By Administrator Account on Wednesday, September 01, 2010

 

The school girl and the hippie. Two “re-classification” speeches today; one from Prez Janet Werner and another from Canoeist Lewis – who’s on track to be our Prez in a couple of years.

Can you imagine Prez Janet in a poodle skirt and bobby socks sitting on the JHS steps “at the top of the hill?” [Me either.] School girl Janet Lueck grew up in Jefferson at graduated from JHS in ’61. She eventually married well-driller Jim Werner. After 43 years of wedded bliss, Janet and Jim have two adult kids and three grandchildren. When Prez Janet isn’t doing Rotary chores, she’s the Exec Director of our local Chamber of Commerce. She also likes golf, fishing and gardening. She doesn’t like mosquitoes and weeds.

Self-described Hawkeye Hippie, Steve “Canoeist” Lewis, says he graduated on the five-year plan from the U of Iowa. Steve was attracted to northern Wisconsin by 40 wooded acres that he purchased for only $1,250. He lived “off the grid” for 10 years in a log cabin powered by 12-volt batteries. Steve and his friends got by as “highly-educated migrant workers” who took odd jobs in the north woods. There he came in contact with some local ladies who crafted homemade Christmas wreaths. Ever-the-environmental-entrepreneur, Steve took 500 of the wreaths to Chicago that winter – an experience he says taught him that the holiday decorating business is based on very early-season pre-sales. With hard business lessons learned, Steve now makes a great living selling pine cones in various configurations to Walmart, Walgreens, K-Mart, Hobby Lobby and others. Steve credits fellow-Rotarian, Chris Nash, with alerting him to the possibilities at old Borg Textile Building on the west bank of the Rock River. Steve’s Jefferson Area Business Center (JABC) is not only the home to his company, Winter Woods, but also houses an electrical contractor, an attorney’s office, a sports medicine office, a chair manufacturer and a Fed Ex office. Steve and his building/business are in the news frequently because of Steve’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

Buy a new tie and smile for the camera: Don’t miss Rotary on Wednesday, September 15th. That’s the day we’ll shoot the official 75th Anniversary club member group photo. We’ll gather at noon for lunch at the ballroom per usual. Then, in lieu of a program, we’ll stroll over to Rotary Park to snap a group shot commemorating our 75th year.

Member misbehavior: “Fine ‘em Moore,” did what he does best at today’s confab. Prez Janet was fined for not having a microphone; Attny Colleen’s new sign that is out of legal compliance with City code; Dr Brad was overexposed in Ft. Health Care ads; Canoeist Lewis was pictured in the Daily Union hosting an embattled Democrat Senator at JABC, and all the men not wearing a suit or sport coat coughed up a buck for the cause! [Do our by-laws specify a dress code? Must all female members wear dresses next week?]

Three member-prospects checked us out today: Joining us at lunch today were Earlene Ronk, administrator at Alden Estates (guest of Dr. Brad), Ellen Waldmer, owner of Rock River Galleries (guest of GaryM), and Craig Stoner (guest of Rev Nancy). Let’s encourage them to join our ranks.

Four reasons to be happy: Super Mike likes the first day of school. Rev Nancy’s travels to Europe, Colorado and Peru are over and she’ll be staying at home with her new hubby for a while. Canoeist Lewis, who is on the Workforce Development Board, reports that manufacturers are hiring. Hurricane Earl did minimal damage to Attny Ray’s St. John condo.

Word of the Week: OBAMA: From the Official Oxford Redneck Dictionary, a prefix commonly used to describe self-reliance and/or pride in a singular accomplishment, as in, “I bought me a case a beer and drunk it obamaself.”

