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Help us do good in our community. Click the button to the right to see a list of volunteer opportunities.
Have Fun at Casino Royale at the Indian Crossing Casino!
Winter blues got you down? Find some excitement at Casino Royale! The fun begins at 7pm on February 21st at the Indian Crossing Casino in Waupaca! Spin the roulette wheel. Enter the 50/50 raffle. Roll the dice for Craps. Try your hand at blackjack and poker… Take your chances and you could win great prizes!
Hijinx will be performing a mix of classic hits and today’s pop so you can party down, and cocktails and tapas are available for purchase.
Tickets are $20 per person and you will receive free chips to play. Don’t miss out!
To purchase tickets, click the QR code on the image (right), stop by the Waupaca Chamber offices or Office Outfitters, ask a Rotary Member, or simply get them at the door.
Please help us thank our sponsors listed on the bottom of the flyer (right) for their support of Casino Royale, and for all the good things the Rotary Club of Waupaca is able to do in our community and around the world.
The Rotary Club of Waupaca
Serving others, promoting integrity, and advancing understanding, goodwill, and peace in the Waupaca area and around the world.
Over 90 members strong, we are committed to acting locally and globally to address the biggest challenges of our time. Together, we work to:
- Support education
- Protect the environment
- Grow local economies
- Promote Peace
- Support mothers & children
- Provide Clean water, sanitation & hygiene
- Fight disease
In addition to hands-on projects focused on the environment, housing, hunger and other needs, we raise funds through community events to support a range of programs and service projects that improve lives locally and around the world.
Ready to attend a meeting?
Thanks to Our Ambassadors
Learn more about Rotary Club of Waupaca Ambassadors here.
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
The Good Things We’re Doing!
Club Celebrates Annual Installation Banquet
Two prestigious Paul Harris Awards were presented to honor exceptional service. Greg Harvey awarded the Presidential Paul Harris to Kate Dury for her outstanding leadership in organizing Casino Royale, helping to make it one of the Club’s premier fundraising events. President Barb Conradt recognized Ivan Wayne with a Paul Harris for his dedication and consistency in scheduling engaging weekly speakers throughout the year and being an outstanding Rotarian, always willing to help where needed.
The 2025–2026 Officers and Directors were formally introduced, and the gavel was ceremoniously passed from Outgoing President Barb Conradt to Incoming President Wes Klages. Wes shared his vision and goals for the upcoming year, emphasizing continued service and engagement. In appreciation of Barb’s service, Wes presented her with a Paul Harris Award and a commemorative brick that will be placed in Rotary Riverview Park.
The evening included lively entertainment from The Cogs, including a humorous musical parody welcoming President Wes. It was a memorable evening, full of camaraderie, gratitude, and Rotary spirit.
On June 18, 2025, the Rotary Club gathered at the Waupaca Country Club for the Annual Installation of Officers and Banquet. The evening offered members and their guests an opportunity to enjoy fellowship, a delicious dinner catered by The Moose Inn, and a program filled with tradition, recognition, and celebration.
Upper Chain Paddle is back on
The Environment Committee Upper Chain Paddle is back on, scheduled now for Monday, July 28 at 5:00 PM.
Here are the particulars:
- We'll be putting in at the Knight Rd. launch off of Golke Rd. Please note there is now a new $5 DNR fee/vehicle, so consider doubling or tripling up.
- We'll paddle for an hour or so and then meet up at the Wheelhouse at 6:30PM
- If you don't have a kayak or canoe, no problem. Environment committee members have extra. Just let Henry Veleker or Dale Feldt know if you need a kayak/canoe.
- Bring friends and family members. The more, the merrier!
- Not interested in paddling? Well come out for the meet-up at 6:30PM at the Wheelhouse.
Questions? Contact me at [email protected]
Henry Veleker
Environment Committee
Service Above Self Award
On Friday, June 6th, I enjoyed breakfast with Waupaca School District Staff and was honored to present our annual 'Service Above Self' Award. This award celebrates a remarkable teacher or staff member whose volunteerism extends far beyond their regular duties, embodying the very spirit of our Rotary motto. It includes a $500 stipend: $250 for the recipient, and $250 to a non-profit of their choice.
