September 3, 2019
President Hu Beaver called the meeting to order at 12:15pm. The meeting was held at The Kwataqnuk Resort. Rob Turner led us in song. Keith Urbach gave the invocation.
Announcements are as follows:
“Happy bucket”: Hu, Janet, Dick Beighle, Jens and Ron Bone
Visiting Rotarians: Sheriane Eckenrod and Bob Dayton.
Guest: Rob Turner introduced Karen Byron.
The second Tuesday social event will be held from 5-7pm, Tuesday, September 10th aboard the Shadow. A $13.50 charge person. Heavy Hors d’oeuvres will be served and everyone receives a ticket for one free drink, then a cash bar after that. There will be no noon lunch meeting that day. 56 people have signed up to attend.
Boyd Foster won the drawing and gave the money to the Martini Fund.
Hu and Dan Barz will be attending the Hands Across the Border celebration, representing Polson Rotary.
The program this week was introduced by Tom Bansak. Our guest speaker was Flathead Lake Biological Station Director and Bierman Professor of Ecology Dr. James Elser. He spoke on the “state of Flathead Lake.” He said the lake is blue and that is a good thing. He said that not too many lakes in the United States are blue. He explained that the reason that Flathead Lake is blue is because nutrients and invasive species are kept out the lake. Dr. Elser mentioned that the Biological station now monitors not only mid- lake but also Polson Bay for water quality and temperature and mussel DNA. He mentioned that a study was done on the monetary impact to the lake should mussels invade. The total was estimated to be $234 million a year. $122 million to recreation, $61 million to agriculture, $47 million to infrastructure and $4 million to government revenues. He said property values would be impacted by an estimated $497 million.
Dr. Elser said the Flathead Lake Biological Station is looking to partner with businesses to help sustain the station’s work. He said they are looking for 100 businesses to invest $1000 a year. To find out more visit: crowdfunding.support.org.
The next Polson Rotary meeting will be Tuesday, September 10th at 5pm aboard the Shadow at the Kwataqnuk Resort.
September Assignments:
Invocation: Dave Overcast
Justice: Rich Forbis
Song Leader: Rob Turner
Sergeant at Arms: Steve Bauer
September Programs:
Sept 10: Shadow Cruise
Sept 17: Birthday Talks
Sept 24: Jens Gran
September birthdays: Janet Mulroy, Joe Blacker, Rich Forbis, Ed Gannon, John Hughes, Bret Richardson, Doug Wold and Karen Dunwell.