Alexandria Rotary Club

Luther Crest's Master Plan

Tom Wacholz (ORB Management), Dee Peshek (Chairperson of Luther Crest's Board) and Rob Barse (ORB Management) were invited to the February 2nd Alexandria Rotary Club meeting by Rotarian Jody Shaskey-Setright to share Luther Crest's vision of their future. 

Located on the shores of Lake Carlos, Luther Crest was originally a boy’s camp, built by a man named Heinie Brock, who later became well-known for his ice-skating in the Ice Follies. In the fall of 1945, the Milaca-Glenwood-Fergus Falls Bible Camp Association bought the camp for $25,000, and the Luther Crest Bible Camp Articles of Incorporation were submitted to the State of Minnesota. Today, Luther Crest is not just for kids and is busy year-round with events and retreats for adults.

Battling A Fire

At the January 27 meeting of the Alexandria Rotary Club, member Jeff Schiffman introduced Alexandria Fire Chief Jeff Karrow. Karrow provided a dissection of the major Sun-Opta fire of January 2011, relating how the fire department responded to the 29-hour crisis. The firefighters battled -34 temperatures in addition to the fire, which complicated the operation.

Making a Difference

Despite frigid temperatures, members of the Alexandria Rotary Club were warmed at their January 19 meeting by a reminder of how Rotary makes an impact in the community. Rotarian Linda Roles introduced Linda Dolan, Director of Scholarship at Alexandria Technical & Community College. Dolan noted that the Alexandria club has funded two students with $500 scholarships for the current academic year, and has awarded a total of nine $500 scholarships over the past five years. She then introduced Stephanie Schultz, a student in the marine engine program at ATCC and a recipient of the Rotary scholarship this year. Schultz described the impact the award has had on her academic goals and thanked the club.

Sanford Health

Chuck Gulsvig (pictured with current Alexandria Rotary Club President, Rachel Barduson) is the Director of Public Affairs for Sanford Health and at yesterday's Alexandria Rotary Club meeting at the Broadway Ballroom, he shared the mission, vison and values of integrated healthcare system.

Sanford Health has 31 hospitals, 111 clinics, 31 long-term care facilities, 18,000+ employees, 900+ physicians offering expertise in more than 70 specialties. They also have Centers of Excellence for cancer, children, heart, orthopedics/sports medicine and women's health. In 2011, Sanford Health completed a merger with Broadway Medical Center in Alexandria.

The New Student Housing Project at ATCC

At their first meeting of 2012, the Alexandria Rotary Club welcomed Jennifer Odland of the Alexandria Technical & Community College Foundation. She was introduced by Rotarian Kathy Nohre. Jennifer discussed the history of the new student housing project at ATCC, scheduled to receive its first students this coming fall.

The Jefferson Carolers

The Alexandria Rotary Club enjoyed a holiday tradition at their December 15 meeting, as the Jefferson High School Carolers entertained the group with holiday carols.

Membership Mark

The Alexandria Rotary Club was proud to welcome District Membership Chair, “Membership Mark” Hegstrom to their November 17 meeting. Hegstrom talked about the importance of having both a recruiting and retention plan to keep the organization growing.

The club also feted the victorious Viking team, which sold the most roses in the recent fundraiser.