Dui Debower gave us the sad news that Del Ploen had died at 91 years old in an elder care facility. Del joined our club in 1981, and in 2010, his son Cory also joined. Del was the organizer of annual Marsh Lake hunts and dinners. A memorial service will be scheduled later this year. Funeral arrangements are with Bertas Funeral Home. His photo was taken at a happy moment during our fall Party Barn Social at Lars Akerberg’s farm in September 2011.
Mike Wentzel thanked Rotarians for completing our annual Highway Cleanup on Wednesday, May 22. Afterwords, we conducted our Social at Schram’s Brewery.
Keith Payne congratulated again Jean Heyduck on helping our Bingo-caller with a meat raffle. She collected $313.00 this week to help our finances. Keith asked for our support to continue this fund-raising effort. HOW THIS WORKS: Two people are needed each Wednesday to purchase 10 packaged meats (total cost $125 - $140), distribute raffle tickets and collect the proceeds in-between Bango games held at the “212 Tavern” in Cologne, starting at 6:15 PM. Bango winners select the lucky meat raffle winner, who then picks out their meat prize.
Dan Keyport has joined Dave Pokorney and Bob Roepke in gathering the community energy and DNA with the purpose of developing a newspaper that would serve our area. Talk to one of them to contribute your thoughts and energy to this goal.
FINEMASTER – George Glaros
George had set his weapon on rapid-fire to question us about Memorial Day. He was disheartened as the first volley was repulsed by several correct answers, but with better reconnaissance, his next attack was more successful. Happy Dollars were offered by Wayne Ward, Gretchen Oppriecht and Erin Kerber.
Erin read a heart-warming note she received from Julia Moschioni, our Exchange Student from Brazil. Julia graduated from Chaska in 2019. In her note, Julia thanked her Rotary experience for guiding her to be the person she is now.
EXCHANGE STUDENT UPDATE: Viola Bavastro
Viola’s prom photo showed her very happy and much drier than after she went swimming in the Firemens Clayhole pond outside our Rotary meeting room. She closed out her classroom experiences with a congratulatory comment from her Geography teacher about her positive attitude towards an essay assignment. We can all congratulate Viola on her successful year as a Chaska student at her GRADUATION PARTY on Saturday, June 1 at 5:00 PM. Address: 3835 Red Cadar Way in Chaska.
PRESENTATION: Keith Winters – Life-Source Organ Donation
Ken Hiller introduced Keith Winters – a long-time friend and a former host of our 2009-10 Exchange Student - Robin Schneider, from Germany. Keith is a PGA volunteer – serving at 1 US Open, 4 Ryder Cups, and 12 PGA Championships. He is just back from this year's PGA at Valhalla in Louisville. Volunteering has always been a priority for Keith. With two life events impacting his family and experiencing Life-Source firsthand, becoming a Life-Source Ambassador was a top priority after retirement. His brother-in-law received a donated heart that enable him to experience an active life that he could only have dreamt about. His grandchild was born with defects that limited his life, but enabled organ donation to several families.
Keith informed us of the great impact one person’s donation can have on dozens of vulnerable people. Age and physical conditions do not automatically disqualify donation, so everyone can contribute to organ and tissue donation.
Ten Facts about donation:
Your life is always first.
Everyone has the potential to be a donor.
All major religions support donation.
There is no cost to the donor’s family.
One individual can save and heal more than 75 lives.
Everyone is equal on the transplant waiting list.
Your decision will be honored.
If you don’t make a decision, your family will.
Donors are treated with care and respect.
Registering is easy.
Checking the Donation box when renewing a drivers license is one way to establish your wishes. Hunting and fishing licenses and iPhone Health app can also be used. These links can provide more information:
Note from John Roebke: Invocations can be a faith traditional prayer, or a meditation, or inspirational verse or quote. Brief 20 – 30 seconds. Light-hearted is okay. Option: focus on our Mission of Service Above Self. Need an idea – Google Rotary Invocations. Not a personal talent? Don't wait, tell me NOW, 612-790-7067, john.roebke@live.com. I will be glad to name another. If I forgot that you told me not a talent, please forgive me. Remind me. If not a good DATE, trade with a mate.
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