Owatonna Rotary_100 Years Strong

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Tuesday, March 29, 2022


OWATONNA ROTARY CLUB PAST PRESIDENTS 1922 1922-1923 1923-1924 1924-1925 1925-1926 1926-1921 1927-1928 1928-1929 1929-1930 1930-1931 1931-1932 1932-1933 1933-1934 1934-1935 1935-1936 1936-1937 1937-1938 1938-1939 1939-1940 1940-1941 1941-1942 1942-1943 1943-1944 1944-1945 1945-1946 1946-1947 1947-1948 1948-1949 1949-1950 1950-1951 1951-1952 1952-1953 1953-1954 1954-1955 1955-1956 1956-1957 1957-1958 1958-1959 1959-1960 1960-1961 1961-1962 1962-1963 1963-1964 1964-1965 1966-1966 1966-1967 1961-1968 1968-1969 1969-1970 1970-1971 1971-1972

Delbert M. Mitchell George Beaty G.A. Merrill G.B. Bennett Albert Sperry Otto Ziegler C.E. Twitchell F.E. Church Dr. A. B. Stewart W.C. Eder The Rev. A.G. Smith Ambrose Lynard J.J. Skinner D.M. Mitchell Joe Haberman A.A. Kaplan A.H. Menses Dave Sperry Willis Bureau Robert Barnard Ray Rowland C.E. Srsen Mike Cashman Sid Kinyon O.F. DeGroat J.F. Schaefer Harold Nelson William Whiting C. Vinton Burl Howard L. McKee Leslie J. Gustafson Elden J. Springmer C.M. Henderson Dr. A. J. Olson Dr. John N. Schoen C.J. LaRoue AB. Wolesky Pat Casey Asa Carpenter Tom Edwards Richard Johnson E.S. Gandrud John Alexander L.A. Humes R.W. “Buzz” Kaplan Kenneth Austin Henry Speck Dave Landsverk Robert Schuster Ty Sincock William Kottke

1972-1913 1973-1974 1974-1975 1915-1976 1976-1991 1971-1978 1978-1979 1913-1980 1981-1982 1980-1981 1982-1983 1983-1984 1984-1985 1985-1986 1986-1987 1987-1988 1988-1989 1989-1990 1990-1991 1991-1992 1992-1993 1993-1994 1994-1995 1955-1996 1996-1997 1997-1998 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2006-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022

Ray Rodman Howard Place Mel Dove Frank Larsen Dale A. Johnson Byron Casey Donald Honath Duane Noerenberg Dale Gandrud Gerald Boos Lud Gillespie David Miller Bruce Mikeworth Clifford Schroeder Donald B. Larson Mike Ellingson Richard Strunc Douglas Ruth Tom Ellertr Paul Swenson Sharon West Sabra Otteson Ed Wegener Richard Slieter Dave Thomas Barry Gillespie Jonathan Zierdt Betsy Lindgren Dianne Nesvig Jim Bauck Dave Ramsey Greg Omega Tom Kuntz Mike Jensen Kim Consens Patrick Segler Ray Brueggemeier Lois Nelson David Allard Dave Efferetz John Muellerleile Dave Klaweiter Corey Mensink Kris Busse Mark Fritsch Keith Hiller Ryan Gillespie Troy Klecker John Connor Glen Meger

Serve to Change Lives A century ago, in 1922, the first publication of the Reader’s Digest hit newsstands, the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. was dedicated, and the convertible was invented! The Reader’s Digest would quickly rise to the top of preferred reading for many across the globe. The Lincoln Memorial quickly became a top destination for tourists worldwide and the convertible, well, its place in history speaks for itself! (Who doesn’t like to ride with top down once KENNY in a while, wind in our hair?) KLOOSTER Amidst all these milestones, though, Rotary something else was born that year. An organization that would quickly change District 5960 the way service and philanthropy would Governor be viewed in the Owatonna community, 2021-2022 the Rotary Club of Owatonna! Rotary International had been formed in 1905 in Chicago by attorney, Paul Harris, and had quickly begun to spread throughout the U.S.A. And then across the entire globe. Currently Rotary International has more than 1.2 million members in 35,000+ clubs in virtually every country on the planet. A lot has changed since the launching of Rotary International 117 years ago. But there has been one constant from the very beginning, the basic tenet of service above self. As the organization has changed with the changing world climates and cultures, those changes were all made with one thing in mind: service above self. The philosophy of unselfish volunteer service drives everything the organization does. That sentiment starts at the top of Rotary International in Chicago and trickles down to districts, like our very own District 5960, and then on down to the clubs within our district, like our very own Owatonna clubs. Perhaps like never before, we have had to lean on this foundation of service above self. The past two years, clubs in our district have faced unprecedented challenges. I applaud all of you for seeing those challenges as opportunities. Opportunities to adjust our meetings so we could keep members engaged, and in that whole process reconnecting with members who may have drifted away a bit. Opportunities to reach new members, young in age and young-at-heart with our message of hope, diversity and inclusion. And lastly, opportunities to serve more. With the needs of our neighbors growing, Rotarians stepped up to help in a variety of ways. So as we look back at the last 100 years of Rotary in Owatonna, we can see how far we’ve come and use lessons learned as a roadmap for the next 100 years. Taking comfort in the thought that “one profits most who serves best”.

Cheers to the next 100 years!

Publisher RANDY RICKMAN Advertising Director TOM KELLING Multimedia Consultants

March 29, 2022 A special project of the Owatonna People’s Press 135 W. Pearl St., Owatonna, MN 55060

People’s Press OWATONNA

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CRYSTAL HOBART & AMBER CASTERTON LOIS NELSON for her work coordinating the stories in the special section.

