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Health Care - Three New Areas of Interest

We have all heard, ad nauseum, about the controversy at the federal level on financing health care, the role insurance companies should play, maternity cost coverage, existing condition coverage, and other financial problems in operating the U.S. health care system. However, many health care providers and educators are working to come to grips with recent social and scientific developments that impact the people they serve. This Wednesday, Claire Gilliland, of Loveland, Colorado, will give us her perspective on three of these new factors in diagnosing and treating medical conditions, and avoiding some consequences of ageing.

Claire Gilliland received her BSN from the University of Florida, and her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Northern Colorado. For 30 years, she practiced in the areas of pediatrics, geriatrics and burn care. She has taught nursing at Front Range Community College for 11 years before her recent retirement, and in 2014 was named the Larimer Campus Master Teacher, and cited for her engaging style, knowledge, and compassion for her students. She will explain the concerns of health care providers and educators about issues related to stem cells, and the early attempts to use stem cell treatment for certain conditions. She will address newly identified carcinogenic risks arising from consumption of sugars; and discuss the potential benefits to the public from available software applications for their cell phones.

Last Week's Program - Ryun Williams, CSU Women's Basketball

Last week Rotarians enjoyed a high-energy, highly entertaining program when CSU Women’s Basketball head coach Ryun Williams discussed his players, his approach and the upcoming season. Last season, CSU’s Women Basketball Team became the first team in Mountain West history - men’s or women’s - to win the conference championship 4 straight years.

Williams started out discussing the character and scholarship of his team, saying two things he never worries about are whether the players are going to class, and whether they will get into trouble. Last year the team average GPA was 3.4, in majors such as engineering, chemical engineering, pre-med, biomedical engineering, business, communications and exercise science.

He noted that this year’s schedule would be the toughest ever, with away games against Gonzaga, Oklahoma, CU and BYU, and that the team would be young and inexperienced. But he also said they are very talented, very tall, and would be fun to watch. He offers players opportunity and growth, and they respond. He challenges them to ‘win’ the classroom, ‘win’ the weight room, and this year, to ‘empty the tank’, giving their all in every situation. He considers his most important coaching task to install confidence in players and their teammates, noting the women’s game is much more team oriented than men’s.

William’s overall record at CSU is 115-46 (.714) and 70-18 (.795) in conference play, just slightly behind someone named “Geno”… (Auriemma).

Community Grant Award

Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy Center - Community Grant Award

COLORADO WILDFLOWERS

Native wildflower plantings support wild bee abundance and diversity in agricultural landscapes, according to a recent NIH study. Global trends in bee-dependent crops point toward increasing need to expand the use of wildflowers in the US. Wildflower botanist and 10-year member of RCFC, Don Eversoll will present a slide program on COLORADO WILDFLOWERS, along with a story line about how his former company, BEAUTY BEYOND BELIEF, came to life.

Don has lectured extensively for 30 years in eight western states on the role of wildflowers and native plants in domestic gardens, in public parks, and on U.S. golf courses. He is trained in golf course design, and won an award for his work on Los Pinos Golf Course in 1989 for MOST POPULAR PUBLIC COURSE IN THE U.S. He is also a frequent lecturer at CSU'S OSHER Lifelong Learning Institute. "SO YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR?" will be his next presentation. Don is the author of "Secrets From My Grandma's Garden", and is working on a new book, "The Lonely Clock That Kept Losing Time".

Don is a former RCFC board member, the founder of our club's Investing Fellowship, and has been involved over the years in the Four-Way Test, Children's Garden, CSU Athletic Program, Peach Festival, Highway Cleanup, Merit Badge University, High School Exit Interviews, New West Music Festival, and Junior Achievement. He and his wife Terri will celebrate their 50th anniversary in October. They are the parents of Steve, Chris, and Katie. A native of Kearney, and graduate of the University of Nebraska, Don is also a former president and chairman of the board of the Nebraska Business Communicators. He served as the Director of Public Relations for two large companies in Omaha prior to moving to the Fort in 1956. He says he enjoys coming to Rotary because 'a lot of my heroes and role models are here'.

The Coming Cashless Society? - 8/30 Program

Speaker Steve Brown, CEO of Pacific Coast Bankers’ Bank delivered a very interesting and entertaining presentation about where we are, relative to a cashless society, and where we may be headed. By a show of hands, most Rotarians at our meeting think we are getting close to being a cashless society. Steve says though cash won’t go away, its use is likely to diminish significantly. He says you can access the Federal Reserve website to get statistics and other metrics that relate to this subject.

