President Jordan Weber opened the August 14th Rotary Meeting with the ringing of the Rotary Bell and gave a prayer of gratitude for our organization; its members, and our future work to be done in the Wagner Community.

There were two guests for the meeting. Rotarian Jerry Henke introduced Rosemary and Bill Lampman. Mr. Lampman was to be the featured speaker for our program.

Song leader Gerrit Juffer led us in singing Red River Valley. We are getting better at singing without musical accompaniment.

The first order of business was to induct two new members into the Wagner Rotary Club. Membership Chairperson Patty Frei called Margaret Doom sponsored by Bill Frei and Tim Thaler sponsored by Jordan Weber to the front of the meeting room. Frei spoke about the meaning of being a Rotarian, followed the proscribed ritual for induction of new members and they were received with a round of applause.

Rachel Doom once again had a chance at the Queen of Hearts but pulled the Ace of Diamonds out of the remaining cards. She lost $238.00 Secretary/Treasurer Craig Krsnak also reported that the Soukup team had one miss bringing them to seven misses and the Brunsing Team had perfect attendance with three total misses.

President Weber informed the members that next Wednesday, August 21 will be our annual visit from District 5610 District Governor. Rotarian Patty Frei thanked the Rotarians that came and helped serve Root Beer Floats at the Chamber of Commerce appreciation night last Thursday night.

Jerry Henke introduced Bill Lampman of Pickstown, South Dakota who is a proud American, Vietnam Veteran, and President of the Pickstown Museum in nearby Pickstown, South Dakota.

It was in the year 2011 that alumni from the town of Pickstown’s origins and the old school came to the realization that their history was being lost. Under the help and guidance of Alumni Tom Brokaw, a decision was made to have a museum for the town of Pickstown and the adjacent Fort Randall.

Fort Randall was in existence from 1856 to 1892. Everyone who went West had to pass through the Fort and the river. The fort had up to 2,000 troops at one time and was home to George Armstrong, Buffalo Bill Cody, a cousin of Marty Todd Lincoln and had Sitting Bull in residence for 20 months after the massacre at Custer’s last stand.

In 1944 under the Pick/Sloan Act from Congress, it was directed to build a dam to stop the annual flooding of the Missouri River. It was one of the first WWII projects undertaken after the end of the war. The town of Pickstown was the first community built on the Missouri River and there are now six dams on the Missouri. The town was built in three years and went from a zero population to 5,000 residents in that time period.

The museum is located in the former shopping center. It was originally 1800 square feet and now encompasses over 4,000 square feet. They have a heating and cooling system and contain a great deal of the history of the area. It was dedicated in 2014 by Tom Brokaw.

Unfortunately, as time marched on many of the government buildings originally built for residents were demolished. The shopping center was saved by concerned residents. There are only three of the original buildings left. The Chapel which has a revolving altar, the police and fire station, and the shopping center.

Mr. Lampman has brochures, and three books for sale detailing the history and progress made in Pickstown. The museum can be opened for visitors in the summer on Saturdays from 12:30 to 4:00 pm. For more information, go to www.pickstown-sd.net or www. picstownmuseum.com This was an interesting program and Mr. Lampman is knowledgeable about all facets of the Pickstown and Ft. Randall area.

We adjourned the meeting in our usual fashion by reciting The Four-Way Test: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and Better FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?