EVERYONE HAS A STORY -- Thekla Madsen opened with the idea that around Pearl Harbor Day we should think about the stories that WW2 veterans have to tell – and likely were reluctant to tell because of the pain they carry. Thekla started out with a journalism/English degree and had a job with the River Falls Journal as a “jill of all trades”. To pay the bills, had to take secretarial work in St Paul. On the job, she learned about financial issues, and she then moved to a bank serving agricultural co-ops. She left that position because at 37 she wanted to write. Thekla started her own business writing for insurance, banking, agricultural co-ops, and others. Over time, she moved to more technical writing, which was difficult but worth the transition. Click READ MORE for the full story.
--MEETING CANCELLATION POLICY: the board decided to implement a policy to cancel meetings when the River Falls School District cancels school due to bad weather and poor road conditions. This resulted from the recent meeting where a speaker came from Roseville MN to speak to a small group of Rotarians because many stayed home. We can watch the news and RFSD website when weather conditions warrant, and we have made sure that we have ways to contact speakers and inform them and the Ezekiel food preparation team.
--RIVER FALLS ROTARY IS ON INSTAGRAM: Karla has established an account for our club on Instagram. The link is here; feel free to share it with (younger, we hope) friends and familiy who are on Instagram.
Kinnic Falls Executive Director Tiffany Zitzewitz provided an excellent overview of the mission of Kinnic Falls, Inc. She described it as a low intensity residental treatment facility for men recovering from Substance Abuse Disorder (SUD). Addiction to alchohol or drugs affects all ages and walks of life; men from 18 to 77 have received treatment at Kinnic Falls. In addition to the main facility just north of the UWRF campus, the organization operates a Sober House nearby. The main facility can house up to 52 patients, and the sober house facility has 8 beds. Residents are required to attend group and individual sessions. During free time, residents can pursue paid work, and many also volunteer their time to help other agencies. Patients currently come mainly from Minnesota, but work is underway to try improving Badger Care benefits to cover residential SUD treatment. An outpatient program for women is also in the planning stages. Click READ MORE to read about Tiffany Zitzewitz, and to read about a community event on December 2nd.
