Visit Our Club
We meet In Person
Tuesdays at 12:00 p.m.
Indian Creek Country Club
2401 Indian Creek Road
Marion, IA 52302
United States of America
Please R.S.V.P. to Cindy if you plan to join us for lunch. cindy@classictax.net
Speakers
Frank Fowler, Vice President, SmartBurn LLC
Apr 02, 2024
Wind Power Generation in Iowa and the U.S.
Sydney Rieckhoff, CEO and Co-Owner
Apr 09, 2024
Almost Famous Popcorn
Vanessa Christenson
Apr 16, 2024
V and Co Life Coaching
Phil Wasta, Executive Director, MedQuarter
Apr 23, 2024
MedQuarter Update & Future Plans
Community Events and Information
 

Welcome to Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary

Profile photo of Frank Fowlerimage
 
From Linked In..........
 
SmartBurn, LLC (formerly the Combustion Services Business Unit of RMT, Inc.) is a leading technical company engaged in improving coal-fired power generation fleet operations. SmartBurn® provides high-level technical consulting for coal-fired generation performance improvement as well as designs, develops, and supports the implementation of customized high-performance NOx and generation improvement projects. In addition, SmartBurn represents, markets, and supports the implementation of projects utilizing selected technologies developed, demonstrated, and proven in China (e.g., HBC/RBC burners, plasma igniters, lower cost SO2 scrubbers) and the United States (flue gas water and heat recovery).
 
We hope you can join us at noon on Tuesday at the Indian Creek Country Club, to hear what Frank has to say!
 
Please RSVP to Cindy by 9:00 AM Monday.  Here is an email link.
 
When the sirens sounds be reminded it is time for Siren Wednesday on Thursday. We will again meet on Thursday, April 4 at The Edison Pub and Eatery, 476 Northland Ave. NE for "Siren Wednesday" beginning around 5:00 PM where we gather for conversation, beverage and if you would like, you can order dinner. This is an informal get-together to relax. We're usually finished by 7:00 unless the conversation is too engaging. We also encourage you to include any friends and family so bring them along.
 
Erik Miles
Colten Jourdan
from www.reconroof.com........

A proud native of Cedar Rapids is also where Colten currently resides with his fiancee Meagan and with his two Gold Doodles: Harlow and Maizey.  Colten has a Business Administration Degree from Mount Mercy University and an Associate's Degree in Horticulture from Iowa Central Community College. Colten played baseball at both Mount Mercy and ICCC when he attended those schools. Along with those accolades he also has an Associates Degree in Business Management from DMACC. 

Colten likes to lift weights and play baseball, softball, basketball & golf.  Colten also likes to watch Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bulls, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

 
 
Joseph LeValley
 
From the Des Moines Register......
 
Joe LeValley, author of five Iowa-based mystery novels in four years, didn’t set out to write books, but that’s what he’s been doing since retiring in 2018 from a 30-year career as an executive at Iowa’s Mercy Medical Center hospitals.

LeValley’s books are set in the fictional town of Orney, Iowa, and follow the personal and professional life of Tony Harrington, a reporter for the local newspaper, The Town Crier.

From bookpresspublising.com......

Joseph LeValley describes his life as filled with "outrageous good fortune." He is the author of four award-winning mysteries/thrillers. Prior to becoming an author, Joe was a reporter–photographer for daily newspapers for seven years. Subsequently, he served for more than 30 years as a healthcare executive. During that time, he and his team won four national awards for communications excellence.

Also a musician and composer, Joe plays drums and guitar. In 2016, he was inducted with the Mourning Glory Rock Band into the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame. A lifelong Iowan, Joe has a degree in journalism from Drake University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Iowa. He and his wife Jane have six children and live in Dallas County Iowa.

From the Cedar Rapids Gazette:

Most people who know Buzzy Castonguay know he knows a lot about background checks.

Castonguay has worked in the industry since 2002 after a friend introduced him to the work.

'I was coming out of working in church ministry, when a friend asked me to come work with him doing background checks,” he said. 'I didn't plan on doing this very long, but it stuck.”

Having been as a Los Angeles County probation officer back in the 1990s, Castonguay worked with his friend for a while before starting his own background-check company when he moved to Iowa in the early 2000s.

After selling that first background check company, he got out of the business for a few years.

'But people always asked me about it, and when someone finally asked if I'd ever consider getting back in the business, I did,” he recalled.

In 2014, he opened C4 Operations.

