ROTARY Rotary Club RENATIONcommunity volunteers Connie Carmichael Dear Park Rapids and sounding communities A global network of On behalf of the Park Rapids Rotary we are honored to once again proudly sponsor the 4th of July Fireworks and we welcome you all with open arms! This will Anniversary and we are gea world works be A show and reportedly one of the best shows in the State of Minnesota to be viewed by thousands of our friends and neighbors. We absolutely couldnt de this without your generous donations. I would like to thank every individual and business who has donated to the Firework fundraising effort this year This year's show promises to be the biggest and best display yet. Without the support of ou nity this display would not be what it is. You are the reason and we are so grateful The Park Rapids Area is well known as a great place to enjoy all of the 4th of July sic fireworks display overbaking the beautiful F festivities, capped off by a fantastic fre ker and Heartand knows Our Park Rapids Rotary Club is very busy but I am not sure our community about all the great work our local fetary Club does every day week and al year of course, the most well-known activity is the annual 4th of July Fireworks display in addition, we sponsor the Rotary Dragon Boat Wavemakers as they compete in Bemidji and at the Lake Superior Dragon Bat Festival Retary Night Social Hour and fun at 2nd Street Stage Retary Youth Leadership Camp-up to 4 attendees from Park Rapids, Nevis and Merahga Schools; Park Rapids Teacher & Staff Appreciation Lunch; Jahn Masag Memorial Rotary Golf Benefit at Headwaters Golf Club and Rotary Youth Exchange Students The club ate sponsors Cub Scout Pack Cub Scout Pack 58 and the Food Angels Backpack Program-assembling and packing lunches and putting bags of food in backpacks and lockers, and the Rotary Four-Way Test Essay Contest for students Members also volunteer for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, participate in the Food Shelf Chill Challenge fundraiser, and partner for a Retary Blood Screening Day with Sanford Health Other youth activities the club sponsors are the Park Rapids High School Student of the Month and a Vocational Scholarship of $2500. The club abo contributes financially to multiple community projects Serving as the next president and especially as a woman president in Rotary highlights the organization's commitment to leader- ship, inclusion, and the diverse perspectives that strengthen our ability to serve others. Women leaders bring valuable experiences, ideas and approaches that inspire collaboration, innovation and meaningful community impact. Being part of Rotary is an honor because it con nects individuals who share a passion for service, integrity and making a difference. Through Rotary members building relationships support local and global initiatives, and work together to create positive change. The opportunity to serve alongside dedicated leaders and community members is both rewarding and inspiring reinforcing the importance of service above self and the power of collective action to improve Ives On a personal level I fed like I have lived the principle of Service Above Self for most of my life by my personal choices and as a former child and foster care provider for over 20 years, and in the last 12 years working for a non-profit providing services to senior community believe in giving back with my family to my community and in my work Growing up my father was a member of a service organization, and I witnessed firsthand the pride he took in helping others, the meaningful work he accomplished, and the strong sense of belonging that came from being part of something larger than himself. I saw the lasting friendships and connections he built through service, and these experiences shaped my own commitment to giving back to the community Being a Retarian has provided me with the same sense of purpose, fellowship, and opportunity to make a positive difference. It is an honor to serve alongside dedicated individuals who share a passion for helping others, and serving as President allows me to continue that legacy while supporting our cuisin and strengthening the conse Ichallenge you in the coming year to explore what being a Rotarian might mean for you Attend a meeting or two or join a cau Service Above Self is the motto we live by and we would love to serve alongside you. If you are interested in leaming more plac to any Park Rapids Rotarian, visit our website at www.parapidsrotary cam or attend a weekly meeting held most Wednesdays at noon. Have a happy and safe 4th of July! I hope to see you at the Fireworks! Connie Carmicha Park Rapids Rotary Dub President Rotary awards scholarship Rotarians Laura Johnson and Mark Andersen presented the Park Rap- ids Club Scholarship for $2,500 to Makia Eischens May 15 at the Area High School. She will attend Minnesota State Community and Technical College to study Limited Schope Radiography. After that, she hopes to continue schooling to become a Registered Radiologic Technologist and eventually continue her studies to become an MRI Technologist. She is also very community minded and volunteers her time helping a family a special needs child as well as providing tutoring services and vol- ng for different school activity a The John Masog Memorial Rotary Golf Benefit in late August has only been rained out once in its 31-year history. Citizens National Bank sponsored a foursome in 2025. 