All the Rotary members who wrote articles for this section. All advertising contained herein is the responsibility of the advertisers. All rights reserved. Copyright 2022.


Happy 100 Anniversary

to the at Owatonna A look back 100Rotary! years of Rotary Thank you for your dedication to our Community!

One hundred years! Generations of families, steady growth of population, and development of business and industry have occurred in the one hundred years since a service club called “Rotary International” began in Owatonna. Imagine the changes that have occurred in our world since Delbert M. Mitchell was named the first president of the Owatonna Rotary Club in Glen GLEN Meger A. 1922. Radio was becoming MEGER popular in homes and telePresident vision was just developing, penicillin had not yet been Owatonna discovered, and Warren G. Rotary Club Harding was the President of 1603 Austin Rd., Owatonna the United States. The initial Owatonna Rotary Club507-451-1457 began • megercares.com April 1, 1922 with fourteen members. Following Rotary International objectives of develop- President Glen Meger on the right last October, welcoming four Owatonna High School seniors to join them at their weekly meetings. Evan Parker, Scott Weckman, Emma Wolff and Kayla Klinkenberg. Ryan Gillespie, ment of acquaintance as an opportunity for Community Services Chair is on the left. (Photo submitted by Rotary) service and high ethical standards in business and professions. The application of the ideal identify needs, and join together to serve othfor Camp Enterprise and Camp RYLA (leaderservice in each Rotarian’s personal, business ers. ship camps.) In the community, Rotary was a and community life, and the advancement of As the Owatonna Rotary Club celebrates a major contributor to the development of the international understanding, good will and century of service with the theme, “100 Years Owatonna Skate Park and the “We-All-Play” peace. Strong” we recognize the incredible changes inclusive playground. Internationally, the Throughout the history of the Owatonna that have occurred in that time period, but Owatonna Rotary has worked on projects to Rotary Club, those principles have been also recognize that the need to continue the help eradicate polio and develop clean water upheld, with each generation becoming work of Rotary remains constant. We honor sources, and both hosted and sponsored stuinvolved in local and international projects. and thank those that have come before us dents in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Some examples include partnering with the Our members include individuals working in and strive to inspire those that will follow us. high school honoring students of the month, business, non-profit, civic, religious and more; encouraging students in the STRIVE (StuAll our programs are included on and also include those enjoying retirement. dents Taking Renewed Interest in the Value of owatonnarotaryclub.org Rotary members gather weekly to learn more Education) Program, and sponsoring students about one another and the community, to

Honored to serve as current Rotary Club President

Brick-Meger & Medford Funeral Homes

BANQUET

APRIL 2, 2022

Rotarians from the Owatonna, Early Edition, Faribault, Austin and Albert Lea clubs are gathering at Torey’s on Saturday, April 2, to celebrate their original charter date of April 1, 1922, around the theme of 100 Years Strong. Social Hour, Dinner and Program are all part of the evening. Displays of items from this past century will be sure to generate more stories. The evening’s Mistress of Ceremonies is Owatonna Rotarian and Assistant Governor Ryan Gillespie. President Glen Meger and Board members are hosting this evening dedicated to the club’s century of service. District Governor Kenny Klooster from the Greater Mankato Area Club will be in attendance reemphasizing the Rotary motto: Service Above Self while also encouraging and sharing that Rotarians also represent Heart, Hope and Love in all they think, say and do.

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ROTARY SUPPORTING STUDENTS:

An Education-Based Partnership The Rotary Club of Owatonna has a long history of extending their belief in service above self to many in our community and around the world. One particular partnership that is near and dear to many Rotarians is with our Owatonna High School students. There are two ways this connection to local students is spotlighted: STRIVE mentorships and through our Students of the Month. STRIVE stands for “Students Taking Renewed Interest in the Value of Education.” Each year, high school administrators select a group of students that match the criteria for this program. These students are then matched with a Rotary member as a mentor. The program runs for the primary duration of the school year, and the mentors and mentees meet one day per month to enjoy a program, work through some exercises and to simply get to know more about one another.

Michelle Krell, Director of Teaching and Learning in the Owatonna School District shares that “Rotary STRIVE mentors are partners, supporting the student by listening, sharing ideas, experiences, and offering encouragement. They help to motivate Owatonna High School seniors to discover their own strengths and talents and increase their personal and academic achievement. It is a powerful relationship that supports our students for success. STRIVE students are eligible to apply for a $500 scholarship to assist with their post secondary financial needs.” Kory Kath, Principal of the Owatonna High School adds, “Rotary has always been a great asset to OHS students through their mentor-

ship program. This support has made a huge difference now and allows students to realize their full potential after high school.” The second way in which Rotary partners with our local students is through the Student of the Month program. Each month four high school seniors attend the weekly Rotary meetings. These students are chosen by high school administration based on several items such as their academic performance and involvement in extra-curricular activities. Each week they have the benefit of sitting elbow to elbow with Rotary members, and get enveloped in to the Four Way test, and how it affects a Rotarian’s daily life, both professionally and personally. On their last weekly meeting with the Club, they must share their interpretation of the Four Way Test and how they have or will apply it in the future. Kath shares that “We are honored that Rotary recognizes students of the month. It is a great example of our community wanting to connect with our students and to celebrate the hard work and dedication they make in the classroom. Students are given the opportunity to attend Rotary meetings and to share their incredible commitment to learning while being honored by community leaders. Owatonna shows their pride in many ways and recognizing the best in our schools is a wonderful way to promote our commitment to learning.” Our Students of the Month for 20212022 are Addison, Andrix, Julia Christenson, Abigale Dirks, Cael Dowling, Mirah Eichten, Fardouza Farah, Connor Ginskey, Elizabeth Granowski, Hillary Haarstad, Jack Helget, Ava Hess, Claire Heyne, Alex Hoemoeller, Grace Jacobs, Aaron Kess, Kayla Klinkenberg, Alyssa McGinn, Bailey Manderfeld, Preston Meier, Maddie Moen, Maria Mollenhauer, Aiden CONTINUED PAGE 5

