This week's meeting is DARK due to the sudden passing of Tom McHugh. His services will be on 4/10 at 10 am with a Reception to follow. The link below has the obituary and additional information.
To Jayne and his children, we send all of our love and support.
Tom will be deeply missed. He was a remarkable man who made an immediate and lasting impression.
Jim Hoops was with Terry to help us understand RYLA's Colorado History
Judy Carlson delighted us with her wit and humor as she presented about herself and her life.
Meeting Notes & Announcements:
Our greeter was Zig Berzins
Nancy Barton offered the Inspiration reminding us of Spring and her favorite songs to enjoy while we watch the Earth wake up yet another season.
Our Guests:
Drew Aguilar - Robin's son came to learn about RYLA for his 13-year-old daughter. (At the end, Robin gave Happy Dollars saying her granddaughter will likely apply to attend!)
Joel Johnson came to remind and recruit for the 5/2 Recycle Event that the Sunrise Club is organizing. A few volunteers are still needed. Please note, this year it is on a FRIDAY!
Scott Davenport introduced us to Brayden from the STEM School Highlands Ranch. Brayden is another super star student with academics, sports, activities, clubs and extracurriculars. He is this year's National Cyber Patriot Club Team Champion and is deciding between Santa Clara and Gonzaga in the Fall. He wants to study Software Development, Network Security, and Business Administration.
Our Speakers were Terry McCullough and Jim Hoops explaining the history and legacy of RYLA, Young RYLA and RYLA+ for us. The program serves youth in Districts 5450 and 5440 and is a week long camp that is FREE to attend to those who are accepted.
Every year we look for kids to send, so please look around at your own kids, grandkids, neighbors, and others you know in town. For many kids this is their only chance to go to a sleep-away camp. It introduces them through activities and curriculum to Leadership and Principles we hold dear, such as in the Four-Way Test. It is one way we can bring the youth in to Rotary to help build the Legacy into the future. Many great Rotarians we all know have been involved.
It is also a fun way to engage WITH youth if you would like to serve as a Senior Counselor for a week. You will see a side of the kids of today unlike any other perspective you could have and it is a lot of fun.
Judy Carlson took the mic next and absolutely delighted us all with her lively humor, funny stories and quirky Minnesota charm. Judy is a vivacious and interesting person who has had plenty of adventures and has some stories to tell. From dating a Hockey Olympian to her own amazing journey to Highlands Ranch, and her deep faith that allowed her to raise her kids alone and build a successful business, Judy exudes the spirit of Rotary and she will be an incredible member of this club in the future. Thank you, Judy, for all the laughs.
In the way of meeting announcements, here is what we had:
Friendship Dinners have been moved to May 9th and 10th. Please see Nancy Barton if you would like to be involved as a host. Sign-ups will begin (again) at the next meeting, likely on the tables.
Nancy also shared that there will be an Income Tax Commiseration Event with appetizers provided on Tax Day, 4/15 at Prost Brewery in West Highlands Ranch (over by the HR Movie Theaters). Beer is on you but the company will be super!
Alan is back from another far-flung journey and reminded us the Blood Drive is coming on 4/19 (Saturday). Volunteers and people who have blood to give (smile) are needed. Please consider coming -- if only for the company and the snacks after. It will be held in the LTGC Parking Lot.
The Solar Panel Assembly will be part of the Epic Day of Service Designated Events. It will take place on 5/17 at the NEW HR Senior Center. Please contact Zig or Terre with questions. Volunteers are still needed to help out. (We may also ask to borrow wire strippers if you have any. Last time they were in short supply and high demand.)
Please remember that dues are due. Please read the invoice for credit card billing information and please do not delay.
President Arthur announced that we will not have the Table in the Friendship Hall at the RI Conference in Calgary after all. Instead, we will be presenting the "Solar Panels for Humanity" program; it is an expansion of Solar Panels for Ukraine. There will be 35,000 Rotarians there, so it is a great time to see Rotary International at work in North America!
A reminder from our District Governor, Tamie.
We are not giving up on fun and friendship at the RI Conference -- oh no! We are just moving to a Happy Hour approach!
