Inspiring leaders with passion to serve humanity; strengthening youth for tomorrow's leadership and enhancing lives in our world.
Thursday June 15, 2023
Today at Rotary, President Elect, Debbi Rydberg ran our meeting! John Osterman led our song and Bruce “Buck” Tyler had a solid prayer for us.
Attending
Melanie Clemons, Julie Fish, Neil Gagnon, Katie Harstad, Mark Kuyava, Tove Lichty, Angela Nies, Cal Portner, Pete Reiner, Debbi Rydberg, Marv Sorvala, Bill Yueill, honoraries Bob Maxwell, John Osterman and Bruce Tyler
Announcements
-Debbi Rydberg asked us to save the date for August 5 from 10 am to 2 pm. She is in need of 4 to 5 volunteers, can be Rotarians and their family or friends! She needs help to host a table and collect lithium batteries during the event. The event is called Elk River ElectriFUNCATION & EV Test Drive Event. It is an educational event sponsored by the Initiative Foundation, City of Elk River, Sherburne County and the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce. A sign-up sheet was sent around!
-Please Note – there will not be Rotary noon meetings for two weeks – June 29th and July 6th. We will resume meeting on Thursday, July 13th.
-SOCIAL! Will be held in place of our meeting next week and will be held at The Edge on Main Street in Elk River, beginning at 4:30 pm.
-Card Game – a 6 of clubs was pulled and there was not a winner!
Program
Bruce “Buck” Tyler arranged our program today and we had the privilege of hearing from the Mayor of Otsego Jessica Stockkkamp. Jessica and Bruce met many years ago when they served as board members for the Three Rivers Community Foundation. Jessica has been the Mayor of Otsego since 2007! She has enjoyed her role as Mayor for a city that deals with three school districts and five zip codes! She gave us an update on the City of Otsego. There is a lot going on! They are hiring their first emergency services director in July. They will still keep their community ties but are planning for their future. They have two parcels for future fire departments. They have plans to build out their city campus with a new building to come in the near future. It will be a City Hall addition. Housing market is strong with 94 permits in 2023. The interest rates have slowed things down. They have three apartment buildings in the city. People are always looking for apartment housing. The population of Otsego is now 22,705 and they are now third in the state for growth. They are also the largest city in Wright County. Otsego parks are going well. They have many walk, bike paths to get you around the area. There is a trails on 39 and 38 to connect you to the Albertville Outlet Mall! She spoke about the park that is behind Guardian Angels Riverview Landing and the future of it may include docks and kayak lockers. They hope to utilize the river better. They are working with Way Finding for a grant through the County for signage with QR codes to tell about the location you are at. Prairie Park is in the center of the city. It is a large community park with build out plans. They are asking people what they are wanting. 2022 welcomed many new businesses and 2023 welcomes many more! Michaels opened this year; Aldi is building, Blue Dot built a new building; Kennedy Vision from Elk River is moving to Otsego near Cowboy Jacks; Christian Brothers Automotive Repair is coming to the Target parking lot space. They will be new to Minnesota. Java Co. is building a three bay retail space that includes a drive-thru in the plans, but Jessica is not sure what is coming to that space. There will be a Starbucks in The Bank of Elk River parking lot and To Be Kids Daycare Center is looking into coming to Otsego. They are also working on improving their drinking water quality and working to decrease the magnesium and iron in their water. They have received a Federal grant for phase one of improvement. It will be impactful for residents. Their waste water treatment center is also being improved. Jessica reports that they are looking for fast food leads. She loves the sit down restaurants, but to balance things out, is looking for a fast food place. Dealing with three school districts is sometimes challenging and she also reminded us of the Kaleidoscope Charter School that is also located in Otsego. Debbi thanked Jessica for speaking to us today!
Happy Bucks
-Nicole Wojcik, who wasn’t with us today, sent a message with Julie Fish to report that they have won the treasure hunt three weeks in a row at their camper location and are looking forward to doing it this coming weekend again!
-Cal Portner was happy to be here. He is back from a trip with an airline debacles along the way!
-Bruce “Buck” Tyler was happy to hear from speaker Jessica Stockkamp!
