Alexandria Rotary Club

Dorrich Dairy

Greg and Charity Vold took time out of their busy schedules as dairy farmers to join the Alexandria Rotary Club for a presentation about their farm and dairy farming in Minnesota. Dorrich Dairy is a fourth generation family farm located in Glenwood on about 600 acres and is home to about 335 Holstein cows. About 290 of these cows are milked 3 times per day (5:15 am, 11:15 am and 6:15 pm) and each cow produces what ends up to be about 9 gallons of milk (one cow will produce about 200,000 glasses of milk in her lifetime).

When milking, the cows spend their time in a freestall barn that has 6 rows with an insulated ceiling. Careful attention is paid to every detail to make sure the cows are happy and comfortable. For example, the stalls include misters that are regulated by the thermostat. Happy, comfortable cows equals great milk.

Vital to the sustainability of their farm and the environment is caring for natural resources. Dorrich Dairy incorporates several management practices to help protect the environment such as conservation tillage, manure injections and wildlife habitat preservation.

Alexandria Fire Department

Alexandria Fire Department Chief Shane Schmidt was at today's Rotary meeting to share information about the Alexandria Fire Department. For more information about out the Alexandria Fire Department, click here.

Spring Fling

2007 Spring Fling : Monday, May 14th at Sixth Avenue Wine and Ale. The time has not been set yet.

Let's Go Fishing with Seniors

Let's Go Fishing, founded in 2002, is is a non-profit organization with the goal to provide fishing and boating excursions as an activity for senior citizens. Jim Schoebrel started the Alexandria Lakes Area Chapter and took the time to talk to the Alexandria Rotary Club about giving every senior citizen the opportunity to fish and boat on our beautiful lakes.

Let's Go Fishing outings are scheduled weekly during the Spring, Summer and Fall months. Each excursion is approximately 3-4 hours. There are no costs to seniors except for a fishing license (if applicable). All equipment is provided.

To volunteer, schedule and outing or sign up for training, call Community Education at (320) 762-2149. Contribution checks (payable to LGFWS-Alex) should be sent to LGFWS, 809 Elm Street, Suite 1195, Alexandria, MN.

Neighborhood Table

The Neighborhood Table is a community meal/soup kitchen program supported by volunteers. It offers a free meal to anyone who is in need and/or would like to meet new people. The concept originated in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, home of Alexandria Blizzard forward, Eric Borre. Eric visited Rotary today to talk about The Table.

The Neighborhood Table is a non-profit operating entirely through volunteers and community sponsors. A meal is served on the third Thursday of each month at St. Mary's Church. Each meal is sponsored by a local fraternal organization or business. The sponsoring group pays for the meals and incidentals such as paper products. The sponsoring group also provides volunteers to serve the meals. In the event the sponsoring group is unable to or prefers not to serve, the Blizzard hockey team will serve the meal.

Eric values that he has the chance to get to know the faces that he sees around the community. And, to put a smile on a face.

More information about the program can be found at the Blizzard web-site [www.alexandriablizzard.com].

Thank you to Eric for taking the time to visit the Alexandria Rotary Club and for positive impact he brings to our community. Thank you as well to Alexandria Rotarian Dr. James Mann for arranging today's program.