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A Look Into Our Past

While it might not seem old in world history standards, Glenwood Springs is an old town in US standards and it has rich history due to its natural amenities and resources. Promoting and celebrating the interesting history of Glenwood Springs is the new Executive Director of the Glenwood Springs Historical Society, Mark Jensen.

Jensen comes to our historic city from Carson City, Nevada and his experiences in nonprofit administration, fundraising, and celebrating history make him an ideal director for the Historical Society. His first day was June 8 so he has been learning a lot about Glenwood Springs and he was happy to share his enthusiasm and the Society's mission of supporting local history.

The Glenwood Springs Historical Society's offices are housed in the Frontier Historical Museum at 100 Colorado Avenue. It is the former home of the Shumate family who donated the house to the Historical Society in 1904. The upstairs contains the museum and Jensen's office; the basement houses the archives and research library.

Glenwood Springs Historical Society

The Historical Society has an impressive photography collection as well as artifacts on display in the museum and around town. The Hot Springs showcases photos and artifacts in their lobby and the basement of Bullocks (8th and Grand Avenue) features a stellar exhibit about Doc Holliday. At the Frontier Historical Museum they even have the crown worn by the very first Strawberry Days Queen in 1898! I want to see that.

In addition to maintaining the Museum, the Historical Society works to make history come alive through events such as the annual Ghost Walk tour which is 25 years old. They also host a educational programs and a speakers series. We are just in time to attend one on November 8th at 10:30 AM Glenwood Springs Branch Library (8th and Cooper Streets) featuring Chloe Everett talking about caves and caving in Colorado.

Ghost Walk – Glenwood Springs ... — GW Historical Society annual Ghost Walk

The Glenwood Springs Historical Society provides an excellent and popular Glenwood Springs Walking Tour Guide and a detailed brochure as well as loving caretaking of the Linwood Cemetery. The 50 Cardiff Coke Ovens have recently been donated to the Historical Society. They need preservation and Jensen is seeking community input and financial support to undertake this important task.

Fundraising is always a responsibility for any nonprofit director and Jensen takes this role seriously with an easy manner and a welcoming message. He excitedly promoted the annual Gingerbread House Contest fundraiser which takes place every year on the Friday after Thanksgiving [Black Friday] at the Hotel Colorado. Entry deadline is November 17th [$10]. The entries are then on display at ANB Bank through December 2.

Gingerbread House Recipe - Sugar Spun Run

Jensen concluded his presentation with a long list of plans the Board of Directors has for the coming years as well as an invitation to join the Historical Society. Membership is only $35 for an individual annual membership. It's a great way to show your love for Glenwood Springs and be a link in the chain that connects our past stories with our future direction. As the website humbly notes, “Every little bit helps.” Help keep the history of Glenwood Springs alive and well.

The Last and Hardest 1%

October 24 - World Polio Day. Across the Rotary International constellation of clubs worldwide, this day stands as one of the most auspicious and determined. It's a day for every Rotarian to recommit to the monumental task at hand… to eradicate the wild polio virus from the planet! Every year on this day, Rotarians around the world receive updates on the status of Polio Plus efforts and get inspired to close the 1% gap to total eradication.

World Polio Day Social Media Graphic (900 x 600)

Rotary embraced the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988. Prior to the End Polio initiative over 350,000 children were paralyzed by polio each year. In the subsequent 35 years more than 2.5 billion children have been vaccinated against polio, a truly remarkable achievement! One not possible without key organizations working together. Rotary is one of six core partners that make up the GPEI; the others include the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

Nick shared this short video during Friday's presentation and it's worth watching again. 122 countries are currently certified Polio Free. We are so close and this is probably one of the hardest times we have experienced in this effort. Wild polio virus thrives in unsanitary conditions and widens its reach through misunderstanding, fear, and war.

Two countries - Afghanistan and Pakistan - still experience the ravages of the polio virus, but vaccinating vulnerable children is hampered by waring governments. And women, who are the most effective messengers of health, are being silenced and restricted in those same countries. With the withdraw of financial support for the World Health Organization from the US government, the financial burden has become even greater. And suspicion of vaccines has only exacerbated the the tenuous status of “Polio Free.”

So now is the time to speak out and take action. Share Rotary's story. Share the facts about the vaccine's effectiveness. Talk about the importance of saving the lives of children across the world. Do not be silent. Share the facts about polio.

Also please donate money. For every dollar that Rotarians raise in End Polio Now, the Gates Foundation will match it 2-to-1 up to $50 million. That turns $1 into $3. It turns $100 into $300. It turns $1000 into $3000… and $50 million into $150 million! This is an enviable return on your investment; better than any other investment instrument!

So what are you waiting for? Ask Charlene to add a Polio Plus donate to your bill. Or contribute directly to Polio Plus via MyRotary.org.

Everyone will tell you that the last efforts to achieving an audacious goal are the hardest. It's true. But TOGETHER we can end polio.

Shelter from the Storm

“No one without shelter after disaster.” These are the guide the work of ShelterBox, the international nonprofit organization that provides shelter, essential items and technical assistance to help some of the worlds most vulnerable people recover and rebuild their lives after disaster.