-Julie Fish was $5 happy – happy for Jessica and her Mayoral service since 2007; was happy to have taken notes last week at her last time as Club Secretary at the board of directors meeting; final happy buck was for today as the last day of taking notes as the bulletin editor, a job she has done for about 28 years.
- Bob Maxwell wants to add - Having worked with Julie for all this time producing the bulletin together (she writes it - not an easy job) and I
produce it into bulletin. Having substituted a few times taking the notes you just don't know the time it takes during the meeting and putting it all together after. The bulletin is just one of the jobs Julie has had including President, Secretary, Paul Harris Super Contributer and so many more.
Oh, and she runs a great business too.
Thank you, Julie. Its' been my pleasure to work with you. Bob
Katie Harstad was happy for Rockwoods Bonfire Wednesday events and that they are going. well with a new rearrangement. She was also happy to be going to look at a house in Otsego to purchase.
-Speaker Jessica Stockkamp had a happy $10 to thank us for coming to rotary today; thank you for Katie and Rockwoods for all they do; and happy for Rotary and all we do!
-Mark Kuyava had a happy buck – he is happy to be happy!
Together we recited the 4 Way Test of the things we think, say and do!
Thursday June 15, 2023
Last week at Rotary, President Theresa Slominski led our meeting! John Osterman led our song and Theresa had a very solid prayer for us!
Attending
Dirk Barrett, Melanie Clemons, Julie Fish, Neil Gagnon, Molly Hanson, Katie Harstad, Heather Kliewer, Tove Lichty, Pete Reiner, Debbi Rydberg, Theresa Slominski, Joe Stremcha, Nicole Wojcik, honoraries Dave Anderson, Bob Maxwell, John Osterman, Bruce Tyler, Stewart Wilson
Guests
-Don Horvath, past Rotarian, Paul Harris Fellow and guest of Heather Kliewer
-Bob Elveru, past Rotarian, past club president, visiting from Texas
-Jim and Heather, board of director members for the YMCA
-John Houlton, special guest for the presentation today
-Jane Barrett, wife of Dirk Barrett and special guest for the presentation today
President Theresa started our day with calling up Rotarian Molly Hanson with the YMCA and a couple board of directors, Jim and Heather to present them with a check from our fund raising the Taste of Elk River. The YMCA was our Signature Donation Recipient for 2023 and President Theresa and Treasurer Neil Gagnonpresented them with our oversized check (and a real check) for $12,000! It was a beautiful photo moment and Bob Maxwell captured it nicely! Molly thanked us for the funds and thanked her board members at the YMCA for all they do. The funds received will help families with child care needs!
Program
Honorary member and Paul Harris Fellow, Stewart Wilson welcomed everyone today for our annual presentation of Paul Harris Fellows! He stated that the check to the YMCA represents the importance and the essence of Rotary and how we help and serve people. We spread goodwill. He is proud that our club helps to support the YMCA. Stewart then went on to tell us who Paul Harris was and what the Rotary Foundation is about. It all began more than 111 years ago and now, Rotary boasts 46,000 clubs world wide! Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary. Paul was born in 1868 in Wisconsin. Stewart told of his rough childhood in poverty. His parents were not able to care for him and his brother so they were raised by their grandparents. Paul ensued his vocation in Iowa and received his law degree in 1896. He practiced law in Chicago. In 1905, at 37 years old, he formed a group with three people to meet weekly to share a meal and talk business. 1907 launched the first service project - construction public toilets in Chicago. By 1910, there were 15 clubs throughout the country, including St. Paul, Minnesota, who started the first international club in Winnipeg Canada. Now 46,000 clubs throughout the world and 1.4 million members! After 1912, Paul stepped aside for the most part and guided rotary until his death in 1947. Stewart shared a few quotes from Paul Harris. “Rotary allows ordinary people to do extraordinary things” is one of my favorites. In 1917, at the convention, Rotarian Arch Klump started a six point action plan to establish the endowment fund - the Rotary Foundation. This was started to build good in the world. For the past 11 years, the Rotary Foundation has received four star ratings by the international valuator. 92% of funds are spent on programs. Polio Plus program really shows the rotary way as it partners with the Gates Foundation to raise more funds, faster. Since 1980, Elk River Rotary has held an annual tradition of recognizing two new Paul Harris Fellows in our club and community. Our first Paul Harris Fellow was Bob Kemper, with Kemper Drug. Today we honor two new Paul Harris Fellows who exemplify Service Above Self. We have given two $1,000 donations for the awards and are pleased to present their awards as they join the list of 78 Paul Harris Fellows in Elk River Rotary.