Cash usage, from 2012 to 2015, has decreased from 40% to 32% for payments made in our economic system. The use of checks is down from 7% to 6%. Checks are not significant as a payment transfer mechanism today. However, debit and credit cards are used for 70% of payments. Mr. Brown emphasized using credit cards as they have a limit when it comes to fraudulent activity of $50 whereas debit cards are unlimited until you discover the unauthorized use and close down the card.

Younger folks are carrying less cash than the generation before them and older citizens are carrying more cash than in the past. This will likely diminish as our society ages. Yes, demographics and technology are the primary drivers behind this shifting usage of payment behaviors and whether or not we choose to carry cash.

Digital currencies, such as bitcoin, and its virtual “ledger” blockchain, was discussed briefly and the point was made that, though it is in its infancy, it could be a sign of things to come as it relates to society’s norm for making payments between individuals and businesses. Stay tuned. The Internet of Things was also discussed briefly. It will allow appliances (refrigerators and stoves, etc.) and things like your shirt and other articles of clothing to “hear” you speak and will be able to act on instructions you give these “devices”.

Questions from the audience included:

Can I start my own currency?

Will chips be imbedded in humans?

Is Europe ahead of us as it relates to credit card use in restaurants as the cards never leave your hands during the payment process?

What are the newly-emerging security issues today as it relates to hackers?

How will the older population, many of which do not use cell phones, react to, and deal with, these advances in technology?

All in all, the Cashless Society presentation left our club members more knowledgeable than they were before the meeting! Several club members approached our speaker with questions and comments afterward.

Support BBBrew

Please support the BBBrew Annual Fundraiser put on by our Satellite Group. There are multiple ways to help!

1. Attend the Pre-Concert on 9/22 or the event on 9/23, tickets on sale at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-bbbrew-for-hope-bbq-competition-fundraiser-tickets-35161042625

2. Sponsor the event personally or through your business: $250-$1500 sponsorships available and can be customized to meet your marketing/PR needs, Contact Kerrie atkerrie@oldtownmediainc.com

3. Volunteer for the event, sign up at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1eg3BM18KKrp9v11UjbsUsql-fjqx2Xonydx8pUHs65Y/edit?invite=CITx6LMD&ts=598b9ee1#gid=0

REMINDER TO ROTARIANS

As a reminder to all members, Rotary is a very diverse non-political, non-religious international service organization with members from all nationalities and all faiths. The basis of that structure is contained in our Constitution, Article 13: Community, National, and International Affairs, posted on ClubRunner.

Members are reminded that it is not appropriate to distribute literature of a political or religious nature at Rotary, either to or from speakers or to the club in general, or to request members sign political petitions, or to promote any political or religious position from the podium. Private conversations among members are just that – private.

“Rotary is an organization of business and professional people pledged to up-holding the highest professional standards. Rotarians believe that worldwide fellowship and international peace can be achieved when members unite under the banner of service.”

RYLA and Young RYLA Graduates

Rotary Youth Leadership Award and Young Rotary Youth Leadership Award

CSU’s Muslim Student Association - 8/23 Presentation

Posted by Stacy Plemmons

Merit Badge University Chair Randy Kurtz introduced Mohamad Haroon Abasy, from Afghanistan and Naif Jamaan of Saudi Arabia, representatives from CSU’s Muslim Student Association, who shared a bit about the organization, why they joined, and their personal experiences as Muslim students on campus.
According to Abasy and Jamaan, the MSA has students of all races and from all backgrounds, including women and men, and even some non-Muslims just wanting to know someone from another culture. Both Naif and Haroon came to CSU to learn about themselves, their homeland from another perspective, and
about the USA. They stressed our universal commonality, with similar hopes and dreams, and our common wish for love and respect.

