Cavalier speaks to local Rotary club

Quincy Backen introduced Rotary District 5580 Gov. Don Cavalier and his wife, Mary, to the Jamestown club at its recent meeting. Cavalier is from the Crookston Rotary Club. He was born in Walhalla, N.D., is a graduate of Mayville (N.D.) State University with a Bachelor of Science in teaching, later received his Master of Science in counseling from Bemidji (Minn.) State University and graduate work at Moorhead (Minn.) State University, and the University of Minnesota. Cavalier has been an employed at the University of Minnesota — Crookston for the past 35 years and is a nationally certified counselor. He is currently the director of the Career and Counseling Department.

Cavalier said he and his wife have traveled to 24 of the 66 Rotary Clubs in district 5580, which spans 1,700 miles and includes North Dakota, Minnesota and part of Ontario. Nipigon, Ontario, is the most eastern club and Bowman is the most western club in the district. The current Rotary International theme is “Peace through Service.” Some of the governor’s goals are: develop friendships through service, promote high ethical standards, increase membership and advancement of peace and understanding by sharing information. He also challenged each of the Jamestown club members to bring in one new member this year.

Cavalier gave Paul Harris Fellow award certificates to Vince Gregor, Harold Bensch, Kathy Dunn, and Dave and Claudette Smette. This is award is given to those who have made donations of $1,000 or more to help fight polio.

Backen presided at the meeting, Jason Bitz gave the table prayer, Casey Stoudt and Gina Dahl led the group in music and Joan Morris collected numerous “Happy Dollars.”

The guests at the meeting were Kath Dunn, Claudette Smette and Bridger Anderson. Dr. Larry Hoffman gave the two-minute talk. He was born and raised in Hannaford, N.D., where he graduated from high school. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota and Northwestern University School of Dentistry. He joined the Navy and served with the Marines. He moved to Jamestown upon completion of his military service and started his practice here. He joined Rotary and was club president in 1967. Hoffman is married, and they have two grown children, David and Laura.

Reuben Liechty has today’s program, Carrie Orn has the invocation, Morris will lead the music and Gail Martin is the sergeant at arms.

Tags: life, community, clubs