STRIVE This year’s Rotary STRIVE students include: Guillermo Barajas, Matthew Beck, Michael Bobo, Blaise Nordby, Samera Fearn, Caitlyn Vieths, Monica Garcia, Marayah Behne, Istahil Mohamed, Sofhia Garcia, Joshua Rocha, Ruvieanna Skaalerud, Citialy Garza, Jasmine Medina, Alexis Forsberg, Jessica Gonzalez, AJ Pumper, Jada Cole, Ariana Olson, and Nyagam Wal. Page 4

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When completing the monthly program this year, these students are eligible for a $500 scholarship from Rotary. The mentors from both Owatonna Rotary and Early Morning Edition Clubs include: Bruce Paulson, Dave Effertz, Chris Picha, Dan Harber, Greg Lenz, Steve Kath, Tom Kelling, Christian Fenstermacher, Shane Statler, Jen McNett and Lois Nelson.


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Packard, Evan Parker, Ashley Schlauderaff,

Olivia Shaw, Arianna Shornock, Audrey Simon, Savannah Smith, Reid Stauffer, Caleb Vereide, Suzy

Walker, Scott Weckman, Annika Wiese, Emma Wolff, Luke Wottreng, and Elizabeth Wunderlich.

MEMORIES FROM MEMBERS

Glen Meger: “When I joined the club in 2000, I sat with Buzz Kaplan at our meeting. He offered to trade tickets with me for the weekly cash drawing. Well, that week Buzz won the drawing on my former ticket. Bob Doyle informed me that the ticket Buzz traded me was from the previous week! It was a trick Buzz played on new members.

arrival to the Cotswolds. Places I had always read about and wanted to see. However, after traveling overnight, I was so tired and slept through most of the tour. We were hosted for a meal by four small clubs who were all in need of more members. Linda asked, “How many women do you have in your clubs?” Then, the answer was none. Linda responds: “There is your problem!” The wives at the event had big smiles on their faces. Not sure if inviting female members post-convention in England happened.

Todd Hale: “Our club is one of the few who sing at every meeting. Piano accompaniment was provided first by Arnold Krueger, OHS orchestra director followed by Chuck Hoogland, musician and organist at Trinity Lutheran Church. Incidentally, Arnold was the composer of the ROTARY welcome song, which is number 1 in our songbook. He told me he wrote the song while on an airplane returning from a meeting. Todd Hale: Dr. Olson was the song leader for all the years he was a member of the club. When he came to the front to direct the singing, he had put a fake sheet of paper in his songbook. He picked a song he knew would not be well done by the club. When we were done “trying” to sing the song, Dr. Olson would tear the fake sheet of paper in half and throw it away, making us convinced we would never try and sing it again!” Todd Hale: Where did the phrase “so anyway” that I use before the weekly joke come from? As I recall, when ROTARIAN Doug Ruth was president, he always had a joke to tell. He preceded each joke with “So Anyway”. Lonna Lysne: Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) had the potential to alter one’s habits to last forever. This happened to me in 2010. I was the Rotary District Chair setting up an exchange with another club from the Philippines. A team of 10 arrived in MN for a 10

o. “Wacky” family phot

day stay before leaving for the International Convention in Montreal, Canada. They were some of the most playful people I have ever met. I asked them to pose for a group photo. Suddenly, I heard “Whacky. Whacky!”. Their formal pose instantly turned into a fast forward movie and I got the most entertaining and forever lasting photo of clownish poses. Since, I shout out “Whacky! Whacky!” with a camera in hand for friends and family-they all know what I am expecting. Lois Nelson: As President Elect in 20082009, I was eligible to go to the International Convention in Birmingham, England, in early June 2009. (The club gave a stipend towards the expenses of travel.) Incoming Albert Lea Club President Linda Lares and I traveled together. We took in a bus tour upon our

Visitors from District Nagpur, India. Glen Meger and Betsy Ross in the middle.

Lois Nelson: Rotary has given me the opportunity for international travel. On January 9, 2016, nine of us from our district including club member, Betsy Rossi, were hosted by the District Nagpur in India. Staying in numerous homes and the experiences of family, food and culture was certainly overwhelming. Some of our hosts and other Rotarians came to visit us in Owatonna that spring May 12-21. The group pictured above is at City Hall with current President Glen Meger. Truly, this Friendship Exchange has led to long-time friendships and face book makes it easy to stay in touch. • Tuessday, March 29, 2022 Page 5


