President Bill Frei called the Wagner Rotary Club to order at noon on Wednesday, October 23rd. He gave thanks to Rotarian Bryan Slaba for taking care of the past two Rotary meetings and bringing the plaque with the names of past presidents up to date. He also thanked Jeff Doom for his assistance in hanging the new nameplates.

Pastor Bill Heermann offered up a prayer asking for guidance for all Rotarians to be able to go out among the community and do the work that we can to benefit all.

Ken Cotton introduced his guest, Golby Uhler who has attended Wagner Rotary meetings in the past.

A Membership Minute was given by Dave Isebrands from the recent Rotarian Magazine that all Rotary members receive each month. Carl Chinnery from the Rotary Club of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, wrote about experiencing the epidemic of polio that swept across the United States in 1942. There were six children in Lee’s family-- Bill, George, Richard, Larry, and Carl, and every one of them was stricken by polio. Lee was very young when he became sick and did not really remember everything. In 1999 he was appointed Polio Plus Chairman for his rotary district. He asked his mother to tell him about the family’s experience with polio.

Lee’s mother said: It was August 7, 1942 when Bill came in and announced he had “poliomyelitis”. He was sent to bed and told to stay there. Then George became ill and when he was unable to swallow his medication the doctor was called. The doctor took George and I to the old General Hospital as no other hospital in Kansas City would accept us. I called your father and he drove all night to get home. He went right to the hospital, but they would not let him in. At 7:00 a.m. the hospital called and said that George was dying, but by the time we got there he was gone.

By then your other brothers, Richard, Larry, and Carl also became sick. Richard was the worst and we rushed him to the hospital. We informed them we were staying no matter what. We had already lost one child. Family and friends arranged to come and help with the children.

I went to the hospital to see Richard and his skin had sunk into his chest. I found an intern and he immediately put Richard into an iron lung. His lungs had collapsed.

When we all went home, we had to start the “Kenny” treatments. We had to tear wool blankets into strips and put them in boiling water, run them through a tight wringer and place them on each child for so many minutes, and then off for so many minutes. So many people offered to help but we could not let any of them into the house.

When the boys were well enough, we had to start therapy, given by the March of Dimes. Richard has one leg a little shorter than the other. Carl’s chest didn’t fill out. Bill had many problems and of course, we have one little boy angel in Heaven”.

This Membership Minute was especially interesting as tomorrow is World Polio Day, October 24th.

Football winners were Francis Doom, book sold by himself; and Kyle Deurmier, book sold by Jamie Soukup.

Ken Cotton held the lucky ticket for a chance at drawing the Queen of Hearts, but he only drew an 8 of Clubs. $22 was collected today bringing the pot up to a total of $60.00.

Secretary Patty Frei reported that Pastor Bill had 1 absence today with a total of 2 absences and Pastor Laurie’s team handed in some makeups and her team had perfect attendance today. Her total absences are 4.

President Bill Frei called for a Board of Directors meeting after the regular meeting. He also announced that on next Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. a group from Australia will arrive with a District Governor and they would like to meet with the Yankton Sioux leaders to discuss aboriginal and indigenous people. Volunteers offered to provide coffee and cookies for this event.

Dr. Michaela Koenig introduced her very first Rotary Program. Her program was given by Dr. Lindsey Barthel, FNPC/DNP from WCMH.

Dr. Barthel reported on a program initiative they hope to implement at WCMH, the clinic, and the public. Some months ago, there was a community survey in which participants were asked to list health topics that they thought were vital to our community. The foremost topic was Diabetes and Prevention. High blood pressure, mental health, and violence were also listed.

There are 30.3 Million people living with diagnosed diabetes in the US. This has doubled in the last decade. Pre-diabetes is estimated to be at 84.1 Million which breaks down to 33.9% of the population., and 90 % of those are not aware that they are at risk. In Charles Mix country we have a high level of obesity which lends itself to developing diabetes. 8 to 10% of the population is pre-diabetic which lends itself to developing Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease or stroke.

The objectives for dealing with this in the community are to develop awareness, provide education for the public, increase resources to help, and standardize treatments.

The most important thing for anyone before being diagnosed with diabetes is to avoid being overweight and exercise! Being overweight and being over 40 years of age with a family history of diabetes, having diabetes during pregnancy are all risk factors. 9 out of 10 people don’t even know they are pre-diabetic and are not aware that their blood sugar is getting out of control.

If you are having to urinate often, are constantly hungry, and constantly thirsty you are in danger of developing diabetes. See your doctor or health care provider immediately.

The CDC is leading a National Diabetes Prevention Program and Barthel said that the South Dakota State Department of Health also has a good program. Once they have implemented the above outlined objectives, they will take the program out into the community.

The club adjourned in their usual fashion.