The Welcome Bell was rung by Rotarian Jamie Soukup at the last meeting in the month of May. President Jordan Weber was unavailable with some exciting news that we will share with you next week!
Club members recited the “Rotary Grace”: O Lord and Giver of all Good, we thank Thee for our daily food. May Rotary Friends and Rotary Ways help us to serve all our days. Amen.
There were no guests, so SongLeaderGerritJufferledus in two verses of “Clementine.” Rotarian Patty Frei updated the club on politics, parties, or ideology in Rotary. Rotary International is considered a non-political organization, not affiliated with any particular political party or ideology. The organization itself encourages neutrality and inclusiveness, attracting members from all political backgrounds. The organization’s focus is on service and humanitarian efforts, rather than political advocacy. While some prominent figures like past Presidents have been Rotarians the organization itself maintains a non-political stance. Presidents Clinton and Obama are not Rotarians. Presidents, Carter, Reagan, and Bushes one and two were all members of Rotary, while the current POTUS, Donald Trump, is a Past President of the Rotary Club of New York 6.
Rotarian Brunsing tried to find the Queen of Hearts. The deck of cards is getting very small and there should be a winner soon! Becky drew the seven of Clubs. She lost out on $384.00. The attendance race continues to be close with both Henke teams having one miss for the meeting and ten total misses each.
A Thank You note was read from Presley Slaba for the Rotary Scholarship she recently received. Presley plans to attend Iowa State University to become a veterinarian.
Rotarian Jerry Weber remained at the podium as he delivered the program for the day. Jerry passed out a Soil Test Report from Agland Coop on one of his fields. Weber said a “farmer never rests.' He spends the winter working on records, field and soil testing, seed, and grain reports, and studying the past harvest records. He used a 75-acre field that he farms close to his residence as an example and handed out sheets with all the results. The soil analysis was given by Agvise Laboratories and was submitted through the local Agland Coop-MZB-Delmont, SD.
Weber spoke about the different nutrients that showed up in a soil test on that field and explained the ratios involved. The results gave suggested Guidelines for how many pounds per acre to apply to each field if they were planted with Corn. Every field a farmer works in has a different composition. Planning, fertilizing, and seeds have become a very science-based part of a farmer’s plan for each spring.
The program was interesting for all as there were some farmers present, other businesspeople, and wives of farmers who could understand the detailed presentation that Weber gave. Farming has become a very sophisticated venture. Gone are the days of just hooking up the horses and going out to plow!
A round of applause was given to Rotarian Jerry for his detailed program. We adjourned in our usual fashion of reciting 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 & BETER Friendships: Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Jerry Weber had double duty for the meeting. He levied the following fines: • $2 to Gerrit Juffer for having a wonderful wife who made a tasty dessert for the club
• $2 to Amanda Bechen for the dessert reminder to Jerry
• $2 to Jamie for bragging about being President for the day
• $2 fine which was then cancelled for Patty and Bill Frei sitting together again
• $2 to Tom Thaler for the late food order
• $2 to Becky Brunsing for having two grandchildren on the way
• $2 to Jeff for being disruptive during the music
• $2 to Jeff for cutting the dessert “crooked' HAPPY/SAD FINES:
• Rotarian Weber paid a $9.96 Happy Fine for his new grandson, Congratulations Jerry! $2 to himself for having to hurry with the fines and eat too fast
• $10 fine to Jordan Weber even though he was absent
• $5 from Jerry Henke for the delicious dessert