Jon Townley, AKA Ben Franklin, recounts highlights of the last 250 years with Phil Willems at the June 26 Steak Fry. 

The Waunakee Rotary Club met for the last time under President Phil Willem’s leadership and learned what each of the committees were up to during club assembly.

Next week, President-elect Tony Burns will begin his year as club president. 

The following reports were given at the June 26 meeting: 

The fundraising committee has grown as a robust group involved in the Rotary Lights brochure. They’ll be offering six levels of sponsorship, including light display sponsorship, various advertisement sizes and coupons in the brochure. Jennifer Tasker said others who have a knack for sales are welcome to join the team. 

Robert Arntz reported for the youth and vocational committee. Carmella has returned to Spain from her year-long exchange in Waunakee. Fran is in Florida now and will attend a music program in Grand Rapids. The Rotaract youth club is also forming. Tim Decorah said he will be having the members volunteer at events like the Senior Picnic, WaunaFest and Wauktoberfest.

Programs have been scheduled through 2025, Kylie West said. In 2026, the committee will work on providing programs that reflect Rotary International’s themes for each month and finding local speakers. 

The international committee is taking ideas for the next project that the club would like to work on. 

For community service, volunteers will be needed to set up and take down at the Senior Picnic, WaunaBoom and WaunaFest, along with the Rotary Lights trailer. 

The Waunakee Farmers and Makers Market will be the location for fellowship throughout the summer, Bob Klostermann announced. Other fellowship opportunities include a Mallards baseball game, National Night Out on Aug. 6, and chartering a bus to LaCrosse in December. Another outing in October will be the pizza party at Bishops Bay. 

The fundraising committee is looking ahead to WaunaFest and Wauktoberfest. Pat Durden said the club needs everyone to work one shift. 

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Other News: 

-The club is looking to dedicate the Peace Pole at Waunakee Neighborhood Connection during their open house July 29.

-The New Zealanders arrive on Saturday and will be in Waunakee next week. They’ll spend Wednesday touring the Capitol and UW, and Rotarians are welcome to join them. Thursday, they’ll be meeting for a boat ride in the afternoon then having dinner at Buck & Honey’s in Monona. Club members are welcome to join them there, too. 

Events

-July 4 - WaunaBoom

-July 9 - Senior Picnic

-July 24-27 - WaunaFest

-Aug. 6, National Night Out

Greeters: July 3, Tracy Graber and Hillary Pink-Budworth; July 10, Shauna Hughey and ??; July 17, ???; July 24, Roberta Baumann and David Rupp. 

To sign up to greet or to find out if you are greeting, visit: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054CAAAA2CA7F85-44320149-2023#/

Outgoing Club President Phil Willems says a few words at the Steak Fry.