The White Oaks Park clean-up season is winding down with one last clean-up scheduled for Wednesday, October 21 at 5:00 p.m. (NOTE the earlier start time). Meet at the park and spend approximately an hour making sure the park is clean and safe for families to enjoy. Be sure to bring work gloves and plastic bags or a bucket for trash.
White Oaks Park is located at 4597 55th St NW in Rochester.
Why do club members and family and friends of The Rotary Club of Rochester clean-up White Oaks Park every month? The answer is simple, the club adopted the park several years ago, and a group of dedicated volunteers have kept the clean-up tradition going.
Pictured is July's clean-up crew: John Woodruff, Frank Allen, Josef Chlachula, and Rick from the neighborhood.
Rochester Rotary's Annual Golf Outing and Happy Hour
Thursday, September 17
Tee times begin at 2:00 pm | Hadley Creek Golf Course
Happy Hour at 5:00 pm | Tavern 22
Four-person scramble, nine holes with cart. All levels of golfers are welcome! This is meant for fun and fellowship! Sign-up as a team, or individually, and we will put you on a team. Standard green fee and cart charge only. Join us for Happy Hour at 5:00 pm at Tavern 22. All Rotarians and friends are invited.
If you are interested in joining your fellow Rotarians to golf, RSVP to Frank Allen.
Rochester Rotary Clubs are looking for one or two additional families to host incoming Rotary Youth Exchange student Clara who has arrived in Rochester from France. Clara is 15 years old, plays basketball, enjoys drawing and playing chess, and loves the outdoors and animals. She is passionate about science and is interested in aerospace engineering. Rotary Exchange Students typically stay with their host family fro 3-6 months. Clara is attending Mayo High School.
It was a beautiful day for the Quarry Hill Fall Festival held on Saturday, September 12. As is done every year, Rotarians and family members volunteered to serve in the food tent. Many thanks to Randy S., Phil K., and his wife Kay, Marilyn D., Colin A., Sara G., Karl J., Lorie L. and her husband, Todd, Mel T., Gail B., and Danielle K.
Wabasha Rotary is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a community picnic on Saturday, September 19 from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm in Wabasha. Their members would be delighted to have Rochester Rotary members and guests celebrate with them. Rotarians will gather around 12:45 pm to have lunch together. View the entire flier to learn more.
Our Rotary family is deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and fellow Rotarian, Karen Ricklefs, who passed away on August 24, 2026. She was a member of The Rotary Club of Rochester for 30 years.
Karen lived a life dedicated to "Service Above Self," leaving a lasting impact on our community and our Rotary club through years of selfless volunteerism. Her dedication to making the world a better place was evident in everything she did. Her legacy of kindness and community service will continue to inspire us.
We send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to her husband and fellow Rotarian, Merlin, and the entire Ricklefs family. A memorial service was held at Charter House on August 30. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held October 24 at Zumbro Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. with the service at 10:30 a.m., followed by a reception.
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of our esteemed fellow member and dear friend, George Allen Sr., who passed away on September 4, 2026.
George was a dedicated member of The Rotary Club of Rochester for 45 years. Throughout his time with us, he truly embodied our motto of "Service Above Self." Whether he was participating in a club project or quietly supporting our club's initiatives, George’s warmth, leadership, and unwavering commitment left an indelible mark on our club and our community.
We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Dorothy, and his son, TRCR President Frank Allen, and the entire Allen family. A memorial service was held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at Zumbro Lutheran Church.
September is Basic Education and Literacy Month - one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus. Reading and writing are critical for success in life – for gaining information, communicating, making agreements, and so forth.
Enhancing Basic Education skills and Literacy are essential in reducing poverty, improving health, encouraging community and economic development, and promoting peace. Improvements can reduce maternal death, improve childhood survivability, and reduce poverty. They can also enable success in business or a profession.
Projects undertaken by a Rotary Club can address low adult literacy, returning youth to school, enhancing student performance, or supplementing limited school resources.
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