And this year, our recipient was Sarah Hanneman!
Sarah's leadership and tireless efforts surrounding the Americans and the Holocaust exhibit and related programming have left a profound impact on our community. Last fall, when the Waupaca Library applied to host this crucial exhibit, Sarah immediately stepped up, writing a compelling letter of support. Once we were selected, she became an absolutely essential partner. Her coordination with school administrators and teachers ensured that 891 students and staff, from grades 4 through 12, engaged in meaningful visits, aligning perfectly with their curriculum. But Sarah didn't stop there. She organized a powerful presentation by Jeffrey Gingold, a second-generation Holocaust survivor. His moving talk reached all 550 high school students, and an evening session drew 80 community members. Sarah even led a professional development workshop for 24 educators, in partnership with the Holocaust Education Resource Center. Perhaps most impressively, Sarah secured a $5,000 grant to bring acclaimed author Ruta Sepetys to Waupaca. With only three weeks' notice, Sarah flawlessly managed everything: coordinating pre-visit activities, distributing 64 books to students, and handling all the logistics for Ruta’s presentations. Ruta spoke to all 550 high school students, and an evening crowd of 160 community members. The impact was immediate and clear—students flocked to the library afterward, eager to read more. Ruta herself praised our district for its hospitality and enthusiasm. Thanks to Sarah's incredible work, Waupaca has now been selected to host Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin on their 2025 national tour, which will allow even more students to experience the power of history and storytelling.
Sarah consistently went above and beyond her regular duties, not just coordinating, but truly building strong partnerships. Her work has fundamentally strengthened the library-school relationship, significantly advanced Holocaust education in our community, and inspired countless students through literature.
Sarah Hanneman truly exemplifies 'Service Above Self,' and her extraordinary contributions will resonate in our community for years to come. Sarah chose to donate the $250 to the Little Free Pantry at the Public Library.
Youth Connections Grant
Henry Veleker had attended the dedication of an accessible beach mat at South Park Beach in June. Adam Nehring led the project. A Youth Connections Grant of $1,000 assisted with funding the nearly $4,000 project. In fact, Adam had $401 in extra funds that he gave to the Park and Recreation Department to spend on other accessible-related efforts in the park. In the pictures below, Adam gives a brief presentation of the project including the cost, the vendor chosen for the purchase and the installation, as well as a demonstration of how to use it.
A couple of fun facts about Adam's project:
- He actually raised an extra $1,000 to purchase additional mats to better tie in with the existing walkway along the water.
- The mat actually stays in all year!!
- The mat is designed to sift sand, so the need to blow or sweep the mat is reduced.
- Adam is planning to have the beach staff do a survey during August to see how the mats are being used. Remember, folks with all sorts of mobility issues will find it easier to access the water.
Shine Project at Rotary Riverview Park!
We celebrated the completion of the Shine Project at Rotary Riverview Park! After two years of planning, implementing, and dreaming, it’s finally complete — and what a beautiful addition it is!
A huge thank you to the Waupaca Arts Board for bringing this vision to life and adding a vibrant, artistic touch to our namesake park. Come check it out — it truly shines!
Paul Harris Recognition: Chuck Reynolds
Chuck Reynolds received his Paul Harris +7!!
Congratulations Chuck! Very well deserved!!!!
Annual Banquet - June 18th
Chain Exploration Center DNA Education Grant
Mackenzie Loken, a 5th & 6th grade teacher at the Chain Exploration Center, received a Rotary education grant to obtain DNA Starter Kits for her students. Here's her update on how the kits helped her students:
Recently, the students presented their projects at the CEC Spring Project Night. The students were geneticists, who planned, created and led an activity or experiment for the audience members to partake in. Different students lead different sessions.
I am excited to use this in the years to come!
...And the Rotary Club of Waupaca is honored to be able to support teacher innovations that help students learn new, interesting, and valuable lessons. Great work, Mackenzie!
Rotary Park Cleanup
Thanks to the Rotary Club of Waupaca volunteers who plucked, scooped, trimmed, and planted to beautify Rotary Park! A special thanks to Turners Fresh Market for their generous donation of petunias and marigolds for the plaza — your support helps our community bloom!