John Osterman introduced John Houlton as our first recipient. John has been chosen for his contributions to our club through the Taste of Elk River. John was born and raised in Elk River. His family dates back to 1840 here! Both of John’s parents - Bud and Jane, have been honored as Paul Harris Fellows in the past. John said this award is extremely humbling and meaningful to him. He researched the award, and was more humbled after that! He thanked us for granting him the honor and has admiration for all of us and what we do. This is most special! Next up, Heather Kliewer introduced us to our next recipient - Rotarian Dirk Barrett. Dirk has been in the Elk River community since 1973 and an Elk River Rotarian for seven years, leading the Taste of Elk River for three of those seven years. Dirk also is a board member for the CAER Food Shelf and gives in full force there as well. He is a champion at CAER, St. Andrew’s Church and many other things that we don’t see! Dirk was also very humbled. He learned of Rotary and realized he had many connections to members and wanted to be a part of it! Congratulations to our newest Paul Harris Fellows - Dirk Barrett and John Houlton! Theresa Slominski thanked everyone while Julie Fish passed out a sheet listing all of our Paul Harris Fellows and pointed out that three of our newest members are club transfers and they come to us with the PHF! They include Marv Sorvala, Joe Stremcha and Bill Yueill!
Club Announcements
-Taste of Elk River by Katie Harstad - the After Taste meeting went well. They are considering major changes so please come to the planning meetings and be a part of this progression! The next meeting will be Tuesday, July 18th at 5:30 pm at the Furniture and Things Community Center.
-NO MEETING THURSDAY, JUNE 29th and NO MEETING THURSDAY, JULY 6th!
-Social Event - Join Rotarians on Wednesday, June 28th at the Edge on Main Street, starting at 4:30 pm. Need further information - contact Nicole Wojcik
-August 5th, your help is needed to man a table for the Elk River ElectriFUNCATION and EV test driveevent at the Furniture and things Community Center from 10 to 2. We will host a table and collect lithium batteries. Debbi Rydberg is looking for volunteers so please let her know if you can assist!
-Happy Birthday to Bruce Buck Tyler! We sang a horrible $5 version for his $10, by his request!
-Card draw was a 10 of spades and there was not a winner.
Happy Bucks -Theresa Slominski had a buck in appreciation of community volunteers and for those receive the Paul Harris Fellow award today!
-Dirk Barrett was happy to receive the Paul Harris Fellow today and happy to share the excitement with his wife and friends Don Horvath and Bob Elveru who joined in the celebration! Dirk was also happy because vacation is next week!
-Joe Stremcha was happy because it is his dog’s 11th birthday! Happy Birthday!
-Debbi Rydberg was happy to participate in a ribbon cutting this morning at the Sherburne County Government Center for Black Bird Coffee. It is a training facility for Options to train staff so they may enter in to the workforces of other barista jobs.
-Molly Hanson was $5 happy to have Jim and Heather with her here today, happy for our club and our community! -Pete Reiner was happy for all of our guests today and pointed out that guest Bob Elveru is a past president!
-Nicole Wojcik was happy to welcome the new Paul Harris Fellows; her step son had his one year anniversary in the military; it was a successful start to the summer program and that is very refreshing; happy for treasure hunts at the camper! -Tove Lichty was happy for her husband who finished his fourth year as a reader in a literacy program and she is happy for the community impact he has made for kids grades K-3!
-Guest Jane Barrett was happy for Dirk today!
Together we recited the 4 Way Test and President Theresa rang the dismissal bell!
Thursday June 1, 2023
Today our meeting was led by President Theresa Slominski!
Attending
Dirk Barrett, Terry Bizal, Melanie Clemons, Julie Fish, Neil Gagnon, Katie Harstad, Heather Kliewer, Mark Kuyava, Dr. Laura Mullennex, Debbi Rydberg, Theresa Slominski, Marv Sorvala, Joe Stremcha, Adam Stumne, Nicole Wojcik, honorees' Bob Maxwell, John Osterman and Bruce Tyler
Visiting Rotarians
Floyd and Dave from the Rogers Rotary were here today to sell raffle tickets and invite us to participate in their upcoming golf tournament, which will be held at Fox Hollow on Tuesday, June 13th with a 10 am shot gun start. Floyd shared stories of how they have used the funds raised in the past. They also mentioned a new Chevrolet Silverado for anyone with a hole in one on hole #8!
