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We met virtually and Kathy Austvold offered our invocation. President Ken gave kudos to everyone involved in distributing 258 dictionaries at the public schools, Hillcrest's Lower Campus and OLV the week of December 5th, which included Bonnie Denzel (who also led the effort), Kathy Austvold, Steve Leitte, Hal Leland, Dave Johnson, Randy Kempfer, John MacFarlane, Lisa McFarland, Ryan Welle and Ken Harty himself. This was the fourteenth year we have provided dictionaries to third graders. Thanks also to Rotarians Randy Kempfer, Mary Pettit, Zack Stach, and Kathy Austvold for distributing 188 Ander & Elmer books to second graders at the same schools on December 8th and 9th. There was a Rotary Minute Quiz based on the December Rotary magazine and we did not do too well; maybe at least one of the questions will be repeated and we will have a chance to do better! Keith Olson led off our Brags & Fines, stating that while in Mexico he and brother Guy made up a Rotary meeting while sitting on a beach enjoying the sights; he also talked about a feature on WDAY television the previous night that involved the mother of one of Kim's best friends. Mary Pettit noted the contributions of our speaker to the School of Dance's Dance & Dessert, with sell-outs for both public performances and over 400 students bussed in to enjoy the show. Buzz Lundeen was back after needing some time off to recover from knee surgery and he contributed for that. Ken talked about attending an 11-year-old grandson's Christmas program where he (the grandson) performed a solo. President Ken also reported that Union Pizza is changing ownership and will be closing for remodeling at the beginning of the New Year. Short-term plans have us meeting at the Salvation Army for a while. Michael Burgraff, Executive Director of A Center for the Arts was our speaker; he has served in that capacity for now his 12th year. He noted that this is the longest he has served in one position and the energy of his presentation made it clear he is very excited about the Center's future plans. Many similar organizations experienced a 60% reduction in audiences and giving during the pandemic but that was pretty much avoided here. There are 399 seats on the main floor and 12 people can sit up in the President's Box where they have the added benefit of being able to see the depth of the stage. Upcoming events include Lance Johnson playing Christmas songs on the Wurlitzer this coming Friday at noon and that evening there will be a showing of Elf, starting at 6:00 p.m. Their Concert Series continues on January 14 with a "Spoonful of Love," a salute to the music and influence of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band, The Lovin' Spoonful. On February 25th there will be a group performing the songs of Paul and Carly Simon, while on March 11th another group will perform a tribute to Foreigner. The final concert on April 15 will be a tribute to the Monkees. Their Connoisseur Series (the two series will be combined next year with eight shows) also continues, with "OboeBass!" on January 20th and Pavlo on March 18th. There will be a barbershop choir performing in April and then a visit from a dance company in May. There will again be summer tribute concerts on the Kirkbride grounds, starting off on July 8th with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young songs; followed on July 16th with ABBA tunes; July 23rd with a Garth Brooks band; August 20th with the hit songs of Queen and August 27th with the songs of the Rolling Stones (I must be the only one who thinks the last referenced group just hollers almost all of their songs.) Individual tickets are now on sale. Michael emphasized that concert goers can bring a cooler with anything they want to drink to the summer concerts since Kirkbride Park is considered a public park. He also stated the major difference between the community concert series and what the Center offers is that with the latter you can always purchase tickets for individual shows; both, however, offer wonderful programs. The Center's 100-year-old structure is in need of a new boiler and the price tag on that is expected to range between $20,000 to $40,000; fundraising is underway. Finally, Michael stated one thing that is well known at the State's Art Board and throughout the State, is the annual performance involving up to 200 children in June; they are also hoping to have a concert for little children in July. |
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