We all

PLAY

“Service above self” is a motto that many Rotarians live by. When there is an opportunity to help others, Rotary members are activated with a genuine urgency to make a difference. When we couple this motivated care for others in the world with our affiliation to the Rotary Foundation, great things can be accomplished. The Owatonna Rotary Club gives regularly to the Rotary Foundation. By doing so, we can then apply for grants to support local, or even international service projects that we decide to work on as a club. In 2018, our club members chose to pledge $50,000 toward the construction of the We All Play all-inclusive playground, which was to be built in Owatonna. A We All Play committee had been formed and Owatonna Parks and Recreation was instrumental in the completion of this endeavor. This playground would house equipment and play spaces designed for all ages and all abilities. For example, certain play structures can hold a wheelchair, and the surfaces are designed for simple navigation. Our club members realized that this project would ultimately result in several amazing outcomes: building confidence in our community members of all ages, creating a safe and welcoming play space for those in and around our community, and much more. Over the next two years, our club worked on raising the $50,000 in many ways. First, we applied for a grant with the Rotary Foundation and we were awarded $5,500. We also received donations from club members, from area Rotary Clubs, we held a silent auction, a chicken feed, a meat raffle, a Rotary Run event and more. These events created connections to the community and offered both Rotarians and others a chance to support a meaningful project by spending time together and working hand in hand. When the We All Play playground construction was completed, our club members attended the grand opening and enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate with community members and play on the equipment. That same afternoon, the Rotarians also partnered up with youth in the area for a Miracle League softball game. We were filled with joy to see the empowerment that this play area gave to the children that were playing. The Owatonna Rotary Club is incredibly excited to see the evolution of the We All Playground. We take great pride in our contribution and find it very awarding to be a part of such an amazing project. Page 6

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Jones to take the helm of Rotary International

Jennifer Jones, founder and for the last 34 years. A U.S. Supresident of Media Street Propreme Court ruling enforced that ductions, will take the helm of the change. worldwide service organization Jones said many women are for the 2022-2023 term, the first qualified to take on the role of time a woman would lead the president, but members must 115-year-old organization. have served in a number of other “There are very few opportuni- positions first. ties in our “We’re just lifetime at the point to make where we a differhave a very ence on small critia global cal mass of stage,” women who said have been Jones, able to acwho has complish been a serving in member those differof the ent roles,” Rotary Jones said. Club of “It is a WindsorremarkRoseland able step since forward 1997 and in history is curbecause it rently a represents Rotary diverse Founperspective dation and I think Jennifer Jones, Rotary International’s trustee. any organiFirst Female President 2022-2023. “It’s zation that someis looking thing that to have moves balanced me very thought, profoundneeds to ly.” have di“Our verse perorganizaspective. tion in This is a 115 years, sign of very we’ve positive never had change.” Over the a woman course of serve her memas the - Jennifer Jones bership, president Jones has and I’m served as incredRotary International vice-presibly proud to be able to take ident, director, training leader, on this role,” she added. “But I committee chair, moderator and think it’s important to note that district governor. She played a I was selected as a qualified lead role in Rotary’s rebranding candidate not because of my effort by serving as chairwoman gender.”Women have only been of the Strengthening Rotary’s allowed to join the organization

“There are very few opportunities in our lifetime to make a difference on a global stage. It’s something that moves me very profoundly.”

Advisory Group. Jones has received Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service. She is the co-chair of the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee, which aims to raise $150 million for polio eradication efforts. Jones recently led the successful #RotaryResponds telethon, which raised critical funds for COVID-19 relief and was viewed by more than 65,000 people. “Through our lockdown and time of COVID, one of the things that has been remarkable is our ability to punctuate more than ever the kind of global community that we are,” she said. “Representing 1.2-million members around the world and now with our junior members closer

to the two-million mark, literally being able to be on these virtual platforms, connecting in real time has been a very remarkable opportunity to have dialogue that wouldn’t necessarily happen in person. “It’s been a very interesting couple of months.” Jennifer also contributes much of her energy to local organizations. She is the immediate past Chair of the Board of Governors at the University of Windsor and the past Chair of the Board of Directors at the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. Her leadership also extends to serving on numerous boards and committees furthering the areas of health, education, social service, the arts, children’s mental health, mentorship and fundraising.

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285 SE 18th St. Owatonna, MN 55060 • Tuessday, March 29, 2022 Page 7


HIGHLIGHTS Heart, Hope and Love Susanne Schroeder The highlight of the 2021-2022 Rotary Club of Owatonna year was awarding the Vern White Paul Harris Fellow award to Susanne (Sue) Schroeder for her exemplary service to our community. This award is given to a non-Rotarian annually, named for and in honor of Vern White, who was the first recipient of the award on August 23, 2009. Unfortunately, the award and the luncheon was cancelled last year due to the pandemic. The award took place at a special luncheon on November 8, 2021 at the Owatonna Country Club, attended by 31 members of the Rotary Club of Owatonna and 40 guests, including Sue Schroeder, the award recipient, and Kenny Klooster, Governor of Rotary International District 5960 who, along with Assistant Governor and Owatonna Rotarian Ryan Gillespie, presented the award to Sue.

Eradicating Polio Rotary is a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, and its first project was vaccinating children in Philippines in 1979. Polio’s spread grew to approximately 350,000 cases in 1998. Because of the work of Rotary and other private and public partners, diagnosed cases were reduced to 719 in 2000 and only 140 cases were reported in 2020. Now, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only countries where the disease is still classified as endemic. Members of the Rotary Club of Owatonna have contributed more than $7,000 this year to achieve Rotary’s vision to eradicate Polio worldwide.

Owatonna’s Contributions to The Rotary Foundation At the end of 2021, 49 members of the Rotary Club of Owatonna achieved Paul Harris Fellow status, based on their level of contributions to The Rotary Foundation (TRF). Since the Rotary Club of Owatonna was chartered in April 1922, its members have contributed $337,599 to TRF, of which $21,280 was contributed in the last 16 months.

