TORRINGTON – The Torrington Rotary Club held their weekly Monday luncheon at the Cottonwood Country Club in Torrington. The meeting was called to order by club president, Michele Ogburn shortly after noon with a moment of inspiration. 

“As we gather today, let us take inspiration from the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, a celebration of resilience, community and generosity. An Irish blessing reminds us, ‘May your troubles be less, your blessings be more and nothing but happiness come through your door,’” Ogburn said. “Much like the work we do in reverie, this day is about lifting others, fostering goodwill and embracing the joy of service. Let us carry that spirit forward in all we do.” 

Ogburn then led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the introduction of guests, which included the members of the Goshen County Rising Stars and Ogburn’s daughter as well as possible new rotary members. 

Eric Boyer introduced fellow attorney Greg Asay of Cheyenne. Boyer noted Asay had been contracting with the state to provide legal services in the county. Boyer further noted Asay was interested in joining the club. Boyer also introduced Patrick Reifschnieder, who was later welcomed as a new member of the Torrington club. 

Ogburn next introduced the rising stars where Platte River High School Principal Lindsay Maxey was introduced with fellow students Anthony Calderon, Bianca Hernandez and Nathan Miller. Southeast High School guidance counselor Amanda Fogle introduced Abby Gift, Sophia Domina and Kay Read. Emilia Bills-Lopez, Kaiten Schilreff and Gabriel Bocanegra were introduced by Lingle-Ft. Laramie guidance counselor Shannon Fleming. Torrington High School guidance counselor Shawn Heath introduced Auburn Esparza. Ogburn noted the other two stars from Torrington high were unable to attend.

Ogburn explained to the stars members of the rotary club would be happy to mentor the students. 

“I want to say thank you to everyone for your hard work at the Shamrock Shindig. We definitely had a successful event and this is thanks, in large part, to everyone hard work and dedication to rotary,” Ogburn said. 

Ogburn then thanked Rotarian Lisa Johnson for her work to orchestrate the fundraising event. Next, Boyer was asked to bring Reifschnieder up front to be inducted into the rotary club. 

“Patrick Reifschnieder, you have been selected by the members of this club to hold an active membership. The principles, responsibilities and obligations of Rotary have been explained to you and you have expressed your willingness to become a Rotarian,” Ogburn began. “No one is eligible to become a Rotarian unless in his business or professional life, he or she endeavors to practice the principles of goodwill and service. The members of this club have invited you to join them because they believe you have already actuated these motives.”

“For the rest of the Rotary year, I would be pleased if you would serve on the membership. Lastly, but by no means least, is our ideal friendship, as you expect to receive, so gain. May you be stimulated by the friendship you find here and may we in return know you to be an added source of strength to our club,” Ogburn said. “It is my privilege and honor to induct you as a member of the Rotary Club of Torrington.”

The induction ceremony concluded with Boyer handing Reifschnieder his Rotary pin and a round of applause. Next, Ogburn moved on to recognizing fellow Rotarian Marilyn Olson. 

“The presentation of Paul Harris Fellowship Recognition is the Rotary Foundation’s way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs,” Ogburn began. “It is named for the Rotary’s founder, a Chicago lawyer who started our organization with three business associates in 1905. A world of peace and goodwill comes closer to reality today as Marilyn becomes a Paul Harris Fellow. Marilyn’s gift of $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation’s educational and humanitarian program is a commitment to peace and to a better life for people Marilyn and the membership of the club will never be able to meet,” Ogburn continued. 

“Marilyn, it gives me great pleasure to present you with the emblems of appreciation given to all Paul Harris Fellow a certificate and pin. We congratulate you and we thank you for your commitment to the programs of the Rotary Foundation. Paul Harris said, ‘He who tries to find the good in others will be rewarded, for others will surely find the good in him. Of all the earth’s sad and lonesome creatures, the most helpless is he who loves not his fellowman.’ Please rise and join me in recognizing our new Paul Harris Fellow, Marilyn,” Ogburn concluded. 

Next, Ogburn moved on to Rotarian formalities such as the Queen of Spades where the money raised goes towards Rotarian scholarships. The club also participated in their “happy basket,” another opportunity for the club to raise money for humanitarian efforts. Many members provided a small donation and a reason to be happy such as the Lingle-Ft. Laramie Doggers placing third at state basketball and appreciation for outstanding sports coverage by the local radio station. Kuddos were given to all area youth who participated in sporting events throughout the county.

