Rotary File - November 18, 2014
President elect Remarks:
Thanks to Margy Winkler who stepped up to help with dishwashing. Jack will distribute list for help. Please sign up!
Singing of “Shovel Snow” song to melody of “Let it Snow”.
Guests:
Jim Peterson brought guest Amanda McFadan as well as our guest speaker today.
Where in the World is Rotary? Kazakhstan, Chris Knapp:
Kazakhstan is bordered by the Caspian Sea, Uzbekistan, Russia and China. The country is 4x the size of Texas but one half the population. This area was a testing ground for nuclear weapons and has many areas that are not inhabited. The country is part of Rotary district 2430. There is only one club in Kazakhstan which is in the city of Almaty. Redistricting is coming this next year and may affect this district since it is based on Rotary population, not land area. The Kazakhstani Tenge is the currency.
Rotarians in the News:
A comprehensive Press Citizen article was published about the Operation Warm project and presentation and distribution at Children’s Museum. Article also included a brief history of the Rotary service projects in District 6000.
Announcements:
- Board meeting Thursday 6:45, Waterfront HyVee
- Committee for Reviewing Club Goals met last Wednesday, and will convene again in January
- Project Warm report; distribution at Children’s Museum
- 30-40 coats given away. Many of the kids were overjoyed. Dinner was provided by Cik Fillet. Deb Dunkhouse presented the update
- Dictionary Project is coming this time of year. Our club delivers to six area schools in teams. A short presentation is given when dictionaries are brought showing the kids how to use the dictionary. Please volunteer to join the team. Sheets were left on the table. Presented by Joan Garity
- Peggy Doerge will host sixth annual Chili Supper. Bring extra chairs and join on December 8th to enjoy!
- Nut Sale overview presented by Brian Adamec. Record year. Please pick up your nuts.
Mike Messier spoke about the nominating process for board members and President-elect nomination process. Nomination lists and ballots were distributed and collected.
Mark Vitosh, District Forester, Iowa DNR, “Emerald Ash Borer”
Mark was an Iowa City native local before moving to Ames and has also spent some time around the Midwest. He had worked for the Iowa State Extension for a while before taking on the position with the DNR. Individuals with more than 1 acre may call on Mr. Vitosh to ask questions about their properties wooded areas for guidance.
The ash borer most likely arrived in US in mid 90’s but was first detected in 2002 on a crate from Asia. It has spread across the Midwest and as far west as Colorado. First spread by nursery stock in particular shade trees, fire wood has also had a lot to do with the spread as people often do not observe the quarantines. There has been possible spread on the rail roads as the borer “jumped” off the train. Mark stressed it is important to buy local wood and keep it there. Taking fire wood to other areas can spread more than just the borer. There is a federal quarantine in Iowa to not move hard wood firewood out of the state and it is illegal to do so.
The Borer has been found on an infested tree in 13 location throughout Iowa. A Beetle alone has been found in Iowa City. It is hard to find because it takes 5-6 years to show in an infested tree.
The bug is small and it is not the adult that kills the tree but it is the larva. They will eat through each other to get to the wood on the other side.
An infested tree has particular look as the borer takes over. The bug destroys from the top and works down and this is apparent in the foliage. To manage an infested tree there are a few things you can do.
- Do nothing and remove the as tree as soon as they begin to die. One thing to consider is that the life span of an Ash tree is 40-70 years.
- Replant now in open spaces with diversity then remove ash as they decline.
- Treat healthy ash with insecticides-This would have to be a long term commitment.
- Determine if tree is worth saving. Older trees, stressed trees etc. are not worth effort
Ways to treat tree:
Soil injection or soil drench (chemical is injected or poured into the soil)
Trunk injection (chemical directly injected in vascular tissue)
Successful treatment is about 100% effective
Treatment must be started early and it needs to be preventative not reactive
Most treatments require treatment on an annual or bi annual basis
The book, “Every Last Drop” presented to library in honor of Mark’s presentation.
Submitted by John Schultz. November 18, 2014