Upcoming programs & activities:

September 8, Carl Olson
September 15, 12:30 (after our usual lunch) 75th Anniversary Photo, Rotary Park
September 17, 18, 19, Gemuetlichkeit Days
September 22, Nancy Ziolecki – Blood Center of Wisconsin
September 29, Business meeting
October 1 through December 31, Character Education calendar sales
October 2, Autumn Fest, 9:00 a.m. to 2: p.m., downtown
October 22, 12:00 to 1:30, RI President Ray Klinginsmith, Alliant Center, Madison
October 23, Watertown Rotary Beer Tasting, The Wildwood, Watertown
December 5, Breakfast with Santa, Masonic Lodge
February 12, St. John Romantic Raffle drawing/Beer & Wine Sweetheart Gala
April 9, RI District Assembly
May 5-8, RI District Conference, Madison (RI Prez Ray Klinginsmith to speak)
May 22-25, RI International Convention, New Orleans
Mid-June (exact date TBD), Family Fun Float
June 29, Annual Awards Banquet
July 10, Cow Chip Challenge, Jefferson County Fair (July 6 -10)
August 15, Brat & Burger Raffle

Questions or comments? Contact President Janet Werner, 674-4511, or Spoke Editor Gary Myers, 674-6235.

We adjourned our meeting by reciting the Four Way Test.
 

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By Administrator Account on Wednesday, August 25, 2010

 

Today’s business meeting was chock-full of dates and details about the upcoming Rotary year. A stickler for planning and scheduling, Prez Janet and the Board set the slate for the busy Rotary season. Mark your calendars or update your Blackberrys per the list of dates at the end of this edition of The Spoke.

The budget shows black ink. Handed out at the meeting, our annual budget projects income of $45,086.92 and expenses of $41,497.80. If Treasurer Jim’s math is right, that’ll leave us $3,589.12 to the good at the end of our next fiscal year. If you didn’t get a copy of the budget, give Jim a ring.

Steve “Canoeist” Lewis has agreed to chair the Family Fun Float again next spring. In search of more predictably mild weather, Steve wants to push the date from mid-May into mid-June. Steve is talking with the local bike/float club, as well as the City, to nail down some event partnerships and a hard date.

Breakfast with Santa needs a chair person. The event will be December 5th and Prez Janet has the complete file. Is it time for you to step up and volunteer?

The St. John Romance Raffle tickets will be drawn at the Beer and Wine tasting on February 12th. A drawing for a romantic week in St. John teamed with a beer/wine tasting just prior to Valentine’s Day should be a winner. Ray Krek and Shirley Dempsey are co-chairs. Stay tuned for more details. [See “Word of the Week” below.]

We’ll start selling Character Ed Calendars in October; finish by December 31st, of course.

Who do you know? A push for new Rotary members is getting underway. A lengthy list of member prospects was circulated at today’s meeting with those present signing up to make initial contacts. Prez Janet has a simple tri-fold brochure to hand out to member prospects.

Two Birthday Boys were serenaded today. CPA DelC reached his 58th year and Attorney TomM achieved age 44 during July and August.

Stan Nash, Jefferson Rotary President in ’87-’88, died in Florida yesterday. Stan was a Jefferson native and the father of current Rotarian Chris Nash. Stan was a furniture designer for Schweiger Furniture for many years. There will be a memorial service at St. Lawrence on September 12th. The Club will commemorate Stan’s club and community service at that event.

Word of the Week: EXTRAVAGANZA. A dramatic fantasy. Elaborate. Spectacular. For example: The St. John Romance Raffle will be an extravaganza.

Upcoming programs & activities:

September 1, Classification speeches
September 1, Cruise Nite at Walmart
September 8, Carl Olson
September 15, Program TBD
September 17, 18, 19, Gemuetlichkeit Days
September 22, Nancy Ziolecki – Blood Center of Wisconsin
September 29, Business meeting
October 2, Autumn Fest, 9:00 a.m. to 2: p.m., downtown
October 1 through December 31, Character Education calendar sales
December 5, Breakfast with Santa, Masonic Lodge
February 12, St. John Romantic Raffle drawing/Beer & Wine Sweetheart Gala
Mid-June (exact date TBD), Family Fun Float
June 29, Annual Awards Banquet
July 10, Cow Chip Challenge, Jefferson County Fair (July 6 -10)
August 15, Brat & Burger Raffle

Questions or comments? Contact President Janet Werner, 674-4511, or Spoke Editor Gary Myers, 674-6235.

