Before I handle the recap from our doings at our April 24th meeting, and before you stop reading, I’ll remind everyone that our May 1st meeting will be at the newly renovated library. The monthly Board Meeting will also be held there, starting at 11:00, and anyone from the Club is welcomed to attend.
Now onto the business from last week. Our Greeter/Brags member was David Lundeen and the Front Desk duties were handled by David Johnson.
President Lori Larson opened the meeting and following the singing of the National Anthems of both the United States and Canada, John MacFarlane provided a timely invocation, looking for ways to keep doing some good in the world.
Kathy Austvold then led us in the following songs: #1 – “Sing! Everyone Sing.”, #57 – “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” #69 -– “Tell Me Why,” and #3 - “Smile – Sing a Song.”
Guests for the day included two student-athletes from Hillcrest, along with the big winner from our recent raffle ticket, and her sidekick. Our Hillcrest guests were introduced by Brad Hoganson and each told us a little about themselves. Amanda is a junior pitcher on the softball team, and she also plays volleyball in the fall. Amanda is from New Jersey and her mother also attended Hillcrest. Our other Hillcrest guest was Olivia, also a junior. Olivia plays left field for the softball team and she plays volleyball as well. Her parents are currently living in Africa. We appreciate having these great student-athletes with us! Our other guests, who would be introduced during the raffle winner’s recognition, were Tara Kempfer and the youngest son of Tara and Randy, Charlie.
Next Bob Russell provided information on our newly formed Fergus Falls Rotary Foundation, a joint venture with the Fergus Falls Sunrise Rotary Club. Thanks to the help of several, including Lois Josefson Russell who filed the application for the 501c3, it is an official foundation that was used for our most recent raffle (the success of the raffle will be handled later in this update). Bob also noted that he and Lulie, who is just back from visiting an aunt in Washington, D.C., will be meeting up with Lois to attend the District Conference in Minot.
President Lori then updated us on the recent raffle sale – 562 tickets sold - which is expected to net close to $4,000; and we’ll go over that amount thanks to the donations from the big raffle winners (Tara Kempfer, assisted by Charlie, who we hope becomes a Rotarian rather than a Kiwanian, and Tim Hunt, who we know to be a good Rotarian). President Lori noted that these funds would go to the proposed splash park, and that the raffle sale helped generate some positive momentum for the proposed project. There is even the chance that our project will connect with a Kiwanis project at NP Park, so I guess we’ll be o.k. if Charlie becomes a Kiwanian someday. J More to come on that and thanks to all for your work to raise funds for our 100th anniversary project. Lori also asked Steve Leitte to give an update on the tree planting project. Like last year he’ll need some good help, so please contact Steve to sign up for this boots-on-the-ground project.
We had several brags and fines for the day. Buzz Lundeen kicked it off (with his good knee) asking for sponsors for the MS fundraiser. He thanked club members for their ongoing support over the past 20 years. Buzz also was glad to be back after missing several meetings due to his knee replacement surgery. Hal Leland then told us about the FF Area Chamber Chorale Concert, scheduled for April 28th. Hal noted that it would be the last under the direction of Theresa Ashworth, who is retiring after a long and successful career at M-State (I attended and it was outstanding!). Greg Darling put some money in the pot for missing last week, but it was for a good cause…a trip with his wife, Connie, to celebrate their 26th wedding anniversary. Next, Ben Durbin offered thanks to all involved with the recent Lenten services held at multiple churches in Fergus Falls. Ben noted that he was humbled and honored to be a part of this. Keith Olson then told us about a special Birthday party happening on that very evening. His mother, Elaine, who is an honorary member of our Club, turned 90 – Happy Birthday! Wally Cole let us know that he’d recently attended the MN Chiropractor Association Meeting where he’d been nominated for the Chiropractor of the Year Award. Although he didn’t win, he was honored to be nominated and he and family had a great time. We finished with a couple of scooter bucks from Katie Johnson and Mary Pettit.
Our speaker for the day was Tasha Rohlfs, presenting on the Otter Cove Children’s Museum. The 501c3 group (Lake Region Healthcare is the fiscal sponsor) is working to start a children’s museum and playground. The Mission Statement for the group is: “We nurture creativity, physical activity, and a lifelong love of learning in children 10 and under through open play and hands-on educational exhibits.” Several communities around Fergus Falls – Fargo (2), Alexandria, Detroit Lakes, Perham (opening soon) – all have inside playgrounds for children, and the group believes Fergus Falls really would benefit from having one as well. But the Otter Cove would be different from these, because it would be a museum along with the playground. There isn’t anything like that concept within 90 miles of Fergus Falls. They are even using designers with local roots to build the “Otter Romp,” one from Pelican Rapids and the other from Elizabeth, and this place will be like no others in the region.
The group believes the project is needed, and that it would bring vibrancy and excitement for families within, and around, the community. The goal would be to attract and retain families, providing some quality activities for their children, during the week, and even more so on weekends. Instead of having Fergus Falls people leaving town to visit other indoor playgrounds and facilities, they believe the project would attract others to town. Keep it local.
At this time they are looking at two facilities, one downtown on Lincoln Avenue, and the other on Sheridan Street. The group has looked at a lot of other options throughout town. They are very pleased with the support from the City of Fergus Falls, and from people throughout the community. They actually ran a survey, with 302 responses, and 301 of those in favor of the project.
Fundraising continues and there appears to be a lot of excitement around the project, with an expected opening in November of this year. There was a great video on the project, and it is worth reviewing if you didn’t get to see it. The group can be reached on email at ottercoveff@gmail.com, on Facebook at ottercoveff, or by phone at 612-819-8033.
Thank you to Tasha for the presentation on Otter Cove Children’s Museum!
Pete Wasberg