32nd Annual Rotary Golf Benefit planned Aug. 26 The Park Rapids Rotary Club is planning the John Masog Memo- rial Rotary Golf Benefit Wednes- day, Aug. 26 at Headwaters Golf Club. The event was renamed a few years ago to remember John Masog, who started and chaired the first Golf Benefit and was at ast club president. past Golfers are invited to put together a foursome or organizers can assign you to a team." The comprehensive regis- tration fee of $150 per person includes an 18-hole golf scram ble, cart rental, dinner, mulligans, chipping, skins, ruler, hole prizes on every hole and team prizes. The event still offers a chance for a new car with a hole-in-one and prizes on all par 35, sponsored by neighbors Ford of Park Rap- ids. Golfers can register online at www.parkrapidsrotary.com. As part of our Rotary Club's mission of service, we have contributed to various com- munity projects. In 2025-26, these included donations to the Hubbard County Food Shelf, Park Rapids Business Professionals of America, Park Rapids Spanish Club, Living at Home, Nutrition Services Inc., Let's Go Fishing and Park Rapids Fire Department. We also sponsor the 4th of July reworks, teams in Dragon Boat and Superior, races in Back- the Food Angels Weekend B pack Program and a sculpture on the Park Rapids Sculpture Trail, as well as an annual Vocational Studies Scholarship, Cub Scouts Youth Leadership training, Stu- dents of the Month and other youth activities. In addition, we have an ongoing commitment to Rotary International's Polio- Plus program to eradicate polio worldwide. For more information, con- tact Derek Ricke at 218-255-0478 or Jeff Cadwell at 218-234-5733 Hole s onsors may contact Neil Litfin by calling or b texting him at 855-284-1014 and also may sign up on the club website. The Park Rapids Rotary Wavemakers invite you to join the Dragon Boat team for practice Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons on the Fish Hook River. They are preparing for the 20th Annual Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival July 30 through Aug. 1 and Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival Aug. 21-22. Park Rapids Rotary Wavemakers continue to make waves in 2025-26 tar The Park Rapids Rotary Wavemakers Dragon Boat Team enjoyed another suc- cessful season in 2025, train- ing throughout the summer and competing in two dragon boat festivals. In early August, the team participated in the Lake Bem- idji Dragon Boat Festival. The Park Rapids Rotary Club has proudly sponsored a team. at the festival since 2007, the event's second year. The Wavemakers also returned to compete in the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival in Supe- rior, WI. After facing a chal- lenging first race, the team rebounded with an outstand- ing second race, thanks to strong teamwork and excel- lent coaching, The Wavemak- ers are already looking for ward to another great season this summer. Training for the festi- vals takes place all summer long, with practices held twice each week on Sundays and Wednesdays. Paddlers are encouraged to attend at least one practice each week. Practices focus on having fun, enjoying time on the Fish Hook River, and improving paddling techniques that help build a strong and successful team. The Park Rapids Rotary Wavemakers continue to use the practice dragon boat pur- chased in 2019 thre through the generous sponsorship of Mark Hewitt, Ed Ranson, and Scott and Katy Freitag. The training boat accommodates 10 pad- dlers, one steersperson, and one drummer. Ed Ranson gra- ciously provides dock space From Thailand to Park Rapids: Exchange student excelled at esports When Namo, whose given name is Tharathep Inthi- rach, arrived for his stay as a Rotary Youth Exchange stu- dent last fall, his English was already nearly perfect. At home in Thailand Namo had won a gold medal 4mo in a multi skill contest: lis- tening, writing, speaking and drawing. Since 5th grade, he had studied English with a tutor his mother hired He was only 15 when he started classes in Park Rap- ids last fall. He said one thing he learned was to control his emotions, a good life les- son. Namo was mostly very quiet which made him an easy addition to the family, according to Connie Carmi- chael. She and Russ hosted him most of the school year. At home in Thailand he lives with his a small vill grandparents kinge, where he likes walking are how noticing little things like how it smells after it rains. He said he was looking forward to getting back to his old life and reuniting with his dog, a Pomeranian. He said life here was lonely without his con- stant companion. His village is near Udon Thani, the capital city of Udon Thani Province and well known as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The city is near Ban Chiang another UNESCO World Heritage Site. He has visited both sites. His home club Magkang. He participated in club is Rotary a club charity run, but says they meet at 8 o'clock so he might visit occasionally. He did attend most Park Rapids club noon meetings His favorite food here was barbecued chicken and the biggest surprise was an American history test on the first day of class. Another was Minnesota's "unsta- ble" weather: the rapidly changing temperatures and a thunderstorm with lightning but no rain! His high school classes included history, geo geometry, chemistry, English, art and animal care. His favorite was drawing. In Thailand, 10th graders choose from one of two paths: science and math or language. His choice is