Happy Bucks

Heidi celebrated McKenna’s 21st birthday and enjoyed a long holiday weekend with family. Tammy shared an appreciation for family time, while Dave celebrated a family wedding.

Russ shared excitement about helping a patient undergoing chemotherapy by completing needed crowns in the office, making the process easier and more comfortable for the patient. He also celebrated Django achieving another personal record and qualifying for sectionals, while Clementine completed her final pole vault competition. Sectionals will take place on Friday in McFarland, and the family is also preparing for Clementine’s graduation party before graduation day.

Gary shared that he and two of our local foreign exchange students spent five hours moving mulch, joking that the work nearly wore everyone out, but praising the students for their hard work and positive attitude.

Keith shared that baby birds nested in the bushes outside his home, giving the children a memorable experience watching and caring about the birds. The family also made scarecrows to protect the garden, and Harrison declared it one of the best days ever.

Peggy shared that she and Zandra enjoyed a sushi dinner together.

Mark celebrated that his son got his pontoon boat running again and was enjoying an outing on Lake Mendota with friends, family, and dogs. The issue ultimately turned out to be the dead switch being flipped.

Club Updates

Steve shared that Rotary scholarships were successfully presented to two students, and the experience brought many smiles and appreciation from the recipients.

Peggy proposed a surprise; more to come!

Gary provided an update on the library fence project. Approximately three to four hours of power washing remain before the fence can dry and be prepared for painting. Volunteers willing to assist with power washing are encouraged to contact Gary. Painting plans will follow once preparation work is complete.

Susan shared that she, Melissa, and Bill will be at the farmers market on Thursday, representing Rotary and supporting green initiatives and community outreach efforts.

Graduation Celebrations

Members are invited to celebrate two upcoming graduations within our Rotary family. Russ shared that Clementine’s graduation party will take place the day before graduation, and all Rotary friends are warmly invited to attend and celebrate this exciting milestone. In addition, congratulations and best wishes are extended to Zandra on her upcoming graduation celebration. We look forward to celebrating both graduates and supporting their next adventures.

Summer Frolic

Mount Horeb Summer Frolic is quickly approaching, and volunteers are still needed, especially for Rotary food service and weekend shifts. Members are encouraged to sign up for Mount Horeb Summer Frolic volunteer shifts and help ensure strong Rotary participation throughout the event.

The club also reviewed updates regarding the Frolic raffle fundraiser. Tickets are currently being sold, and members were encouraged to continue returning ticket stubs and payments promptly. Organizers hope Rotary can demonstrate strong participation and support for the broader community event.

10K Raffle Update

The annual Mount Horeb Rotary $10K Raffle will be held Thursday, July 30, from 5:30–9:00 p.m. Previous participants have first right of refusal for their prior ticket numbers through June 9, 2026. Tickets cost $100 and include dinner and drinks for two attendees.

This year’s raffle will again feature a $10,000 grand prize, along with additional raffle packages such as the Hawaii and Sedona vacation homes. Organizers are also seeking additional live auction donations and vacation property experiences. Members with potential auction donors or vacation packages are encouraged to contact Sarah Straka.

A new paddle raffle fundraiser will also be introduced during the event to help maintain engagement and generate additional revenue throughout the evening.

The club discussed the increasing costs associated with catering, which now averages approximately $20 per attendee. Members were encouraged to provide feedback or recommendations regarding caterers or event food options as organizers continue evaluating future event sustainability and pricing.

VFW Community Event

The local VFW is hosting a special event Saturday (5/30) evening at 6 p.m. at the high school's stadium, in celebration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. The evening will feature a veterans’ walk around the track and a community showing of “The Honor Flight” film. Suggested donations of $5 will support community efforts.

Guest Speaker: Aaron Frank

Guest speaker Aaron Frank thanked the club for its continued service and highlighted Mount Horeb Rotary as a strong example within the district, especially in the area of public image and community engagement.

Aaron specifically recognized Gary for speaking candidly at the district conference regarding conference affordability and accessibility. He emphasized the importance of members being willing to speak up when they see opportunities for improvement within Rotary.

Aaron encouraged newer members to continue getting involved and reminded everyone that Rotary becomes meaningful in different ways for different people over time. He reflected on his own Rotary journey, sharing that it took many years before he fully understood what Rotary meant to him personally.

He also discussed Rotary leadership, membership engagement, and the importance of listening to clubs rather than directing them from the district level. Aaron shared that he will serve as District Membership Chair next year and intends to focus on supporting clubs by listening to their needs and helping members stay engaged and connected.

Additional topics included Rotary friendship exchanges, WASH initiatives focused on clean water access, fellowship groups, leadership opportunities, and the importance of continuing to ask members to become more involved in Rotary service and leadership.