We adjourned our meeting by reciting the Four Way Test.
 

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By Administrator Account on Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Future scholarship winners were the real winners of the Jefferson Rotary Brat & Burger last Monday night. While the final financials aren’t in quite yet, President Janet Werner thanked everyone who sold tickets, solicited items for prizes, worked the event and made it a successful event like Rotarians do. In addition to ticket sales, we earned $50 in tips, $823 in the 50/50 money raffle, and $1,310 for the silent auction. Prez Janet notes that there are four people who have to pay for their items. She also read an e-mail from Dr. Volk commending the Club on a job well done.

Adopt a Classroom was the program presented today by Mike and Sandy Swartz. They played a Character Education film and handed out programs from a recent C-E conference where the Jefferson school program was recognized. The Jefferson Rotary is a regular contributor to the Character Education initiative.

Guest Joann Miller sat in Steve Lewis’ chair today. She and Steve were one of the “final four” at the B&B and jointly donated $50 in appreciation for all of the hard work to pull off our flagship fundraiser.

Lot’s of Happy Bucks this week: Michael Swartz for the fabulous and successful Brat & Burger. Jim van Lieshout dittoed Mike’s remarks. Del Chmielewski questioned when we stopped the live auction. Pat VandenBerg added $1 to the tip jar to make it an even $50 from the B&B bartending. Shirley Dempsey thanked her crew and grillers for an awesome job. Tom Monogue thanked everyone and reported that 26 out of 32 active Rotarians were helping Monday night. Joann Miller had $15 for SteveL (absent) moving his last son into his last dorm room and pays his last tuition bill.

Jim vanL was fined for not wearing a helmet when riding his moped. Jim states that he wears gloves while tooling around town on his Harley wannabe two-wheeler. Apparently Jim thinks his hands are more precious than his noggin! Fines were also levied on Chad Stelse for wearing too many stripes at Monday’s B&B. Michael Blau, Drew Hansen, and Jim Jossart were fined for not supplying the grillers with enough liquids. Fines were waived on SteveL for the $50 given earlier in the meeting, and Joann Miller was waived for the “Rotary Dress” worn at the B&B.

Word of the Week: NOGGIN. Jim vL’s helmet episode (see item above) caused your editor to look up the derivation of this interesting word that is commonly used as a synonym for “head.” A noggin is actually a small cup, used for measuring out about 1/4th pint of ale or liquor.

Upcoming programs & activities:

August 25, Concert in Rotary Park (Jesse Aron)
September 1, Classification speeches
September 1, Cruise Nite at Walmart
September 8, Carl Olson
September 15, TBD
September 17, 18, 19, Gemuetlichkeit Days
September 22, Nancy Ziolecki – Blood Center of Wisconsin
September 29, Business meeting
October 2, Autumn Fest, 9:00 a.m. to 2: p.m., downtown

Questions or comments? Contact President Janet Werner, 674-4511, or Spoke Editor Gary Myers, 674-6235.

We adjourned our meeting by reciting the Four Way Test.
 

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By Administrator Account on Wednesday, August 11, 2010

 

Someone will win $10,000 Monday night. Or maybe, four people will split $10,000. Or maybe, two ticket-holders will go home with $5,000 each. Or maybe one unlucky finalist will “hold out,” only to be left penniless. The only thing certain at the annual Brat & Burger Dinner Raffle, is that 25 ticket holders will go away with more than $15,000 in combined cash and prizes. Even more important, the Rotary will raise more than $10,000 that will ultimately be awarded to worthy high school students in college scholarships.

As of this writing, we still have about a dozen tickets to sell. Co-Chair Steve Lewis also reminds his fellow Rotarians that we could use a few more silent auction prizes. Let Prez Janet know (674-4511) if you have prizes or ticket buyers. And make sure you’re on the list to work Monday night. We also need Rotarians to work the set-up crew beginning at 12:45.

