New District Governor Visits Elk River
Roy A Sjoberg, District Governor 2008-09
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 5960, INC.

The Elk River Rotary Club hosted District 5960 Governor Roy A. Sjoberg (2008 - 2009) at their regular meeting on July 10th at noon at LaRose's in Elk River.

July marks the transition of leadership for Rotary International including the transition in local leadership. Bob Maxwell succeeds Cathy Mehelich as the president for the Elk River Rotary Club. The 2008 - 2009 Rotary Theme is Make Dreams Real.

Anyone interested in becoming a Rotarian is invited to visit our club meeting held on Thursdays at noon at LaRose's. You are also invited to check out other information about our club on this website. We have links to District and International websites here to see the worldwide scope of Rotary and the individuals that support it's mission. We look forward to seeing you soon. Photos by Tony Michols

Taste of Elk River 2008

A Tremendous Success......

THANK YOU!!!

The 2008 Taste of Elk River was a tremendous success. This years "Taste" was held on May 15th from 5:00 - 9:00 PM at Lions Park in Elk River. A huge thank you to our sponsors and the approximate 1100 guests (final numbers to follow) that attended the third annual Rotary event. Our guests and sponsores were again treated to a beautiful evening to celebrate the many "Tastes of Elk River" and the surrounding communities.

It's never too soon to think about next year. If you are interested in joining us as a guest or vendor please contact us as soon as possible. For our guests we will keep our online ticket order option open throughout the year. Just click on the PayPal link below. Thank you again for your support.

A special thanks to this years main corporate sponsor The Bank of Elk River and to the many other sponsors and vendors who participated in this years "Taste of Elk River". You will find a complete listing of the sponsors and vendors under the Taste of Elk River tab to your left. While patronizing their establishment thank them for their participation. We could not make the contributions to local, national and international causes without community participation and the generous support of our sponsors and vendors.

Proceeds of approximately $20,300 from the 2007 event purchased a walk-in freezer for CAER and other Rotary projects including "Polio Plus" spearheaded by Rotary International. The 2006 "Taste of Elk River" provided the funds to complete the restoration work on Handke Stadium.

The proceeds from the 2008 "Taste of Elk River" will be for a riverbank trail improvement project under development in conjunction with the City of Elk River Park and Rec Department. The project will be the beginning of a trail system which will eventually connect downtown Elk River to Babcock Park. The trail will include a plaza and benches.

The Elk River Rotary Club wants to thank you again for your support of all our community activities. Pictured are current Rotary President Cathy Mehelich and Rotarians Bob Elveru and Lynn Caswell.

Elk River Rotary Paul Harris Fellows Announced for 2008

The Elk River Rotary announced this years recipients of the Paul Harris Fellowship. Two from the community and four from the clubs membership. Those receiving the award from the community for their work were Sherburne County Sheriff Bruce Anderson and Elk River Chief of Police Jeffrey Beahen. Club members receiving the award and funds also donated in their names to Rotary were Bruce Tyler, Cathy McManus, Mel Beadry and Jim Babcock. Presenting the awards were President Cathy Mehelich and Rotarian Stewart Wilson.

To become a Paul Harris Fellow a gift by an individual or in an individuals name of $1,000 or more must be given to the Annual Programs Fund. Each new Paul Harris Fellow receives a commemorative certificate, a Paul Harris Fellow pin, and a medallion. Donors are also eligible for Paul Harris Fellow recognition when their cumulative giving reaches $1,000.

DISTRICT ACKNOWLEDGES LES ANDERSON AT CONFERENCE FOR EDUCATION AND FUND RAISING FOR POLIO PLUS

Les Anderson, who has struggled with polio and its aftermath since 1946 , has launched a personal effort to raise funds for Rotary International’s Polio Plus campaign, aimed at making every country in the world polio-free. Les is pictured here at the recent Rotary District Conference held at the Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria, Minnesota addressing the attendees. He described his life with polio and the work that Rotary is doing worldwide to eliminate the disease. He has donated the proceeds from his book to Rotary International and it's fight to rid the disease worldwide.

Anderson began his campaign before his home Elk River Rotary Club Oct. 18.After hearing his story about his bout with polio, club members contributed $700.Club President Catherine Mehelich said the club is also contributing another $500, and hopes to raise $1500 for Polio Plus.

Rotary District 5960 also has budgeted $25,000 for Polio Plus. The Rotary Foundation also is matching 50 cents on every dollar for Polio Plus, Mehelich said.

Anderson has written a book “My Life with Polio” which tells how he got polio as a farm boy and was treated with hot packs therapy at the Fort Snelling barracks. A highlight of his book are excerpts from 90 letters he wrote to his family.

After hearing District Governor Clare D. Lillis’s plan to ask every Rotarian in the district to give $10 to Polio Plus, Anderson decided to sell his book to Rotarians for $20, to deduct his expenses of printing and taxes and contribute $11 to Polio Plus.

His next talk and book offer will be Oct. 29 at the Coon Rapids Rotary Club meeting. On Nov. 7, he will talk to the Blaine Rotarians.Anderson hopes to talk to all of the Rotary clubs in the northern half of the district.
At the same time in the southern half of the district, Richard Maus of Northfield, who came down with polio at the age of four months, is speaking to Rotary clubs about the book he wrote describing his battle with polio.
Anderson has contacted Maus in Northfield who will soon be seeking donations when he speaks at the Rotary clubs of St. Paul, Farmington, LeSeuer and Owatonna.
Anderson can be contacted at 763-441-2612.