INVOCATION: Celi Haga

• Michelle Kraus and Keith Payne will not be attending our April meetings, so Erin Kerber and Jean Heyduck presided at this morning’s meeting.  
• No more Bingo games are scheduled.
• Jean Heyduck initiated an old practice from the days of Ray Schalow’s printed Futura newsletters on our tables – announcements of birthdays and membership anniversaries.
• Bob Chinnock, mentors and STRIVE students met after the April 4 meeting and were scheduled to practice job interviews.
• Andy Haugen asked us to enter the dates of the Prior Lake Music Festival into our calendars.  Our members will be serving at the refreshments tent on July 12.  Link.
• Our club is working with the North Star Exchange Student Program to fill the empty place in our hearts after Viola goes back home.  Erin Kerber is coordinating host families for two nights July 19 + 20. Expect students from Czech Republic, France, Italy, Ireland, Slovakia, Denmark, Taiwan, Germany, and Spain. TWO MORE HOSTS are needed.  Talk with Erin for more details.
  • At least 2 campers per house.
  • All adults (18 years or older) in the hosting household will need a criminal background check. The background checks will be run by Intellicorp, and the cost will be covered by North Star.
  • For this short hosting experience, beds for campers may be temporary beds like hide-a-beds, futons, and air mattresses may suffice for one or two nights. Bathroom accommodations must allow for privacy.
  • We are asking that host families provide breakfast each morning.
• Matt Podhradsky asked that we all show up at Lions Park on Saturday April 20, at 8:00 AM with gloves and working clothes to help plant trees.  Link.
• After that warm-up of community spirit, we should gather for Christmas in May work to help some of our neighbors.  Link.
• Phil and Claudine Solseng are continuing their long-standing tradition of hosting visitors from other countries.  As part of the New Generations program involving South Koreans acting as informal diplomats, Phil introduced “Amy” a university graduate who is spending two months interning and learning about local businesses.  Dan and Georgiann Keyport and Greg and Cindy Anderson will also host Amy.

FINEMASTER: George Glaros

George Glaros provided a potpourri of questions.  “Win some – Lose some” was the quote of the day.  Happy Dollars were donated from Gretchen Oppriecht to celebrate her Bingo win last week.  Matt Podhradsky was proud that his son was on the curling team representing Chaska at the National level.  Vic Benetti donated because that’s the kind of guy he is.

EXCHANGE STUDENT UPDATE: Viola Bavastro

After many weeks away from the podium, Viola spent a few minutes sharing her experiences during Spring Break.  After many hours driving through the Midwest with Andy Haugen’s family, they reached Tennessee.  She enjoyed visiting Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry and other local hotspots, then went down the road a piece and found herself in Dollywood – Dolly Parton’s contribution to our country’s tourism attractions. Link.  A roller coaster, laser tag, sing-alongs, and hiking near a waterfall were all memories she’ll take with her.