Stories

Jackie Buboltz, President of
the Detroit Lakes Chamber of Commerce

 

April board meeting we approved $1000 for the Lake Park-Audubon Business Professional Association

 

Elaine Hansen, the 2025-2026 District Governor

 

 

Polly Anderson Wannigan Park project

 

 

Rachel Lawler, an executive at Essentia Health in Detroit Lakes

Jeana Peinovich, director of Lend a Hand Up

DL Retiring Teachers

Jeff Carney and Mona from Dark Horse IT

Festival of Birds-Kelly Blackledge

 

Ugnius, a former Rotary Exchange student from Lithuania, will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from Moorhead State University on May 8th. He shared cybersecurity tips and will be celebrated at a graduation party hosted by the Rotters.

Addy Laux, Ava Klemm and Vern S 

Terry Hous from United Way updates on Day of Caring and Celebration of Heroes

New York Mills Regional Cultural Center - Becky Roeder

Pastor Ann Jacobson

Rotarians gathering at Bucks Mill Brewing to celebrate Thirsty Thursday

Kim Bettcher, Marketing and recreation director

 

Peter Jacobson former CEO of the Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center (DLCCC)

 

Rick Michaelson

 

Paul Muckenhirn

Cole Helbing, Senior Operations Manager at Essential, and Dr. Chris Anderson from Essential.

Detroit Lakes High School Principal- Jill Walther

Jennifer Frank, director of the Lakes Area Figure Skaters

 

 

DLHS boys and girls Golf Team with boys coach Vern Schnathorst

Terry Haus - United Way

Chamber of Commerce President-Jackie Buboltz

 DL Breakfast Rotary's 8/12/25 program was Executive Director Kayla Fagre of a Place to Belong. A Place to Belong is a nonprofit social club located in Detroit Lakes, Mn aimed at adults diagnosed with serious mental illnesses. The Club offers a safe and supportive environment with various activities, meals and community outings. Membership is free and it provides opportunities for socialization and connection among members. The organization focuses on removing barriers to recovery and fostering a sense of belonging in the community. For more information, you can visit their website or contact them directly at 218-846-9022.

 DL Morning Rotary's off site program on 8/5/25 was at the Detroit Lakes Water Reclamation Facility. Rob Bredeson gave us a tour of this amazing high tech facility. When we drive by on Willow we have a new appreciation how amazing the technology is.

 

KIVA Project - Joe Mollberg

Dog Days Racing - Beth & Paul Pridday

 

Madalyn Sukke and Carol Oberholtzer

Vanessa Coleman

Mary was 16 years old when the tornado hit Fargo in 1957. Mary gave a first hand account of the category 5 tornado that devastated the Golden Ridge development in north Fargo.

Meet this year's Rotary 4-way test essay winners. Addyson Laux (dark hair) 1st place ($500), 2nd place ($250) Ava Klemm, 3rd place ($125) Neil Trowbridge. Outstanding young adults that we know will do well in life!

 

Addyson Laux 1st place

At our 3/25/25 Rotary meeting Mackenzie Hamm, Executive Director of Cornerstone in Frazee gave a heart felt overview of Cornerstone, a community and youth center that was created to have a safe place for kids to hang out after school. 

An aerial view of our successful 15th annual Poles N Holes Fishing Derby

Polar Fest Committee

 Our 2/4/25 DL Breakfast Rotary meeting was Rick Michaelson and Paul Muckenhirn giving a summary of what to expect this Saturday at our clubs Poles N Holes Fishing Derby. Poles N Holes is our number 1 money making project. It is a large project and involves many Rotarians.
 

James “Indiana” Kawlewski - Bee Responsible Gardens

 

 

Katie Gehring of Hope Blooms was introduced by Mary Schutz. Katie is the operations manager at Hope Blooms, which is a nonprofit organization in Fargo, ND. Katie lives on Nelson Lake by Cormorant. She’s originally from the San Diego, CA area. Her husband is originally from Montana. Through a series of jobs and events they ended up in the Cormorant area. Katie is a professional florist and has worked for several flower shops. She began working with Hope Blooms in Fargo after becoming aware of them.
Hope Blooms is a non-profit that collects flowers from events, weddings, funerals, flowers unsold at grocery stores, flower shops, and other places they can find flowers.

