February 13, 2025 Meeting Summary

February 13, 2025
Meeting Summary
Presiding: Keith Rittle
Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan and Ron Van Ekeren
Inspiration: Natalie White
Professor’s Quote:
Foundation Flash:
Introduction of Guests: Dave Hansen
Guests: Dave Hansen introduced Dan Pasman;
Visiting Rotarians:
Junior Rotarians/RYLA/Young RYLA/Exchange Students Jaidan, William, & Olafur
Rotaract/Interact Students:
Humor: Todd Pearson
Foundation Drawing: A lucky person won $10 with $617.50 in the jackpot.
O’Dwyers Drawing:
Announcements:
  • Don’t forget to volunteer to work the greeting table!
  • Do you know a family that would be willing to host Olafur from mid-March to June? Let Caitlin White or Todd Pearson know.
  • Tim Eisenhauer announced that RYLA applications are open. We can accept 3 Young RYLA and 3 Senior RYLA. Ask Tim for more details.
Rotarian of the Week: Keith Rittle nominated Don Prehoda for updating the McWhinnie Foundation bylaws.    
 
Special Presentation: Randi Downham and the club celebrated Oli’s 18th birthday. Happy belated b-day, Oli!
 
Jerry Gruber received his blue badge.
 
Songs: Happy Birthday
 
Program: The Love Boat, Paul & Lynn Montoya
 
Introduction: Keith Rittle
 
The Montoyas are getting ready to head off on a 3.5-year cruise. The cruise follows the sun and spend 2-3 days in each port. They will see 147 countries and 425 destinations.
 
Paul and Lynn haven’t done a lot of travel, but were busy with other things. This will be a great adventure.
 
The cruise is residential. The boat has a spa, high speed Internet, medical center, library, game room, observation deck, and a rentable co-working space. There are 650 people on the cruise.
 
They will be starting in April, and the Panama Canal is up first. Paul and Lynn will stay in a 180 square foot cabin. It has storage cabinets and a closet that holds 56 pieces. The cabin is cleaned and their laundry is done by the cruise staff. Family and friends can visit and use a cabin for $33/day, plus a board fee.
 
You can keep up with Paul and Lynn on their new podcast and a website – lynnandpaulsexcellentadventure.com.
Response: Jerry Gruber
 
‘Response: The Rotary Club of Laramie will make a donation to the public library children’s book fund in the speaker’s name.
NOTE: We Do Not Donate a Book!
 
In Memory: Ushakant (Ken) P. Patel
May 26, 1941 - February 14, 2025
 
From Raj Patel: With heavy hearts, we share the unexpected passing of our beloved father, Ushakant Ken Patel, on February 14, 2025, while in India. We take solace in knowing that our loving mother was by his side in his final moments. His passing has left an indescribable void in our lives. He was not only a devoted husband, father, and grandfather but also a man of unwavering kindness, deep wisdom, and immense generosity. He touched so many lives with his warmth, guidance and humor; his absence is profoundly felt.
 
We are endlessly grateful for the strength, wisdom and drive he instilled in us. Our dad mastered dad jokes before they were cool. We fondly look back at them, they were kind where the person laughing the hardest was usually him. He lived a life of purpose, integrity, charity and devotion to his family and community. He is leaving behind an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire and guide us.
 
A formal service will be held in India Thursday. In the coming weeks, we will hold a celebration of his remarkable life in Laramie, a place he cherished so deeply.
 
To our family and friends, both in the States and India; your love and shared memories have been a source of strength during this very difficult time. Your stories remind us of the impact he had on so many, and we find comfort in knowing that his spirit lives on through all of us.
 
Rotary 4-way test
Of the things we think, say, or do:
•Is it the Truth?
•Is it Fair?
•Will it build Good Will and
  Better Friendships?
•Will it be Beneficial to All    
  Concerned?
 
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
•FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
•SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
•THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
•FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
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Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org