43 years is a long time to be married to the same person! That’s why Prez Janet tossed a happy buck in the basket in commemoration of her upcoming 43rd wedding anniversary with Jim Werner. Not-so-lucky-in-marriage, Paul Novitzke’s son is home for the summer. Dr. Brad’s daughter is starting her second year of med school.

Who do you know who would make a great Rotarian? In lieu of today’s no-show program, Rotary members made lists of potential new members. We need to grow our ranks.

Do you have an idea for a speaker? Prez Janet has quite a few open dates for the next several months – mostly on the third Wednesday. Let her know your ideas for an entertaining presenter. One potential progarm is Rotarian Ray Krek, who will raffle off a week at his St. Johns condo this winter in a planned Rotary fundraiser.

Word of the Week: EXCOGITATE: It means “to think about, or consider something seriously,” as in: Jim Jossart is excogitating the charities to which he will donate $10,000 when he wins the B&B raffle!

Upcoming programs & activities:

August 16, Brat & Burger, County Fair Park Activity Center
August 25, Concert in Rotary Park (Jesse Aron)
October 2, Autumn Fest, 9:00 a.m. to 2: p.m., downtown

Questions or comments? Contact President Janet Werner, 674-4511, or Spoke Editor Gary Myers, 674-6235.

We adjourned our meeting by reciting the Four Way Test.
 

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By Administrator Account on Wednesday, August 04, 2010

 

To Central America this week. Tony Uhl introduced us to Benin, West Africa, just a few weeks ago. Today, Sue Johnson, former Jefferson Rotary President, took us on a fascinating trip to the Linaca Valley of Honduras.

Sue introduced us to World Resources Group, an NGO providing tutoring, nutrition and recreation to the children of the valley. It boils down to leadership development. Sue says they focus on building an expectation of a higher standard of living at the generational level. The organization does a lot with its $109,030 annual operating budget, including higher math scores, lower school failure rates and just “getting the kids off the street,” Sue says. WRG has plans to build a high school and new career opportunities in the region. Come back soon, Sue. We miss you.

The get ‘em sold scold: Prez Janet reminds us that too many Brat & Burger tickets are still outstanding. Just as important – we still need prizes. A sign-up sheet for workers was passed around today. If you haven’t signed up to work, call Janet and she’ll put you on the list.

Rotary travelers put bucks in the basket today, including a happy Drew Hansen who’s getting married this weekend. He’ll travel to Disney World on his honeymoon. Chris Nash just got back from Bar Harbor, Maine. And weary road warrior, Steve Lewis, put four George Washingtons in the kitty, one each for his past four weeks behind the wheel. DrewH would do well to talk with not-so-newlywed Ron Michaelis who tossed $16 in the basket this week in commemoration of his birthday and wedding anniversary.

Word of the Week: PERILOUS. If you fly into Honduras you’ll make a perilous landing at Tancontin Airport in Tegucigalpa. Forget about the mountain terrain you will be passing prior to the landing approach but your heart will skip more than a few beats as the pilot makes a last-minute 45 degree bank to the left to touch down properly in the middle of a deep bowl-like valley with only 6,112 ft. of runway. [Imagine landing a jet at the bottom of a tall coffee cup.] Check out this perilous airport via the amazing video on YouTube or Google.

Upcoming programs & activities:

August 11, Alan Sherman – Open Range
August 11, Concert in Rotary Park (Anna Laube)
August 16, Brat & Burger, County Fair Park Activity Center
August 25, Concert in Rotary Park (Jesse Aron)
October 2, Autumn Fest, 9:00 a.m. to 2: p.m., downtown

Questions or comments? Contact President Janet Werner, 674-4511, or Spoke Editor Gary Myers, 674-6235.

We adjourned our meeting by reciting the Four Way Test.