'Our advantage is that we have access to a lot more information than the average consumer can access by simply visiting Iowa Courts online, for example,” Castonguay said, noting that they access national records.

C4 has a wide variety of pre-employment and tenant screenings - including sexual offender searches, identity verification, credit reports, county criminal searches, federal court searches, motor vehicle records and drug screenings - for companies and property owners.

'We are big on educating our customers on the information they do or do not need in a background check and help them understand what the reports we provide mean,” he said.

The C4 Operations staff - which includes about 10 employees - works with both large and small businesses across a wide range of industries, from janitorial and manufacturing to education and health care. Castonguay said they have some 3,200 customers nationwide.

'We are helping our customers make a good hire or find a good renter and perhaps avoid some problems down the road. We can help reduce the amounts of headaches in their life,” Castonguay said.

'We don't tell our clients who to hire. We just get the records and the information they need to make a good hiring decision.”

 
 
Carole Bernhard came to Bancroft, her husband’s hometown, after he retired from the Air Force. She attended Rotary, found the precepts resonated with her, and decided to join. She became the Club President a year after joining. In her years in Rotary, she has been an Assistant District Governor, attended an international convention in New Orleans, and now is the District Governor.
 
Thanks for being our speaker, Carole!

February 23, 2024

The Linn County Board of Supervisors has awarded $80,000 in grants from the Linn County Board of Supervisors Witwer Trust Fund to 19 nonprofit organizations whose work benefits Linn County residents, including $1,000 to the Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club for Shoes for Kids. The recipients were selected through an annual competitive grant process that began in November. The Board of Supervisors received more than $500,000 in grant requests with $80,000 in available funds. 

The Witwer Trust was established by Weaver Witwer, a prominent Cedar Rapids grocer and landowner who died in 1979. Mr. Witwer owned and operated a food processing plant, a number of local farms, and what became known as the Me Too grocery stores. 

The Witwer Trust grant cycle begins Nov. 1 of each year. For more information about the Witwer Trust grant program, visit LinnCountyIowa.gov/Witwer.  

Thanks to the Marion Sun for this story.

 
From KCRG.com (Published: Jun. 6, 2022).............
 

IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) - Since 2015, Tyler Sullivan has tried to visit all 99 counties in Iowa. He’s made it to 92.

“I love finding that little hidden gem in every single town in Iowa,” said Sullivan.

A long distance relationship where Sullivan was driving from Iowa City to Mason City, helped spark this idea.

“I would travel that way every other Friday after work and I was driving through counties that I’ve never heard of before like Chickasaw and Bremer. I wondered while I was driving up there one day, I was like there has to be something special about all these counties,” he explained.

For the past four years, he’s decided to run at least a mile in each city on the Iowa road map. He has roughly 130 towns to go. When he visits, he likes to go to museums, diners, or even run in a local road race. His adventures he have made for great stories.

“I remember going to a post office and taking picture of a mural. I take a picture and a guy looked back and goes, ‘I go here every single day and never noticed that mural. Where are you from?’ I told him about my story. He’s like, ‘how’d you know that was there?’”

His goal is to write a poem about each county. Sullivan has self-published two books and has been a poet for 13 years. He hopes that through his experiences, others can appreciate what Iowa has to offer and consider taking their own tour through the Hawkeye State.

“It just feels like life continues to move on really fast, and you just have to enjoy life. That’s why I’m enjoying Iowa. I love seeing people, talking to people, and I just try to inspire people to see more of it,” said Sullivan.

 
The national issue of criminalizing our mentally ill - ABC News
From LinkedIn......
 
Tony is an experienced law enforcement administrator with a demonstrated history of working in law enforcement and in the higher education industry. Skilled in Public Administration, Budgeting, Project Management, Public Safety, Physical Security, Emergency Management, and Law Enforcement. Strong education professional with a Master of Science (MS) degree, focused in Criminal Justice/ Public Administration.
 
His book continues to gain recognition and momentum, now recognized as a #1 Hot New Release on Amazon, and now available in most book stores and retail store outlets.
 
From KCRG.com......
 
Sheriff Tony Thompson is sharing insights on his 30 years in law enforcement. Only this book is strictly on mental illness. It’s called “Anyplace But Here: The Uncomfortable Convergence Between Mental Illness and the Criminal Justice System.”

“This is a problem we can’t arrest our way out of,” he told TV9. “How broken the system really is, how dysfunctional the system really is and how challenged we are every single day with mental health care delivery.”

