Windsor's Boardwalk Park

We were almost overwhelmed with the number of guests and members that attended last Thursday’s meeting. That is the kind of problem we like to see and will deal with it as it happens. Guests included: Kathy Langan, potential member; Dr. Dave Squicquero, husband of new member Sandi Squicquero: Meg Murphy, John Patton and Bobbi Thorson, all guests of Dave Thiemann; and Kristen Bernhardt, guest of Jody Niswender. We were also pleased to have visiting Rotarian Tom Haison from the Downtown Ft. Collins Club.

Kristi Benningsdorf announced that the next Senior Cake Day will be Wednesday, December 12. She will be e-mailing members to get volunteers for pies and cakes. President Ardin announced that Ray Keslin has agreed to fill in as Secretary for Dorothy Simmons who will be enjoying fun and sun in Mexico for three months starting in January.

PROGRAM
Dave Thiemann introduced Melissa Chew, Windsor Parks and Recreation Director who gave us an update on the plans and progress for Boardwalk Park. She passed around a sketch plan showing what the park will look like when finished. Amenities will include a swimming beach, grassed amphitheater, sand volleyball courts, parking, Pioneer Village, museums, and considerable landscaping. Melissa said that they had applied for a grant from the Great Outdoors Colorado (your Colorado Lottery funds at work), but just learned that the project was not recommended for approval. The grant application included playground equipment, landscaping, shelter(s), and a bath house. A local government grant for a smaller amount is expected to be submitted in March.

Melissa said the old Town Hall is being renovated into an art and heritage museum. To date, the Town of Windsor has spent over $8 million on the amenities around the lake. Grand re-opening of the park is scheduled for June, 2008, after we all have the opportunity to help lay three acres of sod in the amphitheater.

QUIZ
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. is credited with convincing doctors, nurses and health care people to wash their hands frequently. You don’t want to know how he came to the conclusion…it will ruin your lunch.

Next Question: In the old west, this person was assigned the job of prodding cattle with a stick during a cattle drive to keep them from lying down where they would likely die. This lead to a well known nickname….what is it?

Eagle Crossing Plans

We were pleased to welcome Sandi Squicquero as our newest member. We also had Keith Oleszewski as a guest. President Ardin announced that in addition to canceling the meeting on Thanksgiving, the board had voted to cancel the meeting on December 27 as it was felt that attendance would be very low. President Ardin also reminded the club that elections will be held in December and encouraged members to voice their interest in serving in one of the offices or serving on the Board of Directors.

PROGRAM
Our program for the week was Jim Jensen who is the Marketing director for Water Valley Land Company. Jim is a former Denver Bronco, having played on the team during its first Super Bowl appearance.

Jensen told us that the Water Valley Land Co. (WVLC) owns or has developed 4,000 acres in the area. The company is headed by Martin Lind who is a fifth generation farmer in the Windsor area. The first part of Water Valley has 900 homes with an 18-hole golf course. He noted that the golf course has more shoreline than any golf course in the country owing to its proximity to the lakes and the Cache la Poudre River. Water Valley South currently has 500 homes.

The thrust of the talk was about the proposed Eagle Crossing development which consists of 180 acres. Jensen said that the streets, curb, gutter and utilities are installed. He said that the area is destined to become the “Main Street” of Northern Colorado. Some of the other amenities in the area are the Budweiser Center, an embassy suites Hotel, a twin commercial-office tower complex that is to be built and a projected retail center. Talks are underway to develop a business park adjacent to the airport which he considers a win-win for everyone.

QUIZ
The term “Uncle Sam” came into being in 1812. A man named Sam Wilson owned a meat packing plant and sold salted meat to the Army. Barrels of the brined pork and beef were labeled U. S. indicating that the provisions were government owned. When a young guard was asked what the initials meat, he looked over at Sam Wilson and guessed, “Uncle Sam, Sir.” “Uncle Sam who?” asked the man. “Uncle Sam Wilson, of course,” responded the soldier. “That’s who Uncle Sam is.” The rest, as they say, is history.

Next Question: Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. father of the Supreme Court Justice was a great writer, physician, and professor. He is credited with a medical procedure that has saved countless lives. What is it?

Windsor Community Foundation

President Ardin Wright announced that our meal will be served by Main Street Grill next week as the caterer that we have had for the last year has gone out of business. The meeting was attended by all members last week. No guests, no visiting Rotarians. Even our program was provided by a member.

Chris Leffler told of the overwhelming success of the recent Literacy Fair held at Skyview Elementary School. The group planned for 100 families but 123 families attended. Chris estimates that we served 350 to 400 people that night. Great job Chris.

PROGRAM
The program was presented by Dave Thiemann who is on the Board of Directors of the Windsor Community Foundation. He gave the club a briefing on the foundation.

Dave told us that the Foundation is affiliated with the Greeley-Weld Community Foundation. The Foundation works to help donors find ways to give back to their community. He said they seek projects that fund real community needs. The largest project that the Foundation worked on is the current Windsor Family Recreation Center. The Foundation ahs also recently helped set up a scholarship in the name of Christopher Mansfield. The Christopher Mansfield Scholarship is for Windsor High School Students.

When asked. “How does one donate?” Dave said, “Any way you want to.” Some of the more popular methods are planned gifts and estate gifts. The gifts can be in the form of cash, securities, real estate, and life insurance. For more information on the program, visit www.greeleyweldcomfound.org.

QUIZ
Answer to last week’s question: Merrill was born Nedenia Marjorie Hutton the only child of Post Cereals heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and her second husband, Wall Street Stock Broker, E. F. Hutton.

Next question: Who was “Uncle Sam”?