Ogburn then moved on to the business portion of the meeting where Ogburn presented the finance report to the club members noting funds from the fundraiser held on Friday had not been accounted for. Kim Evezich stated she was unsure if the club had received the distribution of rec board funds or not. It was noted there were membership dues passed due. After a brief discussion a motion was made to send all Rotary members a copy of the financial reports and board meeting minutes from each meeting, the motion was then seconded and the motion carried. A motion was also made to accept the finance report which carried by vote also. 

Ogburn next called for committee reports where it was reported four new members had been inducted since 2024 and two more members might be interested in joining the satellite group. The satellite group reported they have partnered with Compass Home Healthcare to provide respite care and grants are being completed for the process. During the foundation report Britt Marsh reported on the Paul Harris Fellowship.

Next, the club heard from the project committee where it was noted concrete had been poured near Jirdon Park. It was noted the club did not receive any funding from the rec board to continue or improve the walking path project.  

“We’re not getting any funding for the coming year. Our $50,000 a year that we’ve been getting is not going to happen this coming year,” Tim Pieper reported. “We do have a grant writer at Eastern Wyoming College and she is going to get a grant from WYDOT and if that’s successful, we can get up to $1.5 million so we’re hoping that might go through. Other than that, if we have any leftover money in our budget, we could put that for it.”

Pieper noted last year the club did improvements on the existing walking path. 

“So, the splash pad project, as you know got derailed by the city to help them with the kids’ pool. That money that was going to go to the splash pad went to the kids’ pool. I wasn’t particularly happy with that but stuff happens,” Pieper said. 

Next, Boyer provided an update on the wellness center. 

“The wellness center is going to have another meeting in April and I think that everyone who’s been involved in those meetings already, on that email list, but if anyone else wants to be at the wellness center and isn’t on that email list, let me or anyone else know and we’ll get you there,” Boyer said. “As a follow up to what Tim was saying, we gave the city that money that was going to go for the splash pad to let them fix their kiddie pool. They’ve got big financial needs to keep their outdoor pool going. I think the mayor and city council folks are very happy with Rotary’s willingness to help them with their needs.” 

“We’re talking now about formally getting the city to agree to let us, if we can get the funding, to use the 13 acre site that the city owns right across the highway from McDonald’s, right over the overpass from the elementary schools, which all the people that are involved I think suggest is a good workable location for a wellness center with an indoor pool,” Boyer continued to explain. “After school programing for kids and the ability to do medically related rehab for the folks at the nursing home of the hospital, at the pool and to have all kinds of athletic events and some public relations or public meeting space too. Anyway, that meeting will be in April and the tentative plan is we’re going to set up a formal joint powers board being quasi-governmental entity that is permitted to itself own property and to borrow money.”

Boyer hopes to also welcome Eastern Wyoming College, the prison and other governmental agencies to jointly own the new wellness center, should funding be available. 

“Then we can start working on the process to, once we have the parcel set up, then reverse engineer what we can afford to build on that and decide how and when to get that built and then start,” Boyer explained. “The important thing, I think at this point is, then we’ve got to have a big public relations effort to get people excited and interested and kind of keep that excitement going and kind of push that wellness center project forward.”

Next, the literacy committee reported third graders continue to receive dictionaries in three counties. It was further reported next year; the club may want to consider adding Platte County home schooled students to those who receive a copy. The committee also reported the books for babies’ program had been discontinued although the club has about a three-months supply. 

Ogburn then noted the changing of the gavel ceremony will be held in June and currently there are no nominees for president-elect. 

“Our bylaws have a couple of provisions that were required to slate officers, nominees if you will, to have been provided before the annual meeting and have a point of that notice to have been given,” John Maier explained. “They are specifically article three, section one and article five, section one and the only way around that, to allow us to at least continue with our officers to be the secretary, Kim [Evezich] and the treasurer Todd [Peterson] would be unanimous consent by motion to waive those provisions for this particular election.”

A motion was made to waive the provisions which carried by vote. Ogburn next listed the slate of officers.

“We will have for next year at the changing of gavel ceremony, your president will be Lisa Johnson. Your president-elect will be Cristine Braddy. We are still looking for president-elect nominees. Your secretary will be Kim Evezich and your treasurer will be Todd Peterson,” Ogburn said. “Can I have a motion to accept the slate of officers?”

A motion was quickly made, seconded and the motion to accept the officers carried by vote followed by a motion to adjourn the meeting.