All Rotarians Check our website www.jeffersonwirotary.com,

MAKE-UPS: To get credit for make-ups you need to turn in your slip from the club you visited to Secretary Tom Monogue. You can also do make-ups on line at www.rotary.org, click on Club-District Support, click on Club Resources, and click on Meeting-make-up; follow the prompts to fill out the form which you need to turn in to the Club Secretary. Make ups need to be done according to the rules set up by RI. You can also do make ups at Fort Atkinson 12:10 p.m. Monday’s at Jansen Banquet Hall, Lake Mills 12:15 p.m. Tuesdays at Pine Knoll Supper Club, Watertown 12:10 Mondays at Watertown Country Club, Sun Prairie 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays at Colonial Club.

FOUR WAY TEST
IS IT THE TRUTH?
IS IT FAIR TO ALL CONCERNED?
WILL IT BUILD GOOD WILL AND BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
IS IT BENEFICIAL TO ALL CONCERNED?

 

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By Administrator Account on Wednesday, July 28, 2010

The Brat & Burger is now! Get your tickets sold. If you sell out, extra tickets are available this year. Just as importantly, get your prize donations turned in by August 5th. The B&B is only two weeks away and it takes several days to build the scoreboard, print the program and make other preparations for this, our biggest annual fund-raising event.

A balanced budget is being drafted by the Board. A few tweaks are being made here and there. Once the budget is approved by the Board, it’ll be presented to the members for codification. Stay tuned next month.

The St. John Vacation fundraiser, originally planned to launch on Labor Day, will be postponed until this winter (probably January or February). This is because of the press of current activity, as well as cancellation of the CPA’s Antique & Craft Show originally planned to coincide with the condo vacation raffle.

Our equal-opportunity Sergeant at Arms, Tom Moore, fined himself today for coming late and leaving early! Mike Swartz was nailed for wearing Sandy’s badge.

Money’s cheap these days! Commenting on the Fed’s announcement of continued low interest rates, Banker Jim threw a buck in the basket. So did Paul Novitzke, who’s headed to Brewer’s Fantasy Camp. School Super MikeS thinks it’s super that the feds also ponied up $13+ million in no-interest loans to build the new high school addition. Prez Janet’s pullin’ for her sister who just pulled thru heart by-pass surgery. TomM is happy to be back from a family reunion in Missouri, and even happier to find his basement dry.

Good to see Sue Happ and Chris Stelzer back at our meeting after a too-long hiatus.

Word of the Week: DISCOMBOBULATED. This is a funny sounding word, isn’t it? But it means “to be made to feel uncomfortable; also disconcerting.” It is your editor’s lame attempt to not get completely morose about a very sad development this week – the retirement of Steve Lehmann from our Rotary Club. Steve is a 26-year veteran of our Club with a perfect attendance record. He’s a Past President and Paul Harris Fellow. He’s also the man who inspired/created both the Brat & Burger and Breakfast with Santa. Every Rotarian who cares about the future of our Club should be very discombobulated today.

Upcoming programs & activities:

July 28, Farmers Market, Concert in Rotary Park (Michael Drake and the No Tan Line Band)
July 31, Rock River Gallery Open House, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
August 4, Sue Johnson – Honduras Trip
August 11, Concert in Rotary Park (Anna Laube)
August 16, Brat & Burger
August 25, Concert in Rotary Park (Jesse Aron)

Questions or comments? Contact President Janet Werner, 674-4511, or Spoke Editor Gary Myers, 674-6235.

We adjourned our meeting by reciting the Four Way Test
 

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By Administrator Account on Wednesday, July 21, 2010

 

Where in the world is Camate, Benin? It’s on the “slave coast” of West Africa between Toga and Ghana on the west, Nigeria on the east, and a small strip of the Atlantic Ocean on the south. According to Peace Corps Volunteer Anthony Uhl – Andy’s son -- Benin used to be the hub of the slave trade. Today, Benin is a poor, rural nation of 8.8 million souls with a dysfunctional government. Benin gained its independence in 1960. Communistic between ’72 and ’90, Benin shifted to a democracy in ’91. Only 1% of the population is educated.

Tony graduated from UW-Madison in 2009 and spent the last year as a PCV in Benin. He returns to Benin in a week and will return home for good in Fall 2011.

