Left Hand Valley Courier - All Local, All The Time

It was a night of full of laughter, full bellies, and good cheer. The Rotary Club club of Niwot, along with over 200 guests, celebrated the ninth annual Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate Extravaganza at the Longmont Museum on Saturday, May 18.

Ron Grunzweig, this year’s President of Niwot Rotary, has been coming to the group’s marquee event for nine years, and said, “It’s the most successful event that has been done. I want to thank Lucky’s Market for supporting us for the past several years for the food and cheese. And let’s not forget the wine distributor who provided us with the delicious wines from around the world. [Moreover,] I wish to thank all of those who contributed to our Silent and Live Auction.”

One of the highlights for everyone was when Bruce “Biff” Warren was honored with the 2019 Niwot Community Achievement Award. Doug Montgomery, next year’s rotary president, said, “There is no one in the Niwot community more deserving than Biff Warren to be the recipient of this year’s award.”

This year’s fundraiser recipients, Pearl and Colorado Friendship, could not have been more pleased. Valerie Whatley, the executive director of Pearl, thanked the Niwot club for “raising awareness about Pearl and what we do.” Prior to the event, many guests were unfamiliar with the Longmont organization that supports and educates single parent families in our community.

Likewise, Ron Vejrostek, board member of Colorado Friendship, said, “We’d like to thank the Niwot Rotary because it helps raise money and awareness of our non-profit organization and its programs.”

Eve Weglarz, the program manager for IncrEdibles stated, “Most people don’t realize that our food program distributes over 540 bags of food to students in the St. Vrain Valley School District per week. We’d like to thank the Niwot Rotary for their amazing outpouring of support. We look forward to expanding our efforts at Colorado Friendship to help those in need.”

Pat Engstrom, last year’s chapter president, said of the evening, “It was a complete success that well exceeded the funds raised in last year’s event.”

Niwot Rotary certainly lives up to its motto, “Service Above Self.”

Anyone interested in learning more about Niwot Rotary or would like to become a member, should visit niwotrotary.org. You also come by at 7:30 a.m. every Thursday morning at the Left Hand Grange for a free breakfast. All are welcome!