The Wagner Rotary Club began their meeting with a prayer of thanks for the food and a commitment to spreading our Rotary ideals throughout our community.

There were several guests in attendance, most of them courtesy of Rotarian Gerrit Juffer. He brought his wife, Michelle and Allison Woods who works in the Juffer Real Estate office as well as community member Dana Sanderson.

Rotarian Gerrit remained standing to guide us through a one and only verse of It’s a Grand Old Flag. Our wish for piano accompaniment is still open to anyone out there who would like to participate in our Rotary meetings!

Our Rotary Minute from Rotarian Patty Frei was a reminder of the Object of Rotary which was first set out as guiding principles for Rotarians: The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and to encourage and foster the following.

First: The development of an acquaintance as an opportunity for service.

Second: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society.

Third: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s persona, business, and community life.

Fourth: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional people united in the ideal of service.

Rotarian Ken Cotton almost won the Queen of Hearts drawing by pulling an Ace of Hearts out of the deck. The total winnings are now at $250.00. There were no misses today. Perfect attendance is something we rarely have!

President Weber reminded everyone that our annual Scholar Recognition would be held next Wednesday at the Two Spurs with five scholars and their parents attending. The starting time will be as usual at 12:00 Noon.

Patty Frei introduced her guest and program, Alyssa Mathis, Mayoral candidate for Wagner’s election coming up in four weeks on April 4th.

Alyssa Mathis is originally from the Wagner/Lake Andes area. She grew up on a farm between Wagner and Lake Andes. She has a degree in Criminal Justice and Psychcology. She moved back to Wagner five years ago to help take care of her aging Grandmother. You might be familiar with her as she works at The Wagner Post and drafts many articles of interest plus sharing recipes from her grandmother’s kitchen. She is a friendly outgoing person, and many Rotarians commended her for the help that she offers to organizations around the Wagner area. She presently is the Wagner American Legion Ladies Auxiliary President. Mathis was asked about her vision for Wagner to which she replied “I would like to see the Main Street of Wagner revitalized.” Growing up in the area she remembers all the activities and events that took place in the center of the town. She believes it is important to have a plan for people to work together to restore our Wagner Main Street. As for her concerns and issues she said, “she would love to hear what people have to say.” She is open to ideas and suggestions. Mathis would also like to develop interaction with Tribal Leadership, develop an Economic Development plan and explore ways in which to involve community members in planning for the future. She loves to research and believes it will be one of her strong points in her job as Mayor. “I believe Wagner’s best years can be ahead and I would love to see what we can do together.”

The meeting was adjourned with the recitation of The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say, or do; Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build Goodwill & Better FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?