Last year under Jim Ingraham's leadership, he started brainstorming on increasing membership by creating a companion club; a club that would be more accessible to service-minded folks that cannot attend our weekly Friday noon meeting, but still want to contribute.
It's a great idea that Rotary is promoting to increase membership, and we are finally getting the first steps going. Companion clubs exist alongside established clubs. The club needs to meet at least twice per month, and the members can establish their own meeting times and activities. Dues are the same for both clubs.
We are inviting ANYONE who is interested in exploring this option (existing Rotarians as well as any one else) to an informational meeting. Tuesday, November 17th at 6 PM at Native Son, 813 Grand Avenue, GWS. So tell your friends and neighbors, or better yet, bring them with you.
The severe flooding in Pagosa Springs has been horrific. Rotarians were on the scene from the beginning to help those in need, and to assist in the recovery. Nick Adams reported that District 5470 applied for and received $25,000 from Rotary International's Emergency Response Fund. Those funds will be directed to the areas most in need, and Pagosa Springs Rotarians who are on site will be working with local authorities and nonprofits to ensure the money is put to good use.
We are pleased to welcome new members Linda Picore and Larry Metzger! Both individuals received their Rotary Passports and membership badges on Friday in a ceremony conducted by Membership Chair Debbie Wilde.
Linda Picore
Linda was raised in Ridgeview, South Dakota and spent her professional career as an educator. She has taught on Indian reservations and spent over 20 years teaching school in Worland, Wyoming.
After the death of her husband, Linda relocated to Glenwood Springs to be closer to family. She has a heart of service and is deeply commited to serving her community. Welcome, Linda!
Larry Metzger
Larry Metzger was raised in Boulder, Colorado, but spent most of his career in Florida. Larry moved to New Castle after the death of his wife.
He has a flourishing handyman business. Larry also feels a commitment to give back and is a board member of the River Center among other community activities. Welcome, Larry!
Take time to get to know these new members over Friday lunch or take them to coffee and find out what they are passionate about! It's great to welcome these new individuals to our club.
I wanted to share one of the sweetest moments from my time with the CPH Bookmobile: introducing the Del Muerto Head Start students to our collection. Each child was able to walk away with two board books to help build their home libraries.
When one little boy stepped inside, he was in complete awe of all the books around him and let out a heartfelt "wow!" It was truly a priceless moment.
Seeing these children surrounded by books reminds me of why we do this work. By providing books to children who may not have them at home, we hope to foster early childhood literacy and support their educational development. (from the CPH Facebook page. Posted by Jan Dunn)
Diane Reynolds was present on Friday to encourage slower driving through Glenwood Springs. Diane heads up the Take a Minute initiative that encourages drivers to drive the speed limit to positively affect the quality of life in Glenwood.
Diane shared some remarkable facts about the impact of traffic through our fair city: there are over 50,000 car trips per day through Glenwood Springs (2024 data). That's a heck of a lot of cars racing through town on Hwy 82! As the “neck of the traffic hourglass” Glenwood Springs requires drivers to slow down and traffic congestion to increase. As traffic on Hwy 82 has increased over the last few years, the problem continues to escalate.
“The greatest threat to the quality of life in Glenwood Springs is speeding traffic,” noted Reynolds, “Each one of us has an impact and personal choice.” She challenged each Rotarian to be part of a positive change. Driving the posted 25 MPH speed limit on Grand Avenue through Glenwood Springs requires ONE EXTRA MINUTE than speeding at 30 MPH. Additionally, driving 25 MPH in the LEFT lane will slow down the through travelers racing upvalley.
Local “Go Slow” Advocate, Diane Reynolds
The Slow Down in Town initiative is endorsed by City of Glenwood Springs (COGS), Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), and other local businesses and organizations. The recent installation of electronic ticketing for speeders in key areas of Glenwood positively supports adherence to the speed limit. As Reynolds says, “it onlyl takes one minute more,” but it makes a world of difference to the safety of ourselves, our loved ones, and our visitors.
Commit to driving the speed limit. It may save your life as well as the life of another… and you'll be part of maintaining the community we value so much.
We were thrilled to induct and welcome (back!) Kurt Nielsen as our newest club member.
Kurt Nielsen is inducted into the club by a delighted Debbie Wilde, Membership Committee Chair
Kurt was born in Glenwood Springs. He moved to Beverly Hills, CA in 1985 and became VP of Finance for PIP Printing. He and fiancé Kate moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL in 1989. In 1992 they moved back to Glenwood Springs to start the American Soda company. In 2003 Kurt sold American Soda and moved to Hawaii and entered the mortgage brokerage business. In 2020 he and Kate moved to the Caribbean and have been commuting between the ocean and the mountains in Glenwood for the past few years. They have two daughters.
Kurt was a GS club member is 2002 and also a Rotarian in Hawaii. He has been on the Board of Directors for Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely and Craig and the Colorado Mining Association. Kurt and Katie make their home(s) in both Glenwood Springs and the Caribbean. He enjoys skiing and heliskiing, boating and fishing, and science.
Linda Picore and Larry Metzger will be inducted this week. Please get to know Kurt, Larry and Linda. They each have a “Rotary New Member Passport” that they would love for you to ask them about. Help them get to know you and our wonderful club!
Friday's presentation by Dominic Roman showcased the work and effectiveness of the Roaring Fork School District's Family Resource Center.
Dominic Roman, Director Family Resource Center Roaring Fork Schools
The Family Resource Center (FRC) was founded in 1995 to support students whose heath and basic needs challenges adversely affect their learning. The FRC provides a network of 15 Family Liaisons embedded in every RE-1 school and early childhood education program. The family liaisons are a trusted connection to help families address barriers that affect student success. The liaisons:
Build relationships
Address immediate needs
Make systems easier to navigate
Support student stability and success
Dominic started as the Director of the FRC in July. Prior to his new role, he spent 2 years teaching and volunteering in Argentina, Costa Rica, and Peru. He then spent 7 years teaching social studies and English at Basalt High School before becoming the Dean of Culture. He is committed to strengthening connections across the community so students (and their families) can thrive. Dominic and his wife Erin are expecting their first child in December!
In 2025-26 the FRC provided over $200,000 to support families in need. Family liaisons use school, public and community resources first. Flexible funding fills gaps not covered by other resources. The FRC tracks every dollar and the need it meets.
Immediate student needs:
Housing or utlity assistance
Transportation
Clothing, shoes and school supplies
Medical, dental, vision, or mental health suppport
Educational opportunities:
Tutoring or academic support
Activity or participatio fees
Summer learning opportunities
College and career experiences
You can help support the work of the Family Resource Center. Contact Dominic at droman@rfschools.com.
The gardens and greenhouses at Mountain Valley Developmental Services got a “service call” from GS Rotarians on Friday, September 11 - A national Day of Service and remembrance. It was a beautiful day; cool sunshine and terrific temperatures for working outside. Maura Masters, MVDS Development Director, asked for help to dismantle some raised beds to make way for new plantings and the team obliged.
GS Rotarians take time out to pose and admire their work
They also engaged in weeding, hoeing, and general fall soil preparation while enjoying time with MVDS client gardeners. Nick had to leave early to be ready to greet and introduce DG Hood, so he is missing from the group photo, but he got a lot of work in before departing!
Nick Adams taking apart unused raised garden beds. Excellent drill work.PJ Jaycox shows off what pilates does to keep him in shape for gardeningMaura Masters, DG Donna Hood, and Debbie Wilde admire the MVDS gardens
Friday's team also got a tour of Greenhouse 2 where GS Rotarians decorated the raised beds there with mosaic tiles last year. The beds looked great and Gardening Supervisor, Hollis, was growing beautifully tall cherry tomatoes and showing off the new evaporative water wall cooling system that is being installed there. The water wall is made possible from rebates from Glenwood Electric and grants from CLEER.
This year’s District Governor, Donna Hood, engaged the club with her bright enthusiasm and strong commitment to Rotary and its ideals at Friday’s meeting. Donna is a Rotarian from Westcliffe, Colorado where she and her husband operate a large ranch for the past 22 years.
You can read more about Donna’s background in her biography. She has a very interesting history and is a committed Westerner through and through, as well as a dedicated Rotarian. I loved her comment about attending the International Convention in Taipei this summer. “You could just feel the presence of all good things” within the 37,000 Rotarians gathered in Taiwan.
As District Governor, Donna is doing things differently and her vision is to prepare District 5470 for years to come. She came to our club to talk a little bit about her vision which is to prepare the District for years ahead. She is all about contributing her energy for lasting impact. She also came without a prepared speech, but to ask provocative questions and to listen.
District Governor Donna Hood
Addressing questions asked by Stig in a pre-visit questionnaire, Donna shared that many clubs in the area are experiencing challenges in membership – keeping existing members, attracting new members, looking toward the future. She had some suggestions based on experiences of other clubs.
She asked: Who is missing from the club? How does your community see Rotary? How often are we asking others to come to a meeting? “Don’t be afraid to do Rotary differently!” she challenged, and feel free to borrow the good ideas of other clubs. She noted that every club is a little different from every other club. And how lovely that is!
Engaging new members in meaningful ways is essential for their sense of belonging, said Donna. Membership Chair Debbie Wilde has scheduled a new member coffee this week. Thursday, September 17 1:30 PM at Barnes and Noble Café, Meadows Shopping Center, Glenwood Springs. Everyone is welcome.
Donna also noted something we have known for a while; Nick Adams is an OUTSTANDING MEMBER and we are fortunate to have his energy, knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment to Rotary in our club! This year Nick is the District 5470 Membership Chair and working hard to help us and other clubs. We are so proud of Nick and appreciate his (and his wife Becky’s) Rotary commitment.
Nick Adams, Assistant District Governor and all around great Rotarian!
Thank you, Donna, for your visit and your vision and your commitment to Rotary. Together we can create lasting impact.
Club Information
Welcome to our Club!
Service Above Self
We meet In Person & Online
Fridays at 12:15 p.m.
Glenwood Springs Elks Lodge
51939 Highway 6 & 24
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 United States of America
Service Above Self
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
United States of America