The official language in Benin is French, but there are more than 50 languages and dialects spoken there. Benin has almost no small business and no meaningful jobs. Electricity, hard-surfaced roads and clean water are scarce commodities. The biggest industries in the nation are agriculture and “rock breaking” that produces gravel for road construction initiatives.

According to Tony, the most significant environmental and social issues are deforestation, erosion, soil depletion, water availability, food security, diet, sanitation and lack of economic infrastructure for job creation – all of which are caused by the demands of short-term existence (ie., lack of a long-term view).

Is traditional international foreign aide the answer? “Absolutely not,” says Tony. “The system is broken.” He blames the lack of a cultural entrepreneurial spirit, corruption and waste, and the need to create small businesses. “Stop giving to governments. Instead, invest in small business and industry through micro-loans,” Tony advises.

Jim van Lieshout confessed that he’s offloading some of his Rotary treasurer’s duties to a hapless subordinate at the bank. [Is that fair to all concerned?] Del Chmielewski’s heading to Turkey for some sailing on the Aegean Sea as part of the Rotary Friendship Exchange. Happy Bucks all ‘round.

Hello, Tina Jossart. It’s always great to see you accompanying Jim at our weekly meetings.

“Cool stuff” is needed for the Brat and Burger prizes, says co-chair Colleen Locke. Get your prizes turned in to Prez Janet at the Chamber office ASAP. Same goes for ticket sales. The August 16th B&B is sneaking up on us fast.

Word-of-the-Week: NUPTIALS. Lots of Rotarians in the full-house crowd at the marriage of Rev. Nancy Carmichael to Craig Stoner tonight. The bride was radiant, of course. Congratulations to the new couple. Maybe the new groom would like to join Rotary?

Upcoming programs & activities:

July 28, Business meeting
July 28, Farmers Market, Concert in the Park
July 31, Rock River Gallery Open House, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
August 4, Sue Johnson – Honduras Trip
August 16, Brat & Burger

Questions or comments? Contact President Janet Werner, 674-4511, or Spoke Editor Gary Myers, 674-6235.

We adjourned our meeting by reciting the Four Way Test
 

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By Administrator Account on Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Pooping for profit: The Club cleared about $1,600 in profit from the Cow Chip Challenge at last week’s County Fair. Besides the Club coffers, the other big winners were Jeremy Chwala ($1,000), Shalayna Anderson ($500), and Verna Stelse ($250). All 3 winners were from Jefferson. While your Spoke editor wasn’t an actual eye witness, Mike Swartz says it took only 9 minutes for bossy to do her business and identify the winner. Thanks, Mike, for this creative fund-raising idea and all of the tail-twisting it took to make this event a success.

Get this man some raffle tickets! President Janet Werner inducted Drew Hansen into the club today. We’re looking forward to Drew’s classification speech. Did someone tell Drew that newbies are expected to sell 100 Brat & Burger tickets? B&B tickets were handed out today, by the way. Get your prizes turned in to Prez Janet at the Chamber office.

Lot’s of happy bucks this week. Chad Stelse for selling 2 of the winning Cow Chip tix; Paul Novitzske for a successful Fair; Colleen Locke for still being able to ride the Tilt-A-Whirl without throwing up; Ray Krek apologized for having a crappy attitude about what turned out to be a successful Cow Chip Challenge, and Prez Janet hyped tonite’s concert at Rotary Park.

What’s a Hospitalist? Fort HealthCare’s Dr. Alan Detwiler presented today’s program on the trend to “hospitalists.” A hospitalist is a doc who focuses on treatment of hospitalized patients typically referred there by an office-based Primary Care Provider (PCP). Hospitalists are the fastest-growing specialty in US health care, reports Dr.D. The trend to this type of treatment is driven by increasing time demands on PCPs as well as pressure from managed case schemes to reduce cost. For patients, hospitalists will allow PCPs more generous office hour availability, improve the quality of care and enhance patient satisfaction. The hospitalist program begins this summer at Fort Hospital with 3 practicing internists. Participation in the program is optional for PCPs.

