|
Our invocation was offered by Keith O. with this writer trying to lead those assembled in song, asking Pete W. to pick one of the songs in honor of his being back at a meeting. President Katie introduced Dave Lindgren from Park Region. We had a Rotary Minute Plus quiz based on the October Rotary magazine, with two of three questions answered correctly. A thank you was expressed to those who distributed dictionaries to third graders last week, including Kathy A., Wally C., Bonnie D., Steve L, Hal L., Buzz L., and Matt S. (Sorry if I missed someone.) Buzz L. reported the sad news of the passing of former club member Dr. Roger Frerichs. The possibility of the two Fergus Falls Rotary Clubs hosting next spring's District Conference was mentioned and Katie announced she is looking for a volunteer to chair the service committee. There were many brags and fines. Steve A. said he drove his newer Bentley to Rotary, while he had his 1934-year model out for an off-road test the prior weekend. Keith O. thanked members for the support of the Olson family with the loss of Elaine and told us that granddaughter Nora was home from the U of M hospital in Minneapolis and was healing well; son Brandon accidentally triggered a "Code Blue" at the hospital which I am confident no one will ever let him forget. Praise of Keith for his singing and tribute to his mother at her funeral was also offered as a brag by a Rotarian. Ken H. said that he and his spouse are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary and changed their plans to go to St. Augustine in light of the approaching hurricane and instead will enjoy Las Vegas. Pete W. told us it was good to be back at the club after a little bout with cancer, which he described as "not a good one," but he (and the rest of us) are praying for the best outcome. John M. brought the bragging to a conclusion, stating it was good to have Pete back and also telling us he had visited Maplewood State Park and felt the fall colors were as vibrant as ever, notwithstanding remarks he had heard to the contrary. Mary P. introduced our program, Nancy X. Valentine, Executive Director of Kaddatz Galleries since December of 2022. Nancy is a Fergus Falls graduate (2010) and now lives in Battle Lake. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications at UMD, is a 2020 Fergus Falls Blandin Community Leadership alumna, and currently a 2022-24 Springboard for the Arts Rural Regenerator Fellow. This is the 16th anniversary year for the Kaddatz and Nancy talked about it honoring the legacy of Charles Beck and promoting the work of other regional artists. Studio K, which opened in 2015, is used to display the work of emerging artists, with the current display in it entitled "Flora, Fauna and Architecture." The main studio now is exhibiting the works of Scott Gunvaldson. We were told about the educational programs available at the Kaddatz. The ten units above the galleries are rented to artists and managed by Art Space, which was instrumental in the formation of Kaddatz Galleries, thanks to the hard work of Rebecca Peterson. The Kaddatz has combined with the Otter Cove Childrens Museum, Lake Region Arts Council and the Otter Tail County Historical Society to offer a passport program for participating in events hosted by the organizations, with the "passport" card stamped by each for visiting their facility by November 5th, to be turned in to be part of a drawing for prizes, sponsored by Mabel Murphy's. |
.png)
