I’m proud to report that our six committee chairs met or exceeded their goals: Membership (Mark Condon), Public Image (Margrit Kehmeier), Interact (Gary Sumner), Scholarships (Kristine Beach), Foundation (Don Burch), and Projects (Joey Meyer). Our club welcomed ten new members—more than 50% growth—and strengthened connections across the Cedaredge community, including partnerships with the Town of Cedaredge, Delta County Schools, Delta county Libraries, the Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center, the Surface Creek Valley Historical Society, the Grand Mesa Business Guild, local business leaders, and area veterans.

Our communications efforts also expanded significantly. We launched a new website (www.cedaredgerotary.org), enhanced our ClubRunner presence, shared more than 90 social media posts, and published over three dozen newspaper articles highlighting Rotary’s impact.

Our Interact Club at Cedaredge High School mirrored this momentum, growing by more than 50%. We also placed 49 children’s dictionaries into the hands of every third grader at Cedaredge Elementary.

Fundraising remained a cornerstone of our success. Through our 33rd Annual Summer Scramble Golf Tournament and Raffle, Applefest (where we sold 960 slices of apple pie), and our Annual Community Christmas Dinner serving over 400 meals, we raised $50,000 to support our mission. These funds enabled us to award five graduating seniors $32,000 in scholarships and provide an additional $4,000 in Student-of-the-Month recognitions. I give kudos to our Club Treasurer Mike Jakulewicz, Club Secretary Don Ranta, and Sergeant-at-arms Dave Pipkin. Without these leaders, our club would not have excelled at this level.

We proudly supported 13 nonprofits in the Surface Creek Valley, including the local food pantry, Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center, the animal shelter, and Partners, a countywide youth mentoring program.

Our service projects reflected both heart and purpose. We dedicated Richard Udd Park in honor of our beloved past Foundation president and Rotarian of the Year, Richard Udd, who died unexpectedly on June 29, 2025. We "Spruce up Colorado" by adopting and picking up trash along 2 miles of Scenic Byway 65 on the Grand Mesa, and enhanced the Stolte Shed at Pioneer Town with new kitchen equipment for the Surface Creek Historical Society.

Participation across our membership was outstanding. As Club President, I could not be more proud of the engagement and commitment shown by our club members. We will celebrate these accomplishments and recognize individual contributions at our 5th Tuesday Italian potluck on June 30, 2026, honoring awards such as Rotarian of the Year, Service Above Self, and Avenues of Service.

Looking ahead, we will continue our traditions of service—distributing 400 American flags, representing Rotary at our town's July 4 parade in celebration of America’s 250th birthday, and hosting our 34th Annual Summer Scramble Golf Tournament on August 15, 2026, themed “America 250–Colorado 150.”

As I pass the gavel to President-Elect Mark Condon on July 7, 2026, I do so with deep gratitude. Mark brings a powerful vision for the year ahead, including the launch of the Rotary Business Builder program to recognize outstanding local businesses. I look forward to supporting him and our growing membership as we continue to serve Cedaredge.

In closing, our year has been defined by a shared commitment to Service Above Self—not simply as a motto, but as a daily practice in how we serve our neighbors and one another. Guided by the Objects of Rotary and the Avenues of Service, we have strengthened fellowship, advanced community needs, supported youth, and upheld the highest ethical standards in all that we do. Through the Rotary Four-Way Test—asking what is true, fair, goodwill-building, and beneficial to all—we have remained grounded in integrity and purpose. As Rotarians, we are also mindful of our member code of conduct, striving always to act with respect, inclusivity, and accountability.

The Rotary Club of Cedaredge remains steadfast in its commitment to these principles. Together, we will continue to grow, lead, and serve—making a lasting difference in our community and beyond.

Thanks for all you do at the District level to guide and support our efforts here in Cedaredge. Sarah Bishop, our Assistant Governor, has proven to be an indispensable resource to me this year as I did my best in my new role.