Thanks to all club members who worked at the Washington county Recycling Center on Saturday, November 22nd.  

Club members are asked to keep the date of Saturday, December 6th available to serve as bell ringers for the Salvation Army, most likely at No Frills Supermarket.  A sign up sheet will be available at next week's meeting.

Club members are reminded they can do make-ups on the web at  http://www.rotaryeclubone.org.

Notes from the November 18th  Meeting - Program Chair - Doug Wolfe

Doug's guest for the day was Steve Kruger, a member of the Nebraska State Fair Board.  Steve also serves as the President of the local Washington County Fair.  For 135 years, the Nebraska State Fair has served as a showcase for the talent, products, and people of Nebraska.  The State Fair is a place to recognize the achievements of Nebraskans; a place where rural and urban cultures come together to create and share lifelong memories.

As many local residents know, the future of the Nebraska State Fair is precarious.  During the past few years attendance has been falling and, with serious budget problems in the State, the State Fair is a target.  The goal of the State Fair Board is to address the diversity of the state's population and try to develop a State Fair which is attractive to a wide variety of the population.  Equally important is the need to reach out to families, in particular there is a desire to make the journey to the State Fair and tradition for parents and their children for generations to come.  The theme for the 2004 State Fair "Treasure the Past - Envision the Future" is indicative of this strategy.

The State Fair Board has been working on incorporating new ideas into Fair offerings.  This year, for example, there was a new birthing area in which fair goers could watch the live birth of pigs.  The goal is to make the fair more educational and interesting.

If you would like more information on the Nebraska State Fair you can go to their website:  www.statefair.org.

Rotary Question of the Week

When was the Rotary Foundation created?  What are the goals of the Foundation?

Rotary Fact of the Week (from  the RI or District Website)

The Rotary Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs.  It is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.

The Foundation was created in 1917 by Rotary International's sixth president, Arch C. Klumph, as an endowment fund for Rotary "to do good in the world." It has grown from an initial contribution of US$26.50 to more than US$73 million contributed in 2000-01. 

The Foundation's Humanitarian Programs fund international Rotary club and district projects to improve the quality of life, providing health care, clean water, food, education, and other essential needs primarily in the developing world. One of the major Humanitarian Programs is PolioPlus, which seeks to eradicate the polio virus worldwide. Through its Educational Programs, the Foundation provides funding for some 1,200 students to study abroad each year. Grants are also awarded to university teachers to teach in developing countries and for exchanges of business and professional people. Former participants in the Foundation's programs have the opportunity to continue their affiliation with Rotary as Foundation Alumni. 

Thought of the Week

"Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt

November Birthdays
Luanne Lathrop 1st
Don Boswell 14th