Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Ag Appreciation Day, St Pat's & WCHC

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Rotarians! Robert Kennedy knows how to get into the Irish spirit.

Bob Kennedy and Becky Patterson

AG DAY

Thanks to Don Vittetoe for inviting ISU Extension's Chad Hart to speak about agriculture in Iowa. We had about 15 guests that came to hear Hart's presentation and to enjoy Rotary.

Chad Hart
The price of farm ground has really taken off in the last few years. Another factoid from Hart: 60% of Iowa farm ground is leased.


Also, thanks to Susan Wellington for inviting Jacki Harlow to Rotary. Jacki is a a new social worker at Wesley Halcyon House.

Jacki Harlow from Halcyon House

Member Spotlight

Becky Patterson had the program today and gave an a little background on herself. She is a past Washington Rotary club president, and has been Assistant District Governor (while her husband, Don Patterson, was the District 6000 District Governor).

Becky and Don have 3 sons, and 5 grandchildren. She is also a (retired) nurse.

Her moonshine comes from a family still back in West Virginia.

Washington County Hospital & Clinics

Hospital CEO and Rotarian, Dennis Hunger gave a presentation last week on the Washington County Hospital & Clinics.

Hunger said the guiding principles for the Hospital in its decision making and strategy are Service, Quality, People, Finance, and Growth.

Hunger noted that the hospital is seeing its revenues climbing as it strives to provide more medical services in Washington County rather than allowing them to escape to Johnson County hospitals. He added that they are looking for more doctors to help the existing 15 providers meet the 72,000 patient visits each year.

You can review and compare the WCHC against other nearby Hospitals.

He also updated the club on other recent highlights, including refinancing some debt at 2.48% interest, purchased Bean's Pharmacy to allow WCHC to have a retail pharmacy, and opened a new clinic in Kalona.

Thanks to Dennis for inviting Dr. Steve Schomer, MD to Rotary.

Dr. Steve Schomer and Dennis Hunger

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 31: Becky Harkema - Jeff Vetter on RAGBRAI Washington
April 7: Chris Marshall - TBA
April 14: Eric Turner - TBA
April 21: John Winga - TBA

Miscellaneous

Washington Rotary is playing a big part of the RAGBRAI Washington leadership team planning for July 29th. Pictured below are Rotarians Craig Davis, Denise Erpelding, Brent Hinson, Dani Kane, Ed Raber, Nancy Rash,  and Michelle Redlinger. Can you find them all in this picture?


If that was easy, see if you can identify Rotarian Craig Davis and visiting guest Dr. Steve Schomer from their Westridge Afternoon Kindergarten in Harlan, Iowa from 1966-67. Be ready to cast your vote at Rotary from the numbered pictures below. We tried to just number what we thought were the boys pictures. 

Extra credit for identifying Jane (Nobel) Davis' big sister Cindy in the picture (not a numbered photo).



Sunday, March 6, 2016

Hinson talks Water Works

We all sang Happy Birthday a second time for Sherry Simpson, after our first Happy Birthday for Bob Wollenberg and Ryan Walker, our March B-day Rotarians.

8%

Speaking of birthdays, it turns out that 8% of the club was born on February 24! Here are the conformists:
  • John Moenck
  • Don Vittetoe
  • Craig Davis
  • John Thorne

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Brent Hinson reminded the club he's been Washington City Administrator since October 2011. Previously, he served in Iowa Falls and Garner. Brent attended UNI and then Drake for graduate school.

He grew up in Mediapolis and is married to wife, Misty. They have two children, Ryan and Victoria. Brent is a runner, and recently completed his 1st half marathon, with really no aspirations of running a full marathon.

Brent's dentist is Dr. Ann Harris, but you didn't hear that from Ann.

WASHINGTON WATER WORKS

Thanks to Brent Hinson for inviting himself to give an update on the City's current and upcoming plans to make improvements to the water system. The City is moving toward a RO (reverse osmosis) water treatment system. The City is also working to complete a new half-million gallon water tower on the north side, after replacing the 1 million gallon ground level storage tank. The City is also planning for a new deep Jordan Aquifer well, and systemwide distribution maintenance and improvements.

Brent noted that Washington does not have any lead pipes in its water distribution system, although some property connections to the water system may be lead. He said it is very unlikely that any of Flint MI water problems with lead pipes would happen in Washington.

Brent Hinson and Unidentified Rotarian

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

March 10: Dani Kane - TBD
March 17: Don Vittetoe - AG DAY (invite a guest!)
March 24: Dennis Hunger - TBD
March 31: Becky Harkema - TBD