Thanks, Tom Monogue, for stepping up to take on the Club Secretary’s responsibility.

Word-of-the-Week: Ruminant. The Rotary word-of-the-week is in honor of our Cow Chip Challenge. Cows are ruminants – that is, they have multiple stomachs, the first one being the rumen. Just in case you’re uncommonly curious, the other stomachs are the reticulum, omasum and abomasum. The 4-chamber GI tract is one reason bovines are such efficient converters of grass into milk. Camels are ruminants, too, but they have only three stomachs. Try working this word-of-the-week into the conversation at your next dinner party or wedding reception toast.

Upcoming programs & activities:

July 14 - TONITE, Concert in the Park – Liberty Blue Grass, 6:30 to 8:30
July 21, Alan Sherman – Open Range and Tony Uhl – Benin (West Africa) Water project
July 21, Wedding for Rotarian Nancy Carmichael & Craig Stoner, Methodist Church, 5:00 p.m.
July 28, Business meeting
July 28, Downtown Retail Gala, Farmers Market, Concert in the Park – A full day downtown!
July 31, Rock River Gallery Open House, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
August 4, Sue Johnson – Honduras Trip
August 16, Brat & Burger

Questions or comments? Contact President Janet Werner, 674-4511, or Spoke Editor Gary Myers, 674-6235.

We adjourned our meeting by reciting the Four Way Test

 

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By Administrator Account on Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Pooping for profit: The Club cleared about $1,600 in profit from the Cow Chip Challenge at last week’s County Fair. Besides the Club coffers, the other big winners were Jeremy Chwala ($1,000), Shalayna Anderson ($500), and Verna Stelse ($250). All 3 winners were from Jefferson. While your Spoke editor wasn’t an actual eye witness, Mike Swartz says it took only 9 minutes for bossy to do her business and identify the winner. Thanks, Mike, for this creative fund-raising idea and all of the tail-twisting it took to make this event a success.

Get this man some raffle tickets! President Janet Werner inducted Drew Hansen into the club today. We’re looking forward to Drew’s classification speech. Did someone tell Drew that newbies are expected to sell 100 Brat & Burger tickets? B&B tickets were handed out today, by the way. Get your prizes turned in to Prez Janet at the Chamber office.

Lot’s of happy bucks this week. Chad Stelse for selling 2 of the winning Cow Chip tix; Paul Novitzski for a successful Fair; Colleen Locke for still being able to ride the Tilt-A-Whirl without throwing up; Ray Krek apologized for having a crappy attitude about what turned out to be a successful Cow Chip Challenge, and Prez Janet hyped tonite’s concert at Rotary Park.

What’s a Hospitalist? Fort HealthCare’s Dr. Alan Detwiler presented today’s program on the trend to “hospitalists.” A hospitalist is a doc who focuses on treatment of hospitalized patients typically referred there by an office-based Primary Care Provider (PCP). Hospitalists are the fastest-growing specialty in US health care, reports Dr.D. The trend to this type of treatment is driven by increasing time demands on PCPs as well as pressure from managed case schemes to reduce cost. For patients, hospitalists will allow PCPs more generous office hour availability, improve the quality of care and enhance patient satisfaction. The hospitalist program begins this summer at Fort Hospital with 3 practicing internists. Participation in the program is optional for PCPs.

Thanks, Tom Monogue, for stepping up to take on the Club Secretary’s responsibility.

Word-of-the-Week: Ruminant. The Rotary word of the week is in honor of our Cow Chip Challenge. Cows are ruminants – that is, they have multiple stomachs, the first one being the rumen. Just in case you’re uncommonly curious, the other stomachs are the reticulum, omasum and abomasum. The 4-chamber GI tract is one reason bovines are such efficient converters of grass into milk. Camels are ruminants, too, but they have only three stomachs. Try working this word-of-the-week into the conversation at your next dinner party or wedding reception toast.

