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Nineteen Rotarians gathered at Broadway Park for our first in person meeting since March 11 and it was a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Erika Lahti was our guest. Also joining us were Dolly Johnson, Dave's wife, and Kim Olson, Keith's spouse (and mother-in-law to our outgoing president). After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance (locating a flag to address off in the distance) and the Four Way Test, Lois Josefson gave the invocation, with all of us joining in as she had prepared the blessing to be handed out in case everyone could not hear. President Dan then reminded us to sell Lucky Duck Derby raffle tickets, with the race scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on July 9th. Volunteers are needed to corral the ducks as they paddle their way down the mighty Otter Tail River, and fishing nets are most useful in that endeavor. Both Anthony Nordan and Greg Darling contributed for a missed meeting or two. Keith Olson and Hal Leland contributed to thank President Dan for his hard work this past year. Steve Andrews said it was good to be back in Minnesota while Steve Leitte was simply glad that we were able to be back together. Buzz Lundeen paid up for a brag he made at a previous virtual meeting. President Dan thanked everyone for the past year and also reported his daughter had her tonsils out the previous day and he had just completed his fifteenth year at Fastenal. As one of his last official acts as our leader, President Dan inducted Jake Hexum into the club with this writer standing by as Jake's sponsor. Incoming President Anthony Nordan presented Dan with the plaque for serving as our president and his new badge referencing him as past president. Dan assured us that he was not leaving the club on the completion of his year and in fact referenced maybe __ having __ wanting __ needing (You choose) to serve in a leadership capacity sometime in the future, although he put that possibility out even further in his concluding remarks. Dan thanked the Board for its service, referencing Steve Leitte staying on for a second year as Past President and Dave Peters stepping in as Vice President. Anthony, Mary and Wally were also thanked for their service and Dan gave a special thank you to Kathy and Randy, who he appropriately and favorably described as the "nuts and bolts" of the club. He also thanked all Rotarians for the year, particularly putting up with meeting via Zoom, but also noting he was most impressed with the number of people that showed up in this manner. Fittingly describing it as a "weird year," Dan made specific reference to the enjoyment he had in handing out books to school children, that it "hit a spot" with him. A well earned round of applause was given at the end of his remarks. |
