Speaker: Gabrielle Greeves, Executive Director, WindWalkers. Founded in 2005, WindWalkers Equine Assisted Learning and Therapy Center began with exactly 2 clients and only 1 horse. They now serve over 45 clients weekly with 15 equine therapy horses. In addition to working with young children, WindWalkers has developed programs for at-risk teens, students with emotional disabilities, and recently, U.S. Veterans. Also speaking was Jill Gruenberg, who recently transitioned from part-time to full-time at WindWalkers.
Guests: Jay Israel, Raleigh Vos, Emily Supino, all guests of Christina King
No meeting Thursday, November 24.
Enjoy Thanksgiving day with your favorite traditions (traditions that don't include skiing!?)
We may be moving!
Chris Heaphey gave a report on his committee's recent research into alternate meeting venues for the Rotary Club of Aspen. The Aspen Meadows is embarking on an extensive renovation in August 2017, and thus it seems like a good time to look into other options for our breakfast meetings. Chris has sent out an email asking your opinion; please respond!
Last week's memorial service for Kurt Bresnitz was held at the Aspen Chapel. Many Aspen Rotarians were in attendance, and they got to meet Kurt's son and daughter and several grandchildren. We will miss Kurt's smiling, laughing presence at our weekly meetings.
November 24:No Meeting! Happy Thanksgiving. December 1: John Masters, Executive Director, Grassroots TV December 8: Kalle Valiaho, Director of Youth Hockey, Finland December 15:No Meeting! Rotary Holiday party is December 14. December 22: Speaker TBA December 29: Speaker TBA
Friday, December 2: Snowmass Rotary Club's "Sipping for Scholarships" has several connections to our club. Join your fellow Rotarians in Snowmass for a festive evening of wine tasting and appetizers to ring in the holiday spirit. $50 per person; part of the proceeds will be donated to Christmas Wish, a philanthropic arm of the Aspen Rotary Club! 5:00-7:30 PM, Anderson Ranch, in the Schermer Meeting Hall, named for former Aspen Rotarian Lloyd Schermer! RSVP to Jean Barel (wife of Aspen Rotarian Harold Barel) (970) 987-9100. What a small Rotary world!
Wednesday, December 14: Our Holiday Party. Dinner at the fabulous Aspen Cooking School, thanks to a generous arrangement from proprietor Rob Ittner. Stay tuned for details.
HAPPY BUCKS: Joseph Spears won the raffle, but did not win the jackpot. Heidi Hoffmann is back from a memorable trip to Cuba; Jeanette Darnauer would have preferred a trip to Cuba, but her recent absence was due to illness instead. Justin Barrow, newly empowered as a Cub Scoutmaster, led an assault on Clark's Market customers recently and emerged with baskets full of donated food items.
Susan Gomes and Kathy Klug each deposited happy bucks in honor of the Chris Klug Foundation. Mike Taets is happy to be involved with "Toys for Tots." Pat Marquis is off to Disneyland with her three year-old granddaughter.
Steve Wickes encouraged Rotarians tobe brave about the possibility of moving our meeting restaurant, and then rambled on about other places our Rotary Club has met through the years: Buttermilk Base Lodge, The Inn at Aspen, Aspen Golf Course, and the Hotel Jerome ballroom.
Lesa Thomas, Executive Director of the Aspen Camp, would like Rotarians to know the following:
- Most sessions for next summer are already full with deaf children from around the world.!
- The financial books for the year ending 10/31/15 have been audited. - The financials for Y/E 10/31/2016 are being prepared for audit.
- The Camp is in the process of hiring new staff, including a new Program Director and a new Development Director.
-Last - and not least - the old cabin which Rotarians began to demolish last June has now been completely demolished and removed from the property!
Our Youth Exchange Committee recently heard from Annabelle Ward, who is spending the year in Argentina. When asked to rate her experiences 1-10 so far, Annabelle replied with an 8. This is a high score for an exchange student in her first quarter.
Maurice Emmer reminded Rotarians of an opportunity to serve: interviews for next year's exchange student candidates will be held December 2,3,4 in Grand Junction. If you would like to attend for all or part of this inspirational activity, contact Maurice.
The Weekly Newsletter of the Rotary Club of Aspen.
