April 12, 2016 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
Randy Thoreson
President Carla Hauge called the meeting to order at 12:15 pm. Michael-jon Pease led the singing of Good Bless America with Bob Jones assisting on piano. Jon Cieslak gave the inspirational minute. There were no visiting Rotarians and guests. The greeters were Heidi Fisher and Blaine Niven. The president thanked the Rotation Day hosts – Annette Kuyper, Matt Halley, and David Dominic.
There will not be a Thursday Fellowship meeting his week.
Mindee Kastelic introduced new member Mary Pucel from the American Red Cross.
Brianna Vujovich announced that there will be the final RYLA committee meeting this Thursday at 6:30 at Cossetta’s. They need a photographer to take photos a couple of hours a day during RYLA for a video. They are also looking for people to drive students to the camp on Friday, April 22 and from the Prom Center on Tues., April 26 to their schools. Rotary members are welcome to come to the barbeque on Sunday, April 24.
Doug Bruce reported that this will be our 6th year for Feed My Starving Children. He thanked Doug Hartford and Clyde Nelson for starting the project. We have packed 900,936 meals so far and hope to reach 1 million this year. Mindee Kastelic and Scott Van are team leaders; we still need more volunteers, especially for the Saturday (2:30) and Sunday (noon) shifts.
Dan McKeown presented Elmer Andersen Awards to John Guthmann, Roger Nielsen and Vicki Gee-Treft.
Jacob LaCroix collected Happy Dollars from a number of members.
Carla Hauge introduced the speaker, Randy Thoreson, Outdoor Recreation Planner with the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program of the National Park Service (NPS). He spoke on the topic “Getting Seniors Outdoors” about multi-generational connections, active lifestyles and health principles for seniors. He stressed that we need to emphasize the same outdoor activities with seniors as we do with kids.
Randy has presented this program at national meetings such the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). Health agencies and organizations around the country have shown an interest in it. Healthy outdoor experiences like hiking, fishing, kayaking, biking, etc. helps heal, cure, and are restorative. Seniors who are physically active keep their body and mind strong, and maintain and build networks. Randy talked about the power of parks to engage seniors and showed pictures of older adults, even those with physical limitations, participating in a variety of outdoor activities. He emphasized that you are never too old to enjoy outdoor experiences.
President Hauge thanked the speaker for his presentation. Rotary members recited the Four Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 pm.
Lynne Beck
Scribe