Alexandria Rotary Club

5 Questions with Rotarian Sheila Gilbertson

1.  What high school did you attend and what is the school mascot? Northwestern High School in Maple, Wisconsin; home of the Mighty Tigers
2.  Where did you go for your last vacation? Cancun
3.  Who would you like to meet and have dinner with? Katie Couric
4.  What book is on your nightstand? Good Harbor by Anita Diamant
5.  What cd is mostly likely to be playing in your car? Something by Keri Noble or Nora Jones

Sheila F. Gilbertson
Bremer Insurance
Phone: (320)762-4723
Email: sfgilbertson@bremer.com

Alexandria Area Community Foundation

Rotarian Jeff Montgomery introduced today's guest speaker, Shari Laven of Viking Savings. Shari is also the President of The Alexandria Area Community Foundation (founded in 1992) and gave the Rotarians an update on the Foundation.

The Foundation was established to create a permanent vehicle to serve evolving needs of the Alexandria area over time. Through tax-deductible contributions the Foundation gives grants to benefit local nonprofit organizations. Two funds comprise the Foundation's Family of Funds, which serve various purposes in the community.

A sampling of the thank yous from grateful recipients are included in the extension of this post.

Strength Development and Fitness

District 206 Athletic Director and Rotarian Dave Hartmann invited Mike Empting to the Alexandria Rotary Club meeting today. Mike instructs within the Wellness/Fitness Departments at Jefferson Senior High and is a 1993 graduate from Concordia College where he studied Health Education, Physical Education and Biology. He instructs Body Fitness I, II & III, Prevention and Care of Athletic Injuries/Sport Psychology and Wellness/Fitness.

Mike works with student-athletes and any student wishing to strengthen their body and mental discipline. Thanks in part to the Alexandria Rotary Club, the 3,281 square feet of Jefferson's strength training facility contains 6 Olympic platforms, 8 squat racks, 10 cardiovascular stations and 6 bench presses. Besides strength training for athletic teams, the school offers training programs after school and during the summer. Mikes goals are to teach students:

• technique to train safely
• training theories
• science behind developing training programs
• benefits of participating in strength training

Sheriff Troy Wolbersen

Rotarian Jody Hanson invited Douglas County Sheriff Troy Wolbersen to today's Alexandria Rotary Club meeting to share his thoughts about the process leading up to his election and some facts about the sheriff's office.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has 60 full-time employees and 23 part-time staff.  The office staff consists of a Chief Deputy, 17 Patrol Deputies, 3 Investigators, 35 Communication/Correction Officers, and 5 Data Entry Technicians.  The Sheriff also acts as the Civil Defense Director for the county.

Sheriff Wolbersen's Department offers 24-hour service for the citizens of Douglas County.  In addition, they provide assistance with their Water Rescue Team, summer Water patrol, K-9 Patrol, D.A.R.E. instruction at area schools, Civil Process service, Tactical Response Team, the Sheriff's Posse and also offer information on many programs and services available to all citizens from children to seniors.  Some of these include:  C.A.P.P. (Child Abduction Prevention Program), child fingerprinting, boat and water safety, operation I.D., senior legal rights and others.

2007 Ice Fishing Challenge

The Ice Fishing Challenge will soon take place on the northeast end of Lake Le Homme Dieu (February 10th from 12-3). Last year, the RE/MAX hot air balloon took off just north of the event and weather permitting, will do so again this year.