You may reserve your tickets by purchasing online through ClubRunner. Simply visit: aspenrotary.org, log in with your username and password and then choose Golden Gala from the events menu on the right hand side of your screen (see below). You will then see the link for online registration.
If you don't want to pay online, you have several options:
1. Bring a check with you to an upcoming Rotary meeting;
2. Mail a check to President Deborah Breen, PO Box 5748, Snowmass Village, 81615 (and email Deb to add you to the guest list in case your check is delayed in holiday mail);
According to Harvard Medical Publishing, people who consistently do what are more optimistic, feel better about their lives, exercise more and have fewer visits to the physician. Hint: It's not "eat candy corns."
You know a unicorn. You might know that you know unicorn, but you do.
On a somber note, but an important one as we head into the holiday season, 21 veterans per day commit suicide in the United States. What can you do to connect with a veteran?
Thanksgiving Holiday — No Meeting
What Are you Grateful For?
Since there's no speaker this week, I thought it would be fun to compile a gratitude list to share with each other. You may or may not know this about me, but I have a daily morning and evening gratitude practice. I personally believe it's one of the healthiest things we can do for ourselves, plus it makes me happy and who doesn't love being happy? But in case you don't want to take it from me, Harvard Medical Publishing has also shared quite a bit of research about the positive impacts of gratitude.
"In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships." To read the full article:
If you're grateful and you'd like to share it with me, a collection of thoughts will appear in our "Gratitude Edition" next week — sjohnston@aspentimes.com.
Paul Andersen —
Huts for Vets Founder and Executive Director
Paul Andersen is a journalist, book author, historian and wilderness guide in Aspen. He has been a professional writer for 40 years and has written fifteen books, hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles, and numerous television and film scripts. He has led multi-day seminar programs on nature and society for the Aspen Institute and the Colorado Mountain Club. he founded Huts for Vets in January 2013 and serves as a wilderness guide and chief discussion leader.
Paul is not a veteran. In fact, he protested the Vietnam War as a high school student and later found his calling in giving back to veterans by sharing what he knows and loves in the mountains of Colorado.
There are five words that we need to pay attention to: Thank you for your service. "Those five words are often the only words that veterans hear from civilians. As well intentioned as those words are, civilians simply don't know how to address veterans." This saying isn't always received as kindly as we'd hope. It is a dismissive saying because civilians have no understanding of what a veteran's service or experience was and we can't understand the trauma and moral wounds that have been suffered. "When we meet a veteran, it is important to engage with more than that slogan. To connect human to human. Ask them how they are and mean it."
Huts for Vets was founded in 2013. At that time, 18 veterans per day were committing suicide. Today that figure is 22 per day. Isolation is one of the most profoundly debilitating consequences of returning to civilian life. 1% of the U.S. population services in the U.S. Military. When their service ends, they have a hard time adapting to civilian life. Veterans often isolate as they lose contact with those they served with.
Paul shared a wonderful video that describes what Huts for Vets is all about and the connection it creates. Watch the 8-minute video on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDL6vT93ksQ&t=2s
Photo Credit: Milwaukee Independent (I know what you're thinking. "She couldn't find a local photo?" The truth is that I couldn't find one quickly and, in my crusade to fight time sucks, I just opted for the easier option, but the kiddo is cute and the sentiment is the same).
It's that time of the year again. If you are interested in participating in or leading the annual kettle bell ringing on behalf of the Salvation Army, please contact President-Elect Steve Seyffert at steve.seyffert@myfw.com.We will need to get bell ringing underway after the Thanksgiving holiday, so time is of the essence.
We Have a New Red Badger (Not the same as Honey Badger) in the House!
Congratulations to Bob Campbell who officially received his Red Badge last week. Thank you to Nancy Mayer for introducing Bob to our club and giving him the gift of Rotary.
We Know an Actual Unicorn
Did you know that our Sergeant-at-Arms is Miss Michigan (2017), a trained violinist, a Harvard Student and also performed live last week at the Basalt Regional Library as part of their Music at the Library collaboration with Aspen Music School and Festival? Craig Melville, Deborah Breen and her whole family, Ruth Kruger and I attended Heather Kendrick's performance and I realized that I simply am not worthy. I played clarinet until the 8th grade and now I couldn't read a sheet of music if my life depended on it. And the only time I've been closer to Miss Anything than when I'm standing by Heather is the time I met Miss America at a work conference and she let me wear her tiara and it got so tangled in my hair that it took her entourage to get it back out.
.png)
