On the 27th, Rotarian J. D. Murphy will introduce our speaker, Dr. Kurt Fausch. Dr. Fausch is a fisheries ecologist who spent a career studying how fish make a living in streams, and how streams are linked to their riparian forests. He received his B.S. in Zoology from the University of Minnesota, and his M.S. and Ph.D in Fisheries Ecology from Michigan State University. In this talk he crosses boundaries of countries, cultures, and scientific disciplines to explore why healthy, connected rivers are essential for fish, and humans, and how we can conserve them
Kurt Fausch is a professor emeritus in the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at Colorado State University, where he taught for 35 years. His research collaborations in stream ecology and fish conservation have taken him throughout Colorado and the West, and worldwide, including to Hokkaido in northern Japan. His experiences were chronicled in the PBS documentary RiverWebs, and the 2015 book For the Love of Rivers: A Scientist’s Journey, which won the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award. He received lifetime achievement awards from the American Fisheries Society, the World Council of Fisheries Societies, and Fly Fishers International, and served as the acting director of the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology at Colorado State University.
March 20, Past President Jeanne Fangman inducted our two newest members: Don Jorgensen (sponsored by Stacy Plemmons) and Meghana Bhatnager (sponsored by Mara Johnson). Dr. Jorgensen is a recently retired Orthodontist, and a returning Rotarian, having been a member of RCFC many years ago. Meghana is a vice president with Adams Bank and a member of the Satellite fellowship.
Jason Paiz, a transfer from the Loveland Mountain View Rotary Club, gave a very short New Member talk and was awarded his blue badge. He is a satellite member sponsored by Andy Stewart.
John Roberts (RCFC member and past president, 2005 – 06) regaled us with highlights of his trip (with his friend Kathleen) around the world from December, 2017, through May, 2018. His cruise on the maiden voyage of a new Viking Cruise Line ship started in Miami, FL, and, going the opposite direction from Phileas Fogg, ended in London, England. The ship had some 930 passengers and some 437 staff, so it was by no means a huge cruise liner. During a voyage of 34,715 miles, they experienced only one day of rain, but did experience 50-foot waves south of Australia.
He started his presentation by outlining the itinerary. Countries/ports visited, in order, included Cuba, Jamaica (Bob Marley was proud), Panama (and the Panama Canal), Costa Rica, Mexico, Los Angeles (the local Target store loved it), Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, New Zealand, the east coast of Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, China (Shanghai), Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, India, Oman, the Red Sea (both the Bab al-Mandeb Straight and the Suez Canal), Jordan, Egypt, Italy, Algeria, Spain, Portugal, and London. This was followed by a slide show with some 100 slides, presented in order of visitation, showing high points of the trip.
Finally, John summarized his impressions from the trip. In spite of the huge diversity of languages, English is the most common language. Of the religions of the various cultures, it seems that Christianity is losing ground (many churches in Europe are now museums) whereas Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism are growing. Globalization is seen mostly as a benefit, with all ships going up on a rising tide. The influence of China is extensive and growing, on the one hand building infrastructure but on the other hand increasingly developing surveillance of the Big Brother type. China may be over-built, but loans are available, there are hundreds of 130 story buildings, and bullet trains cross the country. The current Chinese building spree follows a long history of mega-projects, including the Great Wall, the Yangtze to Yellow River Canal, and the recently completed Three Gorges Dam with its huge electrical generation capacity. This compares with an erosion in respect for the U.S., arising at least in part from actions of our own government, our internal polarization, and our gun culture. There is a widespread loss of trust in the U.S.
On the light side (or, at least, the ironic side), John pointed out that there were a number of people on this round-the-world cruise who were serious members of the Flat Earth Society.
Rotary Club of Fort Collins was chartered August 1, 1918, and this year celebrates 100 Years of Rotary In Fort Collins.
Club Information
Welcome to our Club!
Meetings: Wednesday Noon
Drake Center (Lunch)
802 West Drake Road
Fort Collins,
CO 80526 United States
Larry Salmen gave an update from the Peach Festival Committee. They have identified 70 companies to contact for sponsorship. Ted Cluett said their goal is $100K in sponsors. Added encouragement from Mara Johnson for members to step up.