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL IS A GLOBAL NETWORK OF 1.2 MILLION LONNA LYSNE

There is a language of “Heart, Hope and Love” and when I gave a YES to the Rotary Noon Club of Owatonna in 1998 and learned of their SERVICE ABOVE SELF motto I quickly learned what all was included with the language of “Heart, Hope and Love!” It did not take me long to realize this local club is part of a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create a lasting change - across the globe, our communities and in ourselves. I combined my efforts with Rotarians from other parts of the world to establish exchanges between Rotary Districts elsewhere and our Rotary District “International Convention” Austin, Texas. L to R: Jim Bauck, 5960. In a 5 year time Dianne NesVig, Jamie Lindgren, Betsy Lindgren, Lenna Lysne. frame as District Chair for the Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) program I was involved Friends. The world of Technology and Sowith exchanges with Australia District 9790, cial Media “keeps us connected” with the Brazil District 4740, Philippines District Friendships we have made via RFE to strive to promote goodwill and build better Friendships. Thank You Rotary! Another program which also promotes World Friendships is the Rotary Group Study Exchange (GSE) which I was given the opportunity to facilitate for our Owatonna Noon Rotary Club. This consists of a team of 5 - One Rotarian and 4 non-Rotarian members ages 25-40. They stay with our Rotary members for a 4-5 day timeframe with MANY activities planned. Our club was blessed to host teams from Brazil, South Korea, Ecuador, Zambia, Zimbabwe, India and Turkey as I served on the International committee. These experiences have left indelible memories and I continue to perk my ears when these countries are on the news channels and I can stay connected District 5960 team to Philippines

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3820, South Africa District 9350, Turkey District 2430, Taiwan District 3490, and Canada District 5080. Club to Club home hosting for 10-12 days in six continents stamped the reality of an international organization that provides opportunities for education, heartfelt friendships, increased love and empathy and experiences to make a difference to have “Hope for Better Tomorrows!” A world of Peace begins with a World of

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Lonna (center) with GSE Team from Brazil. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

via social media. And there is always the opportunity to try to connect with the International Rotary Convention that is held once a year somewhere in one of the 200 countries involved with Rotary International. In attendance is 25,000-35,000 from 150+ countries. It is the most diversified gathering of people I have ever experienced! I have attended 4- Austin, Texas, Chicago, Montreal, and Toronto. I left all of them forever grateful for Rotary International that does speak the language of Heart, Hope and Love via all the many Good Deeds done!

Fun at Austin, Texas Rotary Internation Convention.

Owatonna Early Edition Rotary gets it’s start Nearly 100 years ago, a few leaders from the young city of Owatonna founded a local chapter of the international Rotary organization. And over 20 years ago there was still so much opportunity to serve that a few more founded the Owatonna Early Edition Rotary Club. For two decades, we have met weekly to find ways to make our city and our world a little bit better for all. As Rotarians, we volunteer time and money for the benefit of all. We work toward positive peace, clean water, safety and housing, education, international youth exchange, and much more in conjunction with a million other Rotarians around the world. Your own little Early Edition Club comprises some 20-30 active members. We meet each Wednesday morning at the Owatonna Public Utilities building at 7 am sharp, rain, shine, or even snowy and still-dark! We make connec-

tions with many people in our community, finding common goals for the common good. We meet with informative speakers over coffee and warm breakfast. We look for opportunities to do a little good each day. Our projects include a wide variety of activities! We provide books for Owatonna kindergartners. We support outbound students who spend a year abroad and we host inbound youth exchange students who spend a year with us. We volunteer with STRIVE (Students Taking a Renewed Interest in the Value of Education) to help them succeed. We financially support projects foreign and domestic to supply clean water, education and safety. We sponsor students to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Camp in Minnesota. Rotary’s best-known global impact has been a tireless, de-

cades-long effort to eradicate wild polio from the world. We’re so close to eliminating this crippling, avoidable disease! Here at home, our club is best known for supplying the Patriot Skies show every July 4th at the Steele County Fairgrounds. That’s right, our club delights young and old, the whole community and visitors too, celebrating our great nation with the fireworks you see every year! While the odds are you already know a Rotarian, we would love to invite you for breakfast. Our treat! Come say hello, listen to a local – occasionally remote – speaker at the Owatonna Public Utilities building. If you prefer physical distancing, we offer hybrid meetings for in-person and remote attendees. Find us on a Wednesday at 7am, or visit us online at OwatonnaRotary.org. We look forward to getting to know you better!

With all of us watching the actions of Russia and the Ukraine...it is good to know Rotary has been established there too! There are 52 clubs in Ukraine located in different cities. There are close to 1000 members. There are nine clubs in the capitol city, Kyiv. Kyiv Multinational ROTARY Club was founded in 2006. It is a small English-speaking club. Average membership is 15-20. In a report from face book, it is noted that “We are a gang of volunteers, but in our projects we have managed to improve the life prospect and outlook of almost 1.000 children and have touched more than 5,000. Babies have been saved, 10-year-old children have started walking for the first time, doctors have been trained, career opportunities have been opened and we have shown thousands of unfortunate children that the world cares about them That may actually be our most important result. For bigger muscle and more money, we work with ROTARY Clubs outside Ukraine including the U.S., Sweden, Germany, Denmark and even Brazil.

