This week we watched team USA play for our country, but also for the memory of their teammate Johnny Gaudreau who, along with his brother, was killed by an alleged drunk driver while cycling on the eve of his sister's wedding. Johnny's wife Meredith & his parents watched Team USA win the gold medal.
We also watched as Alysa Liu skated for gold after retiring from the sport at the age of 16, frustrated and burned out. Her story of resilience is remarkable. A footnote to her success is one that shows the value that immigrants (in this case her dad) often bring to the USA.
Debby Doig saying good-bye to Jerry Wilford and letting him know how much he has meant to our club, and how much he will be missed as he departs to be closer to his family in Iowa.
We had to bring in extra chairs to listen to our latest noon speaker. It was the former Notre Dame and Bronco standout David Bruton (pictured above with young bookworms) who established Bruton’s Books, a charitable organization committed to improving literacy among children living in low-income communities in the greater Denver area.
Ben Swanson, media relations director for the Broncos writes:“It wasn’t just Bruton’s role on the field that made him a special part of the Broncos, his endeavors in the community were some of the most impactful of any Bronco in recent history.”
David showed us his Super Bowl ring!
Average time for NFL ("not for long") players, 3 years.
David Bruton played for 9 years and then went on to get his Doctorate.
He founded and practices at “Between the Lines” physical therapy.
Debbie Leonard with Jane and Kyle Kucharski (taking a day off from his stunt doubling for Harrison Ford), celebrating their friendships at the Prost Brewing Company “get together.”
Social chairperson and host Nancy Barton toasts President Bill Leeper as Maria Narvaez raises a mug along with her other mug's photogenic smile.
SUNRISE CLUB Notes
February 18th: At today’s Sunrise Rotary Club, we were pleased to induct our newest member, Dick Thomas (pictured between Tom Keyton and Bill Simmermon). Bill was kind enough to do the honors as he is the one who first met and encouraged Dick to consider Rotary. Dick is a longtime Sertoma member and his servant heart has expanded into Rotary!
We also heard from Melissa Austin and her son, Seth, about the upcoming Home Schooled Speech and Debate competition on March 17 – 20. (Seth is a former RYLA member.) They need volunteer judges and I know some Rotarians from our club will be signing up! If anyone else would like to help out this worthwhile cause, please contact Jan Keyton or go towww.stoahub.org/tournament/continental-divide-challenge-2026.
We welcomed Rebecca Hu as a potential new member, we received a Foundation update and Noon board update, and our club was reminded that we need Sunrise volunteers for Recording Secretary and Membership for the 2026-2027 Rotary Year, and a new Chair for the 2027-2028 Rotary Year.
Notes submitted by Sunrise Club President Colette Hepp
*****
Integrated Family Community Services
offering training for volunteers!
The trainings will be hosted in person at IFCS’ Market. Please choose only one date.
Wednesday March 4, 1:30-2:30pm
Thursday March 5, 11am-noon
Tuesday March 10, 2:30-3:30pm
Wednesday March 11, 11:45am-12:45pm
Thursday March 12, 2:30-3:30pm
Friday March 13, 11am-noon
Providing “no-cook” meals for the unsheltered.
Our club has a long standing relationship with IFCS. See below…
Claudia Caves is a great conduit to learn how to serve with IFCS.
Our club's representation contributed $2000 at the IFCS banquet. Pictured: Maria, Arthur, Elaine, Nancy, Kari and Mark.
(Speculating that the photographer was Terre.)
Family of Rotary
Wonderful news on Mike O'Brien's lengthy battle with cancer. He is now cancer free! We will hope to see him back at meetings before long!
We definitely have a reading theme going on in this issue!
Proofreading needed before sign posting…
Fun alert!
Friday, March 20th
Bunco Night.
The Lone Tree Hub
5pm to 9pm.
8827 Lone Tree Parkway, Lone Tree 80124
Categorical mingling
Please send submissions to philipbclarke@gmail.com and put Wheel Spinner in the subject line.
Thanks to Kari Brown for tech support and Beth Clarke for proofreading.
Thanks to you for reading and for being a Rotarian!
"The thing is, I love.... what I like to share about myself is like my story and my art — my creative process — and I guess messing up doesn’t take away from that. It’s still something, it’s still a story. A bad story is still a story, and I think that’s beautiful. There’s no way to lose."
Alysa Liu
Snoopy preparing for his Quad
Service above self and kindness to all…and make it fun!