language. The class sched- ule in Thailand is different everyday and the teachers move from class to class rather than the students. He participated in esports in Park Rapids and a high- light was competing in St. Cloud with three other team members. They played the game Valorant. Namo's role was to prevent the enemy from seeing things and helping his team diffuse the spike. "They would suffer if I died first," he said. Namo left Park Rapids May 10 and started classes at home May 18. He will have to redo 10th grade, cut his hair and wear a uniform again as part of his second year in a three-year program similar to ROTC in the United States. He participates for an hour after school. He said it's fun, but brutal if you get punished; punishment being doing a lot of sit-ups or pushups. He chose to do be in the program and the other students in the program are his group of friends. When students turn 20, going into the army is not a given; it's a matter of luck Someone deals red and black cards and service depends on which color you're dealt. Namo added he doesn't have a career in mind yet, but feels he has plenty of time to decide what he wants to do. By November Namo achieved one of his goals; seeing the Northern Lights. He had seen snow before on a trip to Sweden, but experi- enced snow here and tried ice fishing with Russ Carmichael fall fished and last fall fished on a lake Hauger. Jeff and Lauren Hauger were his host family the first few months after Namo arrived in late August. At the Rotary District Conference in Duluth in October, he enjoyed seeing the other Rotary Exchange students and skit they per- formed. He still said Split Rock Lighthouse was the prettiest site he visited. The Carmichaels took. Namo and two of their grandsons to the Headwaters of the Mississippi so he could walk across and he went with the Carmichaels on a trip to Ohio over Thanksgiving. "He got to experience Christmas with us, baking cookies, dec- orating the tree and opening gifts, Connie said. In March, he celebrated his 16th birth- day with the Carmichaels and volunteered at the Living at for the boat at his residence River, the Fish Hook practices both convenient and accessible. Community mem- bers can often spot the team training on Wednesday eve- nings and Sunday afternoons. The Wavemakers are grateful for the many spon- sors whose continued sup- port makes the program. possible. Thanks to generous donations, the team was able to purchase new competi- tion-regulation wooden pad- dles two years ago, allowing paddlers to train and race with the same equipment. The team a also proudly sports custom practice and race shirts designed and donated by Teresa and Jeff Seegers of Camp 71. This year, the team is working toward upgrading its life jac inflatable belt-sonal flotation devices (PFDs). Fundraising efforts to support this project will begin later this season. Thomas Wormley and RaNae Doll are serving as co-chairs of the Dragon Boat Team this year, while Chris Oppitz and Scott Freitag are coaching the team. Rachel Oppitz is helping manage the crew this season. The Wavemakers are always looking for new pad- dlers. No experience is nec- essary - just a willingness to have fun and be part of a great eparto team. If you are interested learning more or joining the team, please contact the Wavemakers at rotarywave- makers@gmail.com. Park Rapids Rotary Past President Mark Andersen presented the club banner to Namo near the end of his Rotary Exchange year stay. Namo caught his first fish, a crappie, on the ice lat winter with host dad Russ Carmichael Rotary rotary Namo attended the Rotary District. 5580 Conference in Duluth in October and visited Split Rock Lighthouse. Home rib dinner. Connie added Namo met all of his goals as an exchange student as well as his per- sonal to-do list of seeing the northern lights, experiencing snow and fishing The Park Rapids Rotary Club will not host a Youth Exchange student for 2026-27. ROTARY Rotary Club Thank You BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION SPONSORS STAR SPANGLED SPONSOR - $1,000+ Hugo's #11 ($1,500.00) Park Rapids Deputy Registrar NO. 68 INC ($1,500.00) Josh's Collision Center Birdie's Mini Golf Neighbors Ford SPIRIT SPONSOR - $500+ Itasca Mantrap Operation Roundup grant Hafner's Greenhouse Crystal Brook by Vivie Itasca Region Insurance Agency Ulvin Plumbing, Inc. Wilson Wood Products Northwoods Bank Charitable Fund Pine Manors Citizens National Bank CHI St. Joseph's Health Hubbard County Abstract Co., Inc. EMCON Inc PATRIOT SPONSOR - $250+ American Legion Post 212 ($300.00) Northern Knights Car Club Inc ($300.00) Ark Animal Hospital Affinity Real Estate Simonson Station Stores Inc. Arvig Wolff Transportation TruStar Federal Credit Union Itasca Naturopathic Clinic Jeweler Of The North Hammer Fit Gym Inc CREATE formerly Hubbard County DAC HVH Certified Public Accountants Heartland Inn Hotel Lamb Weston RDO Frozen Itasca - Mantrap Cooperative Services Giiwedinong Museum Happy Four Seas Chinese Restaurant Heartland Center of Natural Healing, Inc. Dorset Corner Liquors Evergreen Lodge Cwikla Ace Hardware Patrick J. Sullivan Insurance Agency, Inc. Park Rapids Walker Eye Clinic Paul Bunyan Communications Thielen Motors The Dust Busters CR Wellness Roger Peterson Construction Royal Bar Prudential Insurance Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Northway Insurance of Park Rapids Park Rapids Family Dental Luetgers Oil Company T&M Express OTHER CONTRIBUTORS - Under $250+ Kimball's