Duane Martin (left) and Peg Wunder (center) of Mobridge Rotary accept the Significang Achievement Award from Larry Lynstad, assistant district governor.
By Peg Wunder
Rotarian Assistant District Governor Larry Lynstad spoke briefly about the Rotary Foundation on Monday, Nov. 9, when he traveled here from Pierre to present an award to the Mobridge club.
Lynstad, prior to the presentation, talked briefly about the Rotary Foundation as November is Rotary Foundation month. The dues paid by the members do not go to the Foundation, which does projects worldwide. Funds go to Polio Plus and the World Fund. Half of those funds come back to the district after three years. He said that the district does a pretty good job of supporting the Foundation. The gift for the district raffle has been well supported by the Mobridge Rotary and each year Mobridge Rotary sells tickets for the district raffle. Donations through the sale of raffle tickets of $l00 a year classifies one as a sustaining member and after 10 continuous years of being a sustaining member that member becomes a Paul Harris Fellow. The very first project that the Foundation undertook many years ago was public bathrooms in Chicago.
Lynstad continued with the presentation of the award, saying that one club in the district was chosen to receive the Significant Achievement Award this past year. The district covers all of South Dakota and extends into Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska. To receive the award a club must be active and must have someone in the club reporting what the local club is doing in the community. Lynstad called past President Duane Martin and Secretary Peg Wunder to receive the Rotary International Significant Achievement Award. Lynstad read part of the letter received from Gary C.K. Huang, President of Rotary International saying that the award recognizes outstanding Rotary club projects that address the most pressing needs of their local communities. These projects illustrate Rotary’s avenue of Community Service in action and they provide successful models for other Rotary Clubs to replicate. He went on to state that the Mobridge club has made a meaningful impact in the life of the Mobridge community and the club’s projects represent the very best work in the district and the Rotary World. He stated that, on behalf of Rotary International and Rotarians worldwide, he commends the Mobridge Club’s efforts to Light Up Rotary.
Dr. Leonard Linde introduced Tyler Hearnen who is the new airport manager and who also flies for Sanford. He said that when he is unavailable his wife, Kelly, manages things very well. Hearnen was born in Aberdeen and grew up on an organic farm in Wisconsin. He decided that organic farming was not for him and, after taking flying lessons, found what he really wanted to do. He attended SDSU at Brookings and earned a Business Administration degree and attended Aeronautical School there also. Tyler started in January of this year and went full time in March. The airport lounge has been remodeled with new carpet, paint and new flooring in the entry. They have installed a shower for overnight pilots and there are now two rental vehicles available for pilots. The City of Mobridge provides a courtesy vehicle for pilots to use with a limit of two hours. Hearnen said that a Gulfstream 550 is the biggest plane to use our airport to date. The Gulfstream is too big to fit in the new hangar, which is presently full.
The runway needs to be expanded from 4,400 feet to 5,000 feet, but there needs to be documentation to show that the extended runway is needed. When asked about the fire planes, Hearnen said that the planes were here in the spring but because it was not a dry summer they were moved out west. Hearnen was also asked about giving flying lessons and said that he has been working with two student pilots. Virgil Lenling is assisting him with flight instruction for the students if he is too busy.
Asked if he has a problem with wild animals at the airport he replied, “Just sea gulls.” Next year he would like to get a cannon type of device to keep the birds away as they can be a real hazard. He said that the biggest need at present at the airport is a new plow for the tractor. He is working on a federal grant that would pay 95 percent of the cost. This summer the airport got a new mower and a new fuel truck. Visitation by pilots is up as the sale of fuel has increased since last year. Each year the sale of fuel increases at the airport. Hearnen was asked about the lights at the airport and he informed the Rotarians that the rotating beacon comes on automatically at dusk and stays on until dawn. A pilot coming in must click on a certain frequency several times, which causes the runway lights to come on and stay on for 10 to 15 minutes.
It was announced that Chamber After Hours will be on Tuesday, Nov. 17. Peg Wunder reminded Rotarians that there are just two weeks left for the Food Pantry drive. Donated items will be delivered to the Thrift Store the Monday before Thanksgiving.
Jeff Jensen won the Monday Night Football Pool and also won the 50/50 pot. Next week when Rotary meets at noon at the Moose Club, Stan Mack will be in charge of the program.