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Our invocation was offered by John MacFarlane after we recited the Pledge of Allegiance and before speaking the Four Way Test. We were all encouraged to sell peaches and were asked to bring a copy of your sales sheet reflecting whatever you have sold to tomorrow's meeting to give to Brian Tjaden as he works on a way to improve our record keeping on the day of delivery. If you cannot get it to him by tomorrow, please e-mail it to him by Saturday morning at brian@emagine.biz. There was one question asked when it came time for the Rotary Minute and enough people knew that the theme for this year's RI President, Jennifer Jones, is Imagine Rotary so it seems it finally stuck (see also logo at the top of these Rounds). In the brag and fine segment, Zack Stach, Wally Coile and Mary Pettit all contributed scooter bucks, with Mary noting she showed up at our meeting last week and the outside door was locked. Hal Leland and Ryan Welle contributed for missing some meetings, with Hal explaining he tripped, fell and broke his pinky before last week's meeting, necessitating his absence. Wally Cole reported he and Marci attended a festival and car show where he proudly displayed his 2005 Buick. John MacFarlane commented on Otter Tail Power's stock reaching an all-time high. Jacklin Steege reported that she is going to miss some meetings because of the upcoming United Way Drive, that she will be leaving her position at United Way in September but hopes to stay with the club and that her replacement will be Summer Hammond, currently the Perham-Wadena United Way staff member. Finally, Tim Hunt bragged that he was just glad to be at our meeting! President Ken introduced our program, Mike Rheault, representing the Fergus Falls Fish and Game Club and serving as its current treasurer. The Club holds the record for the longest standing small town sportsmen's club in Minnesota. Its overall objective is conservation of the outdoors. Often it works hand-in-hand with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the Minnesota DNR. The organization has helped to purchase land to preserve its natural beauty, most recently having done so with respect to a piece of property on the south end of the Prairie Wetland Learning Center. The Club's annual steak fry is back this year after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic; it will be held on August 18th at the West Otter Tail County Fairgrounds with happy hour starting at 5:00 and dinner served at 6:30, with the program beginning at 8:00. The meals are $25 for adults and $10 for youth; if you pay in advance, you get entered in an early bird drawing. If you want to purchase early, you can do so at Country Glass or South Mill Service. They typically serve 300 to 325 at the event. The Club has also taken over sponsorship of the annual "Wopodie Camp" from the now defunct Minnesota Waterfowl Association. The goal is to immerse children between the ages of 13 and 15 in nature; the camp is held at the aforementioned Prairie Wetland Learning Center. The first such camp was started about 35 years ago and has been held at its current location for 20 years. The camp this year will run from August 7 through the 13. Because of COVID precautions, they will have a reduced number of campers from prior years -- this year about 27 compared to 50 in past years (typically 6-10 are girls). Activities include environmental education and practical skills development, the latter including duck and goose calling (we should invite the best duck caller to kick off next year's Lucky Duck Derby), dog training, hunter safety and first aid, individual shooting instruction, and game care and preparation. About ten years ago they also started an Advanced Woodie Camp where anyone who has attended Woodie Camp in the prior two years get together to improve their skills over MEA weekend with an actual hunt. The organization's county fair set-up no longer features live animals, replaced with aquariums full of lake creatures, 150 mounted ducks and geese hanging from the rafters and a display of 70 to 80 native plants; they also have a free laser shoot game. In response to questions, Mike foresaw a decline in our goose population due to the closing of the Hoot Lake plant but also noted a big increase in Trumpeter Swans, noting the latter seem to be turning into field eaters. The Club celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2020 and membership is $10.00 a year for an individual, $15 for a family. Its website is www.FFFGCMN.org. President Ken arranged this program in the last couple days before our meeting and it was most informative. Thanks Ken and Mike! |
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