Logging Inc. (Kelly & Michelle Kimball) Harvala Appliance Nicollet Machining, Inc. Beagle & Wolf Books & Bindery Autocraft Inc Advanced Automotive Service Thomason, Swanson, Zahn, PLLC Great Northern Cafe Cumber Construction Marie Luetmer State Farm Lake View Blinds and Cabin Care LLC Sons Of The American Legion Park Rapids Enterprise Dorset General Store Heat Source Inc Leeseberg Cabinets, INC. Park Rapids Floral Northwoods Dental Clinic Utke's Pine Country Furnishings FRIENDS OF THE FIREWORKS (INDIVIDUAL DONORS) GRAND FINALE FRIEND - $1,000+ Smythe, Jack & Kay Newsum, Clint & Amy STARBURST FRIEND - $500 Brattlof, Brian & Debbie Skoe, Nancy LaCount, Craig & Debra BOTTLE ROCKET FRIEND - $250 Larson, Stuart & Kathy ($450.00) Adler, Cheryl Hansen, Robert and Sharon Frauenholtz, Ben and Shannon Johanning, Tim & Jeri & Renee Adler, June Brauer, Kevin & Doll-Officer, RaNae-Todd Davis, Glynn Olson, Theodore & Lynnette Jacobson, Leo & Marcy Hunt, Tiffany FIRECRACKER FRIEND - $100 Vandeventer, Karen ($200.00) Wolfe, Susan ($200.00) Ranson, Ed ($180.90) Markell, Joseph and Mary ($150.00) Flenner, John & Marlene ($150.00) Pike, Dan & Kellyn ($150.00) Bywater, Bill & Linda ($125.00) Bruhn, Mike and Julie Ertl-Foster, James-Monica Bakken, Douglas & Mary Becker, Tod & Renee Kapsner, Bob & Karrie Lee Johnson, Bruce Carroll, Mike & Nancy McKinney, John Nulliner, Craig Molin, Ted and Kaye Peterson, Clay & Mary Trutna, Steve & Phyllis Torfin, Joanne Skaar, Jillian Scheuring, Jim & Jean Wishart, Steve & Kathy Wenger Christine Nicole Wilde, Daniel & Wheeler, Jane & Tim Van Bruggen, Tom & Linda Utke, Paul & Nancy Pertzsch, Jerry Retzler, Ken & Marcial Maurer, Charles McCann, Michael & Jacquelyn Massie, Donna Horejsi, Dean & Carin Lindstrom, Maria Lee, Brad Platz, Anthony & Dorothy Notermann, Bert & Bonnie Johnson, Laura Hedeen, Carter & Florence Hulbert, Steve & Diane Holk, Gary Hartz, Vicki Haugland, Eric Harris, Nate & Crystal Hansen, Wizik-Wille & Sally Ranson, Ed Yerkes, Anthony & Margaret Morris, Terry & Margaret Prenevost, Stephen & Janet Zimmerman, Arlene SPARKLER FRIEND - $50 DeCoster, John & Ann ($75.00) Smith, Pat & Connie ($75.00) Huisinga, Barry & Ruth ($75.00) Pritchett, Rick ($75.00) Green, Shirley James & Vera Gagaard, Nancy Disney, Juanita This thank you is brought to you by: RAPIDS Enterprise SPIRITS PARK RAPIDS LAKES AREA Convention & Visitors Bureau IM Itasca-Mantrap Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative The power of anc OFF SALE ROTARY "Service Above Self" MINNESOTA'S JULY 4TH FIREWORKS CAPITAL The Park Rapids Rotary Club takes this opportunity to thank the many individuals and businesses who generously donated to Minnesota's Biggest & Best July 4th Fireworks Celebration. Fireworks donations are always welcome and they can be sent to Park Rapids Rotary Club, P.O. Box 704, Park Rapids MN 56470 Classon, Wayne & Jone Dent, Kay Ball, Ray & Connie Brand, Bonnie George, Diane Haas, Gail Hallstrom, MaJeana & Rob Steevens, Dale & Virginia Carmichael, Russ And Connie Fischer, John & LaVonne Cadreau, Robert Berg, Ronal & Patricia Belshan, Jan Bentler, Beverly Gartner, Colleen Hanson, Milton & Vicky Hallett, John & Jan Haagenson, Don & Deb Walsh, Sandra Webster, Margaret & Julius Tweedale, Joan & Cliff Nordberg, Rod and Marie Ramlo, Lois Serafin, Tom & Carol Schermerhorn, Theresa & Darwin Tyson, Janis Rognstad, Chuck & Sheila Kosel, Scott & Sheryl Larson, Greg Kinkel, Luraine Koppelman, Ben and Lisa Laabs, Brad Lichter, Mike & Sandra Madsen, Fred Johnson, James & Terry Kasselder, Gary and Mary Ann Johnson, Ted & Lori Kirchner, Joel & Jean Knoblich, Joanne Keezer, Helen Grell, Kathy & Larry Greseth, Ronald & Dorothy Hurd-Lof, Lu Ann Helm, Rod & Vickie Hazlet, Carol Harsha, Bob & Mary Horejsi, Roman & Joy Locke, Ray, Top Notch Auto Trim Macklanburg, Dale & Cheri Machovsky, Carol & Robert. Miller, Charles McCormick, John and Lisa Thomas, Michael & Jennifer Thompson, John & Kathy OTHER CONTRIBUTORS - Under $50 Nordick, Andria Vaudrin, Barb & Gary Niedzielski, Ray & Ann Barth, Eric & Phyllis Pilgrim, Ted & Kathleen Krieg, Lon & Jan Roll, Stan and Dee Breezee, Grace Ahmann, Ron Christensen, Joe & Diane Clack, Jesse & Jill Hutchinson, Carol Pickus, Jim & Sue Swedberg, Jerry & Jan Johnson, Jeffrey & Diane Martin, Steve Johnson, Kerry Hanson, Gene & Julianne Henderson, Roger and Jan Myhlhousen, Terry & Sherry Phillips, Monte & Niomi Schmitz, David David momte. Sue Knutson, Denny & Patsy Pederson, Hunter Belt, Kathy Kouatli, Martha Mosner, Jeff Fourth of July 2026 Events 48th Annual FireCracker Footrace 7-8:30 am registration at Heartland Park; 9 am race start 4th of July Parade 11 am Stars & Stripes Youth Fishing Derby 12:30 pm registration starts at Red Bridge Park; fishing contest 1:30 to 3:30 pm Community Picnic 2 pm at Depot Park United for Youth Cake & Cookie Walk 2 pm next to the tennis courts in Depot Park Park Rapids Area Community Band Pre-fireworks Concert 7:30 pm in Heartland Park Rotary Fireworks at dusk - around 10 pm Listen live to De La Hunt Media KDKK 97.5 or KXKK 92.5 for fireworks music, announcements and updates in case there are weather delays . Watch the fireworks at Heartland Park or Red Bridge Park, from the Fish Hook River or many other locations throughout the community ROTARY Rotary Club RENATIONcommunity volunteers Connie Carmichael Dear Park Rapids and sounding communities A global network of On behalf of the Park Rapids Rotary we are honored to once again proudly sponsor the 4th of