The Wagner Rotary club held a weekly meeting on Wednesday, November 13. President Jordan Weber called the meeting to order with a rap on the Rotary bell. Weber then offered a prayer for our meal and mission.

Weber then wondered if the Club should forgo the meeting’s song, in the absence of Song Leader Gerrit Juffer. However, co-chair Jeff Doom insisted upon singing “Smile,” and all Clubbers joined along.

Rotarian Patricia Frei offered a Membership Minute, sharing that November is Rotary Foundation Month. Since its 1917 formation, the Rotary Foundation has spent nearly $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects around the world.

Sergeant at Arms Jerry Weber levied the following Club Member fines: Jaime Soukup for being too busy selling seed ($2); Scott McAdaragh for sporting a super nice hair cut ($2); Bill and Patti Frei for trend-setting the consumption of salad at the weekly meeting ($2 each); Building Committee members, Jeff Doom and Bryan Slaba, because there’s evidence of a mouse or two in the building (warning, only); Tim Thaler for a Weber-proposed house-warming event ($2); Rachel Woods for being on the phone ($2); Rachel Woods for giving “bad gambling/farming advice” to cousin Margaret Doom ($2); Amanda Bechen for having an employee who was seen walking around town ($2); and, Ken Cotton and Amanda Bechen for holding the song book (like a crutch) during the all-to-familiar “Smile” song ($2 each).

Happy Fines were offered by: Jerry Weber for granddaughter’s 1st birthday ($1); Craig Krsnak for the blessing of an on-the-mend brother ($10); and Jeff Doom for avoiding Sergeant-fines two weeks in a row ($3).

Ken Cotton drew Queen of Hearts ticket #122 held by Bill Frei. Rotarian Frei, however, drew from the deck a Jack of Diamonds. Frei forfeits $58.

Treasurer Craig Krsnak shared an attendance report, noting four misses for the Bill Frei team, perfect attendance for the Margaret Doom team. Overall, the Bill Frei team has 18 misses; the Margaret Doom team has nine. Football book winners are Joan Hubbard, sold by Jordan Weber; and, Christi Uecker, sold by Scott McAdaragh.

Other announcements: The Club will enjoy a holiday social on Tuesday, December 17. The Club will not meet on Christmas Day or New Year’s Day. Regular activities resume Wednesday, January 8, 2025.

Program Chair Patti Frei introduced her program, looking stunningly similar to husband Bill Frei’s program last week: Ms. Margaret Doom, executive director of Wagner Area Growth. Ms. Doom featured a number of upcoming community events. On Thanksgiving Day, a sponsored-meal will be served at the Wagner Community School Commons Area from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteer servers and/or donated desserts are requested. This event is Doom’s annual favorite!

On November 14, a Wagner Community Stakeholder meeting will be held at the Wagner Theater conference room. All are welcome to explore community issues/strengths with the Wagner Area Growth board. This meeting will be facilitated by someone affiliated with Dakota Resources. A similar meeting was held two years ago, fruits of which are the two governor’s homes that are soon to be placed within the community.

And, lastly, Doom highlighted the Work Force Pathways for Youth grant that was received by the Boys & Girls Club and Wagner Area Growth. The grant funds are being used to educate youth about money, budgeting, banking, lending, and basic employment skills. About 8-20 local youth attend weekly 90-minute meetings at the Club. And, this program is about to launch a new phase whereby youth are grant-sponsored to work up to nine hours in various local business settings. The youth will earn a wage in exchange for mopping, cleaning, sorting, counting, etc. Participants are interested in careers in real estate, investments, commercial driving, etc.

On a related note, Doom shared the availability of a virtual CDL training module, where drivers obtain experience without the risks of actually being on the road. The virtual module is available for $100,000 or more, but could be a fantastic investment for the area. Rotarians supported this notion, as CDLs cost $5-8k (currently), and there exists a shortage of commercially licensed drivers.

The Club, then, adjourned in its usual fashion.

OF THE THINGS we think, say or do: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned.