The traveling journalists included Aaron Hedge, news, who is a Colorado native and currently a Junior seeking a degree in Technical Journalism. He wanted to come out of Iowa with “a more comprehensive understanding of the democratic process ….”and says he was definitely able to do this through attending the Democratic Caucus and special events.

Brandon Iwamoto, photojournalist, who is also a native to Colorado and a Sophomore seeking a Technical Journalism degree went with the belief that “American politics are beyond reform.” He will share many of the moments he captured of the caucus culture at the events leading up to the caucus including the Presidential rallies and the Campaign offices.

Erik Myers, news, is not only a native to Colorado but also a native to Fort Collins. He is a Sophomore majoring in Technical Journalism. When asked about his experience he expressed his enjoyment in meeting people and getting a feel for the political landscape at the Republican Caucus and special events. He couldn’t believe how energetic the grass roots supporters were toward their candidates and how much time they were willing to dedicate to support their particular candidate.

Sean Reed, editorials and Dave McSwane, editor-in-chief, also attended the caucuses but were unable to present at our meeting today.

"Political democracy, as it exists and practically works in America, with all its threatening evils, supplies a training school for making first-class men. It is life’s gymnasium, not of good only, but of all." -- Walt Whitman, Democratic Vistas (1871)

Rural / Urban Committee

Glenn Schmidt

1. Recognize contributions of the rural community to the quality of urban life as well as to the important economic, environmental and cultural contributions by:
           a. Annually recognizing an outstanding farm/ranch individual or family who has made a significant contribution to the community with the "Master Agriculturist" award. The club awards a Paul Harris Fellowship in the name of the recipient.
           b. Annually recognize an individual or company not directly involved in agriculture production, who nevertheless contributes to the betterment of the rural community, with the "Service to Agriculture" award.
           c. Annually award in scholarships to Laramie County 4-H youth.
2. Make the recognitions and awards at a Rotary Club meeting in late January or early February. The program will also include a speaker who discusses a topic of interest to both rural and urban citizens.
3. Schedule at least one additional speaker to discuss an important and topical agricultural/rural issue at a club meeting.
4. Be responsible for the agriculture heritage and education activities at the Martinez Farm.
5. Be responsible for ongoing club support to the Children’s Garden at Spring Creek Park

Members can find information about all committees by visiting the online list of all of the club's committees on the web at: FC Rotary Club Committees

"Temple Grandin does not romanticize autism. If Temple is profoundly different from most of us, she is no less human for being so, but, rather human in another way. Thinking in Pictures is a deeply moving and fascinating book because it provides a bridge between our world and hers, and allows us a glimple into a quite other sort of mind." -- Dr. Oliver Sacks

Johnnie Matsushima

Dr. Temple Grandin

John Matsushima introduced a fellow CSU Animal Science colleague and friend, Dr. Temple Grandin as our speaker.  Dr. Grandin has been at CSU since 1990 and teaches a course in Livestock Handling, but is nationally and internationally known for her livestock handling designs and for her books on her life as a person with autism.

Temple spoke a little about her life as an autistic person, but most of the presentation was about two aspects of autism.  First, she said that the term autism is a broad spectrum of behaviors from very mild to very severe, what she calls the autistic continuum.  Secondly she was adamant about how individuals with autism should be taught, mentored and helped.  Since autistic individuals tend to have a very strong interest, are fixated on, or have a high skill level in one area, that area should be used to build skills in their weaker areas.  For example, she described herself as a strong visual thinker and weaker in other areas, like social skills and detailed subjects like algebra.

She answered questions about whether the numbers of autistic people in our society is growing, the causes of autism, how to recognize autism and types of interventions.  Even with fairly lengthly answers, Temple just scratched the surface of these areas and in answering the questions she often referred to one of her books, “Thinking in Pictures”.  For members who are interested in following up on this subject, the book is excellent and has the following pertinent chapters:  Autism and Visual Thought, Diagnosing Autism, Sensory Problems in Autism, Emotion and Autism, Developing Autistic Talent, Medications and New Treatments, Autism and Relationships, etc.  The book also has an excellent forward by one of her mentors and friends, Dr. Oliver Sacks.

The Fort Collins library has several copies of this book and others by Dr. Grandin and I am sure that the CSU library has several copies.

Warren and Genny Garst Wildlife Collection at CSU Click here or on the "tiger."

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Copyright © by Warren Garst, Lannie Boyd and Alan Ashbaugh for the Rotary Club of Fort Collins, Colorado, January 2, 2008