#829, Club Bulletin, Oct. 18, 2021
 

Recap from the Oct 18, 2021 Meeting.

 

 

Invocation:  Clint Christopher

 

 

Happy News/Announcements:  Sarah Lande- Tomorrow, Oct 19^th, Area residents can get an inside look at the U.S.-China relationship on October 19 at 6 p.m. when Muscatine Community College joins more than 70 locations across the country to host the “CHINA Town Hall” live webcast.
The program begins at 6 p.m. with the Live Online event hosted by CNN Worldwide host, columnist and best-selling author, Fareed Zakaria. Following the Live Online event will be an on-site discussion, hosted by former Iowa Governor and U.S. Ambassador to China, Terry Branstad at 7 p.m. The community is encouraged to attend this free webcast/discussion to learn more about this important relationship and its impact both nationally and locally.
Go to www.eicc.edu/chinatownhall for more info. Cheryl Plank- Successful tree panting event Saturday with Rotary and Park and Rec.  Crossroads is very appreciative of all the work. Lindsey Phillips- The Y is holding a Roaring 20s Raffle again this year in lieu of the casino event. Raffle Tickets are $20 each and support all the programs of the Muscatine Community Y including Special Olympic and Big Brother Big Sister. Tickets can be purchased at Muscatiney.org or see Lindsey. Raffle is Nov. 12^th.  John Kuhl- Thank you to those who came out for the tree planting including: Keith Porter, Megan Francis, Cheryl Plank, Rob Yant, Rick Gosney, Erika Cox, Mike Morgan, Jimmy Kent and John Kuhl.  Also need to apologize- it was brought to John’s attention that he was using an old mailing list when sending out zoom notifications and the cancelled meeting notification, but that has been corrected. Michelle Kelman- Thank you to all those who walked, sponsored, donated and volunteered for our Walk to End Alzheimer's event this year. We are excited to share we have surpassed our goal! We are very grateful for the Muscatine area's ongoing support, which provides free local services, care support and funding for research for a future without Alzheimer's and all dementias. Thank you, Muscatine and a special thank you to all Rotarians who participated or donated and to our terrific volunteer Walk Board lead by Event Chair, Megan Francis!

 

 

Sandy Stevens.- Sandy Stevens was born and raised in Muscatine, and graduated from Muscatine High School in 1970 and later from the University of Iowa in 1979 with a Master’s Degree in Archaeology. Sandy worked as a professional archeologist and private consultant in more than 30 states, and he has over 35 years of experience in North American archaeology and historic preservation. After working closely with Terry Eagle throughout 2020 on various aspects of the Fairport Fish Hatchery and its ties to the pearl button industry, Sandy, Paul Carroll, and Lynn Pruitt formed the Friends of the Fairport Fish Hatchery (FFFH) in December 2020.

 

 

Program: Fairport Biological Station

Brief History: 1891 J.F. Boepple founded pearl button industry in Muscatine, Early 1900 Mussel Beds depleted due to overfishing- Mussels fished from 19 states, Congress established Fairport Biological Station to study Mussel/Fish propagation. 1920s-1930s industry declines from over fishing population, 1933 Mussel propagation ceases and Bureau of Fisheries turns attention to game fish, late 1930s the FBS becomes Fairport Fish Hatchery (FFH), 1974 Fish Hatchery management transferred to State of Iowa DNR.

FFH continues today as a warm-water extensive culture station for distribution to state rivers, lakes, and ponds

18 ponds are used to hatch and raise warm-water angling favorites such as wall-eyed pike, bluegill, bass, and crappie

Over-harvesting, siltation, river pollution and lock&dams are detrimental to water quality and mussel sustainability; factors led to end of industry

FFFH was formed in DEC 2020; recent successes. Grant to Paint Mural on Houser Street. Nomination of hatchery to National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) as a Historic District (work in-progress) REAP-CEP Grant received to develop panels and signage for educational pavilion and interpretive walking trails.

FFFH also intends to design and construct a 20’x16’ Pavilion that will include 12 3’x4’ educational panels (some w/ QR codes); a 2’ x 6’ timeline, 2 artifact cases, and other exhibits

Estimated construction costs for Pavilion are $105,000 or more; DNR will only provide $25,000, BUT we need to raise $80,000+

FFFH needs your assistance in cash & in-kind services to meet these goals

 

Upcoming Meetings: Oct. 25^th- Fire Safety and an Update on the Muscatine Fire Department

 

Enjoy the Recording from Today’s Meeting:

Topic: Weekly Meeting

Start Time : Oct 18, 2021 11:49 AM

 

Meeting Recording: