As our last meeting of the 2023-24 Rotary year, we boarded a school bus at Meyer Middle School and were transported -- back in time for those of us who rode those big yellow buses back in our youth, and to the School District of River Falls' school forest for our brief tour.  The bus took us down the 1/2 mile access road to the recently completed bus turnaround, and from there we walked a few steps to the south end of the meadow (in the process of being restored to native prairie).  We heard about the amazing amount of volunteer work already done, the continuing plans for trails including some for those with limited mobility, and of course the prospect of a Rotary pavilion on the ground where we stood.  The tour included a brief stop at the "Four Corners" to give an overview of how the Kinni River Land Trust Community Forest, the city-owned trails along the Kinni, and the School Forest form a continuous area of preserved land for all of us to enjoy.  Click Read More for photos.

 

Service Opportunities Coming Up This Fall:  Now that school is back and summer is over, our club looks forward to times when we can be people of action, putting service above self (how's that for stringing together Rotary principles?).  What's coming, you ask:  Rotary Readers, Highway Cleanup, Veteran's Park Cleanup, and then in October we will be collecting contributions for the annual holiday backpack program support.  Details to come at meetings and in future Tidings.

 

Looking for Host Families for 2024-25:   Elaine is seeking one more host family for our club's incoming exchange student, a 15-year-old girl from Spain.  Requirements are pretty basic, rewards are extensive.  Please click Read More below for the full announcement and details.  

 

 

Grow to Share Upcoming Programs:  As part of the presentation, Tonya Schmitt invited us to these upcoming events:

-- Powered by Electricity (at UWRF North Hall) -- Saturday Sept. 28th, 10 AM - 12 Noon

-- Fall Fest (including equipment):  Saturday October 19th 10 AM - 12 Noon

FIELD TRIP - Tour of Dairy Pilot Plant  - If you weren't there, you missed two opportunities:  1) to get an in-depth tour and talk about the multi-million dollar resource that UWRF and many industry and other partners and donors have made possible in our hometown university, and 2) a chance to look really fashionable in a lab coat, hair net, and in some cases, a beard covering.  Click READ MORE to get a sense of the experience.

This Week's Joke of the week (This one's for Elaine, as a nod to her past):   

Q: How do you make a bandstand?

A:  Take away their chairs!