 
 
uptown street
 
from https://www.cityofmarion.org/............
 
Community Playmaker, a media platform designed to provide news, features, and trends that highlight American communities and civic leaders, names the city of Marion, Iowa as their Community of the Year for 2023. The city of 41,864 residents beat out nearly 100 small, midsize, and large communities that entered the nationwide contest to earn this honor.

The Community of the Year Award is a celebration of cities and the visionary leaders that spark progress. It’s about innovative programs and initiatives that drive economic development, promote community engagement, provide places for residents to work and play, support public safety, amplify the arts and culture, and build open, inclusive, high-quality environments for all citizens.

Communities from around the country submitted entries for the Community of the Year Award. The size of communities ranged from towns with a little more than 1,000 residents to some of America’s largest and most well-known cities, and everything in between.

A panel of experts reviewed each entry with several criteria in mind, including the scope of the “quality-of-life” projects that were launched and the impact of each project, among other items. While we received many tremendous and inspiring entries, one stood above the rest.

“Marion is a great example of what can happen when a community, both its leaders and citizens, cast a vision for a tremendous quality of life for everyone. And the power is not just in the vision, it’s also in the determination Marion leaders showed driving these projects through to completion,” said Ashley Whittaker, editor-in-chief of Community Playmaker. “Through initiatives as diverse as their partnership to build a state-of-the-art YMCA to converting unused alleyways into accessible arts and entertainment space, we are inspired by the work they’ve done and continue to do.”

In 2007, city and business leaders in Marion embarked on a bold path toward enhancing their city. It started with polling residents for their thoughts on how to make Marion a better place. Their responses and conversations in community brainstorming sessions helped civic leaders develop a list of projects that met the needs of the community.

Once ideas were further refined, funding and partnerships were sought for a variety of projects that shape Marion today. These include:

  • A new 75,000-square-foot recreation facility in partnership with the YMCA
  • Uptown Artway- an unused, dumpster-filled back alleyway that was converted into a concert and art venue
  • A state-of-the-art library, which includes a recording studio, teen area, art studio, demonstration kitchen, quilting machine, and 3D printer.

“It is a great honor for our city to be named, ‘Community of the Year,’” said Marion Mayor Nick AbouAssaly. “We are grateful for the recognition as it places Marion on a national stage and endorses our focus on serving residents and giving them the best opportunities for an unequaled quality of life. Marion’s success is hard-earned by an energized team that works together and engages the entire community in moving the city forward.”

Check out our January edition of Community Playmaker to learn more about Marion’s incredible story. 

Kesha Billings, senior planner with the City of Marion’s Community Development Department, was honored for her service to the community during Waypoint’s 42nd annual Tribute to Women of Achievement event. The award was presented on Dec. 5, 2023, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Cedar Rapids.

For the last 16 years, Kesha Billings has been a member of Marion’s Planning Division. She has been involved in the community’s long-range planning, navigated complex annexation processes and spearheaded the development of the City’s trail network.

A grant writer and highly skilled at securing local, state and federal funding, Kesha has received commitments of more than $15 million to support trail development in Marion over the course of her career, according to the City of Marion.

“It is part of our culture to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of our team members,” said Marion City Manager Ryan Waller. “Kesha is passionate about our community, committed to making positive change both personally and professionally.”

Billings obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University in Community and Regional Planning in 2005. She has been a certified planner through the American Planning Association (American Institute of Certified Planners, AICP) since 2010 and she obtained her master’s degree in public administration from Upper Iowa University in 2015.

She is an avid supporter of the Linn County Trails Association, a Tree Keeper with Trees Forever and an active member of the Marion East Cedar Rapids Rotary Club since 2016. Billings and her husband Darin have been married for more than 10 years and are the proud parents of three energetic boys, ages 6, 4 and 18 months. She loves the outdoors, especially biking, hiking and gardening.

Thanks to the City of Marion and the Marion Sun for this information.

This week, we heard from John Wasta, District 5970's Foundation Committee Chair, about ways we can support the Rotary Foundation, as well as how the Rotary Foundation supports us through things like District Grants. 
 
Rotary Rush is December, January, and February.  During those months, a very generous donor in District 5970 would like to use their accumulated points to help you achieve your initial Paul Harris Foundation (PHF) recognition, or help you add an additional PHF Plus recognition, if you are already a PHF.  Also, don't forget that our club will provide a $100 match.
 
