Club member Robert Sevener will speak at the next meeting on Wednesday, May 28, 11:45 AM at the Riverside Bar & Grill on River Street behind the Alanson Post Office.

Getting organized for a "big event" was one of our priority goals for the 2024/25 Rotary Year.  Robert and Becky Sevener hosted a planning event at their home a few weeks ago, and we have a preliminary three-year time line for an all hands signature event with a modest first-year roll out in early August.  Robert will present a summary of our current thinking on the code-named "Flotilla Project."

Area Historical Note

Lynne Lesky has organized an excellent local history section at the Alanson Area Public Library.  I found this 1924 letter to the editor of the Alanson Echo.  The writer is annoyed that no fishing bait is available, and he maintains that the answer to the town's future economic development depends on a ready supply of worms.

Announcements

For members who are tending the Quarter Mile Challenge Jars at various retail locations, please monitor the jar contents, and periodically bring the cash to our monthly meetings for bank deposit. Year-to-date, we have received $357 in donations.  Also, please provide Pat Ryde with your Oleson's receipts (they add up!)

Our next Board Meeting will be at 8:30 AM on Wednesday, June 4 in the Oleson's coffee area.  Please inform Pat Ryde of proposed agenda items.  Our current board members are Randy Evans, Sam Fairbairn, Cindy Neahr, Leah Pierce, and Pat Ryde.

Please contact Pat Ryde or sign up at the next meeting for our first annual Officer Exchange, 5:30 PM on Monday, June 23 at Camp Petosega.  The club will provide the main dish, but everyone should bring a dish to pass (at the next meeting, we will coordinate items so we don't have too many chip dips, potato salads, orange jello, broccoli casseroles, or rhubarb pies). Also, please bring your own dishes, utensils, and beverages. Pat will end her two-year reign as our club leader, and pass the gavel to Cindy Neahr, our 2025/26 President.  (Cindy will be followed by Sam Fairbairn, our 2026/27 President Nominee.)

On Monday, May 12, Denise Evans, Susan Brochu-Hoshield, Becky Sevener and Lynne Lesky volunteered at the Manna Food Project assembling emergency food boxes and Food 4 Kids backpacks.  Did you know that 64,000 bags of food were distributed to more than 30 area schools and libraries in 2024? 

Please let Cindy Neahr record your volunteer hours at each meeting.  Volunteer hours include all non-paid charitable work, including school, church, or non-profit volunteering.

May is New Member Month.  Please bring a guest to the meeting.  There will be a prize for the member who brings the most guests!

Our current bank balance is $6,276. A monthly St. Francis Credit Union statement is available for your review at each meeting.