Program
Adam Stumne arranged for our program today and presented us with Ken Seiser, Election Manager for Sherburne County. Ken has held this position for two and a half years. His first election was the state election last year. Is first presidential election will be in 2024. He also assists with township, primary, general, school and special elections. He shared details with us about filing for an election and the filing costs. Dominion is the company that handles the voting in Sherburne County. They use their equipment, memory cards, machines, etc. it is a top secure position. Many things are done with two people, one democrat and one republican. This is to make sure things are legit. Ken shared information with us about absentee voting and told us about voting for folks overseas in the military or abroad for other reasons. 92% of states, including Minnesota, use paper ballots for back up and they keep them for 22 months. There is a ballot room that is locked and takes two people of different parties to enter. The ballot boxes are sealed. Ken shared that Sherburne County is looking for election judges. All day or short shifts are available and you can be as young as 16 years old to be an election judge. He then opened for question/answer time. President Theresa thanked him for speaking and sharing this great information with us!
Announcements
Debbi Rydbergtold us to save the date for August 5 from 10 am to 2 pm. She is in need for 4 to 5 volunteers, can be rotarians and their family or friends! Help is needed to host a table and collect lithium batteries during the event – Elk River ElectiriFUNCATION & EV test drive event. Please let her know if you can help out!
-Taste of Elk River After Taste meeting will be held on Monday, June 12th at 6 pm at Aegir.
-Next week we will honor two new Paul Harris Fellows. Please be sure to attend!
-Card draw was a queen of hearts and there was not a winner.
Happy Bucks
-Theresa was happy to be here today as she drove here from her cabin near Bemidji and after the meeting, she is going back!
-Heather Kliewer paid her $20 birthday IOU. She also had a thank you buck for our club giving a scholarship to an Ivan Sand student. She attended and was thanked by a couple of people who said they were honored that Rotarians would come to present the scholarship. She was having “a day” today with a lot of debacles, but is getting through! She was also very happy for many wonderful friends and family who laid flooring at CAER on Saturday from 7 am to 6 pm. It is beautiful!
-Dirk Barrett is happy to be going camping with his boys to a location north of Grand Marais!
-Marv Sorvala was happy that next week he is going to Branson with his daughters and eleven grands!
-Nicole Wojcik was happy for the last day of school and believe it or not, her daughter will be a senior! She made it through her junior year! Nicole was happy to have gone to the camper last weekend and again this weekend and is having fun with a treasure hunt there. Handke is again going through a huge remodel and tomorrow they will relocate to VandenBerg school for the summer!
-Dave Christian, visiting Rotarian, had a happy buck from the Rogers Rotary. He shared a funny story about golf socks with 18 holes in them!
-Katie Harstad had a buck, not happy, then happy for some irrigation issues at Rockwoods and that things are now under control because her dad came to the rescue! She was also pooped on by a bird! Lol! It is all behind her and today is the last day of school and her daughter has turned her two or three F’s into passing grades!
Together we recited the 4 Way Test!
Thursday June 1, 2023
Today, President Theresa Slominski led our meeting. John Osterman led our song and Theresa had our prayer and shared about Rotary and Peace from the rotary book in the cabinet.
Attending
Dirk Barrett, Terry Bizal, Melanie Clemons, Julie Fish, Molly Hanson, Katie Harstad, Mark Kuyava, Tove Lichty, Angela Nies, Cal Portner, Pete Reiner, Debbi Rydberg, Theresa Slominski, Nicole Wojcik, Bill Yueill, honorary Glen Ertel, Bob Maxwell, John Osterman, Bruce Tyler and Stewart Wilson
Marv Sorvala had our program today, but wasn’t able to be with us so Cal Portner introduced us to Justin Femrite. Here is the intro:
Justin Femrite has served as the City of Elk River’s Public Works Director and Chief Engineer since 2018. He was originally the city’s consulting engineer and was hired full-time as our City Engineer in 2010. As director he oversees city engineering/project management, streets, parks, building and stormwater system maintenance, and the wastewater treatment operation.
