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Bulletin: August 12th 2025 

Taking a Spin…

“It’s a wonderful day in the neighborhood.” Fred Rogers

My name is Phil Clarke and this is my maiden voyage as editor of the Wheel Spinner. I believe that the expression goes something like, “every voyage begins with a first step” and often a wet foot, or some such. I am sticking my toe in the water, looking to stimulate occasional applause, guffaws and perhaps reach out to folks who might be considering joining our club to let them know that although our efforts are serious, our demeanor is less so. I want to show appreciation for those who have done this job previously: Thank you to Carolyn Bradish, Sue Bramley, Nancy Arkins, and most recently, Kim DeCoste. Thank you as well to Kari Brown who will help me with all things technical. (If I’m missing someone, I apologize.)

There will be a learning curve for me. I once took a job training folks on software when I had never even used a computer so I have a great deal of experience in not knowing what I’m doing. Back then, one of my brothers told me that he’d teach me how to use a mouse if I’d come over to his home. Much to my relief, it turned out that no actual rodents were involved nor harmed. Amazingly, I lasted many years in that position. I say this to point out that just because I don’t know how to use the Club Runner software that is new to me, doesn’t mean that I won’t be trying to impress you while using tools of distraction, obfuscation and especially, ultracrepidarianism. Here we go!

Our August 7th inspiration was delivered by Shannon O’Brien who shared some poetic thoughts on our deepest fear:

Jan and Tom Keyton sent this happy pic of the RYLA picnickers.

 

 

How do you know when you have hired the right person?

This fiscal year our President of the Rotary Club of Highlands Ranch, noon edition, is Bill Leeper (photo). Bill was scheduled to make a speech introducing himself and his history to the club. It was on the calendar. It was weeks away. But…on a day when the scheduled speaker was especially succinct, the club asked if Bill could “give his talk on the spur of the moment.” Like a good scout, it turns out our leader is “always prepared.” He stepped to the fore, fired up his laptop and gave an excellent overview of his family and career histories including a wedding photo of Bill and his bride, Susan, looking as though they belonged in a bridal catalog. Wow! 

 PR/Public Image Committee

Terre Cone, this year's PR/Public Image Chair, is inviting those interested to Nancy Barton's home, at 6596 S. Garfield Way in Centennial on Wednesday, August 20th, from 4:30 - 6:30 pm for their first meeting. Thank you, Nancy. LIght refreshments and libations will be served. Please bring your ideas. Thank you, Debbie Leonard for your past leadership. Debbie and Terre will work together to ensure a smooth transition.  Contact Terre at 303-518-8549.

 

  Peter Ulrich
Family of Rotary 
Peter Ulrich sends word that he would love to hear from his friends in the noon club. (281)731-9987
pulrich@gmail.com
 

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Noon Meeting Notes:

At last week's meeting on August 7th, Kevin Mizer told us about the wonderful reception that our club emissaries received as they delivered 5 duffel bags stuffed full of books for school kids in Costa Rica.

Then we learned from Connie Golas, Tamie Fennel, Shrin Murthy and Claudia Caves of the 22 wells that we are helping dig in war torn Cambodia. Plans are underway for more wells and for sanitation methods development in rural villages.


We will be having a “celebratory” lunch in September with details to follow soon. 

From Terre Cone, our President-elect:
“Our 40th Anniversary celebration will be held on Friday, October 3rd at the new Highlands Ranch Senior Center. It can be business casual or dressy. We hope to see you there. We will be serving heavy hors d'oevres and it will be a blast. Join us to celebrate 40 years of giving!”

Sunrise Meetings Group Updates:
Important location update:
The Sunrise group has changed meeting location.  We now meet at Northridge Recreation Center in the Cornerstone Room, 8800 S Broadway, Highlands Ranch, CO 80126.

 

Note to Sunrise and Fly'n B…Please send Wheel Spinner stories to philipbclarke@gmail.com and put Wheel Spinner in the subject line. Thanks!

