April 4, 2024
Meeting Summary
Presiding: Randi Downham
Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan & Team
Inspiration:
Professor’s Quote: George Gill
Foundation Flash:
Introduction of Guests: Dave Hansen
Guests: Sarah Brown Mathews introduced Charlie DeWolf.
Visiting Rotarians:
Junior Rotarians/RYLA/Young RYLA/Exchange Students: Taylor
Rotaract/Interact Students:
Humor:
Foundation Drawing: Eric Feuerstein won $10 with $1,026 in the jackpot.
O’Dwyers Drawing: George Gill
Announcements:
- Don’t forget to volunteer to work the greeting table!
- Randi Downham invited members to update/check their info on the Laramie Rotary website.
- Dave Hansen will be sharing Tuesday Tidbits about Rotary.
- Dave Hansen noted that Read to Feed is starting up. We need business sponsors to raise $2,500 for the schools.
- Anna Cramer reminded the club that United Way of Albany County and the UW College of Business is running the free tax program, if you know of anyone that could benefit.
- Anna Cramer told the club there will be a renter’s rights meeting on April 15. More details will be provided by email.
- Tom Mangan announced that the MS Walk is June 1 in Cheyenne. You can donate toward the Rotary team and sign up to walk.
Rotarian of the Week:
Special Presentation: President Randi presented Taylor with her Junior Rotarian certificate.
Keith Rittle became a blue badge!
Tim Sullivan celebrated a birthday with a donation to the club foundation.
Songs: Happy Birthday, The Happy Wanderer
Program: Pilot Hill Update, Sarah Brown Mathews
Introduction: Keith Rittle
Sarah Brown Mathews provided an update and a trailhead sneak peek for the club. Pilot Hill has made tremendous strides since it opened. In 2023, 150,000 visits were recorded by trail counters.
The goals of Pilot Hill are to protect the Casper aquifer, to conserve critical habitat and viewscapes, to enhance recreation and site base education opportunities, and to mitigate tensions between locals and non-local visitors.
For the recreation area, the regulations include: it is open year-round, it is a non-motorized area, no camping or fires, pack out waste and dog waste, and have your dog under voice control. For the wildlife habitat, visitors can access it seasonally, pets must be on a leash, and it is available only by foot or horseback.
There is a statewide effort to better conserve open spaces. Pilot Hill is used by all types of groups, schools, individuals, and more. UW uses it for research.
Twenty+ miles of new trail have been added to the existing 14 miles. Ten more miles will be added over the summer.
Pilot Hill is estimated to bring in an additional $5 million in revenue to Laramie and Wyoming. Its projects have $2 million more in private investments. It has helped with employee recruiting and new business creation.
Trail 1 and Janey’s trail (named after John Evans’ late wife) are universally accessible trails. Trail 10 is under project completion. It is a top to bottom trail for multi-use.
Pilot Hill has also been working on wayfinding signs/maps, benches, and picnic areas.
The next big project is a trailhead off Willett Drive. It will be functional with the elegance of a city park. It is expected to open in 2025 or 2026. The trailhead will have a main shelter with windbreaks and picnic areas. It will have restrooms and a water fountain.
The southern area will have a gathering space, bike parking/repair area, tables and benches, and kinetic sculptures. It is designed to be a reflective space.
The northern area will have an amphitheater, stone bridge, plant identification, and horse trail access.
Response: Anna Cramer
‘Response: The Rotary Club of Laramie will make a donation to the public library children’s book fund in the speaker’s name.
NOTE: We Do Not Donate a Book!
Rotary 4-way test
Of the things we think, say, or do:
•Is it the Truth?
•Is it Fair?
•Will it build Good Will and
Better Friendships?
•Will it be Beneficial to All
Concerned?
April Birthdays: Chad Witte, Megan Goetz, and Tim Sullivan
Rotary Anniversaries: Sarah Brown Mathews (2 years), Craig Cook (10 years), Doug Faus (10 years), Raj Patel (16 years), Dustin Richards (11 years), Ollie Walter (18 years), Caitlin White (10 years), Murray Schroeder (13 years), and Randi Downham (13 years).
Like us on Facebook! 
Website: laramierotaryclub.org
Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org