They arrange them into smaller arrangements placed in small glass jars and delivered to people that need a lift or who are in an assisted living center or an addiction care center and other places where the person just need some sort of cheer on their life. Katie says they go through about 2,000 buckets of flowers per year. In the six years that Hope Blooms has been operating, they have delivered about 98,000 bouquets around the Fargo Moorhead area. Flowers are good ice breakers to start a conversation. They are all delivered to people free of charge with a small card that says, “You Matter”. As an example, they bring flowers frequently to every patient at Prairie St John’s addiction and mental health facility. It helps to begin a conversation. They do have a small shop in Fargo, and they have a van that they use for delivery and picking up flowers. They are seeking small food jars that they can use as vases. They like small food jars better than vases because they are a little heavier glass, not as fragile, and they’re very small. So, they put together small bouquets and deliver to more people, allowing them to get the most flowers delivered every day. Along with donations of food jars they are always looking for volunteer delivery people. They did receive a grant to expand, and they are looking to expand into the lakes area. But they won’t be working on that for a few months.

Linda Wiedewitsch

 

 

 

 Our 12/3/24 program was Michele Baker member of the Board of Salvation Army and Red Kettle Campaign captain for over 30 years. She spoke on the funds raised and how they benefit people in need. Our club having just finished out time manning the Red Kettle at Central Market can appreciate the generosity of the people of Detroit Lakes

   Our last dozen roses were sold at 10:05 this morning (1/8/24). 

 

 Sandy Gunderson gave a passionate presentation regarding Environmental Consulting and the importance of proper handling our trash to decrease the impact on our environment.

DL's new City Hall

 

Peter Paulson - Director Young Life

 

Jessica Pudwell - Young Life

DL Breakfast Rotary's 8/13/24 program: Mary S. introduced Jesse Grabow a 26-year veteran of the Minnesota State Patrol.

 

Sgt. Jesse Grabow 

August 6, 2024  - Today’s Program: Mary S. introduced Lynn Nesland as the Stabillizaton Services Manasger of Mahube-Otwa which supplies a wide range of services – Head Start,  child care, family health, energy, family development, on behalf of Mahnomen, Hubbard, Becker, Wadena and Otter Tail counties.  The organization also provides services in a number of other adjacent counties on a contract basis

Lynn Nesland as the Stabillizaton Services Manasger of Mahube-Otwa

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Jack LaBarre and Rachel Kohler – Water Carnival Admirals described the 88th annual event, this year extending from July 12- 21. Several new events were highlighted, but the old-favorites are all there. For a complete program, see https://www.dljaycees.com/water-carnival

Jim Velde, President of Fuller Center for Housing of the DL area. The Fuller project grew from Habitat for Humanity which has its roots in Georgia in the 1960’s. Jim noted that the local Fuller program, has existed from 2020 to assist the area by building and repairing homes for use by applicants who have a demonstrated need and a willingness to partner by supplying volunteer hours. He called attention to a relatively new Fuller program called the Greater Blessing project which involved home repairs and upgrades. The local Fuller group solicits money donations through fund -raisers “Tuesday Picnics in the Park”, and DL Builders Show. They also receive gifts of tools, equipment, building materials, and food. A new home was dedicated in January 2023 for Robin and her family. The local website is: https://fullercenter.org/detroit-lakes/ .

DL Breakfast Rotary had their annual Changing of the Guard at the Becker County Museum on June 25th 2024. It celebrated the past year under the leadership of Zach Erickson with a video of the club's activities and an excellent meal. There was a peaceful transfer of power symbolized by the passing of the Club's gavel from Zach   (right) to our new president Tom Klyve. Club Administrator Dick Hecock presented Steve Carlson with the Vocational Service award and a number of members were presented with a Paul Harris award.

    We are happy to show you a picture of our club receiving a grant paying for the tent we bought for our Poles N Holes Fishing Derby. The Detroit Lakes Community Foundation awarded us this grant through our Service Above Self foundation. Having our own tent for Poles N Holes is a smart move to make sure the derby can be run as efficiently as possible.

Leon Senn was inducted into our club on March 5th by President Zach Erickson and sponsored by Dick Hecock

Pints for Polio get together at Bucks Mill Brewing in the Mall Thursday November 16th 5pm-8pm. 

 

"Soles 4 Souls" shoe drive starting at next week's Rotary meeting. See attached flyer for details.

Our Club participating in the "Trunk or Treat" where more than 1000 kids showed up in costumes to collect candy. Nancy Z brought her bat cave as well.