Chief Femrite (he loves to be called that, much to the chagrin of the police chief, has many accomplishments in his nearly 13 years with the city. He was the principal city project manager for the $12 million public works expansion project, $17 million Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade project, and numerous public infrastructure projects. He developed and implemented the city franchise fee and pavement management program which significantly decreased property owner costs and property taxes and virtually eliminated public infrastructure property tax assessments, spearheaded the plan and acquired grant funding to silence train horns at all Elk River Rail Road Crossings, was instrumental in the planning and development for the acquisition of our $157 million Corridors of Commerce Grant which has now brought you temporary pain and hardship traveling along the highway 169 corridor.
While these massive accomplishments get a lot of attention, in his career field and his career, there are so many things you never see which are even more vital, which may be some of Justin’s greatest accomplishments. Public asset management, trail and mobility improvements, private utility connections, intersection enhancements, stormwater program development, landfill leachate disposal, mining, traffic, and development studies are things we take for granted as we flush our toilets, drive to the grocery store, or enjoy our property.
Justin grew up in St. Clair, MN near Mankato, and earned his Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the Harvard of the West, the University of Minnesota. He’s from a family of engineers and like many of his family began his career with Bolten & Menk. His father is one of the earliest employees at BMI, badge #4?
He’s a member of the American Public Works Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, and City Engineers Association of Minnesota, serving as president in 2020.
He and his wife Jen own a home and gravel pit in Elk River, and have two sons, Carter is a rising sophomore and proud NDSU Bison, Blake, the basketball star, is a rising senior at Spectrum High School. I think they also have a dog.
Justin thanked us for the invite. He has been with Elk River for 13 years and nothing would have been accomplished without the city council, our elected officials and city staff. Nothing happens without any of them. Justin talked about the Franchise Fee that began in 2013 and how it changed the way they collect on road updates. He also spoke about the waste water facility upgrade in 2015. It is a state of the art facility. He passed out key tags with a QR code on it that leads to an award winning video, created by their creative and dedicated staff. Net on to Highway 169 Redefine project and told us about the way things are going and that they are on time and he is impressed with the whole operation. The two intersections under construction should be done on time, November 1st. Upcoming project could be Highway 10, to redo Highway 10 from the 101 bridge to Ramsey, MN. They have submitted for funding consideration. Theresa thanked Justin!
Announcements
-Mark your calendars - Monday, June 12th at 6 pm at Aegir for an After Taste Meeting.
- Rotarians – please remember to get your tickets and money turned in to your managers. Managers – please remember to get your tickets and money turned in toTreasurer Neil Gagnon.
-Debbi Rydberg told us to save the date for August 5 from 10 am to 2 pm. She is in need of 4 to 5 volunteers, can be rotarians and their family or friends! She needs help to host a table and collect lithium batteries during the event. The event is called Elk River ElectriFUNCATION & EV Test Drive Event. It is an educational event sponsored by the Initiative Foundation, City of Elk River, Sherburne County and the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce.
-Card Draw was an ace of clubs and Stewart had the match. It is a fairly new game so he only won 4 dollars and 4 dollars goes to the Rotary Foundation!
Happy Bucks
-Pete Reiner had a somber happy buck for the Memorial Day Ceremony by the river. It is a beautiful location and was well attended! During the ceremony, an eagle flew over!
-Tove Lichty was happy that last weekend she and Adam stayed home, went for walks and her brother came to town and she was able to visit with him.
-Nicole Wojcik was happy for Memorial Day weekend’s great weather at the camper and happy to have gone to a Janet Jackson concert!
-Cal Portner was happy for some MN Twins tickets he has that he is taking family and friends to! He was also happy to be going to a cabin with a friend this weekend and next week he will travel to Spokane to see an air force friend.
-Katie Harstad was excited for having memorial day weekend! She has some time off and plans to relax and have some mental health time!
-Debbi Rydberg was happy to be seeing her son and daughter in law and to meet her new grand kitten!
- Thresa Slominski was happy for the great weather at the cabin with two boat rides. She was also happy her daughter could join them!
-Mark Kuyava was happy for a fishing trip last weekend with a friend up north! It was nice to get away and he is sure his wife enjoyed his absence also!