July Fireworks and we welcome you all with open arms ! This will Anniversary and we are gea world works be A show and reportedly one of the best shows in the State of Minnesota to be viewed by thousands of our friends and neighbors . We absolutely couldnt de this without your generous donations . I would like to thank every individual and business who has donated to the Firework fundraising effort this year This year's show promises to be the biggest and best display yet . Without the support of ou nity this display would not be what it is . You are the reason and we are so grateful The Park Rapids Area is well known as a great place to enjoy all of the 4th of July sic fireworks display overbaking the beautiful F festivities , capped off by a fantastic fre ker and Heartand knows Our Park Rapids Rotary Club is very busy but I am not sure our community about all the great work our local fetary Club does every day week and al year of course , the most well - known activity is the annual 4th of July Fireworks display in addition , we sponsor the Rotary Dragon Boat Wavemakers as they compete in Bemidji and at the Lake Superior Dragon Bat Festival Retary Night Social Hour and fun at 2nd Street Stage Retary Youth Leadership Camp - up to 4 attendees from Park Rapids , Nevis and Merahga Schools ; Park Rapids Teacher & Staff Appreciation Lunch ; Jahn Masag Memorial Rotary Golf Benefit at Headwaters Golf Club and Rotary Youth Exchange Students The club ate sponsors Cub Scout Pack Cub Scout Pack 58 and the Food Angels Backpack Program - assembling and packing lunches and putting bags of food in backpacks and lockers , and the Rotary Four - Way Test Essay Contest for students Members also volunteer for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign , participate in the Food Shelf Chill Challenge fundraiser , and partner for a Retary Blood Screening Day with Sanford Health Other youth activities the club sponsors are the Park Rapids High School Student of the Month and a Vocational Scholarship of $ 2500 . The club abo contributes financially to multiple community projects Serving as the next president and especially as a woman president in Rotary highlights the organization's commitment to leader- ship , inclusion , and the diverse perspectives that strengthen our ability to serve others . Women leaders bring valuable experiences , ideas and approaches that inspire collaboration , innovation and meaningful community impact . Being part of Rotary is an honor because it con nects individuals who share a passion for service , integrity and making a difference . Through Rotary members building relationships support local and global initiatives , and work together to create positive change . The opportunity to serve alongside dedicated leaders and community members is both rewarding and inspiring reinforcing the importance of service above self and the power of collective action to improve Ives On a personal level I fed like I have lived the principle of Service Above Self for most of my life by my personal choices and as a former child and foster care provider for over 20 years , and in the last 12 years working for a non - profit providing services to senior community believe in giving back with my family to my community and in my work Growing up my father was a member of a service organization , and I witnessed firsthand the pride he took in helping others , the meaningful work he accomplished , and the strong sense of belonging that came from being part of something larger than himself . I saw the lasting friendships and connections he built through service , and these experiences shaped my own commitment to giving back to the community Being a Retarian has provided me with the same sense of purpose , fellowship , and opportunity to make a positive difference . It is an honor to serve alongside dedicated individuals who share a passion for helping others , and serving as President allows me to continue that legacy while supporting our cuisin and strengthening the conse Ichallenge you in the coming year to explore what being a Rotarian might mean for you Attend a meeting or two or join a cau Service Above Self is the motto we live by and we would love to serve alongside you . If you are interested in leaming more plac to any Park Rapids Rotarian , visit our website at www.parapidsrotary cam or attend a weekly meeting held most Wednesdays at noon . Have a happy and safe 4th of July ! I hope to see you at the Fireworks ! Connie Carmicha Park Rapids Rotary Dub President Rotary awards scholarship Rotarians Laura Johnson and Mark Andersen presented the Park Rap- ids Club Scholarship for $ 2,500 to Makia Eischens May 15 at the Area High School . She will attend Minnesota State Community and Technical College to study Limited Schope Radiography . After that , she hopes to continue schooling to become a Registered Radiologic Technologist and eventually continue her studies to become an MRI Technologist . She is also very community minded and volunteers her time helping a family a special needs child as well as providing tutoring services and vol- ng for different school activity a The John Masog Memorial Rotary Golf Benefit in late August has only been rained out once in its 31 - year history . Citizens National Bank sponsored a foursome in 2025 . 