     DL Breakfast Rotary's program on 10/10/23 was Fire Prevention Week and Month-Presented by DL Fire Chief Mike Hanson. DL Fire Department currently has 28 volunteers and is looking to increase it to 35. Mike informed us to keep our bedroom door closed at night and never pour water on a grease fire in the kitchen, it will just spread to a larger area. Cover the fire with a cookie sheet or pan if fire is small, or a wet towel or use a fire extinguisher if larger, never fan the fire.

 

    DL Breakfast Rotary's program was the "Traveling Road Show" organized by Kathy Michaelson and Patty Mollberg. I'm sure for most of us growing up have fond memories of "Show and Tell" in grade school,  the "Traveling Road Show" is the adult version. The 1st show presenters were Patty Mollberg, Steve Carlson, Carl Oberholtzer and Mike Becraft. Patty showed us a collage of pictures her husband put together of Michael Jordon and other NBA players that she saw at a golf event. She also had a game ball initialed by Michael Jordon. Steve had a WW1 helmet and various amazing baseball memorabilia. Carl had an iron plaque that has been passed down through generations in his family. It had been mounted on a relative's 1790 Philadelphia home to indicate that their home was protected by the North America Fire Insurance's fire department. Mike showed us a Swedish Marriage basket from 1899 and a needle point sampler by Coles Nobles and a Currier and Ives lithograph. This Traveling Road Show was a hit. 

     DL Breakfast Rotary's program on 9/12/23 was on the Daystar Recovery center, presented by Anderson Saint Georges. Anderson, a Rotarian and addiction counselor, explained the theories and processes that lead to successful treatment of the disease of addiction.  

   “Operation twenty teddy bear delivery to Essentia ER”. DL Breakfast Rotary Club delivered Teddy Bears to Essentia Emergency Room to give to kids visiting the ER. “Having Fun and Doing Good”!

    DL Breakfast Rotary's 8/1/23 program was DL Noon club Rotarian Dave Long, who recently became our District Governor. Dave reviewed how through Rotary International we are able to "MAKE A CHANGE IN THE WORLD". Dave feels that it is important to focus on helping with mental health. See website Home - Mental Health Initiatives Rotary Action Group (ragonmentalhealth.org)  Dave stayed after his program to attend our August Board Meeting and we reviewed the actives of our club. 

DL Breakfast Rotary's program on 7/11/23 was Sustainable Cambodia presented by Brainerd Rotarians Buford Johnson and Adam Rees. Sustainable Cambodia is an international non-profit organization that works to help the residents of rural Cambodian villages create a sustainable quality of life through wells, irrigation systems, schools, training, and empowerment. This is the organization's website if you are interested in participating in future trips or supporting a child. www.sustainablecambodia.org.

The Detroit Lakes Breakfast Rotary - Changing of the Guard – took place June 27, 2023, at the new Becker County Museum.  Zach Erickson was installed as our new President.  The event included a slide show by Jeff Hunter, highlighting a successful year. 

 

Check out the DL online article recapping all the fun at this years Wine Pairing event! 

 

It's time for our annual Wine Pairing event!!! Tell your friends, family, neighbors, 2nd cousins and mechanics that we are ready to enjoy some delicious wine with wonderful company. Join us on Tuesday, October 11th starting at 5:30pm as Spanky's Stone Hearth hosts the Early Risers on a beautiful evening. Tickets are $65/ each which includes, a 4 course meal paired with some delicious wines. Limited tickets available. 

 

"Rising Early, Having Fun, Doing Good!" 

On August 19th, 2022 DL Breakfast Rotary Club had their 23rd Annual Peach sale. 

The DL Breakfast Rotary Hosted a lunch for all the people involved in the Great Race, approximately  400 people on June 25th 2022.

 

Wine Pairing 2021 

Detroit Lakes Breakfast Rotary Club is proud to announce our 29th annual 'Roses for Rotary' Rose Sale. We will be in 3 locations this year (Not Bergen's due to road construction). Join us at Holiday Inn, North Shore Travel Plaza and Washington Square Mall for 3 days (while supplies last). Tickets can be purchased in advance from your favorite Rotarian OR buy day of sale. 

 

Service Above Self. 

 

"Rising Early, Having Fun, Doing Good!" 

 

 

 

Detroit Lakes Breakfast Rotary Club's Annual Peach Sale kicked off on Thursday, August 12th at Nereson's Lot and The Boys and Girls Club Thrift Store lot (in front of the old Sears).