Naif Jamaan, from Khobar, Saudi Arabia, is studying Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice at CSU. His family includes 4 brothers in various professions, and a sister who is studying to be an astronaut. He was optimistic about changes taking place in Saudi Arabia, but said change makers always make those in power nervous. He also stated that religion is only an excuse; culture and existing (threatened), power structures are what cause conflict. He stressed the need for education to help all see a shared future.
Mohamad Haroon Abasy is a Fulbright scholar from Afghanistan working towards an MBA. He first suggested we pay less attention to the media, who divide us for their own economic reasons. His goal is to provide employment opportunities for the world’s marginalized through entrepreneurship. He has worked with BBC and been involved with several social, educational and entrepreneurship projects. He believes studying at CSU, volunteering at events, and joining the community of Fulbright students are great opportunities to improve his knowledge, skills and life experiences.

Dementia-Friendly Communities in Northern Colorado

Posted by Stacy Plemmons

According to the Mayo Clinic, dementia isn't a specific disease, but instead, describes a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning. This week retired clinical psychologist Ross Lane introduces Cyndy Luzinski, an advanced practice nurse and dementia practitioner to share her own experience as a catalyst for building and sustaining "Dementia-Friendly Communities of Northern Colorado."

Cyndy's interest in dementia care escalated when her own dad developed dementia symptoms. This led her to discovering the Contented Dementia approach, a simple method which makes remarkable differences in the lives of those who use it. Cyndy’s Dementia-Friendly Community initiative is now 21 months old.

Cyndy Luzinski, MS, RN, CDP completed her undergraduate nursing degree at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, and her graduate nursing degree at University of Wisconsin in Madison. Along with another advanced practice nurse and social worker, she developed and implemented what is still now, 20 years later, the UC Health Community Case Management program.

Cyndy and husband Craig Luzinski have 4 children (step-daughter, step-son, 2 daughters) and 4 grandchildren. Cyndy was recently designated one of the "Northern Colorado Superwomen" by the Coloradoan Mind and Body magazine.

Membership Application

The Board of Directors has approved the membership application of Ginny Owen.

She has met successfully with a Membership Committee representative.

Ginny is sponsored by Jean Lamm. She is a retired public school administrator.

If there are any comments about eitherGinny as a new member, or to Jean, they should be directed to the club secretary, Rod Morrison, in writing by August 2nd, 2017, one week after this notification appears in the July 26th, 2017 print Rotogear.

Foothills Gateway

Posted by Stacy Plemmons

Foothills Gateway has been serving Fort Collins since 1972. This week, Carl Maxey will introduce Nathan Scott, Foothills Gateway Community Relations Specialist, who will share background, mission and current programs with us.

Foothills Gateway is a local non-profit organization that provides services and support programs for individuals with cognitive disabilities and their families in Larimer County. These programs include training, supported employment, housing, habilitation, transportation, family support services, adult respite, early childhood intervention and case management for both children and adults.

Foothills Gateway’s mission is to advocate for and empower individuals with disabilities to lead lives of their choice. Their vision is: “We believe in a life of opportunity, of choice, and of dignity for every individual, regardless of age or ability”.

Nathan Scott is a US Navy Veteran (1991-95), and lives in Fort Collins with his wife and son. Nathan is an active member of the Overland SERTOMA Club.

Reflections of an Immigration Lawyer in the Trenches

This past weekend, the NPR radio program “This America Life” highlighted a contentious immigration debate in tiny Homer, Alaska, (pop. 5631) a town with no recent immigrants, and very small chance of any in the future. https://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/621/fear-and-loathing-in-homer-and-rockville

This week RCFC hears from an attorney ‘in the trenches’, when our own Dr. Henry Weisser introduces Robert McCormick, an experienced criminal defense lawyer for cases that have immigration consequences. McCormick will share actual case experience to discuss the nature of immigration, the challenges and potential solutions.

Robert Stuart McCormick was born in Durango, and graduated from CU before obtaining his J.D. from Texas Tech and finishing at the University of Denver Law School. He is a decorated Viet Nam veteran, having served with the Navy’s riverine forces in the Mekong Delta, which has also been known as the ‘brown water Navy.” He was in the Navy from 1969-72.

He has practiced in the fields of oil, gas and water law, white collar crime, criminal defense and asylum cases. He is married with one adult child.

As a reminder, the RI and RCFC Constitution contain the following:

Article 13 Community, National, and International Affairs

Section 1 — Proper Subjects. The merits of any public question involving the general welfare of the community, the nation, and the world are of concern to the members of this club and shall be proper subjects of fair and informed study and discussion at a club meeting for the enlightenment of its members in forming their individual opinions. However, this club shall not express an opinion on any pending controversial public measure.

Section 3 — Non-Political.

