These are times that cry out for peace. The Middle East is in its most volatile condition in years. The war in Ukraine is the largest in Europe since World War II, and there are armed conflicts in Sudan and parts of Central Africa. Nearly every continent is experiencing a major armed conflict.
April 22nd is the 54th annual Earth Day. Started by Wisconsin Governor Gaylord Nelson in 1970, you can find more about the history of Earth Day plus great ways to celebrate on their official website: https://www.earthday.org/
In honor of this year's Earth Day theme "Planet vs. Plastics" we challenge you to take a hard look at all the plastics in your life and do your best to reduce them - especially single-use items like grocery bags and coffee cups. Thank you to everyone who helped to keep plastics and other single-use items out of the waste stream during this year's district conference in Fargo. You made a difference! Keep on filling up that reusable cup.
Today, as we recover from the devastation that the CoVid pandemic wrought on the world and on Rotary’s institutions, we are rebuilding Youth Exchange (RYE) as an important part of the fabric of Rotary.
WE CAN ONLY SHARE YOUR CLUB'S NEWS, IF WE KNOW ABOUT YOUR CLUB'S NEWS!
The number one thing most clubs want to know is what is happening around the District, but we can't help spread the word if we don't know what your club is up to.
Please submit a summary of your club events, news and projects to Renae Ronquist and Gloria Mink by the 10th of each month. We can include information in our Monday Minutes and in our newsletter.
For 58 years our Local Media provider Dougall Media has been part of Rotary Radio Day where we sell ads and we get to take over the airways for a day. This year we sold 733 ads and brought in over $40,600 which will go back in the community.
Stonehome Brewing in Bismarck creates a special beer in their microbrewery every year, specifically for the Bismarck Rotary Club. A small group of select Rotarians enjoys appetizers and drinks (courtesy of Rotarian Dave Mason) and determine a moniker for the concoction. Stonehome then donates $1 for every pint sold to our PolioPlus campaign. This year's brew? "Pucker Up and Do Good Sour Ale" is a plum and sweet cherry ale with pineapple added during the fermentation process. Come to Bismarck and order a pint for yourself and Do Good!
The Dickinson Rotary Club recently supported two community organizations with the annual interest proceeds from the club’s endowment. Each organization received $840, presented by Club President Urja Aryal. Pictured are a new BSA scout troop and the Dickinson Public Schools Pantry and Closet for families in need. The donations represent the continued commitment of the Dickinson Rotary Club to the youth of our community.
Dickinson Rotarians are PeopleOfAction! On March 20 and 21, we completed one of longstanding and popular literacy projects, reading to preschoolers and giving each of them a copy of the book that our club purchased for them. This year we doubled our impact by reading to both the Dickinson Public Schools Early Childhood Program and Head Start children. This year, 14 Rotarians read to 210 children over two days at two different sites. Teachers selected the books: Tiny Rabbit's Big Wish for Head Start and The Gingerbread Man for Early Head Start.
The Dickinson Rotary Club welcomed new Rotarian Tim Brooke, a junior banker at Bravera Bank. He grew up in Dickinson and previously worked as a teacher and principal in East Grand Forks, Minn. Pictured: President Urja Aryal presented Tim, center, with his membership materials. His sponsor is Rotarian Brad Fong, left.
John Arthur Rasmussen, president of the Park Rapids Rotary Club in 2015-16, died April 1, 2024 in Lincoln, NE.
He was born July 19, 1945, in Scottsbluff, NE, grew up in Omaha and graduated from Creighton Prep. He went to the University of Nebraska and completed a degree in political science and became a member of the Innocents Society. He entered the Law College, and while there met Christie Ann Reed. In 1970 he and Christie graduated – he from the Law College and she from the University – and they were married. They settled in Omaha where John worked in private practice. Later he joined Northern Natural Gas and went on to practice law for 31 years, before retiring as general counsel of Mid-American Energy in 2001. John was modest, but his colleagues knew him as an excellent lawyer, noted for his honesty, integrity, and his impressive work ethic.
John was a skilled hunter, crack shot and dog friend. He passed his summers in Park Rapids, felling trees, mowing acres of lawn, and, with Christie, hosting throngs of family and friends to what they called the RasMooseInn. In 2010, he and Christie moved full time to the Inn, and, with his characteristic level of intensity, they took up cycling. Joining the Hubbard Bikers, John and Christie rode through the Minnesota woods and across swaths of the European continent. In 2012, John and his friend, Fred, completed an epic bicycle journey, following the Lewis and Clark Trail from Great Falls, MT to Crescent, IA.
He is survived by his wife, Christie, and their four sons and seven grandchildren.
Services will be held June 22, 2024 at 11:00 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
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