Volume III, Issue 27, July 10, 2017

In this Issue:
 
- A Peaceful Transition of Power (Again!)

 
Comments? Rotary News? Send to:  AspenRotaryNewsletter@gmail.com
Steve Wickes, Editor pro tem

 

 

 

Speakers:  Past-President Craig Melville and 2017-18 Rotary Club of Aspen President Scott Russell

 

Susan Gomes received the Tom Sardy Award (aka "Rotarian-of-the-Year") at this year's Changeover Dinner, held at the Mountain Chalet. Most well known for her work with the Ducky Derby and the Shining Stars dinner, Susan works tirelessly and cheerfully, year-round on multiple Rotary projects. A standing ovation confirmed that Susan was the perfect choice for this year's award.

 

In his normally modest way, Craig stated that all he did during his year of presidency was "stand up and make announcements." Past-President (and Past-Head Duck) Craig Melville then proceeded to thank all of his committee chairs, and awarded plaques to Sergeant at Arms Jon Kelly, Secretary Emily Burr, and Treasurer Mark Favro.

 

Our outgoing ('I really don't do much") president planned a fabulous event. Cocktails and music in Ralph's Roost, followed by a beautifully prepared and delicious dinner in the poolside conference room.

 

Our brand-new President Scott Russell complimented the club on its existing strengths, and then challenged the club to continue to work hard in the coming year. A special area of focus for Scott is going to be our youth exchange program. Mike Hoffman is the new chair of Rotary Youth Exchange for our club; Maurice Emmer is remaining on the district-level committee, so we are well-poised to have another successful year for inbound and outbound exchange students.

 

 

 

Had there been an award for "Tallest" or  "Most Yellow," our float in this year's 4th of July Parade would have won - hands down.

 

Many thanks to the volunteers: Dan Johns for saving the day by providing his truck and his trailer. Todd Brewer for driving skillfully and not removing any traffic lights at Mill and Main. Heidi Hoffmann for navigating. Peter Waanders for keeping the duck erect for less than four hours. Several Rotarians showed up at 9:00 AM to supervise the float decoration. And, of course, many thanks to our 2017 Head Duck, Mike Kosdrosky, for working his way through the 12-month checklist in order to insure another successful Ducky Derby.

 

Also many thanks to a trailer-load of kids who dutifully distributed candy and mini-frisbees along the two hour! parade route. Pictured here is Charlie Cunniffe, son of Charles Cunniffe. Future iron man Charlie did most of the work preparing mini-frisbees while Rotarians chatted about how great the float looked.

 

Mark you calendar now!

 

July 13: Hank Willis Thomas, a photo conceptual artist working primarily with themes related to identity, history and popular culture.

July 20: Aspen Institute speaker on Foreign Policy

July 27: Aspen Institute speaker from the Action Forum of Young World Leaders

 

 

Happy Bucks kept Sergeant at Arms Jon Kelly running from one end of the meeting room to the other. Rotarians were feeling especially happy - and generous. We raised almost $200 for the BETA Club at Aspen High School (formerly known as the Outreach Service Club).