(a) Resolutions and Opinions. This club shall neither adopt nor circulate resolutions or opinions, and shall not take action dealing with world affairs or international policies of a political nature.

(b) Appeals. This club shall not direct appeals to clubs, peoples, or governments, or circulate letters, speeches, or proposed plans for the solution of specific international problems of a political nature.

District Membership Summit

July 5 Program - Soapstone Prairie – Our Last Homesteaders

This past week former FBI agent and City of Fort Collins Master Naturalist, Brian Carroll presented the homesteading history of the Soapstone Prairie area. According to Carroll, the first ‘homesteaders’ were Ice Age PaleoIndians more than 12,000 years ago. More recently the Homestead Act of 1862 allowed settlers in good standing with the US Government to claim 160 acres for their own. Carroll was introduced by his brother-in-law, RCFC Programs Co-Chair Dave Stewart.

Of the many who claimed land at Soapstone, Carroll asserts that only two succeeded. The rest either abandoned their claim or sold it to others. Life was harsh due to winds, dry-land conditions, and distance to any town or supplies. When homesteaders left, neighbors often claimed windows, doors, or any other useful materials. Later ranchers would destroy any remaining buildings to minimize any taxes.

Today the Soapstone Prairie Natural Area is bordered on the north by the Wyoming state line, and is home to a purebred American Bison herd.

Carroll has also been actively involved with several Fort Collins Boards and Commissions, including twelve years as an active Volunteer with Fort Collins Natural Areas Program. There he has focused on the relationship of human culture with the natural environment.

Fort Collins Museum of Art’s ReDress: Upcycled Style by Nancy Judd

This Wednesday, Fort Collins Museum of Art Executive Director Lisa Hatchadoorian, will give us a brief history, and share details of the museum’s current exhibit, the art of Nancy Judd. The exhibit includes a glamorous dress made of crushed glass and salvaged upholstery fabric. Programs Co-Chair Dave Stewart will introduce Hatchadoorian.

Can a beautifully made garment also carry an environmental message? Artist Nancy Judd thinks so! At first glance, her creations are stunning and dramatic, appearing as fine couture and refined garments. A closer look takes us deeper into her message. An elegant dress is constructed from drycleaner, grocery and newspaper plastic bags. Titled “The Jellyfish Dress”, it tells us to be mindful of marine life when discarding plastic as they can be fatal to sea creatures. Why fashion? Judd loves the challenge of making cast-offs elegant and inspiring people to look differently at waste.

The Fort Collins Museum of Art was originally incorporated in 1983, and moved into its permanent home in the Old Post Office building in January 1991. Built in 1911 for $89,000, the Old Post Office building is a three-story Second Renaissance Revival structure designed by James Knox Taylor, the US Treasury’s Supervising Architect. Described at the time as the “finest building in the city,” the Post Office building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated Fort Collins local landmark.

Hatchadoorian received a B.A. in Art History and Music from the University of Virginia and an MA in Curatorial Studies of Contemporary Art from Bard College. Her experience in arts administration, curating, public art projects and fundraising has ranged from the corporate to academic, municipal and non-profit venues. She has over a decade and a half of experience in curating, conceiving, and writing about contemporary art exhibitions and artists. She has been a visiting lecturer at Casper College, Casper, WY, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Fort Collins, and has taught art appreciation at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. Lisa was originally born and raised in Wilmington, DE and has lived in New York City, Charlottesville, VA, Wyoming, Illinois and Colorado. She and husband Steve Keim live in Fort Collins.

Volunteer! Peach Festival 2017!

Hello Rotarians and Friends!!

We are in the home stretch run! We need volunteers for the Peach Festival, NOW!!!!

In total, we need 153 more volunteer shifts to cover. 142 of the 153 are in the afternoon, so if we don’t fill those shifts there is a real risk that the revenue that our club will get for our projects is less, since we will have to shut down some of the revenue-generating booths (e.g., beer, wine, pie, cobbler, entrance admission, margaritas, etc.) or hire people to work the booths which will reduce or eliminate our revenue.

So, if you have already signed up for a shift, please consider staying another 3 hours and cover another shift. If you have friends or family who can help, sign them up or send them the link shown below for them to register themselves.

Please don't plan on sticking around without signing up and expecting the volunteer tent to “tell you where to go”, though. We need to know that the shifts are covered before the event in order to avoid either one of the above scenarios, which must be planned before the event.

