President Anita Martin brought the meeting to order at 12:18pm. Pledge of Allegiance and 4 Way Test recited. Eighteen Rotarians were in attendance plus one on zoom. Nine guests plus 4 student Rotarians were in attendance.
Teachers of the Month:
Chris Shanafel (music teacher at Lake Mills Elementary) has been teaching for 10 years. He has a passion for music, wrote the school song and loves to play his guitar at school. Chris is very creative and has a passion for music.
Lois McKenney (extended learning role at St. Paul’s Lutheran) started her career as a kindergarten teacher. She plays the organ for church services and director of hand bell choir. She thinks outside the box. Lois is patient and is a joy to work with.
Congratulations!
Student Rotarians: introduction speeches
Nevea (Lake Mills High School)
Isabella (Lake Mills High School)
Allison (Lakeside Lutheran High School)
Violet (Lakeside Lutheran High School)
Happy Rotary Anniversary to Jennifer J. (1 year) and Scott T. (10 years)
Happy birthday to Eric D.
Calendar Raffle tickets and posters are now available. Tickets will be sold until the end of January with the first drawing February 3, 2026. Raffle tickets make great gifts. Cost is $50. If you need a ticket or poster delivery please contact Barb at
lm.rotaryclub@gmail.com.
Rotary Club of Lake Mills to Host Stone Soup Supper on December 5, 2025
LAKE MILLS, WI – The Rotary Club of Lake Mills invites community members to embrace the spirit of giving and fellowship at its Stone Soup Supper in conjunction with the Legendary Lake Mills Tree Lighting on Friday, December 5, 2025. This community event, inspired by the classic folktale, emphasizes the power of collective effort and shared resources to support local initiatives.
Event Details:
- Date: Friday, December 5, 2025
- Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00PM
- Location: The Commons Lake Mills
- Guests will enjoy a warm and hearty bowl of soup and locally made bread by generous home artisans, a symbol of what can be accomplished when everyone contributes.
- Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or a monetary donation, which will be collected to support local food insecurity programs.
Don B. introduction to Rotary Club: Don’s parents met in the military in California. Don was an Eagle Scout and Order of the Arrow. Don is from Missouri and claim to fame is he was friends with Rush Limbaugh. Don has 4 sons, 1 daughter and 1 grandson. His mom at 97 years old won a car on Let’s Make a Deal. Don and his wife Judy are Badger fans, love to bike, fish, kayak and tennis. Don lives next to Tom V. Don did the ironman when he was 60 and 61 years old and it took him about 15 hours to complete. Don and Judy love sunsets. Don exercises quite a bit. He also loves salt water fish aquariums. He explains, “Rotary is a unique avenue to do wonderful community projects.” Don has a desire to help the community. His family dates back to the 5th century and his ancestors were Jewish leaders (chief rabbis in Poland) around 1100. Don is a retired doctor. Started as a pathologist but moved to pediatric allergy and pulmonary medicine. He has a passion for vaccines.
Announcements:
November 19: Night meeting at Lewis Station Winery (6pm-7pm)
November 25: Board meeting at Farmers & Merchants Bank (7am-8am)
November 25: Vanessa Leaders and Britanie Peaslee from the Drug Free Communities Grant & coalition work in Jefferson Co.
December 2 Ugly Sweater/Bring a Guest to Rotary and Garett T.’s introduction speech
December Board meeting changed to January 6.
Ed H. reminded that the Rotary Club combines with Optimist Club for the Christmas Neighbors project. Looking for donations to help families at Christmas. Please donate to the Lake Mills Rotary Foundation and write Adopt a Family on the memo line. Donations need to be received by December 2 but the latest would be December 9th.
Happy Bucks:
- Beth N. thanked Rotarians who donated to her polio ride fundraiser. She raised $1,200.
- Tonya O. is grateful to work with Teacher of the Month Chris and his wife Amanda.
- Anita M. had a lovely time in Arizona at her niece’s wedding. Travel was great.
Meeting adjourned at 12:59pm.
