The Wheel Spinner
Rotary Club of Highlands Ranch
May 5, 2026
 

Tamie Terrific!

 

   What an amazing Rotarian we get to behold and befriend in Tamie Fennell. Having served as our Club President, she went on to become the Area Governor, acting as an inspiration to all of the Colorado Rotarians in our district. Along the way, she even recruited her husband (and beekeeper extraordinaire!) Kurt, wearing him down until he finally joined in on this circle of fun!. Together they have become major donors to Rotary and have been awarded Paul Harris badges recognizing their contributions. Tamie says that when she joined about a decade ago, one of our members asked her to consider a monthly contribution. She started having $100 per-month automatically paid to Rotary and “never missed it.” We are so very fortunate to have her help and direction toward better lives for both those of us who are near and dear e.g. the Children's Hospital Fellowship, and for those far away e.g. the potable wells in Thailand. Thanks Tamie for all you have done, are doing and will do!

                        Friendship dinner delights!

   This attractive group was at the Logan's,  proving that our noon club can also function after dark. Feasting and conversing helped “build goodwill and better friendships!” Thanks Adrienne for hosting and for snapping the photo!

and these folks were part of the convivial group who met at Old Blinking Light for lunch when our club meeting was “dark.”

The Fly'n B at Wind Crest  

 

From Win Pendleton:

We received a membership application from Bill Thompson and welcomed a potential future member, Terry Baus.

*The Apple award was passed from Judy to Lorraine (above) for her club support and especially Stuff and Stitch. Contact Judy if you or your WC friends would like to join the  S&S crew. They stuff the second Saturday and last Thursday of each month.

*Dan gave our inspirational moment. Sister worker bees rescuing their drowning sisters.  (Bees are our mascots).

 *Volunteer hours for March: 119.5 hours. Stuff and Stitch and Panels for Ukraine led the way.

*In light of the water shortage in the area, the club voted to postpone our two-tree plantings until Fall in case the shortage subsides.

*The WC employee who Peter and Win have been tutoring has now formally applied for US citizenship. Efforts are underway to get this project formally approved by WC.

*In light of the stress that WC restaurant kitchens are under due to renovations, we are not having our monthly group dinners for the next two months. Dinners after the meetings are on your own. Off campus guests are still welcome to join one or two of us for dinner after their visit.

*We had time for Carol to interview Anita. We learned a lot about her early and professional life as well as details about her meeting and marrying Dan. Members should be forewarned that your time in the interview chair is coming.

 

*Judy Pendleton is stepping down from Secretary, effective July 1. Nominations for her replacement were made. Anita McPherson was the only nominee and was elected unanimously.

*Blood Drive Report: 26 units were collected. This has the potential of saving 78 lives. 

*Our next project is May 16th - Electronic Recycling. Two volunteer slots are still unfilled. 

*Dan was introduced to the Highlands Ranch Foundation board today. He will be our representative starting July 1

*Our speaker was Maria Determan, Volunteer Chairman for Project Worthmore. The staff and Maria's 700 volunteers help members of the immigrant and refugee population to navigate U.S. life and culture, get jobs, learn English, gain citizenship, and get dental and legal services. Judy is currently working with a client seeking citizenship. Our club is seeking permission for WC to offer citizenship tutoring for staff and employees.

*Thanks to Gail Mullin and a dozen WC clubs and advocacy groups are vigorously persuring approval for a Peace Pole at Wind Crest. Fly'n B has agreed to fund the effort. 

Fly'n B's next meeting is: May 14th.

                    ****

 

Mountain Vista HS Interact Club


From Toni Anne Bennett, Mountain View High School:

Hello Rotary! I hope your new year has been amazing so far. Over the past few months, we have stayed consistent with our events, and our officers and members have worked hard to continue planning and showing up for this club. 

On January 10th, we decorated solar panels to send to Ukraine. This will help provide power for personal devices when service is unavailable. On January 15th, we had Peaceful Schools. We go to Summit Elementary (above) and spend time with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders reading books and talking about how to react with kindness to difficult situations. January 17th was our first Ice Cream Social of 2026, and on January 24th, we had our second. During these Ice Cream Socials, we spend time with people at Life Care for about an hour. During Mountain Vista’s Wish Week event, we set up a booth for the Wish Week community fair. Our school goes all-out for Wish Week to give Wishes to kids who need them. We always try to help out and promote this week of giving to people who need some kindness.

 

In February, we had another Peaceful Schools on the 5th, and we spent more time at Life Care for our Ice Cream Social on the 7th,  and on February 11th, we had Project CURE. In this event, we help sort medical supplies to ship to countries in need. February 21st was busy for us; we had an Ice Cream Social and Nibbles and Sips! Nibble and Sips is an event where we blew and tied balloons for an Integrated Family Community Service fundraising event. IFCS is an organization that helps feed people in Denver, CO. On February 26th, we had a Bake Sale for Unified Sweets.  

In March, we had Peaceful Schools on the 5th and had Life Care Ice Cream Social on the 7th and the 28th. 

We have started to slow down as we approach the end of the academic year, but not without feeling appreciative of all that Interact has given us. Thanks to Rotary, our Interact Club has done a lot so far in 2026 to help out the community. 

 

                 ****

Grandparent Joke:

Q. What's the difference between a crocodile and an alligator?

A. One you'll see later, the other after awhile.

                           ****
 Help needed: Please call Elizabeth Schofield if you can give a hand at 

Health and Hope in Castle Rock this Saturday from @4pm to 7pm.

Call her at 970-799-4321 Thanks!

 

A note of gratitude to Scott Davenport (pictured here with an accomplished student) who is retiring from his long held post as club liaison to local high school students who are ready to launch into the world of college and beyond! Hooray for you Scott and thanks!

Please send submissions to philipbclarke@gmail.com and put Wheel Spinner in the subject line.

 Thanks to Kari Brown for tech support and to Beth Clarke for proofreading.

Thanks to you for being a Rotarian!  

“…and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”

Paul McCartney

Speakers
May 07, 2026
Warrior Bonfire event
May 07, 2026
Pediatric Mental Health, Endowed fellow
May 14, 2026
Help & Hope
May 16, 2026
May 21, 2026
May 28, 2026
DCSD superintendant
Jun 04, 2026
Former local film critic
Jun 11, 2026
Gift of Adoption
Jun 11, 2026
Jun 18, 2026
HungreeApp
Jun 25, 2026
Jun 27, 2026
Jul 02, 2026
View entire list

Upcoming Events

Project C.U.R.E.
May 11, 2026
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

RCHR Board Meeting
May 13, 2026
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

International Services Committee Mtg.
May 14, 2026
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Solar Charger Conversion Event
May 16, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Trivia, Tacos, and Tequila
May 19, 2026 6:00 p.m.

Solar Chargers for Humanity Committee
May 21, 2026
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-06:00)

Military Support Committee Mtg.
May 27, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

Project C.U.R.E.
Jun. 08, 2026
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

RCHR Board Meeting
Jun. 10, 2026
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

International Services Committee Mtg.
Jun. 11, 2026
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

View entire list
Sponsors

Joe and Phil

The Elderly Brothers performed for the Mile High Denver Rotary Club and received a standing ovation. Fun!