Dr. Mark Nippoldt, a retired analytical chemist, spoke to Rotary about the River Falls Social Club (RFSC), which he created one year ago. The River Falls Social Club has over 500 followers on Facebook. There are no dues, no age limit, and no residency requirement. Since anyone can participate there is no specific number of members. The Social Club is designed so that there is likely something of interest for almost everyone. The activities of the club help people learn about our community and its many resources, both natural and human. The Social Club also creates activities to allow participants to enjoy the camaraderie of others who share similar interests.
The RFSC’s mission is to provide residents of the River Falls region with a means of meeting each other, sharing similar interests and enjoying the special places and resources of the community. Events will be planned for which members can participate with others sharing similar interests as well as to learn about the area in which we live and what the community has to offer.
The RFSC meets the second Monday of every month in the River Falls public library. The doors open at 6 p.m. to allow time to mingle and enjoy free snacks and beverages. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. and ends at about 8 p.m. Programs for the meetings for 2024 have already been scheduled. Local businesses have donated money for snacks, plates and napkins, money for the annual picnic and use of their meeting spaces. Businesses have also donated space for the club’s special activities and games that are arranged for participants. Some of these games and special activities include 3 book clubs, a cribbage group, kayaking and canoeing, a Sheepshead group, Mahjong Group, Movie group, Game night, Mexican Train, Walking group, Day Trippers, Ski Club, Euchre Club, Pickleball, and Biking. More activities can be added in the future as people suggest them. Their special events have included an Annual Picnic, Nature walks, history walks, Art Walks, Geology Walks, Geology Kayak Trip, Group discount Dinners, Tours, and Ziplining.
The 2024 schedule is: Jan. 8 lecture on Kinnickinnic State Park, Feb. 12 lecture on Willow River State Park, Feb 28 Stories from the Water, March 11 History of River Falls/Kinni River/ Prescott, April 9 The Driftless area, May 13 Wilderness Canoeing, June 10 Grow to Share, July 8 Fraud protection, Aug. 12 River Falls Main Street history, Sept. 9 Climate Change, Oct. Fruit Breeding, Nov. Fire Safety, Dec. 9 UWRF library community resource.
You can learn more about the River Falls Social Club at their website RFSocialClub.Wordpress.com.
About the Speaker: Dr. Mark Nippoldt is a retired analytical chemist. He founded the River Falls Social Club one year ago for people of the community to meet and share common interests and to learn about our community and its many resources, both natural and human. Throughout his education and career, he has traveled and lived all over the United States. In retirement he could live anywhere in the country and he chose to live in River Falls because of its friendliness and many resources.