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We were back to Broadway Park (albeit this week we will only meet via Zoom), with some Rotarians in person and just a few attending virtually. Tim Hunt offered our invocation. Josh the Otter books are to be distributed at McKinley School after our meeting tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.; let Randy Kempfer know if you can help out. The Otter mascot is a big hit, albeit hot to wear. It was announced we would have a booth at Summerfest to promote our fundraising for the Splash Pad. The dates are June 11th and 12th and volunteers will be needed to assist. Steve Leitte led off the bragging, noting that he and Keith Olson ran a tiller and tractor respecively at the Community Garden the previous week to break up the "hard as a rock" soil in preparation for this spring's planting --- nice job gentlemen! Hal Leland was happy he was able to arrange the program for the day, Michael Burgraff from A Center for the Arts ("Center"). Michael himself donated $5.00 to celebrate a recent birthday and for becoming a first time grandfather; last week he was able to get away and hold the newest addition to the family. We also sang Happy Birthday to Michael, but the lack of great acoustics under the picnic pavilion served to flatten what would have otherwise been our perfect pitch. Hal proceeded to introduce Michael, known to us all. He told us this coming November will be the 11th anniversary of his arrival in Fergus, having previously been in Custer, South Dakota and Fairmont, Minnesota. Michael is a Paul Harris Fellow but has become a Kiwanian in Fergus Falls, He started out talking about the concerts in the park that have been hosted by the Center for the last nine years. Those concerts cost about $1,000 a show and usually 150 to 200 people would show up and make a free will offering that hopefully covered the expense of the entertainment. This year will be different, however, with Mike trying something he experienced when he worked at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. They would hold large summer concerts and have anywhere from 2,500 to 5,000 in attendance; the Center only seats 400. This year's concerts will therefore be behind the Kirkbride and food vendors will be present. All you have to bring is a chair. A season pass for an adult is $60; $120 for a couple; $175 for a family pass. Children age 8 to 18 will be charged $5.00, with anyone under 8 admitted for free. They are bringing in eight major shows to perform on Sunday evenings commencing at 6:00 p.m. Michael shared video/audio clips of the entertainment; the dates and shows are as follows: June 6: John McAndrew July 11: The Heartshakers (Tom Petty Tribute) July 18: Tonic Sol-fa August 1: Matt Vee (Neil Diamond music) August 22: The Purple Hulls August 29: Harmonious Wall Sept. 19: Tony DeBlois Sept. 26: Pavlo |