Rotary clubs are around the world--each with it’s own number. Minneapolis is Club #9. St Paul #10--and they use this reference continually. Owatonna Rotary is #2161, established on April 1, 1922.. The Owatonna Early Edition established on October 10, 2000, is #54401. Rotary Clubs continue to grow around the world.

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Sharon West has been a member of the Rotary Club of Owatonna since 1987. She was one of the first women to join and served as the club’s first woman president. (Emily Kahnke/southernminn.com)

Owatonna Rotary’s first woman president

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By EMILY KAHNKE emily.kahnke@apgsomn.com Previously ran in the Owatonna People’s Press

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First chartered on April 1, 1922, the Rotary Club of Owatonna is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Sharon West, a pioneer in the Rotarian world since women were first allowed to join the clubs in 1986, spoke of her time as a Rotarian at the Dec. 27 meeting kicking, off their 100 Years Strong celebrations. “Kenny Austin was a Federated employee at the time he asked me if I was interested in joining Rotary,” West said. “ I was honored because for years I had watched men I worked with at Truth Hardware leave on Mondays to go to Rotary meetings. I had thought highly about the club because of their Polio Eradication program because my brother had Polio in the late 40s.” Traditionally when new members join, they speak at a meeting about themselves and their career. At the time, West was working in human resources at Truth Hard-

ware in Owatonna and felt that talking about her career wouldn’t capture the interest of the other members, so she elected to speak about her favorite hobby — sports car racing. “This certainly made an impact on a maledominated audience,” West laughed. “My husband raced Mustangs for 30 years and I was on his pit crew.” Following her husband’s death nearly 15 years ago, West still is a race fan and stills works registration for races with Sports Car Club of America. Being one of the first women members of the Rotary Club wasn’t without its challenges, according to West. She became a board member shortly after joining the club and was eventually elected president for the 1992-93 term. The Rotary Club of Owatonna is known throughout the district as “the singing club” because they begin every meeting with a song. West recalled her installation as president of the club where the two songs sung were “Old Gray Mare” and “God Save the Queen.” “My sense of humor gets me through all CONTINUED PAGE 11


The Rotary Club of Owatonna kicked off its 100 years strong celebrations with Sharon West speaking of her more than 30 years as a member and former president. (Emily Kahnke/ southernminn.com) CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

kinds of situations,” West laughed. “My dad once said they all put their pants on one leg at a time, just like you, and that’s what got me through many situations in my life.” At the time, the Owatonna club had 123 members. West said after she became the first woman president of the club, several of the male members ended up terminating their membership. While West was surprised by their decision, she said for most of the members truly embraced her as president. Another experience she recalled was visiting a Rotary Club meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, while traveling with her husband for cessful. They need the perspective of the community they represent, business. He went to a meeting and she learned of a Rotary meeting at and that includes men and women. I think ‘Minnesota nice’ prevailed the hotel where they were staying. in most of the local clubs when women began to join.” “I was ignored by all members and left to stand in a corner,” West Reach reporter Emily Kahnke at 507-444-2376. recalled. “It wasn’t until the district governor walked in and invited me to sit at a table with him that I was acknowledged.” The district governor of the Scottsdale club warned her that no one would want to sit with them. Eventually many members trickled in and tables began to fill. Soon, members were forced to sit at the table with them. West ended this memory by mentioning that the district governor who invited her to sit with him was fined $5 for in- Sharon West troducing her to the club. “There were no women members of this club at the time, and it was truly an eye opening experience” West said. “It was clear that the men Glen Meger of the club still had the ideology that women should stay at home.” West joked that she would like to travel back to the Scottsdale area to attend one of their meetings to see first hand how the club has changed since her first visit nearly three decades ago. Despite some of those first experiences of male members being less than welcoming, West said the club today is living proof of the impor1603 Austin Rd., Owatonna tance of embracing all people. “There have been many women members and presidents since my 507-451-1457 • megercares.com term,” West said. “A well run organization needs both sexes to be suc-

“There have been many women members and presidents since my term. A well run organization needs both sexes to be successful. They need the perspective of the community they represent, and that includes men and women. I think ‘Minnesota nice’ prevailed in most of the local clubs when women began to join.”

Congratulations!

Happy 100th Anniversary to the Owatonna Rotary!

Thank you for your dedication to our Community!

Honored to serve as current Rotary Club President

Brick-Meger & Medford Funeral Homes

• Tuessday, March 29, 2022 Page 11


A journey worth taking My Rotary journey began many, many years ago, but I became an official member of the Owatonna Rotary Club in February of 2015. Hands down, this Club has been one of the most wonderful organizations I have ever joined. When I was in grade school, I would join my dad at his Rotary meetings from time to time. I enjoyed the time with him, the meal was great and it felt good to be warmly welcomed by so many grown-ups! RYAN GILLESPIE I immediately felt like a Assistant Governor valued visitor each time I was there. I would attend from time to time over the years and I vividly recall my grandpa presenting to the club after he was able to participate in an Honor Flight. Joining Rotary was an easy decision, and thankfully was something my employer wholeheartedly supported. To find a club that holds its roots in the motto “Service Above Self” was a great blessing to me. I was grateful to be accepted to the Club. In 2017 I was approached by our current Club President and asked if I would consider serving as Club President from 2018-2019. I responded quickly with a “yes” and began to research exactly what this leadership role would entail. Additionally, by accepting this role I would become a third generation Rotary president, following in the footsteps of my dad, Barry Gillespie and my grandfather, Ludwig Gillespie. As the Rotary year came to a close, I was approached to consider a new leadership role: Assistant Governor. I felt I had a good handle on Club President by this time, but this new opportunity mystified me! I was again grateful to be considered and intimidated by the opportunity. But I said “yes.” And thank goodness I did! As Assistant Governor, I have the honor of supporting our District Governor. I serve Area 1 of our district, which incudes the Clubs in Austin, Albert Lea, and the two Owatonna Clubs. I am currently serving in the third year of my first term. Each club is unique in its membership, size, history and traditions. I appreciate this

