Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Friends of Lake Darling

Thanks to Sue Basten for bringing guest, Ryan Shields, a new lender at Washington State Bank's Columbus Junction location. Welcome, Ryan!

Ryan Shields

Club President, Tsalika Rich presented new member Dani Kane with her New Rotary Member packet on Thursday. Congratulations and welcome, Dani! Dani works at Scott Lujan State Farm Insurance on South Iowa Ave. in downtown Washington.
Dani Kane and Tsalika Rich
Congratulations to Laura Bombei on her announcement of upcoming grandmothership. What?

Grandma Laura Bombei

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT!

Lynn Koch joined Washington Rotary this past fall, and is a commercial and ag lender at Federation Bank in Washington. Lynn met his wife, Marilyn Jane in Kansas and they've been married 37 years. Lynn then worked 20 years in Minnesota and then in Grand Island, NE for Great Western Bank before moving to Washington last year.
Lynn Koch (right)

FRIENDS OF LAKE DARLING (FOLD)

Thanks to Lynn Koch for inviting Jim Dickinson to speak about the non-profit group, Friends of Lake Darling State Park. Jim has worn many hats in Keokuk County, including Sigourney City Administrator and Economic Development Director. He and his wife have run the provisions store next to Lake Darling State Park for many years, and he has been a catalyst in Friends.


Dickinson gave an update on Lake Darling State Park, especially about the 6 new cabins under construction. These 2-bedroom cabins will begin renting in July for about $85 per night (2 night minimum). The cabins are about done, but the access road and connecting paved trail are still to be done this spring. There are 6 existing smaller cabins that rent for $37 per night (2 night minimum).

You can reserve cabins, the day-use lodge, shelters, and campground spots at the IDNR website.

Dickinson also encouraged people to consider volunteering at the State Park to help out with things like mowing, cleaning and picking up at the lodge and cabins, trail clearing, beach drag, and flowerbed maintenance. These are great opportunities to get involved and make a difference.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

January 21: Amber Scott - Nicole Shumate with Paws-Effect
January 28: Club Forum!
February 2: Paul Horak - Rotary Blood Drive
February 11: Brent Hinson - TBA
February 11: BLOOD DRIVE, 1:30 - 6:30pm @ UP Church

It was also great to have Mark Kendall, CPA at our meeting again. See ya', Mark.
Mark Kendall, CPA

Monday, January 11, 2016

Main Street Washington update

Our first club meeting of 2016 was a great one.

Kurt Sorensen from Hills Bank brought Lori Tebockhorst, the other half of Hills Bank corporate membership. Great to have you both at Rotary.
Lori Tebockhorst and Kurt Sorensen
Thanks to Paul Horak (Horak Insurance) and Lynn Horak (Wolf Floral) for bringing their daughter MaryKate Horak to Rotary before she heads back south for college. MaryKate was our 2014 John Prochaska Rotary Service Award winner!
Marykate Horak and Paul Horak
Thanks to Ed Raber (Rotarian of the Year, 2013) from WEDG for bringing Pam Bisbee from Iowa Workforce Development/IowaWORKS to Rotary. Pam will be working in Washington/Washington County on Thursday's, officing at the Washington Free Public Library, to provide services to individuals and to employers. Pam lives in Tipton, and serves Muscatine, Clinton, and Maquoketa in addition to Washington each week.
IWD's Pam Bisbee

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT!

A new program of President Tsalika Rich is the Member Spotlight! Each week, the program chairperson will share a little bit of personal background on themselves so that we get to know each other a little more.

The first Member Spotlight! was Chamber Director, Michelle Redlinger, who was in-the-zone. Michelle told us about growing up in Washington and stints living in Seattle and Des Moines before returning to Washington. Michelle is married to Shawn Redlinger (Greiner Buildings). Michelle didn't even mention her solo world-wide backpacking trip the year before she joined the Chamber.

