On a beautiful late July day Fergus Falls Noon Rotarians who dutifully assembled encountered Hal L at the desk and Josh H smiling and offering his hand. Pres Steve brought us to order, Keith O provided the invocation thanking the Lord for good weather, asked for relief from the drought in ND and MT and more thanks for the program and food. Bonnie D lead the singing and could not resist giving us a bit of exercise with her song "My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean."  Next we recognized Buzz L and Mike Clark’s birthdays; Mike was nowhere to be seen so Buzz received all the attention.

Brags and fines started with John M recognizing Dean M for getting his job back and explained his sister-in-law had survived a ruptured aorta. Bob R reported on his trip to Alaska and western Canada with all or parts of his family, he was away from office for 10 days, longest period since 2002. Dave P let us know one of his daughters and her finance visited, collected her treasures and headed west to their new home. Keith O confessed he was responsible for the Rounds last week but chose instead to take yet another trip to MT, this time to look at guns and bears. Randy K bragged about something I missed and ended by encouraging us to buy lemonade on the way out from young salesmen who were supporting the United Way. Guest Jean Bowman, Executive Director of the Fergus Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau, thanked us for helping with last weekend’s festivities, encouraged attendance at Elmer’s dinner theater Fri, her son Tommy has a lead role, and expressed pride in daughter Sarah who is presenting today’s program. Hal L complimented Sarah and last, Dean M explained the honorable reason behind his termination and rehiring by the District 544.

Kaley Sievert, writer for the Daily Journal, who is interested in today’s program, was introduced by Hal L. Jim Worner, the second place Lucky Duck winner was present to claim his prize. Randy K reported 984 of a possible 1000 duck tickets were sold and if the last Rotarian turns in his or her money, net profit will be $3850. Stan C, who functions as our representative to the splash pad effort, shared it has now grown with the proposed addition of a score of complimenting facilities and should be referred to as the Aquatic Center. The favored location is the Kirkbride Park. An updated concept will be presented Aug 24^th from 5:00 to 7:00pm prior to the Roosevelt Park concert and on Sat Aug 26^th from 9:00 to 11:00am at the Farmers Market. Pres Steve announced Noon Rotary is now a member of the Chamber of Commerce. Last, Jamie L updated us on the peach sale. Take aways are: peach availability will be Aug 14^th (three days later than originally planned), volunteers are needed for the 14^th, 15^th and 16^th. Money is due the week after the sale-don’t bring it to the truck and he would like final sales numbers next week.

Today’s program was introduced by Kathy A and presented by Sarah Bowman, a Peace Corps volunteer home for two weeks after her first year of service in Granada. Sarah is the daughter of Jean and Dennis Bowman and graduated from Kennedy High School and Luther College with a degree in vocal music and education. Interest in the organization had been sparked some years ago when Federated Youth Pastor Leah M, a Peace Corp alumnus, spent time encouraging Sarah to consider service. She came to possess a passion for volunteerism, a curiosity about other cultures and the desire to learn additional languages. In the third year of college she applied and claims it as a great decision.

The mission of the Peace Corps is to promote peace and friendship and exchange ideas. She was assigned to the eastern Caribbean, an area once supervised by Buzz and Dave’s older sister, where the Corps had a 56 year presence and most folks have some English proficiency. The first three months were devoted to training and do not count toward the two year commitment. Her assignment is teaching English to 15 second and third graders who experience unusual difficulty with the class. Assessment showed all students improved, did better in other classes and heightened their ability to deal with others. She introduced music and positive disciple as learning tools. There are opportunities for improvement in the Grenada educational system. Among them are increasing supply availability, requiring teachers to be trained, additional parental involvement and better behavior management.

A number of secondary projects occupied much of Sarah’s time. There is no music in the public schools so she has formed a Ukulele League, somehow acquired five instruments and is teaching children how to play. Plans are to get five more. She organized good local singers into a community choir called Crescendo and the group appears at weddings, festivals and the like. She is a Girls Guides leader and has been informing them about environmental stewardship. They have decorated oil drums to be used as refuse containers. She is practicing and improving her art and volunteered as a girl’s summer camp leader.

Sarah returns Aug 6^th. Anyone wishing to receive updates on her activity should email sc.bowman3@gmail.com. and request subscription to her blog. The presentation and what is being done brought Keith O to his feet with a motion to send her back with $100. of "walking around" money. It was unanimously approved. We all can be proud of Sarah, the lives she has touched and the work she is doing. She is an example of what is right with young people today and brings to mind writing attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson:

Success: To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, weather by a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded

Sell Peaches!