President Anita Martin brought the meeting to order at 12:18pm. Pledge of Allegiance and 4 Way Test recited. Nineteen Rotarians,, guests (Mary Ann Jackson and Ryan Bukstein), Teachers of the Month, FFA students and 2 student Rotarians were in attendance. Lakeside Lutheran students were unable to attend due to a water main break.
Announcements/Information:
Two student Rotarians gave a fun fact today. Gracyn (Lake Mills HS), Regan (Lake Mills HS)
Beth let fellow Rotarians know that the Stone Soup event was a success. They served approximately 100 people. Fire pits were great on a cold night. Many Christmas trees made by Dean W. were sold plus donations are still coming in. Thank you to all who helped and volunteered.
Happy birthday to Drake D. and Mr. Kazi
Happy anniversary to Beth (4 years)
Teachers of the Month: Glen Pufahl and Luke Wiedenfeld.
Glen Pufahl is a band teacher at Lakeside Lutheran HS. Very kind teacher and says hi to all the students. Students always talk to him. Loves to play UNO with the kids. He organizes large music festivals. Helps school in anyway he can including driving a bus. His goal is to have every student have a positive story at the dinner table. Glen is a Warrior alum. His mom was a teacher at Lakeside Lutheran HS.
Luke Wiedenfeld is the AG teacher and FFA advisor at Lake Mills HS. He goes above and beyond with his time for FFA. There are 7 AG classes at the high school. 125 students take AG classes and 75 participate in FFA. He started a tractor safety program at Madison College 3 years ago. Luke is very appreciative of the Rotary for sponsoring the award. He is a graduate of Lake Mills HS and Lake Mills is his hometown. Feb. 1 is a toy show at the middle school and Feb. 27 is a card party at the high school (fundraisers).
New members welcomed and inducted: Tim Aurand and Dean Westman.
Brian Watson earned his Paul Harris +8 and received a pin with 3 rubies. Thank you for all you do for Rotary.
Last Wednesday, the night attendees voted on recipient for the 2026 5K Run will be the LD Fargo Library. Rotary will decide on focus area at a later date. Motion made by Tom V. to donate proceeds after expenses of 5K Run (2026) to the library. Brian B. second. Motion carried. Gerard S. mentioned naming rights at the $5,000 level. Contact Sandee M. if you have questions about the 2026 Run. The proceeds from the 2025 run were $6,600 and were sent to UW Alzheimer’s Research Minds Over Mountains.
Raffle tickets are available and ready for Christmas gifts. See Barb for tickets. Tickets also available at Farmers & Merchants Bank. This is one of the biggest fundraisers so please support the calendar raffle.
Jenny M. said all sponsors are on the website with a link to business. The next speaker program opening is March 10, 2026.
Garett T. will give his presentation on January 27, 2026.
Sponsor appreciation will be January 22, 2026 at the Legion Post from 6pm-8pm. Fifty invitations are being mailed. Heavy appetizers will be served.
Nominations for officers for 2026-2027: Voting will be January 6, 2026
President: Beth Naughton
President elect: Dan McCabe
Treasurer: Dan Sanft (motion made by Ed H., second by Brian B.)
Secretary: Barb Cramer
Recording secretary:
Members at Large: Carmen Weldon (Motion made by Beth N., second by Jenny M.)
Lake Mills Rotary has raised over $1,400 for the Adopt a Family program (Christmas Neighbors). If making a donation by check, please make check payable to Lake Mills Rotary Foundation and write, "Adopt-a-Family" on the memo line. Donations needed by the end of the week. Motion made by Brian B. to donate $500 from the Rotary Club of Lake Mills. Second by Jen Johnson. Motion carried.
Calendar:
December 16: Rotarian Christmas party at noon. Show choir will perform.
December 16: evening Christmas party at Pyramid. Pizza will be served at 6pm.
December 17: Blood drive from noon-6pm. Call Brian B. if you can volunteer.
No noon meeting December 23 or December 30.
Happy Bucks:
Barb noted that 5 members of her family will be participating in the flag ceremony in Denver this Sunday before the Packers vs. Broncos game.
Brian B. mentioned that honorary Rotarian Boyd F. had leg surgery.
Beth and Tim are participating in the Tour of Holiday Homes this Saturday. Proceeds benefit RLAC.
Brian B. mentioned Countryside Jewelry is having a men’s night out December 11 from 3pm-8pm. Shop for the women in your life. A women’s night out will be held the evening before so a list will be ready for the men.