Abdul, a father of four, received ShelterBox aid after losing his home to flooding in Pakistan earlier this year. They are joyful to have a roof over their heads. — ShelterBox tent recipient with three of his four children

On Friday, our own Pam Pine gave a powerful presentation about the activities and direction of this Rotary International partner organization that has been providing shelter to people around the world in response to disasters for the past 25 years. Pam joined in supporting ShelterBox after hearing a ShelterBox presentation at our Rotary club 17 years ago. She was hooked and quickly began serving as a ShelterBox ambassador to clubs in our district with so much dedication she named to the ShelterBox Hall of Fame!

Woman in front of Rotary banner — Pam Pine in front of GS Rotary banner.

ShelterBox is not funded by Rotary but works in partnership with Rotary when responding to disasters to better connect and serve people in need. As Pam said, “Rotary has the local connections and ShelterBox has the needed supplies.” It's a strategically beautiful collaboration that leverages the strengths of each organization to their fullest.

ShelterBox and Rotary team members talking in the Philippines — ShelterBox staff member with Rotarian looking at building under construction.

Like Rotary, ShelterBox is non-political and is focused on meeting specific needs at specific times in specific areas. What they provide to stabilize and shelter people in need depends on what is needed, whether that be a tent, water purification items, cooking pots and pans, tools to repair and rebuild, bedding, solar lights, or technical expertise.

Since its founding in 2000 ShelterBox has supported over 3 million people in 100 countries and has been nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize. There are so many needs across the world as disasters are becoming more frequent and more severe. There are also many ways to give to ShelterBox; please visit the ShelterBox Giving site to learn more. Thank you, Pam, for modeling the Rotary Test in all you say and do.

I Bet it Rains in Africa Too!

It was a very wet Saturday morning. Unlike typical Colorado weather where storms come and go quickly, this wet weather cell stuck around all day bringing lots of moisture (rain!!!) to our arid landscape. Perfect day for a bike rally, right?! Well, we can't control the weather, only our attitudes and actions, so that's what nine bike riders and seven Carbondale Rotarian event supporters did in the Bikes for Bikes rally on Saturday 10/10.

Bikes for Bikes participants huddled under the makeshift registration tent! In front, District 5470 Rotarian of the Year, John Stroud.

Your team, the Bicycling Butterflies, was impressive in fundraising and bicycling (and costuming!). With amazing financial support from club members, my son's girlfriend, Kara Moranville, and I rode the 15 mile course from Hooks Bridge in Basalt to Iron Bridge along the Rio Grande Trail in the pouring rain. Kara is very proud to say we won the "race" finishing the course first. I am so grateful to have 24-year old Kara propelling me onward!

Event organizer, Tim Whitsitt, said we were lucky this was a tropical rain, like those in Africa. Thus it was apropos that we rode in the rain in solidarity with the African community health providers for whom our funds will purchase Buffalo Bikes. These bikes are the only way to get the vaccines, supplies, and mosquito nets to the remote villages and towns where they are needed. So we rode to help those who will ride!

The rain added some excitement and drama to the inaugural fundraiser to support the worldwide initiative, Rotarians Against Malaria. Funds raised by this local event, as well as events all over the world, fuel efforts to eradicate malaria throughout Africa.

I was so honored to represent our club and meet some wonderful local Rotarians. It felt good to be involved, support the project of a neighboring club, and share in the delight of a successful fundraiser under inspiring conditions. Thank you so much for supporting me! Special appreciation for generous contributors:

Alpine Bank (John Stezreide)
John Haines
Doug Yajko
Jim Ingraham
Charlene Revoir
Nick Adams
Steve Thompson
Steve Shute
and Kara Moranville!

One of things I love about Rotary is its ability and willingness to support and impact international needs, as well as local organizations that have need. Being a part of an organization that is so BIG and also so local and personal is a wonderful thing. Very few organizations have this kind of opportunity, reach, and impact. Wow! I am blown away to be involved and wear the Rotary logo (and butterfly wings)!

Biking for Bikes

Our club has accepted the challenge laid out by the Carbondale Rotary Club and has a team that will ride on Saturday. The ride - Bikes for Bikes - raises funds to fight malaria in Africa.

The Carbondale club is joining other Rotary clubs across the globe to raise funds for Malaria eradication. The club is hosting a fun family bike-a-thon to fight malaria. The event takes place on Saturday, October 11th 10-11:30 AM.

Fighting malaria is a logistics challenge; it's tough to get the medications to the people in need. The very best way to distribute the medications and mosquito nets is by community health workers who ride heavy-duty Buffalo Bikes to remote towns and villages. They need more bikes! That's where the fundraiser comes in - buy more Buffalo bikes.

GS Rotary's team - Bicycling Butterflies - is lead by Heather Exby. She is looking for a couple of additional bike riders who want to join in the fun, get a nice healthy ride, and do something good for the world. She is collecting pledges from club members to help purchase a few Buffalo Bikes … and to generate some healthy competition with Rotary clubs in the Valley for who can raise more money.

The 15-mile ride along the Rio Grande Trail begins at Hooks Bridge in Basalt and ends at Ironbridge in Glenwood Springs, and welcomes riders of all ages and abilities - young and old. It's only 15 miles and it's for a good cause. And if you can't ride with us that day, please send us off with a donation. Any amount is welcome. Let's get malaria vaccines and medicines to our fellow humans in Africa.