Together we recited the 4 Way Test!
Thursday May 25, 2023
Today our meeting was led by President Theresa Slominski. John Osterman led us in song!
Attending
Terry Bizal, Julie Fish, Neil Gagnon, Molly Hanson, Heather Kliewer, Bonnie Koste, Mark Kuyava, Tove Lichty, Dr. Laura Mullennex, Angela Nies, Cal Portner, Kat Sarff, Theresa Slominski, Marv Sorvala, Nicole Wojcik, Bill Yueill, honoraries Dave Anderson, Glen Ertel, Bob Maxwell, John Osterman, Bruce Tyler and Stewart Wilson
Guest: John Houlton, First Bank Elk River – stopped by to give us a giant Thank You for the Taste of Elk River event! It hugely impacts his banking business! This was the biggest crowd they have ever hosted @ 205 paying people!
Luke Mehelich, son of visiting and past Elk River Rotary, Cathy Mehelich, also a past River Clean up attendee!
Visiting Rotarian: Cathy Mehelich, St. Cloud Rotary
Cathy told us about their large fundraiser – Summertime by George, which is a concert series held on Lake George in St. Cloud. It is a bring your own chair music event. The St. Cloud Rotary club raises over $100,000 during their summer concert series.
Program
Our program was arranged by Kat Sarff with the Sherburne County Area United Way. She introduced us to Carol McNaughton-Commers with RSVP program. They are also known as Ameri-Corp Seniors of Greater St. Cloud Community and they serve Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright Counties. They foster volunteer engagement for 55+ to impact lives and strengthen the community. They celebrate 50 years of existence this year! She shared some tracked stats for 2022 – 971 active volunteers; 95,007 hours served; 136 organizations served! She shared a lot of information with us about their program from birthday bags, to intergenerational projects they hold. They have 3 locations – Wright County Justice Center, Sherburne County Government Center and Whitney Senior Center. For more information, Carol can be reached 763-765-3036 or her cell 763-635-4505 or carole.mcnaughton-commers@ci.stcloud.mn.us
Announcements
-Taste of Elk River is complete! Teams – please gather your ticket sales information! Sellers, please get your unsold and sold tickets and money to your team managers. Team Managers – please get your information gathered and turned into Treasurer Neil Gagnon! Bob Maxwell reports that the online ticket sales ended at 195 regular tickets and 76 private tasting room tickets. Silent Auction is around $4180 for sales! Thanks to all for the event! A wrap up meeting will be held soon!
-Happy Birthday song was sung to Heather Kliewer who picked the backwards version . . . and an I.O.U.!
-Bill Yueill and his wife will celebrate their 61st wedding anniversary! Congratulations!
-Card draw was a 2 of clubs and there was not a match!
Happy Bucks
-Heather Kliewer was $3 happy. It is her grandparents anniversary on her birthday; she leaves tomorrow for Idaho Falls to see her son, then on to Denver to see grand kids. She was also very happy to pay happy bucks for two very important people in the room – Angela Nies and Theresa Slominski who assisted with the Silent Auction and kept her calm and were a great back up team for her sanity!
-Bill Yueill was happy for his 61st anniversary!
-Visiting Rotarian Cathy Mehelich was happy to be here as a guest; had a great time at the Taste of Elk River; Luke her son is here so she had to brag as he is a 3 year college student studying biology and working; and her daughter Kate will graduate from Becker high school! And it is her 27th wedding anniversary!
-Bruce Tyler was happy to be traveling with his wife, to Taiwan to visit their son, daughter in law and grand kids from July 17 – August 5!
-Nicole Wojcik was happy for attending a fancy wedding Friday evening; funeral for her friend was a beautiful service; mom is back from Africa!
-Theresa Slominski was thankful for the Taste of Elk River and everyone’s hard work! Her daughter will be at the lake this weekend and her backyard tree project clean up is done and although her husband was participating in No Mow May, she broke down when he was out of town and mowed the lawn because it was driving her crazy!
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Rotarian Molly Hanson with the YMCA and a couple board of directors, Jim and Heather to present them with a check from our fund raising the Taste of Elk River. The YMCA was our Signature Donation Recipient for 2023 and President Theresa and Treasurer Neil Gagnon presented them with our oversized check (and a real check) for $12,000! It was a beautiful photo moment and Bob Maxwell captured it nicely! Molly thanked us for the funds and thanked her board members at the YMCA for all they do. The funds received will help families with child care needs!
