Stories

Rotarian Fierke appeared in the Tuesday “Messenger” with an article describing action of the Council - specifically to reauthorize a 4-year contract between the City and David.   

Oakland Cemetery Walk Returns This Saturday

Oakland Cemetery is one of Fort Dodge's hidden historical treasures. Designed in the tradition of the rural cemetery movement popular in the late 1800s, the 40-acre park-like grounds hold over 7,000 graves — including more than 200 Civil War burials, both Union and Confederate — and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Ruth Bennett, a board member of the Oakland Cemetery Committee, has been leading research efforts since 2013.  continuing the work begun by Jerry and Marva Rowe, who spent years documenting graves, marking soldiers' resting places, and building the cemetery's directory. Among the site's unique features are eight ornate "tree monuments" that resemble actual trees with branches and vines — including a touching pair believed to honor a Civil War couple buried apart, their stone trees reaching toward each other.

The annual Oakland Cemetery Walk takes place this Saturday, June 14, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., with a free-will donation requested. Visitors should park at Good Shepherd Church and take a shuttle bus into the cemetery, where guides will lead groups through Section F to visit over 29 historic graves. The event relies entirely on volunteers, and organizers are urgently seeking new participants and portrayers to keep the tradition alive — without them, the walk may end within two years. Anyone interested in helping is encouraged to reach out to Teresa Naughton, who can connect volunteers to the committee.

Rotarian Schroeder was pictured in the Friday “Messenger” as part of a small crew from the original Honor Flight Committee that planted a commemorative tree near the Ron Newsom Flag in the middle of the Des Moines River.  Mel likes to plant trees, and this honor was for his partner Newsome in forming the very successful Honor flights from Fort Dodge.  

Rotarian Kuhlman provided the Second Opinion to the Wednesday “Messenger” Editorial Page.  Randy provided a brief outline how the United Way helps families who will soon become homeless for a variety of reasons.  More than often the family in need is a woman headed household with young children.  United Way provides emergency services to help the family “get back on their feet” and remain in a home environment.  Within the Webster County community this need is growing expotentiallty.  

Congratulations to Mary Kay Daniel, who has become a new Paul Harris Fellow! 

Brian Bidleman, Director of Beacon of Hope in Fort Dodge, recently spoke about the ministry's mission and the growing homelessness crisis facing our community. Founded in 2022, Beacon of Hope serves as a Christian shelter for men — many of whom struggle with addiction, mental health challenges, or both — focusing not just on immediate needs but on genuine restoration. The shelter provides structured daily routines, meals, laundry, and chapel services, helping men rebuild the habits of everyday life that many of us take for granted. Brian and his two fellow staff members collectively bring over 80 years of sobriety and personal experience with homelessness, giving them a unique ability to connect with and guide the men they serve.

Brian also shared that homelessness nationally has grown over 20% per year in recent years, with men over 50 and women with children being the fastest-growing segments. In response, Beacon of Hope Ministries has announced an expansion: they have purchased the former Iowa Outdoor Store and, in partnership with Woodruff Construction, plan to build a 24-unit shelter specifically for women and children in Fort Dodge — with access to transit, healthcare, financial literacy training, and job services. Partnering with the YWCA and Fort Dodge Housing, the goal is to ensure that vulnerable women and children in our community have a safe, structured place to get back on their feet.

• Mission: Rotary is a service organization comprised of community leaders of various professions dedicated to humanitarian causes locally and throughout the world. Simply put, Rotary is an organization that is out to do "good" in the world. 
• Vision: It is incumbent upon the Fort Dodge Noon Rotary Club and its Board of Directors to be good stewards of available resources.  The club budgets dollars annually.  The budget may fund identified programs.  The club also has a small “Special Fund” available for requests made throughout the year for unbudgeted causes, which the club and Board may want to support. 
• Eligibility for the Special Fund:  Grants must have the support of one or more members of the Fort Dodge Noon Rotary Club. Funds are granted in support of humanitarian causes.  Causes may relate to youth, poverty prevention/intervention, community betterment, health care, human services, and more.  There are many, many good causes.  There are also limited dollars.  Grant awards will not exceed the dollars available in the special fund.   Preference may be given to one-time projects or to programs that are deemed to have sustainability.  For example, grants may be given to a building project to provide some seed money to start an educational program that the schools will fund in the long term.  Collaboration with other funding sources is encouraged.