Page 12

• Tuessday, March 29, 2022

Charlie Hermann

Owatonna Rotary Honorary Club Members Charlie Hermann has provided club members with many stories and tales. Charlie served national, state and local Owatonna organizations including 27 years on the Owatonna School Board and 38 years with Jostens retiring as Vice President of Corporate Sales Development. He was often the host and speaker for the May National Honor Students club luncheon. His stories left the graduating seniors with bits of wisdom. In visiting Charlie recently at Owatonna Benedictine, he recalled one of his favorite Rotarians was Fr. John Cody, pastor at Sacred Heart. The Irish priest’s wit and Charlie’s humor often-left chuckles with whomever they had lunch at any given meeting. Charlie is not able to come to club meetings any more, but does appreciate hearing from the community with cards and notes. Todd Hale, was given Honorary status,

variety, and it has been wonderful to get to know the club leaders and members. The position of Assistant Governor entails many duties including promoting best practices, club visits, encouraging club leaders in their goals, participating in training, and more. It is a wonderful way to get a taste of district leadership, and is a great opportunity to meet Rotary International leaders and board members. Very inspira-

at the 2012 90th Anniversary dinner and program. This in appreciation for his decades of scheduling the varied programs each week and for writing the newsletter, the O-pinion. The newsletter identifies the programs-often for the next two months, birthdays, Honor students, and then local, district and Todd Hale national events. Often, closing with a joke. Both men have shared time and talent over their many years of combined membership. We thank them!

tional! Rotary offers such an amazing opportunity to all members. It is a unique organization because each club can execute meetings and events tailored to their membership, but with the support of an international backing. I look forward to celebrating my membership for many years to come!


s n o i t a l u t a r g n Co to the

District Governor Dianne Nesvig 2006-07

Owatonna Rotary Club for 100 Years of Service to the Owatonna Community. Local

Sports

15 FILE TO FILL VACANT HAGEDORN SEAT

HUSKIES PREPARE FOR SEMIFINALS

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Rotary’s district leadership and local club success is often credited to the succession planning that goes into officer development. Locally, often committee chairs lead to the office of club treasurer or secretary and then PEN (President-elect Nominee), PE (President Elect) and then, Club President. Clubs are also encouraged to have at least the Past three Presidents work with the officers as advisors providing continuity from one year to the next. The same is true at the District level. Our District #5960 is made up of 62 clubs from Mankato east to St Paul and the western part of Wisconsin and 3,000 members. District leadership often comes from serving as a District Chair, Assistant Governor and then, follows the training period of District Governor Nominee (DGN), District Governor Elect (DGE) and then, District Governor (DG). Then, there is at least three years more on the Council of Governors. It gets more extensive when serving a Zone area-multi-districts and all the way to Rotary International. The international office is located in Evansville, Illinois. For Owatonna Rotary, no one was more prepared than our own Owatonna 2006-07 District Governor, Dianne Nesvig. She identified within the club, numer

ous members and their strengths to serve on various committees in preparing for her year. This includes having a training team to work with the local club presidents as they, too, move to the office. Then, DG’s also had their own themes. Dianne’s was “Touching Hearts – The Joy of Giving”. Her passion was for the Youth Exchange Program both for our own club in hosting students from abroad and encouraging our high school students and their parents of a Rotary program abroad, but that of the whole district who annually hosted around 45 students from around the world. Secondarily, was the Rotary International Program of Polio Plus-eradicating polio from the world. She did volunteer and went to Africa with a polio inoculation team. This and supporting the Rotary Foundation with local contributions that then respond to global grants all over the world or back home, as district funded projects. Most recently, We All Play received a district grant award. Diane was organized, inspiring and managed many district events and programs. Sadly, her health took a turn the year she was serving as District Governor and had to step aside. Many of us yet today recall her zest for Rotary and its many facets.

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Hassan receives 16 years prison for 2020 murder at Dartts Park By ANNIE GRANLUND

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music together with their respective instruments of choice. All four boys took an interest in music, and while Blankers took piano lessons as a child, he didn’t continue on with lessons past the fifth grade. “I kept playing even after I stopped taking lessons,” Blankers said. “By that time I knew how to read music, so I didn’t think I needed the lessons anymore, and any other skill I learned I taught myself.”

Following an emotional victim impact statement read by the brother of Mohamed Aweis Mohamed, Judge Joseph Bueltel sentenced an Owatonna man to more than 16 years in state prison for a 2020 murder in Dartts Park. Hassan Nur Hassan, 30, was sentenced Friday in Steele County District Court to a total of 201 months in pr is on for t he murder of 32-yearold Mohamed, also of Owatonna, on July Hassan 12, 2020. Of that sentencing, 15 years was for second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony. The remaining 21 months was for second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, also a felony, where Hassan had chased a separate victim with a weapon through Dartts Park just moments prior to fatally stabbing Mohamed. Hassan pleaded guilty Jan. 13 to both charges, dismissing another count of second-degree murder and one count of theft of a motor vehicle. Steele County Attorney Dan McIntosh and Assistant County Attorney Christy Hormann prosecuted the case. Frederick Goetz, of Goetz and Eckland P.A. out of Minneapolis, served as Hassan’s defense attorney.

