April 22 Audio

April 22, 2008 Sustainable communities was the discussion at Rotary Club this week. Assistant City Manager Cindy Steinhauser and developer John Gronen were guests of Deb Buol this week. The City's initiatives were outlined in an extremely complete program that covered everything from Downtown Redevelopment to environmental "green" projects that all contribute to making Dubuque a wonderful place to live. This is a lively and informative program which you can listen to by clicking on the logo in the box at right. Also, photos on this page are linked to printable enlargments. Below is Deb with her husband, the Mayor of Dubuque Roy Buol, and City Councilman, Kevin Lynch.

Guest this week of Charlie Miller is Ryan Kilburg.

April 15 Audio

April 15, 2008 Brent Johns introduced Kris Carne abd Paula Trudeau, representing The Village Cooperative, a retirement living facility that is emblemic of a growing trend in this kind of development, especially in our area. We have the entire meeting for you as an audio file you can listen to on your computer by just clicking on the media button in the box at right. The photo, by the way, is linked to a printable enlargement.

Below, Bob Schroeder introduced his guest, Kathy Kueter to Rotary Club this past week.

April 8 Audio

April 8, 2008 Illinois Pork Producer, Darrell Stitzel (above with host Brent Johns), spoke to Dubuque Rotarians on the topic of modern pork production. It was utterly fascinating and one of the best presentations we've had in a long time (note to program committee... we apparently love farmers and agriculturalists). Darrell admitted he was rather new at this public relations business, but he put aside the brochures and U.S. Pork Producers prepared remarks in favor of plain talk, and it was insightful and remarkable all at the same time. It's apparent that modern pork production is an enterprise not without risk. But it was interesting to discover how clean and efficient enclosed pork operations are thanks to modern technology. Today in the US, pigs are raised in cleaner environments than most children in third world countries. They thrive in controlled temperature and humidity controlled buildings year 'round. As a consequence, today's pork is far leaner and, in fact, competitive with chicken in health benefits. There is far less cholesterol in the pork when compared to pigs even 20 years ago. We have the entire meeting for you as an audio file you can listen to on your computer by just clicking on the media button in the box above.

April 1 Audio

April 1, 2008 Greg Yoko (here with Rotarian Jennifer Uptegraph), a local publisher of specialty trade publications, spoke on the topic of sustainable land development. What really is sustainable development? Well, you may be surprised to know that it's not just about environmental protection or that including a sustainable development strategy in your land development plans increases costs. In fact, real tangible savings can be the result, and your development can continue to reduce cost of operation for those residing on the property for generations to come. At the same time, the impact on the environment is significantly reduced, and that is always a good thing. For example, let's say you have a 40 acre parking lot. Typically it must contain storm sewers and tiling beneath the pavement to channel rainwater away from the parking lot. If you use permeable concrete, the water soaks through the pavement into the earth thereby reducing runoff that can become someone else's headache. The cost differential is negligible since you don't need underground storm tiling if your concrete is water permeable. Also puddles and winter ice are virtually eliminated reducing your liability. Listen to the presentation by clicking on the Windows Media button above.

Kent Renier is going to be working at the Rotary District level in the coming year. Congratulations to Kent!

March 25 Audio

March 25, 2008 Mike Budde introduced Samantha Harnack of the Iowa Marrow Donor Program to speak to Rotarians this week. There is one big myth associated with donating bone marrow, which, by the way, is one of the most popular strategies in treating cancer and diseases of the blood. Does giving bone marrow hurt? Most who have donated it say, "no!" In any event, the delightful Ms Harnack spelled it all out on how to be a donor and save lives through their computer aided Donor Matching Program which is international in its reach. So how many members of our club are already enrolled in the donor program? At least four we know of at this meeting! One was Patrick Donovan (below) who brought a guest this week, Jim Rang.

Guests this week included John Freivalds with John Luckstead (right).

March 18 Audio

March 18, 2008 Jerry Enzler, Executive Director of the National Misssissippi River Museum and Aquarium located at the Port of Dubuque, spoke on America's River Phase II that is going into motion as we listen. Jerry is one of our Rotarians we are proud to say. He was introduced by Brent Johns. Phase II is all about expanding the displays and exhibits, obviously, but it's also about a new emphasis on an important message that is tied to the environment. The implications and impact the rivers have on our global environment are critical to the overall health of our oceans. "The impact man and his enterprises have on the rivers is something we need to examine more closely," explained Jerry. We are looking not just at our river but the entire hemisphere's rivers and the inexorable links they have to our very survival. Listen to the audio and learn all about the NMRMA's plans. Also joining Jerry at Rotary this week was Ginger Sakas, Development Director for the organization.

March 11 Audio

March 11, 2008 Central Alternative High School's Tim Ebeling brought two of his students, Ron Sanders and Tanya Davis, who are involved in a massive project of developing a book and seminar on global terrorism. Central has a long tradtion of noteworthy research projects of this sort (Tuskegee Airmen, The Cold War, The Shot Tower Project), and this year is no exception in terms of quality and educational value. Their presentation and a report on the progress of their research is on the recording. Click on the button. The photo above is linked to a printable enlargement.

New member induction: Our president elect, Chuck Andracchio, and sponsor, Kim Tully, welcome Heidi Aird to our fine club! Welcom Heidi who is with Aflac (yes the company with the duck logo).

Three Musketeers (we call them that because they are all sweet like the candy bar), Kim, Vicki Bechen, and new member, Heidi Aird. Photos on this page are linked to printable enlargements.

