Alexandria Rotary Club

Ethanol

Speaking to the Alexandria Rotary Club today about Renewable Resource Fuel was John Stone.  John spoke about ethanol as the clean air alternative to gasoline. 30% of all gasoline sold in the nation is blended with ethanol. Ethanol is an American-made fuel that helps our country to be more energy independent. Ethanol is not the only answer to America's energy needs, but it is part of the overall solution. More information is available at ottertailethanol.com.

Other meeting notes: LeRoy Meyer greeted along with Tom Jacobson...Don Krueger won the $10 drawing and donated it to the Scholarship Fund...Mike Unrein tried for $207 in the Marble Drawing but didn't have luck...guests included Ron Stalberg and Mark Weston's daughter Courtney...Tim Asche was a second time guest and a membership packet was spotted in his possession...Rachel Barduson and Chris Schroeder spoke about the upcoming Neighborhood Community Service Project(tentatively scheduled for May 18th)....Mike Unrein is still looking for clock operators for the Rotary BB tourney...check out Alex Rotary merchandise at our store

The Garden Center

Pictured are two of the Alex Rotary Club's favorite Garden Center staff, Brenda and Sandy. Each week they are an integral part of an Alex Rotary Club meeting. Brenda and Sandy take great care of everyone and the meetings wouldn't be the same without them.
Today's program was about the history and future of The Garden Center. Charlie Meyer presented and gave a tour of the property(56,000 square feet) following the meeting. LeRoy Meyer bought the Garden Center is 1957 from Phil Noonan. Phil opened The Garden Center in 1937. The name originates from the "Little Piece of Heaven Garden" located across from The Anderson Funeral Home's former location. The Garden Center employs around a 100 people.

Welcome to Kerry Donley!

The Alexandria Rotary Club is proud to announce that Kerry Donley is now a Rotarian.

Pandemics

Our guest today was Doreen Hanson, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Douglas County Public Health. Doreen spoke about pandemics(which is defined as a disease that spreads rapidly affecting most countries and regions of the world) and specifically about the Bird Flu.  Doreen offered a wealth of information and history of pandemics. An excellent site for additional information is www.health.state.mn.us. Doreen's presentation was timely as the current issue of TIME Magazine has more than one article about the Bird Flu.  Click to read "Guarding the Henhouse" or  "The Disease Detectives: Planning for the Pandemic". Also, to read an article about a pandemic that Doreen referred to: the Pandemic of 1918, the Spanish Flu.

Meeting Preview

Thursday's program will be Doreen Hanson, Douglas County Public Health, talking about Bird Flu.