Pres. Katie called the meeting to order at the YMCA…without any of our Rotary gear making its way from the Salvation Army. Facing east, we gave the Pledge of Allegiance, Keith led us in prayer and we gave a good rendition of The Four Way Test.
Katie announced that the Rotary Clubs of Fargo/Moorhead were presenting a “Recital with a Cause’ on May 1st at the First Lutheran Church in Fargo with the ‘Cause’ being the eradication of polio worldwide. Also out of Fargo is their annual Rotary Rib fundraiser where we can purchase a 4-pack for $64.00. If we get four people to order, they will deliver them to Fergus Falls, so if you order tell them you are from Fergus Falls. Purchase by May 9th by visiting RotaryRibs.com. Our local OTC Humane Society is sponsoring two buses to see the Redhawks play on July 27th at $25.00 per ticket. If our club has a groundswell of support, we could make it an ‘Event’, but individual tickets are available at the office. Katie also wanted us to be aware of the Duck Derby on July 10 during the Shop Move'n & Groove Chamber event.
Keith announced that the Peach Team has been in contact with the peach wholesaler who told him that the cost is up slightly to $31.00 per lug. Because last year we had some quality issues with the fruit, he asked for input from members about if we want to pursue this fundraiser again. Initial feedback was that we order one less pallet and that we hold the price at last year’s level…even if we clear a little less. More feedback will be welcome by Keith, Jamie or Brian.
Dean Monke brought 3 student athletes from M-State’s baseball team. They are looking for warmer weather to improve on their 5/22 record (they went south for many games). With him were Carson Bussell, pitcher, from Rapid City, SD and hopes to go into wildlife work in SD; Logan Hammer from Calgary Alberta, Canada; and Dain Schroeder of Hancock, MN who plans to go to M-State in Moorhead. Pres. Katie gave each of them the Four Way Test coin as a way to remember their time with us.
Keith was our lone bragger and it was for a couple meetings he will soon miss.
Katie introduced Stephanie Grow for her Classification Talk…one of our newest Rotarians. Stephanie is the Director of the FF Branch of the YMCA of the Northern Sky with headquarters in Fargo. She has been with the Y for the past 15 years and loves her work. She grew up in Fargo, the youngest of five kids. She joined the Army Reserve and served in it for eight years, was stationed in Virginia and remembers 9/11 well. She has one daughter who is a freshman at the U of Morris.
Stephanie provided us with a PowerPoint talk of her first five months in Fergus Falls. Giving Heart’s Day was a big day for the Y which raised funds and awareness. She focused on her ‘Team’ and how they are looking for new ideas and changing the culture of the staff. They are working on a strategic plan, joining FF and Fargo Boards and developing an Advisory Board. They will soon enter into a capital campaign to raise funds to remodel the men’s locker room. Healthy Kid’s Day will be April 25th with a Bike Rodeo, games and activities, followed by the Hoot Lake Triathlon 2025, held on July 27th. Stephanie talked about the YMCA's Camp Cormorant, with scholarships available through the Y. (This writer remembers trips with his kids and Cliff Maxwell to this beautiful property, then operated by the Fargo YMCA.)
Stephanie fielded a few questions about the merger and the use of the building for childcare (it currently provides an Early Child Care Program). She said the big issue is to find a space big enough to provide childcare; they are looking into cooperating with other places such as nursing homes that may have unused space. It was a fun program and good to be back at the Y again.
.png)
