Last night (November 10th) the third Annual Rocky Mountain Field Institute Fall Social went off without a hitch thanks to your attendance and good spirits! This event is designed to bring together and thank all the volunteers, funders, partners and field staff that made 2011 such a success.

We'd also like to give special thanks to Garden of the Gods Visitors Center for providing the venue (gardenofgods.com), La'au's Tacos for providing food (www.laaustacoshop.com), Picnic Basket Catering for desert (www.pbcatering.com), Coaltrain Wine and Spirits for a keg (www.coaltrainwine.com), Craft Lager Fest for some great Warning Sign Beer (www.craftlagerfestival.com) and some killer bluegrass by the Mitgaurds (www.themitguards.com). Without your help the Social would just have not been the same.

After an hour and a half or so of socialization, eating, drinking and listening to music the collection of volunteers, RMFI community partners, board members, employees, friends and family were shepherded into the theater. Those in attendance heard from Executive Director Becky Reed, Program Director Joe Lavorini and Board President Ian Kalmanowitz about the goings on of this successful year.

Honors were given to two 'super' superstar volunteers, Travis Clawson, who works at the Air Force Academy, and Terry Deaton, a member of Trout Unlimited, for their strong positive influence on RMFI as volunteers. Bob and Elly Hostetler, president Ian Kalmanowitz and Kurt Schroeder, the Parks Operations and Development Manager for the City of Colorado Springs, were also awarded honors for their continuing support and philanthropy concerning RMFI. The presentation was followed by a lively five minute slide show of photos from the past year.

Other event highlights included an Indy Give station that earned RMFI a whopping $650 on the night, bumping us from 5th to 3rd in the Environmental Category. Several pictures from the year that were just begging for humorous captions. As well as advertisement for the upcoming Environmental Symposium entitled “The Greed Toolbox” that will be held at the CC campus this coming Tuesday (see calender for details).

An extra special thanks goes out to Sydney Leichliter, one of our CC work study interns, for her tireless work getting donations and planning the event. Thanks to all those who came and helped out we hope to see you again next year!