See MUSIC on A3

See HASSAN on A9

Robert Blankers plays the organ nearly every Sunday at Christ Community Covenant Church in Owatonna and substitutes in other local churches when they need him. He has been playing the organ and piano for 75 years, despite no longer taking lessons after the fifth grade. (Emily Kahnke/southernminn.com)

A LIFE OF MUSIC Local organist still playing after 75 years

By EMILY KAHNKE

emily.kahnke@apgsomn.com

On a cool Sunday in April 1947, the organist at a small church in Iowa was unable to make it to service. Eleven-year-old Robert Blankers tugged on his father’s sleeve and asked if he could play the organ so the congregation could still have accompaniment to their hymns for the second service that Sunday. The church obliged, and Blankers has been

INDEX LOCAL 1-4 OPINION 5 COMMUNITY 6-7 RECORDS 8 CLASSIFIEDS 18-21 PUBLIC NOTICES 21 PUZZLE 27-28 SPORTS 29-32

playing the organ and piano at Sunday services for various churches ever since. Blankers is the second of four boys and grew up on a farm tending to crops and assisting his father with milking cows and dabbling in carpentry. Blankers’ father was into music as well and played the cornet — a brass instrument similar to the trumpet, but distinguished from it by its conical bore, more compact shape and mellower tone quality. As a family, they would often play

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Call 888-308-4874 or visit owatonna.com • Tuessday, March 29, 2022 Page 13


Owatonna Rotary’s Charter Members The Owatonna Rotary Club was chartered on April 1, 1922, by fourteen men: Del Mitchell, the club’s first President; Mike Leary, “Judy” Dahne, Galen Merrill, the first Superintendent at the MN State Orphanage for Dependent & Neglected Children; Padre Clemans, Guy Bennett, Rudi Gehericke, Otto Zeiger, Al Sperry, Carl Timer, Guy Doolittle, Tom Kelly, Mark Alexander and Sid Kinyon. At the time of the 50th Celebration, the club had grown to 82 members. Then, Mark Alexander and Sid Kinyon were the only two charter members still living in the Owatonna area at that time. In 2012 and at the 90th anniversary celebration, the club membership was 120. Today, it is at 80 members with a renewed commit-

ment to increasing membership supporting the club theme of 100 Years Strong to 100 members. Owatonna Rotary Club’s early history had numerous stories about the support of the “State Schoolers”. Christmas dinners were held annually on the property with club members and children. The December 26, 1924, Journal Chronical edition shared: Rotarians often became poets with impromptu verses about other members. A delightful program in the school auditorium presented by the children and by the appearance of the Rotary Club’s Santa Claus, J. A. VandenBerg, with greetings and sharing boxes of nuts and candies for the children. The outstanding number of the children’s program was a cantata ‘A Trip to Toyland’ which

Guiding principles These principles have been developed over the years to provide Rotarians with a strong, common purpose and direction. They serve as a foundation for our relationships with each other and the action we take in the world.

was presented in remarkable dramatic style by the children, who were beautifully and effectively costumed. The program was followed by songs with the Rotarians singing Jingle Bells and America. Superintendent Galen A. Merrill was the club’s 4th President serving 1923-24. He was involved in many civic events. He served as Superintendent at the State School for 48 years. Coincidentally, he was preparing to go to the Rotary meeting at the Hotel Owatonna when he became very ill and died of heart failure. The next Superintendent was Mendus R. Vevle. He served the State School for 15 years after moving his family to Owatonna from Faribault. There he had been very involved with the local community, Rotary and served as

OBJECT OF ROTARY The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster: FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

Superintendent of the Minnesota State Braille and Sight Saving School from 1930 to 1934. He joined the Owatonna Rotary Club and became the first member to serve as District Governor in 193940. Tragically, he passed away suddenly on October 30, 1949, at the age of 58. Rotarians served as honorary guard and the schoolchildren were a part of his funeral. Both of these gentlemen and the club connection to the State School will be the April 18, club program presented by Anne Peterson, Manager, Minnesota State Orphanage Museum. The general public is welcome to attend the program and visit with club members. The program starts at 12:20pm at the Owatonna Country Club.

THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life; FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

CONTINUED PAGE 15

CLUB TRADITIONS For years, especially with incoming male presidents, clipping the tie was a part of the presidential transition. Sometimes but not always the incoming president would be alerted to this tradition so did not wear a favorite tie. Here outgoing President Pat Segler is ready with scissors to initiate new 2008-2009 President Ray Brueggemier’s handsome tie.

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• Tuessday, March 29, 2022


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THE FOUR-WAY TEST The Four-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and Rotarians recite it at club meetings: Of the things we think, say or do 1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

AVENUES OF SERVICE We channel our commitment to service at home and abroad through five Avenues of Service, which are the foundation of club activity. • Club Service focuses on making clubs strong. A thriving club is anchored by strong relationships and an active membership development plan. • Vocational Service calls on every Rotarian to work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society. Learn more in An Introduction to Vocational Service and the Code of Conduct. • Community Service encourages every Rotarian to find ways to improve the quality of life for people in their communities and to serve the public interest. Learn more in Communities in Action: A Guide to Effective Projects. • International Service exemplifies our global reach in promoting peace and understanding. We support this service avenue by sponsoring or volunteering on international projects, seeking partners abroad, and more. • Youth Service recognizes the importance of empowering youth and young professionals through leadership development programs such as Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and Rotary Youth Exchange.

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