Rotarian/Pastor Bill Heerman opened the meeting after the bell was rung with a prayer of thankfulness for the beautiful weather, we are experiencing this Christmas season. He asked for guidance for all our members as we go about as Rotarians in the Wagner Community.

There were several guests present. Debbie Houseman was a guest of Becky Brunsing, Julie Doom was a guest of her husband Jeff, and Christina Ymker was also a guest of Amanda Bechen.

We had our last group of WCS Seniors attending the meeting. Senior Jennifer Barnett introduced herself. Her parents are Jerry and Judy Barnett. Jennifer has applied to the University of Chicago and is awaiting their decision on her acceptance. Caleb Zephier is the son of Burgess and Jenny Zephier. He is planning to join the Air Force/ National Guard and major in Engineering at the School of Mines in Rapid City. Vincent Bechen is also joining the Air Force. His parents are James and Amanda Bechen.

Song leader Gerrit Juffer was back in action and led the group in singing two verses of Joy to the World. Membership Minute Chair Ken Cotton gave some interesting information on the financial status of the Rotary Foundation. In 1917 Rotary President Arch Klumph announced his idea for an endowment find dedicated to “doing good in the world.” This inspired the establishment of the Rotary Foundation which today helps clubs and districts work together to perform meaningful, sustainable service. The Foundation has spent more than $4 Billion on life-changing, sustainable projects that help people in need around the world get clean water, medical care, illiteracy classes, and other essentials.

Sergeant at Arms Jamie Soukup levied the following fines for the day: $2 to Jerry Henke for his failure to guy his wife a Christmas Card with the $5 he found last week; $2 each to Linda Soukup and Bryan Slaba for clashing last week over telephone messages; $2 to Scott McAdaragh for finding cash in his wallet; $2 to Joe Stedronsky for having cash at his table; $2 each to Jerry Weber and Bill Frei for fighting over the cake dessert; $2 to Gerrit Juffer for heckling the Sergeant (Don’t mess with Jamie); $2 to Linda Soukup for having her picture in the Platte Paper. Joe Stedronsky had a $5 Happy Fine for spending the last three weeks in Arizona and for the Wagner Fire Department hosting him at their annual Christmas Party. He was the oldest Past Fireman present.

Secretary/Treasurer Craig Krsnak was not present, so the President announced the following business: The attendance race is in a tie! Both the Juffer and Frei Teams have eight misses. Gerrit Juffer held the winning ticket number but pulled an eight of Hearts. The District Governor will be visiting our club soon. Our Christmas Social that was planned recently will be held next Wednesday in the evening.

Presentations of two Paul Harris Fellow Plus Three pins were given to Rotarians Ken Cotton and Gerrit Juffer. Football Book winners were Tammi Hanson sold by Rachel Woods and Jake Jaeger sold by Linda Soukup.

The program for the day was introduced by Rotarian Amanda Bechen: Bryan Slaba gave a summary of his recent trip to Greece with his wife Diane and a group of friends. Greece is a country in southeastern Europe with thousands of islands throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas. His wife planned the trip and made all the necessary arrangements. They spent time on two of the most popular islands, Santorini, and Mykonos.

They were impressed with the beautiful blue color of the sea water and the history to be found in excursions around the two islands. The Acropolis of Athens and the Parthenon are ruins but are attractions that everyone goes to. They are in a constant state of construction and rehabilitation. Greece is a heavily populated country and is very arid. The population in the cities is very crowded with small homes and people build all the way up hills. They did a lot of walking every day as the streets do not allow vehicles. Many areas used donkeys to transport goods. Slaba noted that “everywhere you went there were so many cats!”

He showed a video of the Presidential Palace which has six guards that do intricate moves like our guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in our country. They saw lots of churches with the Catholic and Greek Orthodox being the prominent religions in the country. Food was priced, and he described the wine as being the “best there is.” Wine in Greece is made from all grapes, and they do not add tannins which are used in the United States.

It was an interesting presentation. The club adjourned in their usual fashion by reciting the Four-Way Test.