Did you know that donors who gave $25-$50 contributed more than $5.1 million to the Foundation in 2020-21?  When every Rotarian gives every year, it makes life changing, sustainable projects possible.
 
Photo
On Thursday September 28th, Marion-East CR Rotary held its annual golf outing at Indian Creek Country Club. This fun event was mostly a traditional 2 person best shot event, tee to green; however, when you were putting, everything changed, and the real "fun?" began!
 
The weather, the company, the food, and the prizes were all fantastic!  Thanks to all that participated and thanks to the hole sponsors!  And a special thanks to Cindy Shipley for organizing the event!
 
On Saturday, September 23rd, our club participated in a service project that used awarded district grant money. We planted 20 trees at Prairie Hill Park in Marion. The city dug the holes, and we helped put the trees in the holes and spread mulch around the trees. 
 
 
Thanks to City Staff for showing us the right way to plant the trees!
 
 
 
Thank you to everyone that came out and helped plant trees!  We had them all planted in about two hours.
And thanks to Seth for making sure we had the "temporary" grill ready for us to use. We got to break-in the new grill at the pavilion. Although it was windy, Cindy did manage to get a fire going, so that we could enjoy some hamburgers and hot dogs and a little bit of social time.
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
Congratulations for another great Rotary year everyone,
 
The event was held at the West End Diner in Marion on June 29th from 5-7pm with a taco bar, rice and beans, desert, and libations/soda/water.
 
   
 
Bob thanked Board members and appointed volunteers. He also thanked Erik for many years of work on The Wheel and providing Audio/Visual support for speakers.
 
   
 
Cindy Shipley was presented with this year's Rotarian of the Year Award and the was provided the Gavel to take charge of the Club for the 2023-2024 Rotary Year.
 
   
 
Cindy awarded Bob a plaque with gavel thanking him for his leadership as President of the Club in 2022/2023 and followed up with comments looking forward to this Rotary Year.
 
   
 
Again, thank you ALL for another wonderful Rotary year,
 
 
   
 
Our Marion-East CR Rotary using Club and Rotary District Grant funds have purchased and installed two bike Fix-it stations for bike riders on the Marion trail system. One is located at the Inclusive Playgroun at Lowe Park along Irish Drive and the other along the trail at the new Waldo's Rock Park. The park is new and not the rock. Stop out and see these welcome aids to those biking along the trail who need some air in tires, bolts or screws tightened or other emergency maintenance. Thanks to Drew and the crew from the Parks Dept. for helping make this project possible.
   
 
On May 9 our Club hosted students, parents and Marion City and school district officials to recognize students who have worked to create a safe and drug free school environment at Linn-Mar, Marion Independent and St. Joseph schools. Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary has represented the community in honoring some very accomplished and busy students for 30 years. Pictured is the 2023 class honored.
   
 
The date and the place changed for this year's Waffle Breakfast. On Saturday, April 29, we hosted the community at Indian Creek Country Club. Dad's Waffles provided the waffles and we provided the hospitality and support. This all-hands-on deck project had fantastic participation from our Club members. While the number of guests were lower than usual, this was a transition year learning various alternate ways of accomplishing this fundraiser toward kid's shoes. The venue was very inviting. Parking was easy. Newer Club members got a sense of the event and work required. There was good conversation. The food was excellent again. Here are some pictures:
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
At the April 25 meeting, Kyle Low was elected President-elect Nominee. He will serve as Club President following Cindy Shipley who will be President during the July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024, Rotary Year. The overall slate included:
 
President elect nominee is Kyle Low
Director to replace Steve James is Kristin Myers
Foundation chair is Roger Carlson
Secretary is Jeff Selfridge
Treasurer is Cindy Shipley
 
We are looking for more board members for the 2023 - 2024 Rotary Year.
 
 
 
President Bob accepted the Club Excellence Award at the 2023 District 5970 Conference. There are several categories needed to attain to get this award which our Club has done many years straight. Bob's leadership and Club participation has made this possible again. Thanks everyone.
The Town Clock provided by the Marion-East CR Rotary to the Marion community has provided a "way-finding" point commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Club. Located in City Square Park Uptown Marion, it also helps to make the community aware of the Club as a partner in making Marion a great place to live and work. This project could not have been accomplished without the leadership of Tom Barnes and contributors who are now listed on the base of the clock. 
 
     
Club Executives & Directors
President
President Elect
Secretary
Treasurer
Rotary Foundation
Other
Immediate Past President