The Wagner Rotary Club was called to order on Halloween Eve with several guests in attendance. President Jerry called upon Rotarian Laurie Kidd to give a blessing. Laurie asked for a moment of silence for the Mike Van Duysen family and others who were dealing with loss and medical emergencies. Thanksgiving was offered up for the food and the high school seniors who were visiting. Laurie then led the club in singing “Smile”.

Secretary/Treasurer Patty Frei recorded the misses and makeups and announcedthat the totals were getting closer together. The Henke Team had 6 misses for a total of 12 for the month of October and the Frei Team had 3 misses today for a total of 15. There were 5 Rotarians who attended the recent Cracker Barrell at Booms last Saturday.

$16.00 was collected for the Queen of Hearts Can and Kathe Henke drew the lucky ticket. She only drew a 7 of Diamonds so the pot total is up to $90.00

Patty handed out the checks for Monday Night Football to Amanda Bechen who sold the book to herself, and to Tyler and Emma Honomichl sold by Patty Frei.

President Jerry announced that an envelope was going to be passed around this week and next week for World Polio Day. Bill and Melinda Gates will match dollars for all the money collected. Rotarians will have until next week to make their offering.

Program announcements were: Nov. 7th is Pat Breen, Nov 14th is Ken Cotton, Nov. 21 is Laurie Kidd, and November 28th is Jerry Henke.

President Jerry then introduced our present District 5610 Governor, David Lorenz. He was given a standing ovation. DG Lorenz presented Jerry with a banner and an Inspiration Pin. The theme for this year’s Rotary International Conference is Be the Inspiration. Lorenz introduced his Assistant District Governor for 5610, Casey Berndt from Winner South Dakota. Both Lorenz and Berndt are not strangers to the Wagner area. Lorenz hails from Avon, South Dakota and Berndt grew up in the Tyndall area. Lorenz’s mother also taught in the Wagner Community School District for many years as a reading teacher. DG Lorenz also introduced his wife, Jeaneite Lorenz who accompanies him on his journeys around the district. District 5610 includes parts of Minnesota and Iowa, so it is not possible for him to be in attendance other than once at each Rotary Club. Casey Berndt is responsible for visiting clubs in the area from Winner to Avon.

District Governor Lorenz began his presentation with a power point entitled “Being Kind”. Kindness has six benefits. No. 1 kindness makes us happier; No.2 kindness reduces blood pressure, No. 3 Kindness slows the aging process; No. 4 Kindness improves our relationships; No. 5 Kindness is contagious; and No. 6 Kindness has a ripple effect.

“As Rotarians we need to practice kindness” spoke Lorenz. He then proceeded to show a list of the six different areas of focus for Rotarians.

1. Promoting Peace.

2. Fighting Disease

3. Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene

4. Saving mothers and children

5. Supporting education

6. Growing local economies

The Governor spoke of several projects around our District that were good examples of the strength of Rotary. Wagner was included in the list as having made improvements at Wagner Lake most recently the Handicapped Fishing Pier.

Rotarians should be problem solvers not problem makers and practice change and kindness within ourselves.

The Wagner Club was very fortunate to have two former District Governors present for the days meeting. Francis Doom and Roger Wiltz also executed the duties of being a DG in past years.