After our invocation and the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test, President Katie welcomed guests Anthony Nordan and Steve Andrew's wife, Menghui. There was a Rotary Minute Plus Quiz, again based on the August Rotary Magazine, and two of three questions were answered correctly. We were reminded of needing volunteers to help with the harvest at the community garden the next morning; those who showed up to help were Cody Odland. his nephews Zack and Bennett (from oldest to youngest), Steve Austvold, Steve and Menghui and this writer.
President Katie distributed a flyer for the third annual Gathering at the River, a multi-cultural potluck meal at Spies Spark and spearheaded by Sunrise Rotary, to be held Wednesday, September 16, 2026, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring their favorite ethnic food and their own dinnerware and eating utensils. Also promoted with a flyer was the joint Rotary picnic potluck social on September 30th at 5:30 p.m. at Broadway Park, with no regular meeting to be held that day at noon. Burgers, hot dogs and paper products will be provided with all attendees encouraged to bring something to share. We will have our new Exchange Student from Italy, Sara, with us.
Keith Olson started out the bragging, noting he missed last week because he was camping and thanking those that he said went "above and beyond" in our annual peach sale, specifically Brian Tjaden, Steve Leitte, Cody Odland and Jamie Larson -- I'm pretty sure Keith falls in that category too. Tim Hunt was happy that their "number two" son, Patrick, was visiting for a couple weeks. Dave Johnson reported he was going to his home farm to visit two brothers who have been steadily working on ridding their 60-acre field of gophers; he also thanked Wally Cole for taking over greeter duties that day, allowing David to enjoy lunch. President Katie Johnson was also recognized for sending out letters to the larger employers in our community seeking Rotary members. Katie reported she has heard back from three already.
Brian Tjaden introduced our speakers, Jane Amdahl and Sandy Schachtschneider talking about Beginning Experience and its effort to help those who have lost a spouse through death, divorce or separation to work through their grief and become healed, transformed and free to love. It is a Christian faith-based support group that currently holds its meetings at Zion Lutheran Church. The organization originated in Texas in 1973, and it has spread throughout the United States and internationally to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland and many other countries. It offers three different ten-week classes, the first one on coping, the second one on rebuilding and the third one on finding happiness. The next session on coping begins on September 14, 2026. They also have an intensive weekend experience with participants from not only Fergus Falls but Fargo and Grand Forks, which has been described by more than one as life-changing. Most of those who have gone through the courses say Beginning Experience saved them or consider those with whom they interacted as part of their family. Jane, who is the area coordinator, said Beginning Experience is not a dating club and all information stays confidential. Sandy handles its hotline for people looking for help. Anyone interested can call (218) 560-1686 for more information.