Stewart Wilson welcomed everyone today for our annual presentation of Paul Harris Fellows! He stated that the check to the YMCA represents the importance and the essence of Rotary and how we help and serve people. We spread goodwill. He is proud that our club helps to support the YMCA. Stewart then went on to tell us who Paul Harris was and what the Rotary Foundation is about. It all began more than 111 years ago and now, Rotary boasts 46,000 clubs world wide! Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary. Paul was born in 1868 in Wisconsin. Stewart told of his rough childhood in poverty. His parents were not able to care for him and his brother so they were raised by their grandparents. Paul ensued his vocation in Iowa and received his law degree in 1896. He practiced law in Chicago. In 1905, at 37 years old, he formed a group with three people to meet weekly to share a meal and talk business. 1907 launched the first service project - construction public toilets in Chicago. By 1910, there were 15 clubs throughout the country, including St. Paul, Minnesota, who started the first international club in Winnipeg Canada. Now 46,000 clubs throughout the world and 1.4 million members! After 1912, Paul stepped aside for the most part and guided rotary until his death in 1947. Stewart shared a few quotes from Paul Harris. “Rotary allows ordinary people to do extraordinary things” is one of my favorites. In 1917, at the convention, Rotarian Arch Klump started a six point action plan to establish the endowment fund - the Rotary Foundation. This was started to build good in the world. For the past 11 years, the Rotary Foundation has received four star ratings by the international valuator. 92% of funds are spent on programs. Polio Plus program really shows the rotary way as it partners with the Gates Foundation to raise more funds, faster. Since 1980, Elk River Rotary has held an annual tradition of recognizing two new Paul Harris Fellows in our club and community. Our first Paul Harris Fellow was Bob Kemper, with Kemper Drug. Today we honor two new Paul Harris Fellows who exemplify Service Above Self. We have given two $1,000 donations for the awards and are pleased to present their awards as they join the list of 78 Paul Harris Fellows in Elk River Rotary. 
Osterman introduced John Houlton as our first recipient. John has been chosen for his contributions to our club through the Taste of Elk River. John was born and raised in Elk River. His family dates back to 1840 here! Both of John’s parents - Bud and Jane, have been honored as Paul Harris Fellows in the past. John said this award is extremely humbling and meaningful to him. He researched the award, and was more humbled after that! He thanked us for granting him the honor and has admiration for all of us and what we do. This is most special! Next up, Heather Kliewer introduced us to o
ur next recipient - Rotarian Dirk Barrett. Dirk has been in the Elk River community since 1973 and an Elk River Rotarian for seven years, leading the Taste of Elk River for three of those seven years. Dirk also is a board member for the CAER Food Shelf and gives in full force there as well. He is a champion at CAER, St. Andrew’s Church and many other things that we don’t see! Dirk was also very humbled. He learned of Rotary and realized he had many connections to members and wanted to be a part of it! Congratulations to our newest Paul Harris Fellows - Dirk Barrett and John Houlton! Theresa Slominski thanked everyone while Julie Fish passed out a sheet listing all of our Paul Harris Fellows and pointed out that three of our newest members are club transfers and they come to us with the PHF! They include Marv Sorvala, Joe Stremcha and Bill Yueill!
Cathy told us about their large fundraiser – Summertime by George, which is a concert series held on Lake George in St. Cloud. It is a bring your own chair music event. The St. Cloud Rotary club raises over $100,000 during their summer concert series.
Ameri-Corp Seniors of Greater St. Cloud Community and they serve Benton, Sherburne, Stearns and Wright Counties. They foster volunteer engagement for 55+ to impact lives and strengthen the community. They celebrate 50 years of existence this year! She shared some tracked stats for 2022 – 971 active volunteers; 95,007 hours served; 136 organizations served! She shared a lot of information with us about their program from birthday bags, to intergenerational projects they hold. They have 3 locations – Wright County Justice Center, Sherburne County Government Center and Whitney Senior Center. For more information, Carol can be reached 763-765-3036 or her cell 763-635-4505 or 