32nd Annual Rotary Golf Benefit planned Aug. 26 The Park Rapids Rotary Club is planning the John Masog Memo- rial Rotary Golf Benefit Wednes- day , Aug. 26 at Headwaters Golf Club . The event was renamed a few years ago to remember John Masog , who started and chaired the first Golf Benefit and was at ast club president . past Golfers are invited to put together a foursome or organizers can assign you to a team . " The comprehensive regis- tration fee of $ 150 per person includes an 18 - hole golf scram ble , cart rental , dinner , mulligans , chipping , skins , ruler , hole prizes on every hole and team prizes . The event still offers a chance for a new car with a hole - in - one and prizes on all par 35 , sponsored by neighbors Ford of Park Rap- ids . Golfers can register online at www.parkrapidsrotary.com . As part of our Rotary Club's mission of service , we have contributed to various com- munity projects . In 2025-26 , these included donations to the Hubbard County Food Shelf , Park Rapids Business Professionals of America , Park Rapids Spanish Club , Living at Home , Nutrition Services Inc. , Let's Go Fishing and Park Rapids Fire Department . We also sponsor the 4th of July reworks , teams in Dragon Boat and Superior , races in Back- the Food Angels Weekend B pack Program and a sculpture on the Park Rapids Sculpture Trail , as well as an annual Vocational Studies Scholarship , Cub Scouts Youth Leadership training , Stu- dents of the Month and other youth activities . In addition , we have an ongoing commitment to Rotary International's Polio- Plus program to eradicate polio worldwide . For more information , con- tact Derek Ricke at 218-255-0478 or Jeff Cadwell at 218-234-5733 Hole s onsors may contact Neil Litfin by calling or b texting him at 855-284-1014 and also may sign up on the club website . The Park Rapids Rotary Wavemakers invite you to join the Dragon Boat team for practice Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons on the Fish Hook River . They are preparing for the 20th Annual Lake Bemidji Dragon Boat Festival July 30 through Aug. 1 and Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival Aug. 21-22 . Park Rapids Rotary Wavemakers continue to make waves in 2025-26 tar The Park Rapids Rotary Wavemakers Dragon Boat Team enjoyed another suc- cessful season in 2025 , train- ing throughout the summer and competing in two dragon boat festivals . In early August , the team participated in the Lake Bem- idji Dragon Boat Festival . The Park Rapids Rotary Club has proudly sponsored a team . at the festival since 2007 , the event's second year . The Wavemakers also returned to compete in the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival in Supe- rior , WI . After facing a chal- lenging first race , the team rebounded with an outstand- ing second race , thanks to strong teamwork and excel- lent coaching , The Wavemak- ers are already looking for ward to another great season this summer . Training for the festi- vals takes place all summer long , with practices held twice each week on Sundays and Wednesdays . Paddlers are encouraged to attend at least one practice each week . Practices focus on having fun , enjoying time on the Fish Hook River , and improving paddling techniques that help build a strong and successful team . The Park Rapids Rotary Wavemakers continue to use the practice dragon boat pur- chased in 2019 thre through the generous sponsorship of Mark Hewitt , Ed Ranson , and Scott and Katy Freitag . The training boat accommodates 10 pad- dlers , one steersperson , and one drummer . Ed Ranson gra- ciously provides dock space From Thailand to Park Rapids : Exchange student excelled at esports When Namo , whose given name is Tharathep Inthi- rach , arrived for his stay as a Rotary Youth Exchange stu- dent last fall , his English was already nearly perfect . At home in Thailand Namo had won a gold medal 4mo in a multi skill contest : lis- tening , writing , speaking and drawing . Since 5th grade , he had studied English with a tutor his mother hired He was only 15 when he started classes in Park Rap- ids last fall . He said one thing he learned was to control his emotions , a good life les- son . Namo was mostly very quiet which made him an easy addition to the family , according to Connie Carmi- chael . She and Russ hosted him most of the school year . At home in Thailand he lives with his a small vill grandparents kinge , where he likes walking are how noticing little things like how it smells after it rains . He said he was looking forward to getting back to his old life and reuniting with his dog , a Pomeranian . He said life here was lonely without his con- stant companion . His village is near Udon Thani , the capital city of Udon Thani Province and well known as a UNESCO World Heritage site . The city is near Ban Chiang another UNESCO World Heritage Site . He has visited both sites . His home club Magkang . He participated in club is Rotary a club charity run , but says they meet at 8 o'clock so he might visit occasionally . He did attend most Park Rapids club noon meetings His favorite food here was barbecued chicken and the biggest surprise was an American history test on the first day of class . Another was Minnesota's " unsta- ble " weather : the rapidly changing temperatures and a thunderstorm with lightning but no rain ! His high school classes included history , geo geometry , chemistry , English , art and animal care . His favorite was drawing . In Thailand , 10th graders choose from one of two paths : science and math or language . His choice is language . The class sched- ule in Thailand is different everyday and the teachers move from