So, don’t delay! Use this link and register to volunteer! http://signup.com/go/FYzUvoH

Thanks for your help in making this Peach Festival the best yet!!!!

1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on SignUp.com:http://signup.com/login/entry/11270077987548200117
2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on SignUp.com)
3. Sign up! Choose your spots - SignUp.com will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. Easy!

Notes:

1. All the volunteer slots are all on August 19.

2. Some of the positions are similar to past years, but many are different, so be sure to read the position description provided with each slot to make sure that you know you’re in for if you volunteer.

3. Once you sign up, not only will you receive an email confirmation of your registration, you will receive a reminder of what your slots are two days before the Peach Festival!

4. SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact Gary Turner at geeturn@comcast.net or 970-217-1232 and he can sign you up manually. However, if you don’t use your email address, you won’t receive any of the notifications from SignUp.com.

5. You can sign up friends and family. It's a fun day for all! Everyone will receive a Peach Festival Volunteer t-shirt if they don't already have one! (It’s best if you use their email addresses so that they get the email notifications.)

Thanks in advance for your support this year! Please register soon, as we only have a short time until the festival!!!!!

Soapstone Natural Area

Tuesday, August 1 from 10-12 AM Brian Carroll will interpret about bison, homesteads, and early peoples living on Soapstone Natural Area (http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/soapstone). Brian was our most recent Rotary Speaker about homestead days in the area. You should arrive by 9:45 with water, sunscreen, closed-toed shoes, and a lunch to eat after we finish. About 1/4 mile is extent of the walk. Let Del Benson know of your interest and total numbers in your party (delwin.benson@gmail.com, 227-8286, or sign in at Rotary). If you want to carpool, meet no later than 8:30 behind Jax on North College Avenue. This is your Fellowship Committee at work connecting you with nature. A total of 20 persons may be accommodated.

See the site link above for more detailed driving directions if you plan to self drive. Soapstone Prairie is 25 miles north of Fort Collins, allow about an hour travel time. From Fort Collins, take Hwy 1/ Terry Lake Road to County Road 15 north (towards Waverly). From CR 15, turn north onto Rawhide Flats Road and continue north to the entrance station. There are nine miles of gravel road that can be dusty, rough and bumpy. Please respect our neighbors and be safe by observing the speed limit.

Peach Festival TIPS Training

The dates have been set for TIPS training for this year. They are as follows:

Thursday July 20th 4:30 - 7:30 pm
Tuesday July 27th 3:00 - 6:00 pm

Both sessions will be held at First Bank on Mountain Ave & College Ave in the lower level conference room.

Just a reminder that if you have been trained in the past two years, you do not need to go through training this year. All training is valid for three years.

I will pass around a sign-up sheet at next weeks Rotary meeting for those interested.

If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Chuck Rutenberg

Soapstone Prairie – Our Last Homesteaders

Human history at Soapstone Prairie exceeds 12,000 years - from Ice Age PaleoIndians to at least a thousand years of American Indian groups, and more recently a century-plus of homesteaders, and cattle and sheep ranchers. This Wednesday Fort Collins Natural Areas Master Naturalist, Brian Carroll, will review Soapstone’s homesteading history and its influence on our culture today. Carroll will be introduced by his brother-in-law, RCFC Programs Co-Chair Dave Stewart.

The Homestead Act of 1862 has been described as one of the most important pieces of legislation in American History. It had a profound effect on the nation and the west, and in particular Northern Colorado, as cattlemen, sheep ranchers, and farmers competed for the area’s last pieces of open range. Ultimately the stockmen prevailed. A look at Soapstone Prairie’s homesteading history gives a glimpse into the challenges and hardships homesteaders faced managing their “160 acres.”

Following a career as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Brian Carroll and his family moved to Fort Collins in 1996 and established a Security Management services consulting company. His last posting with the FBI was in Chicago, Illinois. In retirement he continued to provide contract services to the FBI and U.S. State Department Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program, providing instruction and guidance to foreign police officials for managing terrorist incidents.

Brian and his wife of almost fifty years, Vicki, have three daughters and four grandchildren who all live in Fort Collins.

