Tidings -- June 28th NOON meeting (Jun 24, 2022)

This Week's Announcements

ROTARY STUFF:

Blasius Boosts Burger Battle!: At the 10/25 meeting, Chris Blasius told us about what Rotary is doing to restart the Burger Battle. She told us that the news has met with lots of enthusiasm. Six eateries are on board already, and other details are coming together for this fun fundraiser event!

Backpack Donations Time is Here: At last week's meeting, Scott Morrissette announced that he'll have the sign up sheet and will be collecting for Rotary's annual holiday backpack support. The need in River Falls is currently around 100 backpacks per week, and the cost per backpack is still $15. As Scott is proud to say, the club has blown past the goal just about every year.

Sharing Families Will Be Coming Soon: the club is planning to support two families at the holidays again this year through the Sharing Families Matt Russell is again leading this service project; details to follow.

Seeking Leaders:

--Our presenter coordinator position is currently open. We have several members filling the gap, but we need someone to lead.

--The position of president-elect needs to be filled soon since 2023-24 preparations will start in early 2023.

COMMUNITY STUFF: Community Arts Board Kid's Classes: CAB will host decoration making sessions at Art’s House at Riverwalk Square 127 N. Main Street, River Falls this winter. The sessions will be designed for children approximately 8 - 10. Tell your friends. Classes are open to everyone, but space will be limited to 8 children per session. Click Read More for dates and sign-up information.

Rotary's new focus area "Protecting the Environment" and the challenge of climate change.

Northfield Rotarian Alan Anderson started by saying that Rotary has “Protecting the Environment” as a new focus. RI has had 6 focus areas; adding environmental sustainability as a 7^th recognizes that all 6 are at risk due to changes in the climate. Alan emphasized that the RI Board of Directors vote to add 7^thwas unanimous.

In reviewing climate science, Alan pointed to a November 2018 report that included multiple government agencies’ input: climate change is real, and effects are irreversible. The report stated that burning of fossil fuels is driving climate change. While the greenhouse gas effect is necessary to warm the planet, too much CO₂ is problematic.

Wiley's Wardrobe at RFHS

Wiley’s Wardrobe is a free resource located in the River Falls High School counseling office that offers clothing, school supplies, personal care products, and snacks to RFHS students in need. It is available to any RFHS student with no questions asked. Wiley’s Wardrobe’s mission is to provide a safe and welcoming environment offering clothing (including RFHS Wildcat “spirit-wear”), shoes, snacks, school supplies, personal care items and funds to RFHS students in need.

About Friends Update

Among Friends board chair Bonnie Jones-Witthun started with a brief description of dementia and its impact. Dementia involves more than just memory loss; reasoning and personality both change. People with dementia can, however, still enjoy socializing and learning new things. Bonnie cited an example of a woman with dementia who made a flower arrangement and said that she realized she’d never done that before.

Joke of the Week

This Week's "Walks into a Bar" Joke (French philosopher division):

Rene Descartes is having a few drinks in a Paris bar. At last call, the bartender asks him "Monsieur Descartes, would you care for another drink?" Descartes answers "I think not" and immediately he disappears!