Otter Risers Kiwanis

Otter Tail County leadership, Commisioner Kurt Mortenson, and Administrator Nicole Hansen, reviewed a broad spectrum of county efforts:
- upgrades to the 1989 Human Resources software
- SNAP benefits
- Long-Term Support Services
- OTC efforts to support the state legislative process
- the “Burner” and upcoming plans to incorporate the waste ash into roadway subgrades as a test section
- Bonding bill for infrastructure improvements
- Election processes - system checks
- Shifts in the State and County probationary responsibilities and effort to reduce repeated criminal activity
- Long Range Strategic Plan
- Family Resource Center - early intervention
- Fraud - checks that are in place and reporting
- Branding the County - OTC’s focus on growing our workforce is reflected in the 2.8% increase in the past 5 years.

Grateful for the dedication of our public servants. Their commitment and professionalism is inspiring. Thank you Nicole and Kurt for spending a bit of your morning with our Otter Riser group.

Gerry let us know that today is National Vegetable Day - which means, ASK! And, eat your Wheaties.

VJ is celebrating her 90th birthday!! VJ was one of the first women in the club. Happy birthday VJ!

Wally shared a note of thanks to all that helped with the Summerfest parade.

Dwight invited us to the upcoming HAMM radio event and coffee on Tuesday mornings throught the summer.
Dave invited us to the Battle Lake pickel ball court.
Steve shared info about the June 27th FF air show.

Another great Otter Riser morning.

Dale

Kate Bjorge and Leigh Shebeck, Lake Region Health Care Foundation team members shared some information about our region’s incredible health care system. Community owned, regionaly governed and Minnesota based, truly making it our health care system. Lake Region started back in 1903, added the Cancer Center in 2010 and has grown to include 11 sites across our region. Buzzwell, the bumble bee 🐝 mascot instills a message of fit, fun and friendly wherever any of the secret seven touch down. His hive is at the Lake Region Hospital. Employees of the Lake Region system are part of the hive, generously giving of their talents for the health of our community AND they are generous of their income - donating over $50,000 back from their paycheck every year! Another giving example is The Lake Region Takes Root greenhouse and community garden. This garden provides over 20,000 pounds of healthy produce to our region’s food shelves each year. At an April Gala and fundraiser, $302k was gifted to help purchase the $2.6 million da Vinci surgical robot. And good news, it’s been purchased and will soon be in service! Compassion awards, survivor awards, Daisy nurse awards and other recognition/support programs make our network the envy of others. Side note, and in full disclosure, we are proud to say that Kate is an Otter Riser Kiwanian! Some rumor has it that she is also part of the secret seven Buzzwell team. Thanks Leigh and Kate for telling the Lake Region Healthcare story.

Making history! Today we swore in four new members - largest group in the Club’s history! Welcome Heather, Angela, Emily and Paul!!! Gerry was smiling.

Wally let our new members know that their
fun meters will pegout when they help out at events. It’s the time that we truly understand why we exist. New members - hang on and welcome to the fun club!

Karla, M&R Signs President, donated and auctioned off a special Chris Tungseth sign - another way that they are giving back to the community.

Twisting a story from my friend Pastor Randy Upgren, the Otter Risers are on a Most Wanted poster down under, wanted for being the Do Gooder club.

Bee good,

Dale

Otter Risers were on hand to help coordinate the Lake Region’s run at the Magnuson Park this past Saturday. Running for a Reason - supporting the Cancer Center. Great group of volunteers!! Great community support!

Backing up a bit, on May 20th, Andrew Bremseth, Fergus Falls City Administrator, was our guest speaker. Andrew provided updates on a wide array of Fergus Falls ongoing efforts - as the Visit Fergus Falls group would say, it’s a story worth telling. DOT’s 210/I-94 project, economic development efforts, housing options, street improvements (great news - bids are coming in way below estimates), Chris Tungseth’s celebration, capital improvements and more. Since 2016, Andrew has been serving the city with passion and dedication. A story worth telling! Thank you Andrew.

On the business end, Wayne, Gerry, Wally and others kept us focused on our efforts to help the community.