class to class rather than the students . He participated in esports in Park Rapids and a high- light was competing in St. Cloud with three other team members . They played the game Valorant . Namo's role was to prevent the enemy from seeing things and helping his team diffuse the spike . " They would suffer if I died first , " he said . Namo left Park Rapids May 10 and started classes at home May 18. He will have to redo 10th grade , cut his hair and wear a uniform again as part of his second year in a three - year program similar to ROTC in the United States . He participates for an hour after school . He said it's fun , but brutal if you get punished ; punishment being doing a lot of sit - ups or pushups . He chose to do be in the program and the other students in the program are his group of friends . When students turn 20 , going into the army is not a given ; it's a matter of luck Someone deals red and black cards and service depends on which color you're dealt . Namo added he doesn't have a career in mind yet , but feels he has plenty of time to decide what he wants to do . By November Namo achieved one of his goals ; seeing the Northern Lights . He had seen snow before on a trip to Sweden , but experi- enced snow here and tried ice fishing with Russ Carmichael fall fished and last fall fished on a lake Hauger . Jeff and Lauren Hauger were his host family the first few months after Namo arrived in late August . At the Rotary District Conference in Duluth in October , he enjoyed seeing the other Rotary Exchange students and skit they per- formed . He still said Split Rock Lighthouse was the prettiest site he visited . The Carmichaels took . Namo and two of their grandsons to the Headwaters of the Mississippi so he could walk across and he went with the Carmichaels on a trip to Ohio over Thanksgiving . " He got to experience Christmas with us , baking cookies , dec- orating the tree and opening gifts , Connie said . In March , he celebrated his 16th birth- day with the Carmichaels and volunteered at the Living at for the boat at his residence River , the Fish Hook practices both convenient and accessible . Community mem- bers can often spot the team training on Wednesday eve- nings and Sunday afternoons . The Wavemakers are grateful for the many spon- sors whose continued sup- port makes the program . possible . Thanks to generous donations , the team was able to purchase new competi- tion - regulation wooden pad- dles two years ago , allowing paddlers to train and race with the same equipment . The team a also proudly sports custom practice and race shirts designed and donated by Teresa and Jeff Seegers of Camp 71 . This year , the team is working toward upgrading its life jac inflatable belt - sonal flotation devices ( PFDs ) . Fundraising efforts to support this project will begin later this season . Thomas Wormley and RaNae Doll are serving as co - chairs of the Dragon Boat Team this year , while Chris Oppitz and Scott Freitag are coaching the team . Rachel Oppitz is helping manage the crew this season . The Wavemakers are always looking for new pad- dlers . No experience is nec- essary - just a willingness to have fun and be part of a great eparto team . If you are interested learning more or joining the team , please contact the Wavemakers at rotarywave- makers@gmail.com . Park Rapids Rotary Past President Mark Andersen presented the club banner to Namo near the end of his Rotary Exchange year stay . Namo caught his first fish , a crappie , on the ice lat winter with host dad Russ Carmichael Rotary rotary Namo attended the Rotary District . 5580 Conference in Duluth in October and visited Split Rock Lighthouse . Home rib dinner . Connie added Namo met all of his goals as an exchange student as well as his per- sonal to - do list of seeing the northern lights , experiencing snow and fishing The Park Rapids Rotary Club will not host a Youth Exchange student for 2026-27 . ROTARY Rotary Club Thank You BUSINESS / ORGANIZATION SPONSORS STAR SPANGLED SPONSOR - $ 1,000 + Hugo's # 11 ( $ 1,500.00 ) Park Rapids Deputy Registrar NO . 68 INC ( $ 1,500.00 ) Josh's Collision Center Birdie's Mini Golf Neighbors Ford SPIRIT SPONSOR - $ 500 + Itasca Mantrap Operation Roundup grant Hafner's Greenhouse Crystal Brook by Vivie Itasca Region Insurance Agency Ulvin Plumbing , Inc. Wilson Wood Products Northwoods Bank Charitable Fund Pine Manors Citizens National Bank CHI St. Joseph's Health Hubbard County Abstract Co. , Inc. EMCON Inc PATRIOT SPONSOR - $ 250 + American Legion Post 212 ( $ 300.00 ) Northern Knights Car Club Inc ( $ 300.00 ) Ark Animal Hospital Affinity Real Estate Simonson Station Stores Inc. Arvig Wolff Transportation TruStar Federal Credit Union Itasca Naturopathic Clinic Jeweler Of The North Hammer Fit Gym Inc CREATE formerly Hubbard County DAC HVH Certified Public Accountants Heartland Inn Hotel Lamb Weston RDO Frozen Itasca - Mantrap Cooperative Services Giiwedinong Museum Happy Four Seas Chinese Restaurant Heartland Center of Natural Healing , Inc. Dorset Corner Liquors Evergreen Lodge Cwikla Ace Hardware Patrick J. Sullivan Insurance Agency , Inc. Park Rapids Walker Eye Clinic Paul Bunyan Communications Thielen Motors The Dust Busters CR Wellness Roger Peterson Construction Royal Bar Prudential Insurance Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Northway Insurance of Park Rapids Park Rapids Family Dental Luetgers Oil Company T & M Express OTHER CONTRIBUTORS - Under $ 250 + Kimball's Logging Inc. ( Kelly & Michelle Kimball ) Harvala Appliance Nicollet Machining , Inc. Beagle & Wolf Books & Bindery Autocraft Inc Advanced Automotive Service Thomason , Swanson , Zahn , PLLC Great Northern Cafe Cumber Construction Marie Luetmer State Farm Lake View Blinds and Cabin Care LLC Sons Of The American Legion Park Rapids Enterprise Dorset General Store Heat Source Inc Leeseberg Cabinets , INC . Park Rapids Floral Northwoods Dental Clinic Utke's Pine Country Furnishings FRIENDS OF THE FIREWORKS ( INDIVIDUAL DONORS ) GRAND FINALE FRIEND - $ 1,000 + Smythe , Jack & Kay Newsum , Clint & Amy STARBURST FRIEND - $ 500 Brattlof , Brian & Debbie Skoe , Nancy LaCount , Craig & Debra BOTTLE ROCKET FRIEND - $ 250 Larson , Stuart & Kathy ( $ 450.00 ) Adler , Cheryl Hansen , Robert and Sharon Frauenholtz , Ben and Shannon Johanning , Tim & Jeri & Renee Adler , June Brauer , Kevin & Doll - Officer , RaNae - Todd Davis , Glynn Olson , Theodore & Lynnette Jacobson , Leo & Marcy Hunt , Tiffany FIRECRACKER FRIEND - $ 100 Vandeventer , Karen ( $ 200.00 ) Wolfe , Susan ( $ 200.00 ) Ranson , Ed ( $ 180.90 ) Markell , Joseph and Mary ( $ 150.00 ) Flenner , John & Marlene ( $ 150.00 ) Pike , Dan & Kellyn ( $ 150.00 ) Bywater , Bill & Linda ( $ 125.00 ) Bruhn , Mike and Julie Ertl - Foster , James - Monica Bakken , Douglas & Mary Becker , Tod & Renee Kapsner , Bob & Karrie Lee Johnson , Bruce Carroll , Mike & Nancy McKinney , John Nulliner , Craig Molin , Ted and Kaye Peterson , Clay & Mary Trutna , Steve & Phyllis Torfin , Joanne Skaar , Jillian Scheuring , Jim & Jean Wishart , Steve & Kathy Wenger Christine Nicole Wilde , Daniel & Wheeler , Jane & Tim Van Bruggen , Tom & Linda Utke , Paul & Nancy Pertzsch , Jerry Retzler , Ken & Marcial Maurer , Charles McCann , Michael & Jacquelyn Massie , Donna Horejsi , Dean & Carin Lindstrom , Maria Lee , Brad Platz , Anthony & Dorothy Notermann , Bert & Bonnie Johnson , Laura Hedeen , Carter & Florence Hulbert , Steve & Diane Holk , Gary Hartz , Vicki Haugland , Eric Harris , Nate & Crystal Hansen , Wizik - Wille & Sally Ranson , Ed Yerkes , Anthony & Margaret Morris , Terry & Margaret Prenevost , Stephen & Janet Zimmerman , Arlene SPARKLER FRIEND - $ 50 DeCoster , John & Ann ( $ 75.00 ) Smith , Pat & Connie ( $ 75.00 ) Huisinga , Barry & Ruth ( $ 75.00 ) Pritchett , Rick ( $ 75.00 ) Green , Shirley James & Vera Gagaard , Nancy Disney , Juanita This thank you is brought to you by : RAPIDS Enterprise SPIRITS PARK RAPIDS LAKES AREA Convention & Visitors Bureau IM Itasca - Mantrap Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative The power of anc OFF SALE ROTARY " Service Above Self " MINNESOTA'S JULY 4TH FIREWORKS CAPITAL The Park Rapids Rotary Club takes this opportunity to thank the many individuals and businesses who generously donated to Minnesota's Biggest & Best July 4th Fireworks Celebration . Fireworks donations are always welcome and they can be sent to Park Rapids Rotary Club , P.O. Box 704 , Park Rapids MN 56470 Classon , Wayne & Jone Dent , Kay Ball , Ray & Connie Brand , Bonnie George , Diane Haas , Gail Hallstrom , MaJeana & Rob Steevens , Dale & Virginia Carmichael , Russ And Connie Fischer , John & LaVonne Cadreau , Robert Berg , Ronal & Patricia Belshan , Jan Bentler , Beverly Gartner , Colleen Hanson , Milton & Vicky Hallett , John & Jan Haagenson , Don & Deb Walsh , Sandra Webster , Margaret & Julius Tweedale , Joan & Cliff Nordberg , Rod and Marie Ramlo , Lois Serafin , Tom & Carol Schermerhorn , Theresa & Darwin Tyson , Janis Rognstad , Chuck & Sheila Kosel , Scott & Sheryl Larson , Greg Kinkel , Luraine Koppelman , Ben and Lisa Laabs , Brad Lichter , Mike & Sandra Madsen , Fred Johnson , James & Terry Kasselder , Gary and Mary Ann Johnson , Ted & Lori Kirchner , Joel & Jean Knoblich , Joanne Keezer , Helen Grell , Kathy & Larry Greseth , Ronald & Dorothy Hurd - Lof , Lu Ann Helm , Rod & Vickie Hazlet , Carol Harsha , Bob & Mary Horejsi , Roman & Joy Locke , Ray , Top Notch Auto Trim Macklanburg , Dale & Cheri Machovsky , Carol & Robert . Miller , Charles McCormick , John and Lisa Thomas , Michael & Jennifer Thompson , John & Kathy OTHER CONTRIBUTORS - Under $ 50 Nordick , Andria Vaudrin , Barb & Gary Niedzielski , Ray & Ann Barth , Eric & Phyllis Pilgrim , Ted & Kathleen Krieg , Lon & Jan Roll , Stan and Dee Breezee , Grace Ahmann , Ron Christensen , Joe & Diane Clack , Jesse & Jill Hutchinson , Carol Pickus , Jim & Sue Swedberg , Jerry & Jan Johnson , Jeffrey & Diane Martin , Steve Johnson , Kerry Hanson , Gene & Julianne Henderson , Roger and Jan Myhlhousen , Terry & Sherry Phillips , Monte & Niomi Schmitz , David David momte . Sue Knutson , Denny & Patsy Pederson , Hunter Belt , Kathy Kouatli , Martha Mosner , Jeff Fourth of July 2026 Events 48th Annual FireCracker Footrace 7-8 : 30 am registration at Heartland Park ; 9 am race start 4th of July Parade 11 am Stars & Stripes Youth Fishing Derby 12:30 pm registration starts at Red Bridge Park ; fishing contest 1:30 to 3:30 pm Community Picnic 2 pm at Depot Park United for Youth Cake & Cookie Walk 2 pm next to the tennis courts in Depot Park Park Rapids Area Community Band Pre - fireworks Concert 7:30 pm in Heartland Park Rotary Fireworks at dusk - around 10 pm Listen live to De La Hunt Media KDKK 97.5 or KXKK 92.5 for fireworks music , announcements and updates in case there are weather delays . Watch the fireworks at Heartland Park or Red Bridge Park , from the Fish Hook River or many other locations throughout the community