We will meet up on Sunday, June 22nd directly following the afternoon opening ceremony at the
CRAFT BREW MARKET DOWNTOWN
345 10 Ave. SW. The food and beverage are not hosted, so you are on your OWN TAB :-)
It is a 25-minute walk from Stampede Park, and there is public transit or it's a 6-minute cab/ Uber.
REMINDER ALSO from Tamie - Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto with Augustin Hadelich.
Sunday, June 1, 2025
1 pm Boettcher Concert Hall at DCPA
1000 14th St., Denver, CO 80202
There will be a pre-concert discussion with Assistant Principal Viola Catherine Beeson.
Special priced Rotary Tickets $45 (+fees and taxes) and limited to 4 tickets per household. The seats are valid in Mezzanine 6 only.
The World Affairs Challenge Final Showcase is 5/1.
Sedalia Elementary is getting the first Rotary Club of Highland Ranch PEACE POLE. Thanks to Connie and Steve Miller for their work on this. We are excited that world peace will be called for, in our name, in the school's honor in English, Spanish, Hindi, and Russian.
Claudia ordered magnets for lapel pins if you need new ones for your badge.
Eagle Academy Dinner was a success. We will try to track down photos for next week if any were taken.
Thankfully, we had many, many Happy Dollars last week on what has become a sad week. Stay well and hug your loved ones extra this week in gratitude.
************* Additional notes to Family of Rotary:
Reen was in the hospital last week. We did not have an update but will provide one as soon as possible. I believe she was at Littleton Hospital and was in touch with Terre Cone.
Bob Larsen is still improving and we hope to see him soon.
Additional notes follow below from committees and community service. Have a great week and see you tomorrow!
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COMMITTEE ANNOUNCEMENTS
FROM THE PAST WEEK & THE MEETINGS
Sunrise Meetings Group Update
Thank you to Collette and Cindy for the updates. Sunrise Club has been BUSY.
I will provide details from Colette's last email next week in a more complete Wheel Spinner after we have met again.
Flyin' B Meeting Highlights:
Current notes: We will update this in next week's Wheel Spinner once we have met in person again.
The following events have been approved by Wind Crest for the year to date:
Electronic Recycling 5/2/25
Shoe Collection 5/17/25
Blood Drives 5/31 and 11/1/25
Trees/Pollinator Planting in April/May
Additional Committee News and Other Announcements
The Social Committee
Friendship dinners will be rescheduled for May.
RCHR Board - 2nd Wednesday each month 7:30-9 am
Highlands Ranch Rotary Foundation - 3rd Thursday 9-11:30am
Community Service - 3rd Thursday 11am.
International Service Committee (ISC) - 2nd Thursday 11am
Military Support - 4th Wednesday 8am via Zoom
Membership Committee
Everyone is welcome to join us.
Youth / RYLA
It is time to start looking for young people to attend our RYLA and Young RYLA camps. These are sleep away camps that are fully paid for for the kids and their families. RYLA focuses on leadership and fellowship for young people and is often the beginning of a life-long commitment to Rotary.
Look around at your kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, neighbors, etc.
For RYLA we we are seeking Sophomore, Junior, and Senior kids, and for Young RYLA, 7th graders. Camp is in the summer and it is a wonderful, life-changing experience for many kids. Please contact Jan Keyton if you are interested or go toRockyMountainRYLA.com.
PR Committee will be heading the search for a replacement for the Wheel Spinner soon. Please contact Debbie if you are interested.
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The Rotary Club of Highlands Ranch
Final Words this week
Please mark your calendars for next week 4/24 when a friend and community leader, Linda Watson, Chief Marketing & Communication Officer for HCA Skyridge will be speaking to us about what is going on there.
Kim DeCoste's presentation this week was rescheduled for 5/15. Kim's last regular meeting will be on the topic of the Five (now 6) Generation Workforce and her forthcoming book on the topic of Generational Leadership.
Kim will leave the club at the end of April on LOA for her husband's surgery and our relocation.
I took this photo in January in Capitola, CA driving north to Santa Cruz. Tom and I both loved Santa Cruz and though I had not known him long, we enjoyed talking about this beautiful place. You may remember he did a bike ride with the Rotary Club of Santa Cruz earlier this year. I will be there in January again and will remember him there.
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