Blair Rotary Newsletter
"Rotary Shares"
February 25, 2008

Every Rotarian - Every Year 
Total to Date

Club Goal for the 2007-2008 Rotary Year is $4,000

$2,364

$2,400

$2,600

$2,800

$3,000

$3,200

$3,400

$3,600

$3,800

$4,000

$4,300

Reminder: attendance should be at least 60%, if you can't make a meeting you can do a make-up on the web at the following address:  http://www.rotaryeclub7890.org/makeup.htm 

Aebleskiver breakfast is scheduled for April 20th - please reserve this date on your schedule - we need all members to help with the event.

The annual Blair Rotary Golf Tournament is scheduled for Friday, June 20th at the Rivers Wild Golf Course - please reserve this date on your calendar.  We will need a number of members to help and everyone is encouraged to form a team.

We have received membership applications for the following two individuals:  Terry Dutton, President of Washington County Bank and Terry Gilfry, Executive Director of the Blair Family YMCA.  If anyone has just cause to not grant either one of these individuals membership please see a club officer immediately.

Jim Realph, City of Blair of Mayor, recognized the contributions of the Blair Rotary and all Rotary Clubs as he declared February 23rd as Rotary Day in Blair.

Notes from February 19th - Program Chair – Jim Peterson
(Thanks to Ellen Ryder for taking notes during my absence)

Jim's guest for the day was Jana Kruger who serves on the board of the Nebraska State Fair. In addition to their service on the Nebraska State Fair Board, Jana and her husband Steve, have been devoted workers for the Washington County Fair  for  many years.  Jana is very passionate about the Nebraska State Fair and its future.    


Road construction in Lincoln is changing everything for the fair and for the access to the fair.  The State and the University are making the future of the fair and its location very uncertain.   The State owns the land and is considering taking the land and giving it to the University.  This has become a controversial issue. There are four bills before the Nebraska State Legislature as indicated below.  A public hearing is scheduled for Feb 26th at l:30.
#861    involving a change in location
#1041   creating a commission
#1115   changing the membership of the Fair Board
#1116   if the State Fair moves - $30 million goes to University

The State Fair is important to Nebraska.   So much of our State is dependent on agriculture in so many various ways. The State Fair is a part of the tradition of an agricultural State.    Over 4,000 young people participate in the 4-H activities at the fair, over 1,000 FFA youth participate, and thousand of adults young and old with livestock and other exhibits.   The Fair Board is planning for the 139th State Fair with the traditional  things and new and exciting things.  The theme for 2008 is  "Experience It".  Jana talked about many of the activities at the fair and some of the promotions planned for this year:  celebrating  older Nebraskans and honoring our veterans.  If you would like additional information on the Nebraska State Fair and the research done on the proposed move please go to the following website: www.statefair.org

Rotary Question of the Week

March is known as what month for Rotarians?

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

Rotary Literacy Month highlights literacy and education issues around the world. Celebrated in March each year, Rotary Literacy Month is an excellent opportunity for Rotary clubs and districts to raise awareness about literacy, launch new literacy initiatives and projects, and recognize literacy accomplishments from the past year. Rotarians everywhere are encouraged to participate in Rotary Literacy Month by engaging in service or activities that specifically address literacy and education issues either in their communities or abroad.

Thought of the Week

"One thing you will probably remember will is any time you forgive and forget." Franklin P. Jones

February Birthdays
Mark Rhoades 8th
Bob Woodhouse 15th
Dave Waite 19th
Sonny Wachter 24th
 

SERVICE Above Self!