link above.)

 

Photos of the Jeep Tour courtesy of Christina King.