Leadership matters,

Dale

Naomi Baucum, Director - Prairie Wetlands Learning Center (PWLC), shared a story about this Otter Tail County gem. In the 70s, a group of local citizens came up with the idea to create a wildlife learning center. About 1991, the original farmstead barn was restored. In 1997, the main building created a center that is unique in the nation. The Friends of the PWLC is the glue that connects US Fish & Wildlife, the school district, the volunteers, and the many groups that tap into this 330 acre gem. Naomi and crew are actively working to restore the prairie to an earlier era to help maintain native flora diversity and our understanding of the biodiversity that makes this region so important. Naomi let us know that volunteers, board members, teachers, and visitor center opportunities abound. The ‘burn boss’ position is not up for grabs. This key position and team aid the Center in its planned restoration efforts.

On the Kiwanis business end, Wayne and Josh added nominations of groups to our list for the December check giveaway, the big day that we give back all of our fundraising dollars to local groups that support our region’s youth. One more week to add groups to the list. 14 so far.

Gerry tossed off the training wheels, letting us know that it was National Bicycle Day and magically connected a bike’s two wheels to Always Say Kiwanis (ASK). And with that, several new and potential members were recognized.

Wally enlisted members to sign up to help with Saturday’s Lake Region Run and the June 13th Summerfest parade. Wow!!

The fun group, supporting our region’s youth. Favor to ASK - please join us any Wednesday morning from 7-8 am. Smiles and laughter are guaranteed.

Bee 🐝 good,
Dale

Wally wrapped up our Adams Elementary story time for the school year today with Mrs Streifel’s class of exceptional students. I think these kids are the reason that he had a bit of extra spring in his step today. Youthful energy, it’s contagious!

Shout out to our Kiwanis lead for this effort - Stacey Herbel makes is happen!!!

Smile contagiously,

Dale

Otter Risers love helping with this program, which fits perfectly with our mission of 'Young Children Priority One.'"

A big thank you shoutout goes out to Otter Risers Kiwanis for packing AND delivering food bags! We greatly appreciate your wonderful volunteerism! Thanks again!

Join us for breakfast and a great speaker on Wednesday, May 20, 2026!
Fergus Falls City Administrator Andrew Bremseth will share city updates, outline future plans, and set aside time for questions.
Are you eager to connect with the Fergus Falls community? Our members, including local business professionals, teachers, business owners, and retirees, are dedicated to making a difference by supporting children and youth programs.
We’d love to chat with you about joining our club. Send us a private message or email us at [email protected], and one of our friendly members will be in touch. We look forward to meeting you!
You can also visit our website to learn more about Otter Risers Kiwanis at otterriserskiwanis.org

As our Kiwanis Otter Riser team concludes another year of reading to Adam’s Elementary first and second grade students, we collectively acknowledge that the students are exceptional. The teachers are remarkably skilled and share the gift of learning in ways that foster excellence in every student. Pictured are a couple Otter Riser story-telling champions,
Stacey and Wally.

We are grateful to Adams Elementary for the opportunity.

Dale

Find Your Inner Otter!!

Tasha Rohlfs, Otter Tail Lakes County’s brand ambassador, shared an exciting story about Otter Tail Lake County at our Otter Riser meeting this morning. The 1,048 lakes, extensive trail system……. and the list goes on, create a compelling narrative for attracting new people to our region. “The County is our playground” resonates well with outdoor enthusiasts. Her resident recruitment efforts are essentially the puppy dog story, touch it once and its part if the family. In this case, explore our region and the spark to make this home is lit.

Watch the Otter Tail Country Lakes postings - sounds like something really BIG is all to launch!

Gerry was beaming as six guests joined us this morning! Kiwanis - serving the world one community, one child at a time. Kiwanis is - “having fun with friends”.

Wally bolted up to the front and provided a review of the many volunteer efforts that are in progress. High school run, stuff the back packs, Summerfest parade, ……. Sign up sheets were ink laden.

Peggy expanded upon the “having fun with friends” thought, inviting us all to Outstate on May 19th for trivia.

Kiwanis - helping kids, with hopes that they “find their inner otter”.

Bee good ,
Dale