Sally Lee outlined the changes in using the King Soopers card. Members need to sign up online for the new KS loyalty card. Details next week.
Lloyd Thomas announced that the deadline for applications for RYLA and Young RYLA will be April first. Students can apply simply by going online at: www.rmryla.org and clicking on "How to Apply" in the left-hand margin. The interviews for all applicants will take place during the first two weeks of May.
Melanie Chamberlain announced that the District 5440 Spring Assembly and Rotary Foundation Dinner will be held April 6 at the Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne. To register go to https://rotary5440.org/event/spring-district-assembly-1/
Foothills Rotary is planning a Corn Hole tournament April 27 and are looking for players and sponsors. For details see https://www.fcfoothillsrotary.com/
The Rotary Clubs of Fort Collins are sponsoring a Peace Initiative Speaker Series. The first is a special presentation at CSU’s Lory Student Center Grand Ballroom on Tuesday, April 9, from 6-8 p.m. Cost is $15 for adults, $10 for students. Contact Larry Salmen Larry.salmen@gmail.com (RCFC) or J.J. Shaw (Breakfast Club) for tickets.
Jeanne Fangman announced that the April 17 meeting will be an evening meeting. It is our annual Service Above Self Recognition event. If you wish to nominate anyone for an award, please contact Jeanne by March 1.
Melanie Chamberlain announced the club now had its own storage facility. Members harboring appropriate materials for our archives should contact Melanie or Bonnie.
John Roberts announced the Global Village Museum‘s new exhibit, “Russia in Retrospect”. Six special programs are scheduled during the 3-5 month run.
Michael Stradt announced a planned Fellowship Committee outing to see “Wicked” in Denver sometime before Memorial Day. Interested, see Mike.
Rotaract is trying to establish a community club for those between school and Satellite age, sponsored by all four Rotary clubs. Suggest names to Del Benson.
Rob Marschke asked members to support the 2019 Peach Festival by becoming a Sponsor. Forms were distributed.
All members are encouraged to join the newly established Peace Fellowship. Remember—peace leads to solutions.
Sally Lee urged members to give King Soopers cards as gifts. Talk to her if interested.
Bill Schaffter urges participation in Fort Collins Read Aloud. For information, go to Fortcollinsreadaloud.org.
Marty Bachman reminds all to report special occasions/events/illness that the Care and Recognition Committee should acknowledge. Call Marty, Melanie Chamberlain, or JeanneFangman.
On the 27th, Rotarian J. D. Murphy will introduce our speaker, Dr. Kurt Fausch. Dr. Fausch is a fisheries ecologist who spent a career studying how fish make a living in streams, and how streams are linked to their riparian forests. He received his B.S. in Zoology from the University of Minnesota, and his M.S. and Ph.D in Fisheries Ecology from Michigan State University. In this talk he crosses boundaries of countries, cultures, and scientific disciplines to explore why healthy, connected rivers are essential for fish, and humans, and how we can conserve them
March 20, Past President Jeanne Fangman inducted our two newest members: Don Jorgensen (sponsored by Stacy Plemmons) and Meghana Bhatnager (sponsored by Mara Johnson). Dr. Jorgensen is a recently retired Orthodontist, and a returning Rotarian, having been a member of RCFC many years ago. Meghana is a vice president with Adams Bank and a member of the Satellite fellowship. 
Jason Paiz, a transfer from the Loveland Mountain View Rotary Club, gave a very short New Member talk and was awarded his blue badge. He is a satellite member sponsored by Andy Stewart.
John Roberts (RCFC member and past president, 2005 – 06) regaled us with highlights of his trip (with his friend Kathleen) around the world from December, 2017, through May, 2018. His cruise on the maiden voyage of a new Viking Cruise Line ship started in Miami, FL, and, going the opposite direction from Phileas Fogg, ended in London, England. The ship had some 930 passengers and some 437 staff, so it was by no means a huge cruise liner. During a voyage of 34,715 miles, they experienced only one day of rain, but did experience 50-foot waves south of Australia. 