Last Week - Out With The Old, In With The New

Last week RCF’s torch of leadership was passed from outgoing President Glenn Schmidt to 2017-2018 President Jeanne Fangman. Past President and Past District Governor Lynne Baker performed the induction for Jeanne and RCFC’s incoming board and officers. Past President Stacy Plemmons hosted the ceremony, with light roasts from David Ames, Kirvin Knox and John Roberts.

Your 2017-18 Board and Officers consists of the following:

President – Jeanne Fangman

President Elect – Steve Laine

Past President – Glenn Schmidt

Secretary – Rod Morrison

Treasurer – Renee Machovec

Directors – (2018) Tammie Niemann, Rob Marschke, (2019) Cindy DeGroot, Kathy Nicol, (2020) Kelso Kelly, Steve Vessey

Satellite Membership: Chair – Jon Land, Chair-Elect – Samantha Bair, Chair Elect Nominee Kerrie Luginbill

To close the ceremony, President Jeanne outlined her priorities for 2017-18, including creating more fellowship and fun in our meetings while continuing to focus on our service projects. She also proposed a 5th question for our 4 Way Test – “Is it fun?”. Finally, she plans to emphasize membership engagement, membership growth, financial stability and Rotary’s 100th year in Fort Collins, with a celebration planned for August 1, 2018.

June 21 - Take A Hike!

Bill Moellenhoff has ascended all Colorado fourteeners. Bill also recognized John Reicht, who has completed all of the 54 Fourteeners in Colorado. As a show of hands, it appeared that several of our Rotary members have summited at least one fourteener in their lifetime.

Bill entertained the club with his words of wisdom re Colorados’ 54 peaks at least fourteen thousand feet above sea level. Bill’s affection for hiking to the heights began after “accidently” ascending Twin sisters at the age of 16, and the next day ascending Longs Peak. By 1981, when he moved to Fort Collins, he had already completed 13 peaks.

The keys to a successful summit hike are relatively simple; one must have a good level of aerobic conditioning, a good degree of knowledge of Colorado weather and common sense. Proper clothing and footwear are essential. Bill noted a few exceptions to this formula and explained terms associated with climbing or in some cases hiking at altitude.

He shared his thoughts on preparedness to safely make the journey to the top. Entertaining the club with some interesting and humorous stories of several of his treks, he encouraged all who have not yet begun to hike the fourteeners to start with the “easiest” of them all, Mount Sherman.

Thank you Bill for an informative and entertaining presentation.

Tom Peterson

It is with great sadness that we give you word of the passing of another of our Rotarians, Tom Peterson. Tom lost his valiant battle with brain cancer June 22nd. His family mentioned that they would welcome posts on the Caring Bridge website and I have listed the Caring Bridge information below. A memorial service will be planned later in the summer.

https://caringbridge.org

There are several listings for Tom Peterson. The one that was started March 03, 2015 is the correct one.

Please join us in sending prayers and support to Tom's wife, Laura and their family.

Memorial for Karen Schaffter

A Memorial Service for Karen Schaffter is scheduled on Tuesday, June 27th, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church located at 531 S. College, Fort Collins, CO, 80524. Please join me in sending prayers to Bill and his family. You can read more here.

Take a Hike! Climbing all the Colorado 14K’ Summits

Have you ever wanted to climb a “fourteener”? This Wednesday our own ever-entertaining Bill “The Voice” Moellenhoff will share his passion for peaks and share experiences and tips for doing your own fourteener. Bill will be introduced by Dr. Bob Meroney.

Colorado has 54 peaks at least fourteen thousand feet above sea level. Most are just hikes at altitude, not technical, requiring climbing gear and “protection pieces”, and have well-marked routes to the summit. The keys to a successful summit hike are relatively simple; one must have a good level of aerobic conditioning, a good degree of knowledge of Colorado weather and common sense. Proper clothing and footwear are essential. Bill will note a few exceptions to this formula.

Bill Moellenhoff grew up in St. Louis, MO, graduated from the University of Missouri, and accidently climbed Longs Peak at age 16 for his first fourteener. He recently retired as a Financial Representative for Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, and joined RCFC in 1981, becoming club President 1991-92. Bill has been honored by RCFC for “Five Avenues of Service” (2007-08), The Max Getts 4 Way Test award (along with wife Gentry, 2013-14), and was District Rotarian of the year in 2015. He has been active in the District Youth Exchange program, and he and Gentry were sponsors of the yearly exchange student bus trip for 31 years. Bill and Gentry completed all Colorado fourteeners in 1998.