March 4 Audio

March 4, 2008 Veterans & Military Families for Progress with Tom Howe (above) who gave an emotional speech about the state of veterans' affairs in our nation. Tom, himself, a Marine veteran of the Viet Nam conflict, has dedicated his life to veteran's welfare issues. "It's the soldiers who do the heavy lifting in preserving our democracy," explains Tom. Amen to that.

Also, Tom was inducted into our Rotary Club on this day. Congratulations, Tom, and welcome to our club.

Mike Seyer, our Humanitarian Projects Chair, presents a check for $1,000 to the Project Linus organization. As the name implies, the group creates and makes and collects blankets to distribute to children. Photos on this page are linked to printable versions. Just click on them.

March 4, 2008 These are three of the most influential non-profit organizational professionals in the Tri-State Area. They include (standing) Don Gereau (interem Director of Hoffman Development Center), (right) John Romaine (Director of ARC), and Kevin Stevens (Director of Hoffman Development Center).

Feb 19 Audio

The topic of their presentation was the work that has been done to merge these two institutions (ARC and Hoffman Development Center). Don outlined the process that was employed to facilitate the merger. These fine organizations have served the community well in the area of developmentally disabled and mobility disabled resident adults. We, as a community, can be proud of how well we take care of those in profound need. It is the measure of our community's quality of life. But it's also professionals like these who help raise the money, manage the funds and administer to these people in need that deserve a lot of credit.

Guest this week at Rotary included Lynn Decker here with

January 29, 2008 Well, we learned from Kathy Abba all about how we can now log on to a new website and calculate (approximately) what it will cost to get a knee replaced, a heart valve installed, hernia repaired, you name it, they have a formula for you to figure it out. Handy if you like to shop. Seriously, though, Kathy knows her stuff, and the Iowa Hospital Association Price Point website was actually pretty impressive.

Jan 28 Audio

The presentation was given by two of our own Rotarians, Kathleen Abba (Finley) and Tim Loeffelholz, a deft technician on the PowerPoint presentation. Actually we learned quite a bit about this topic as was evident by the number of people actually taking notes during the program.

February 12, 2008 The Rural Heritage Museum was the topic of this week's Rotary meeting. Dave Schmitz, a farmer from Dubuque, is the sparkplug in this particular engine seeking to raise funds and awareness of this project. He has personally contributed land and a barn to headquarter displays, equipment, tools, and educational exhibits that seek to preserve our past, the nearly 200 years of agricultural history in the Tri-State Area. It's a noble and just cause since so much of our rural heritage and architecture is rapidly disappearing. Farmers aren't building wooden Gambrel roof barns anymore. Sure, there are a few preserved on the prairie, but most will be a memory if steps aren't taken.

Feb 12 Audio

The Chamber of Commerce CEO, Molly Grover, gave a report on the recent Washington trip and the delivered details on the news that Northwest Airlines is back at the Dubuque Regional Airport.

Another check presentation was made to the Storybook Hill Children's Zoo.

We also inducted our newest Paul Harris Fellow, Ron Shardt, who was joined in the celebration by his wife, Else. Barry Bromberg made the presentation.

These three officers were elected by the club this past week and they include Lori Bahl, secretary, Doug Pearce, president elect, and Kent Renier, treasurer. They will serve on the Board of Directors as well.

We inducted a new member this week, Karen Dorschkind sponsored Shannon Lundgren. Welcome Schannon back to the warm embrace of Rotary Club.

Jan 22 Audio

January 28, 2008 Scouting was the theme of this week's Rotary Club Meeting, and our club's chief scout, Dustin Ferris, brought Eagle Scout Will Neumeister who showed us his photos and video clips from the Scout Jamboree he attended in England. It's so great to see an organization with such a great legacy continue to prosper and build confidence and leadership skills among young men. And to show our support and appreciation, we paresented the Northeast Iowa Council with a check from our humanitarian projects fund.

An old friend, Steve Horman (right) was a guest of Tom Tully.

Left, we had an induction ceremony this meeting and our new member is John Ambrose. Here presenting his certificate of membership and pin is Denny Hartough (middle) and Chuck Andracchio.

Jan 15 Audio

January 15, 2008 Meganne Masko, a certified music therapist currently working for Hospice of Dubuque, entertained us at Rotary Club, and this was one of the best presentations we've ever had. It was utterly touching. As we know, the Hospice organization is dedicated to making those with terminal illness or those who are preparing to leave this world as comfortable as possible. Music as an evocative and largely inexplicable effect on the proceedings in many cases which was illustrated in story and song by Meganne. This is one of those programs that was perfect for recording and passing along to friends and family. The button in the box above will trigger the download, and all you have to do to let others know of our programs is pass along our Website. It's that simple. Meganne is here photographed with Shelby from Hospice.

Jan 8 Audio

January 8 , 2008 Bob Broshous (right) with Brent Johns, our program chair. Bob is a University of Dubuque recruiting officer. He spent some time with us showing how he sells Dubuque, Iowa to overseas students. It was quite fascinating. Dubuque, by virtue of its location in the heart of the Midwest, is not an easy sell in some parts of the world, but Bob gets the job done and delivers. We have the entire meeting on audio file along with Bob's program, so click the button in the box and learn something. Afterall, he works for an institution of higher learning.

Okay, the topic of this meeting was "Resolutions." Our Fun & Frolic host this week, Amy Gerhard was dressed for the occasion. We can't exactly tell you all of the gags represented in her New Year's Resolutions costume, but you can hear it on the audio file featured above.