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Rotary Meetings
Club Social Tomorrow
We have a social planned for tomorrow involving a pre-game gathering and then attending the Spartan basketball game against Mayville State's JV team.  The social is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with drinks and snacks at Katie Johnson's home located at 919 W. Summit Ave.  The game starts at 7:00 p.m.  Try to make both but if you can't, show up for one or the other.
Rose Sale and Distribution
So far 11 Club members have reported selling 96 dozen roses, with two members of Sunrise Rotary reporting the sale of 23 dozen, for a total of 119 of the 250-dozen ordered.  Even if every remaining Club member sells 5 dozen each as all have been challenged to do, that would result in another 110 dozen, or 229 of 250 sold.  Unfortunately, some members never respond so we can't count on each member selling five dozen.  That means we need to redouble our efforts and get more roses sold.
 
The roses will be distributed next Monday, November 10th, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Service Food.  We still need at least one worker for the noon to 2:00 p.m. shift on Monday and that can be split that into two one-hour shifts if necessary.  Please get your sheets turned into me by hand delivery, e-mail or texting a good picture of your sheet to me at (218) 205-6944 or robert@russelllawoffice.com.  Also let me know if you can fill any part of the noon to 2:00 p.m. shift on Monday.  Get your sheets turned in by 10:00 p.m., Sunday November 9th, sooner if possible; I'll leave the back door light on. And I'll keep you posted. 
Some Miscellaneous Observations
At least from my perspective, it appears the only people regularly involved in setting-up and taking down for club meetings are Dave Johnson, Wally Cole, President Ryan and Dean Monke (if I missed someone, I apologize).  We should all make an effort to help out; the more hands, the quicker it gets done.
 
Thank you to Ryan for the background music he has set up for us while we are eating and the extra time he puts in each week to give our virtual attendees the ability to hear and see everything.  Brian, Jamie and Cody have provided regular assistance with the technical stuff, but we also need to find others to help out so our President isn't burdened with this chore every week.  I am guessing he averages two hours just at each meeting every week, arriving early to set-up and then involved in the take down.  I don't think many people with a full-time job can afford to do that, so let's do a better job of spreading the workload.  
November 5, 2025 at Rotary
Jamie L. offered our invocation after the rendition of the American and Canadian national anthems.  With Keith Melberg as our able pianist and the mediocre (at best) leadership of this writer, we did some singing and added a Happy Birthday to Wally Cole and Zack Stach, although the latter was unable to attend.  Keith Olson introduced our four student guests from Hillcrest.  Not in the order they spoke, but as pictured left to right below, Makenzie Miller is the daughter of Andrew (former Rotarian) and Stacy, is the second oldest of six children, was captain of the volleyball team and is involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  Caleb Holm and his family have lived in Fergus the past five years, originally from Becker, Minnesota, and he was a soccer team captain and serves as vice-president for the senior class; he will be attending SDSU next year and hopes to become an architect.  Ruby Walkup also played volleyball, will participate in track and is the student body's secretary.  Annie Nilsen is from Connecticut, is also involved in student government and will be returning to Connecticut to attend junior college next year.  
We heard of Keith Olson's terrible misfortune while cutting up some firewood this past Sunday, suffering a fall and cracked ribs; he still hopes to go elk hunting in two weeks.  President Ryan reported that Andy & Elmer books were successfully distributed last Wednesday and Mary Pettit told us of the enjoyment she has experienced in buying our roses and then distributing them randomly to brighten others day.  
 
When we got to brags and fines, both Hal Leland and Mark Bring contributed for missing some meetings; we learned Hal had surgery on October 9th and he apologized for leaving the day's meeting early to make his one-month follow-up appointment.  Mary Pettit contributed for signing up to read to the second graders last week but then being unable to make it.  Buzz enjoyed a trip to Kansas City, Missouri to visit a granddaughter and daughter, noting the Chiefs lost while the Vikings won.  Steve Leitte said the greenhouse at Lake Region's Community Garden is about 99.9% done.  Keith Olson reported a granddaughter suffered a fall and lost her front tooth, which was harder on Keith's duaghter than the granddaughter.  Finally, Tim Hunt contributed for not being able to attend tomorrow's social as Desta is under the weather.
 
Earlier I mentioned our singing at the meeting but did not report on how we performed Smile.  Mark Bring had suggested to Lisa prior to the meeting that we tape ourselves singing the song and get that to Peter Wasberg along with some greetings we were individually given the opportunity to write and/or relate on video.  Accordingly, we all gathered at the front of the room to sing Smile, a fitting way to acknowledge the friendship and service that Pete has offered throughout the years.  Our thoughts and prayers remain with Pete, his family and friends.
Speakers
Nov 12, 2025
Otter Tail County Historical Society Museum
Nov 19, 2025
Bolivia School Project Trip
Nov 26, 2025
View entire list
Service Above Self
Wednesdays at 12:00 PM
The Salvation Army
622 E. Vernon Ave.
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
United States of America
To attend virtually, join via Google Meets at https://meet.google.com/bxi-ohjt-dyh
Venue Map
Venue Map
Meeting Responsibilities
November 12, 2025
 
Greeter/Front Desk
Andrews, Steven
 
Invocation
Stach, Zack
 
Student Guests & Athletes Driver
Leland, Hal
 
November 19, 2025
 
Greeter/Front Desk
Grow, Stephanie
 
Invocation
Bowyer, Joshua
 
Student Guests & Athletes Driver
Johnson, David
 
November 26, 2025
 
Greeter/Front Desk
McFarland, Lisa
 
Invocation
Austvold, Kathy
 
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Past President
 
Rotary Foundation
 
Board Member