Michelle Redlinger sings a little too

MAIN STREET WASHINGTON

Thanks to Michelle Redlinger for inviting Sarah Sadrakula to give an update on Main Street Washington. Main Street works in 4 broad areas: Design, Promotions, Economic Restructuring, and Organization. Main Street recently celebrated $3 million in private investment downtown since the program began in 2008. Congrats to them, and thanks for helping to make Washington a better, more interesting place.
Michelle Redlinger points out Sarah Sadrakula

Main Street Washington - 2016 Calendar of Events

Saturday, January 23 (5- 8 pm) – Savor Washington
Friday, February 19 (7-10 pm) – Lip Sync Battle @ JP’s 207 ** NEW
March 14-19 – Spring Fashion Week
Saturday, March 19 (Shows @ 9 and 11 am) – Spring Fashion Week Style Shows & Open Houses
Monday, March 21 (5-8 pm) – Annual Dinner @ Riverside Casino
Friday, June 3 (8:30 pm) – Movies on Main Street
Friday, July 1 (8:30 pm) – Movies on Main Street
Friday, July 8 (6 pm) – Glowball Golf Tournament
Friday, August 5 (8:30 pm) – Movies on Main Street
September 26-October 1 – Fall Fashion Week
Saturday, October 1 (Shows @ 9 and 11 am)- Fall Fashion Week Style Show & Open Houses
Friday, November 18 (5-8 pm) – SNOW: Shop & Stroll
Friday, November 25 (6-9 pm) – SNOW: Downtown Lighting Ceremony & Lighted Parade
Saturday, November 26 (8-10:30 am) – SNOW: Breakfast with Santa
Santa’s House (hours vary) – Saturdays and Sundays Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve

For More Information about all Main Street Washington events visit: www.mainstreetwashington.org/events or facebook.com/MainStreetWashington


UPCOMING PROGRAMS

January 14: Lynn Koch - TBA
January 21: Amber Scott - TBA
January 28: Club Forum!
February 4: Paul Horak - Blood Drive
February 11: Brent Hinson - TBA


Sunday, January 3, 2016

HACAP food reservoir and Rotary Christmas


Back in December, Rotary heard a fascinating presentation about how HACAP distributes over 4.3 million pounds (4,300,000 lbs) annually to people and families in need in Washington County and their 7-county region. 40% of that went to veterans and their families.

Because of their buying power and partnerships with Feeding America, HACAP can actually purchase more food with cash that you donate rather than if you purchase food and then donate it to HACAP.

HACAP also coordinates 56 "Backpack Programs" at schools around their region, including several in Washington County. Washington Rotary has helped to support this program as it got started at Lincoln Elementary.

Thanks to HACAP's Anissa Bourgeacq and Angie Albright for the information. If you were wondering, HACAP stands for "Hawkeye Area Community Action Program." HACAP is a 501c(3) charitable non-profit corporation.

HACAP's Anissa Bourgeacq  and Angie Albright



You can follow HACAP on:
  • Twitter at @HACAP_ 
  • FaceBook at www.facebook.com/hacap
  • Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/weareHACAP

Welcome Dani Kane

Dani Kane visited Rotary as a prospective new member as Tsalika Rich's guest. She is the marketing coordinator at Scott Lujan's State Farm Insurance office, and previously worked at the Washington Chamber. Dani is on the Washington Betterment Foundation board and the Washington County Historical Society board.
Dani Kane

Rotary Christmas with YMCA

Washington Rotary has partnered again with the YMCA to provide Christmas gifts and a party for kids that wouldn't have any without our help.

After shopping locally, Rotarians wrapped gifts at Lebowski's Rock N' Bowl on December 10th.


Becky Harkema and Amber Scott

At the December 16th party at the YMCA, the kids were very appreciative of the gifts.


Santa is a little tired at the end of the party, but the kids keep on playing with their gifts.


UPCOMING PROGRAMS

January 7: Surprise program!
January 14: Lynn Koch - TBA
January 21: Amber Scott - TBA
January 28: Club Forum!!