It's Lunch Mob Week:  In case you missed the email or are a non-Rotarian getting this Tidings as a Bulletin Subscriber, Broz is our choice for this month's "take-in" lunch.  Click READ MORE for the lunch options.  We'd like to get all orders to Broz by mid-day Monday.

Ryan Bishop, co-founder of Flannel River, began his talk by reading a letter written by a 16 year old high school student in 1991.  The young man was filled with grief after the loss of a friend, and it suggested that the individual was ready to end his life.  One day spent outdoors in nature at that difficult time was instrumental in turning that life around, and that is that reason that the title of Ryan’s talk is “1 Life to Live”.   The mission of Flannel River is to provide outdoor opportunities to people regardless of their abilities, limitations, or means.  Flannel River can fill gaps where people lack skills, confidence, resources, or the knowledge of where and how to access the rivers that we are lucky to have in our area (though Flannel River has not limited its trips to this immediate area).

Pastor Steve Dow, who recently was called to our "host" Ezekiel Lutheran, grew up in Land O’Lakes, Wisconsin, which is in the extreme northern part of the state bordering on Michigan.  Despite the name, Land O’Lakes WI is not related to the MN company.  He grew up on a 4500 acre preserve surrounded by a 9 foot high security fence.  The property was owned by the owners of the St. Louis Zoo.  The property has bison among other animals, and there are five private and 1 public lakes on the property, which made for a youth with lots of fishing and outdoor focus.

Loren Swanson and Dr. Joy Ngobi, both from the Roseville Rotary Club, talked about two quite different but both worthwhile projects in Uganda.  The water project Loren described is the third and most ambitious water project in the part of Uganda where his club has worked with local leaders on improved access to potable water.  As he described it, the project involves 3 Rotary districts, 3 lead clubs, and it seeks to leverage both District and Global grant funds to attain the more than $100,000 required.  To emphasize the power of having capable and trustworthy local management of the project, Loren shared a video of "The Man from Mbale".   Loren's Powerpoint presentation can be accessed by clicking the Download Files link at the bottom of this Tidings.

 

Dr. Ngobi's literacy project is much smaller  but equally important.  She is working to raise funds for a library in a rural village.  Book are needed so that children can gain basic reading and writing skills and ultimately a love of learning.  Joy also showed a video that discussed the barriers and challenges that rural Ugandans face due to the chronic lack of resources.  She talked about local publishing company that can produce culturally relevant and low-cost books in Uganda, and she described the ways that used books from the US can make it to Uganda to extend their lives and usefulness. Here is the video about the crucial value of books and literacy:  https://vimeo.com/864607217/791ea10cb0?share=copy

Click Read More to read about the two speakers.

 

Veteran's Park Cleanup is done:  Kudos to the crew who knocked off this seasonal beautification and improvement project off in a couple of hours in early May.

Westside Readers Pizza Party:  Readers and their students marked the year-end with pizza and other good food.

Fifth Tuesday Handouts to UWRF Students:  Best Maid Cookies went to students winding up their year.

Conference of Clubs 5/4 in Hudson:  Linda and Kellie represented our club at this annual D5960 gathering, held his year on the right side of the St. Croix.

 

 

Mark Ritzinger, KRLT board member and advocate, is again offering tours of the Kinnickinnic River watershed.  Mark took 3 of us on a half-day tour to this lesser-known part of the Kinni.  We learned a great deal from Mark, as will anyone who wants to understand the river system better.

This Week's Joke (One more bagpipe joke): 

Q:  What is the difference between onions and bagpipes?  A:  No one sheds a tear when you cut up bagpipes!