The Wednesday, March 13, 2019 Rotary lunch meeting was called to order by President Jerry Weber. Prayer was led by Rotarian Pastor Laurie. Our guest, Kate Waligoske, was welcomed to the meeting. 19 Rotarians and 1 guest were in attendance.

Ken Cotton shared the Membership Moment. Two Rotary clubs in India helped provide airfare, hospitalstayandsurgery,food,and sim card to a family whose “miracle child” needed serious surgery but couldn’t afford it. This is truly the work of Rotary!

Laurie Kidd led the Rotarians in singing “Singin’ in the Rain” asking if any one felt like Gene Kelly, they could step up!!!

Queen of Hearts: Card 5 of diamonds was drawn by Roger Wiltz, so no winner! $17.00 was collected for the Queen of Hearts making the total: $444.00.

Sect./Treas. Report: Patty Frei reported the Henke team had five misses today making their total to date: 28 misses. The Frei team had three misses today making their total to date: 19 misses.

Announcements:

City Hall Zoning Board meeting Tueday at 5:30 p.m. for discussion and approval of disc park – Rotary project. Assistance needed to help deliver Meal on Wheels on Mondays.

Raffle ticket sales due before PETS meeting April 4-5. Where are we with update on use of Soukup property on Main St.? Will check with Linda Soukup.

Community clean-up needs more assistance and trailers: Friday, May 3.

Dave Isebrands (not in attendance) asked Roger Wiltz to be the program today. Roger Wiltz – the author (not fisherman, past principal, etc.)

He became a writer when he was asked by the Burke editor (47 years ago when he was principal) to write for their paper. He had caught a HUGE fish and wrote an article about that catch. He then began writing a weekly article, “Roger’s Rod & Nimrod”, and other communities were asking the same – to write for them as well – this including Wagner!

Roger has written two books: “Dakota Rod & Nimrod” (his first book) and “Southside Boy” – an autobiography for his kids and grandkids – that was hispurpose at first. He has also written over 2500 columns, and unknown number of magazine articles (one which he passed around the room to share). He brought hard and soft copies of his 2nd book and offered to sign them. But he never felt his life was not near what it should be to write an autobiography.

“Southside Boy” includes genealogy of his family: racially war-torn neighborhood he grew up in, being a united steel worker, four years at SD State, the Yankton Sioux Tribe and his times as Wagner Community School principal, and more.

He then led a lively discussion on his fellow Rotarians as to their opinion on the school back in their time compared to today. Should things be the same – as far as expectations, rules, etc.? A variety of input was given.

Roger was thanked for his program.

We stood and closed in our usual fashion by singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.”

Meeting was then adjourned.