Upcoming programs & activities:

July 14 - TONITE, Concert in the Park – Liberty Blue Grass, 6:30 to 8:30
July 21, Alan Sherman – Open Range and Tony Uhl – Benin (West Africa) Water project
July 21, Wedding for Rotarian Nancy Carmichael & Craig Stoner, Methodist Church, 5:00 p.m.
July 28, Business meeting
July 28, Downtown Retail Gala, Farmers Market, Concert in the Park – A full day downtown!
July 31, Rock River Gallery Open House, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
August 4, Sue Johnson – Honduras Trip
August 16, Brat & Burger

Questions or comments? Contact President Janet Werner, 674-4511, or Spoke Editor Gary Myers, 674-6235.

We adjourned our meeting by reciting the Four Way Test
 

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By Administrator Account on Wednesday, July 07, 2010

July 7, 2010

President Janet Werner has set an ambitious agenda. In her first official meeting as our new numero uno, Janet reviewed the top line results of the “visioning session” attended by 17 members last week.

Following are the most interesting findings reflected from brainstorming club members as they looked ahead to the next 5 years:

• By May 2015, the club will have 60 members (up from about 36 today). The Club will continue to be the “service organization of choice” for Jefferson business leaders and professionals.

• There is a perception that the Club needs to actively recruit new, youthful members willing to step into active leadership roles.

• Scholarships and youth leadership programs will continue to be prominent beneficiaries of Club vocational and community service, as will completion of the band shell at Rotary Park. [Prez Janet notes that the pending decision regarding relocation of Tyson Foods will affect on the speed at which the band shell can be completed.]

• On the international scene, there is a ton of member support for Rotarian Arvind Shah’s India eye project.

• The Brat & Burger (coming up on August 16th) receives high acceptance for fund raising. And the new Rock River Regatta shows potential as a more aggressive future fund raiser in years to come.

A complete copy of the notes from the visioning session appear below (click on read more).

Welcome Drew Hansen. Michael Blau introduced new member prospect, Drew Hansen. Drew fits the youthful and energetic mold for future club members. He’s one of the owners of American Weld Design and will be inducted into the club in a few weeks.

Fine-Master Tom Moore wasn’t hard pressed to press worthy candidates to cough up a buck for the cause: Tom Monogue, Nancy Carmichael, Ray Krek and Del Olson were each nailed for not wearing their Paul Harris Fellows pins to the Annual Meeting. Steve Lehmann did something obscure to offend the Sergeant at Arms. And Jim van Lieshout was hit with a cell phone violation.

Fish stories and other happiness were shared by Club members: Mike Swartz was happy to be “past” president. Tom Monogue just got back from catching his walleye limit in Canada while Del Chmielewski told a whopper about catching 25 20-pound tuna in 2 hours while on a recent trek to Costa Rica with Turkish Rotarians. [Your editor thinks Del’s trying to promote Central American tourism.] Colleen Locke claims that the County Fair, which starts today, is her favorite five days of the year. [Get a life, Colleen!] And biker extraordinaire, Steve Lewis, reported covering 5 states and 400+ miles in 4 days on just 2 wheels. [That guy has too much energy!]. Steve is also hosting an open house at JABC tomorrow from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. Free food and bev – plus a chance to see his truly impressive new digs.

[The views expressed in this newsletter are those of your new Spoke blog editor. In the spirit of open communication and freedom of the press, the writer of this weekly tome herby declares himself exempt from fines from the Sergeant at Arms or retribution from any other Rotarian. – GM]

Upcoming programs & activities:
July 8, Open House at Jefferson Area Business Center, 4:00 to 7:30
July 11, Cow Chip Challenge, 2:00, Fairgrounds
July 14, Dr. Detweiler – Fort Health Care
July 21, Alan Sherman – Open Range
July 28, Business meeting
August 4, Sue Johnson – Honduras Trip
August 16, Brat & Burger

Questions or comments? Contact President Janet Werner, 674-4511, or Spoke Editor Gary Myers, 674-6235.
 

 

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