|
Pete Wasberg offered our invocation, followed by Brad Hoganson introducing our Student Athletes from Hillcrest: Olivia Foss, daughter of Dave and Michele Foss of Fergus Falls, who is a star basketball player and at the time of our meeting was a dozen points shy of having scored 1000 points in her career; Nick Foss, son of Kevin and Debi Foss of Battle Lake, representing the boys' basketball team; Augusta Ewan, daughter of Eric and Catherine Ewan of Fergus Falls, who is now playing basketball but also participates in volleyball and golf; and Logan Disabella, a native of Granby, Connecticut, son of Cheryl Disabella, and also a three sport athlete: basketball, football and golf. Katie Johnson then led us in song, after which President Lori announced that the baby picture we viewed two weeks ago was that of Mary Pettit's and that Dave Johnson and Keith Olson guessed her identity correctly. We were reminded of Wine Down Wednesday in Wahpeton this coming Wednesday starting at 6:00 p.m., at The Brew, located at 120 4th St. North. Randy Kempfer talked about the great turnout for the prior Saturday's speech tournament at the High School, thanking those who worked and particularly Katie and Anthony for extending their shifts. Close to $1,000 was raised running the concession stand for use by the Fergus Falls speech team. Lori and Dan Johnson handed out rewards to the top ranked participants, all greeted with one clap until the final championship award. Dave Peters led off the brags and fines, reporting he was just back from two weeks in Peru, with eight stiches to prove he worked very hard, and experienced a 103 degree change in temperature from leaving Peru and returning back home. Pete Wasberg paid for his picture in the Daily Journal as a participant in Lake Region's corporate challenge, with Pete putting up a valiant effort after injuring his knee, finishing second to a representative of Invision Eye Care. Brad Hoganson bragged about the student athletes from Hillcrest, noting they are scrappy, fun and play with heart. Randy Kempfer followed up on the prior Friday's Corporate Cup, while Buzz Lundeen was happy about the activity at his bird feeder this year, noting a brown thrasher arrived Christmas Day and stayed through January. President Lori than introduced Wally Cole, who brought with him many books he has put together over the years reflecting our Club's history, looking for ideas of what to do with all the stuff he and others have accumulated over the years. It was agreed that the best approach is to scan our historical records and Lori promised that would be taken up at the Board meeting to be held after our meeting was over. Wally also talked about his road to his profession and Rotary. He lived with his grandparents in Chisholm from 18 months of age to the end of second grade, at which point his father came back from chiropractic school and his reunited family took up residence in Hibbing. Wally indicated his grandfather and grandmother had a strong influence on his life, recalling how his grandpa would take him bullhead fishing at night and they would read the Sunday funnies together each week. His father also influenced Wally's path, describing how his dad would talk about getting people back into balance and helping to improve their lives. His father also contributed to Wally's love of fishing, hunting and being out in the woods. A less positive memory involved his music teacher telling Wally that he could not hold a tune in a basket, which kept him from singing for years until he joined Rotary and allowed himself to enjoy singing again. Wally enlisted in the Navy after high school and spent time at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Bainbridge, Maryland. There were a lot of people that influenced him during his four years in the Navy, and while he could have continued in the service he chose other opportunities that presented themselves. He went to Hamline University for two years and during that time took a job with a person who was making dog kennels. He had an opportunity to take a job with AT&T . When finances became a problem he decided to continue his education through night school at the University of Minnesota. There he met Marci while standing in line to register for classes and they happened to end up taking Psychology 101 together, not so coincidentally, where it took him three weeks to find her again in a class of 300. Marci took notes for him while he was off for two weeks for naval training and ultimately they married. In 1963, Wally applied to enter chiropractic school, with Marci accepting an engagement ring before his departure. Graduating in June of 1967, he started his practice here in Fergus Falls with Dr. Roger Nelson and then went on his own after three years. Wally Larson from Minnesota Motors sponsored Wally as a member of our Club, which he joined in January of 1972. Wally said he enjoys socializing at Rotary as well as the food and the speakers. He considers all Rotarians as mentors to him and said his regular attendance has been a product of blocking out time on his calendar to make sure he can attend. |