 

The Social Committee:
Join us or contact Nancy Barton if you have questions. (303) 726-7850
 

RCHR Board - 2nd Wednesday of each month, 7:30-9 am at Lone Tree Golf Club


Highlands Ranch Rotary Foundation - 3rd Thursday 9-11:30 am, Lone Tree Golf Club.

Community Service - 3rd Thursday, 11 am. 
LTGC

International Service Committee (ISC) - 2nd Thursday, 11 am LTGC

From Connie Golas:

Sending this announcement to everyone in the club. ISC had a successful meeting last week describing our International Service Committee's efforts last fiscal year. We want encourage anyone interested in these kinds of projects to come to our meeting this Thursday. We will discuss potential projects for this year. We already have some requests to consider and what funds to approve. There are requests for projects in Kenya, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Denver. We will have to finalize the ISC budget for this year, based on what you might want to do or potential projects you want to support.Everyone is welcome! We need your input. Please come join us on 8/14, 11:00 AM in the lobby.


Military Support - 4th Wednesday 8 am via Zoom


Membership Committee
Everyone is welcome to join us. We meet at Lone Tree Golf Club (LTGC) and will post dates for the  meeting next week to get this back on calendars.
 

 

Final Note:

As you sit at your table during our noon meetings, do you realize that you are being served by Broncos' royalty? This picture is from the Broncos' archives and shows our very own Mary Ellen from their 1972 cheerleading squad. Hooray for Mary Ellen!

 

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Speakers
Aug 14, 2025
Comments on the RI Convention in Calgary
Aug 21, 2025
Slopes to Hope
Aug 28, 2025
Sep 04, 2025
Youth Protection Training, Scott Davenport
Sep 11, 2025
CASA
Sep 11, 2025
GTNY
Sep 18, 2025
Sep 25, 2025
Rocky Mountain Rotary Youth Exchange
Sep 25, 2025
GTNY
Oct 02, 2025
Shelter Box
View entire list
Upcoming Events
RCHR Board Meeting
Eastridge Rec Center
Aug. 13, 2025
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
 
International Services Committee Mtg.
Aug. 14, 2025
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
 
Solar Chargers for Humanity Committee
LTGC
Aug. 14, 2025
11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. UTC-06:00
 
2025 Peach & Pear Sale - Order Details & Pickup
HRCA Eastridge Recreation Center - North Parking Lot
Aug. 16, 2025
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
 
25th Annual Peach & Pear Sale
Aug. 16, 2025
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
 
Trivia, Tacos, and Tequila
Lone Tree Golf Club & Hotel
Aug. 19, 2025 6:00 p.m.
 
Highlands Ranch Rotary Foundation Mtg.
Lone Tree Golf Club & Hotel
Aug. 21, 2025 10:00 a.m.
 
Community Service Committee Mtg.
Lone Tree Golf Club & Hotel
Aug. 21, 2025
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
 
Military Support Committee Mtg.
Zoom only
Aug. 27, 2025
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
 
Solar Chargers for Humanity Committee
LTGC
Aug. 28, 2025
11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. UTC-06:00
 
View entire list
Sponsors
Join Us for a Meeting!
 
We offer different meeting times to accommodate individual schedules: 
 
Sunrise Meeting
We meet for breakfast the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month
7:15-8:30am
HRCA Northridge Rec Center
Crestone Room
8800 S Broadway

Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 


Noon Meeting
We meet for lunch 3 Thursdays a month
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Lone Tree Golf Club & Hotel
9808 Sunningdale Blvd
Lone Tree, CO  80124

Flyin' B Meeting
We meet the 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month
4:00pm-5:00pm
Wind Crest Senior Living
Long's Ridge Classroom
3235 Mill Vista Rd
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129

Our club is open to anyone who wants to be a positive force in our community and the world!
Additional Links
Rotary International
Rotary District 5450
For more detailed information on what's happening in our club, check out our website at RotaryClubHR.org