An ear-splitting ring of the Rotary Bell brought all the Rotarians to attention on Wednesday July 7th. President Jordon Weber has been practicing his swing and there was no doubt he was serious. Weber led the members in prayer giving thanks for the day and our time together as Rotarians. There were no guests present so Song leader Gerrit Juffer led the membership in singing two rousing verses of Roll Rotary.

The Membership Minute was given by Rotarian Patty Frei who spoke about Rotary’s Friendship Exchange. This exchange offers a unique opportunity for Rotarians and their spouses or friends to engage in international cultural exchange. Unlike many Rotary programs restricted by tax laws, Friendship Exchange allows full participation, fostering global understanding and connections.

Participants travel in teams of 10 to 12 to different Rotary districts worldwide, enjoying a two-week immersive experience. Hosted by local Rotarians they attend Rotary meetings, visit projects, and explore the local culture from an insider’s perspective. Participants cover their travel expenses and bring small gifts for their hosts. In return, they host a visiting team from the district they explored, providing home stays, males, and local transportation.

In the 2023-24 Rotary year, our district visited India’s District 3120, and this group included our Rotarian Gerrit Juffer and his wife Michelle. This October, we will welcome their team.

Sergeant at Arms Jerry Weber arrived at the podium with a full sheet of fines: $ 2 to the Building Committee which had been at work fixing the overhead flickering lights; $2 to Jeff Doom for losing a big boulder on the Highway by the Wagner Lake and having to retrieve it with his payloader; $2 to Jordan Weber for giving his Dad notice that his time off from work was over; $2 to Rachel for burning gas by driving to the Rotary meeting; $2 to Becky Brunsing for sitting by hereself with a cold; $2 to Jamie Soukup for switching tables every week; since he has lost his partner to the Executive Table; $2 to Craig Krsnak who wants to lose his job as Treasurer; $2 to Bill Frei for advertising a fishing shirt; $1 to each Rotarian for the article in the Wagner Post about our very own Joe Stedronsky; and $2 to Gerrit Juffer for wearing white shoes, shirt, and hair.

Happy Fines came from Rachel Doom of $5 because she now has a teenager; $2 from Becky Brunsing for her latest fishing trip and catching two trout in the Hills; $10 from Patty Frei who has added another daughter to her family with their recent wedding.

Kathe Henke had a chance to win the Queen of Hearts drawing but only found the Ace of Spades. Excitement is mounting over the drawing as it has reached the amount of $223.00. The attendance race is still in the initial stages with the Brunsing Team having six misses and the Soukup Team having three misses.

President Weber read a thank you from Anna Koerner for the donations made to her Team Ritchie. Weber also reminded everyone to come to Wagner Lake on Thursday night for the annual Chamber of Commerce appreciation meal where Rotary is helping serve Root Beer floats to the public. Rotarian Doom reported that he obtained help inspecting the roof on the Rotary building and it has been repaired. Jerry Weber announced that the Can trailer is almost full and was asking for someone to drive the trailer to Mitchell. Bill Frei will try to get the load there next Tuesday.

Next on the agenda was the program which was given by Rotarian Bryan Slaba who gave a slide program of his recent trip to France with his wife Diane. They were there for the 80th Anniversary of D-day and visited the Utah and Omaha beaches, St. Mere Eglise which was the first French village liberated by the Americans, and the cemetery of American soldiers buried on the bluffs above Omaha Beach. Slaba commented that the French people were so appreciative of the Americans and what they did for France eighty years ago.

The Slabas also toured the birthplace of Monet in Vernon, France which is a beautiful area and a historic abbey at Bayeux St. Mt. Michele. The Abby was originally for Monks and is a vibrant tourist attraction now.