by Mark Zalewski
20 Enthusiastic Elmbrook Rotarian made the trek to the Machine Shed restaurant on Saturday for the first event of the Elmbrook Rotary 2025 "Drive Out Polio" Triathlon.
There to pile on the pancakes and shovel in the eggs where Larry and Claudia Rovens, Harry and Anne Farchmin, Karl Schulz, Tom and Linda Curl, Doug and Janie Jacobson, Greg Bonk, Jim Dunn, John Allen, Shawn Wurtzbacher, Dr Tom Steinbach, Prez Dave, Paul Langer, Lydia Miller and Mark and Evonne Zalewski.
Winner of the first Event - The Carbo-Loading - was none other than Larry Rovens - attacking a slice of coffee cake the size of the Chicago phone book before going after Claudia's blueberry pancakes. On the way out the door, the local boy scouts took advantage of Karl and Paul's sweet tooth - selling candy bars to help their troop.
The effort required lifting those forks at breakfast took it's toll and only nine intrepid Rotarians - the Zalewskis, Curls, Jacobsons, Paul, Karl and Jim moved on to Event 2 - the 45 mile Kettle Moraine Drive. Jim Dunn won this event hands down before it even started, with the Coolest Car Award - for his Red Hot Corvette.
The Destination - Event 3 - the Elkhorn 20th Annual Oktoberfest. The rigors of this winding odyssey through the Kettle Moraine had Jim peeling off early. But the remaining eight participants (and 2 dogs) were rewarded with a few cold ones, the sight of some pretty cool cars and the chance to win some BIG BUCK$ and support our neighboring Elkhorn Rotary too.
But the Real Winners are the children to the world - ERF Treasurer, John Allen, estimated that Elmbrook Club members have contributed over $3,000 so far toward End Polio Now. With the 2-for-1 Gates Foundation Match - that will inoculate over 1,000 kids against Polio.
And We Can't Stop There! This Friday - October 24th - is World Polio Day
So if you haven't yet - send in or bring your donation to End Polio Now to the Club meeting. Make it out to The Elmbrook Rotary Foundation - End Polio Now. You will receive Paul Harris Credit, a 2-for-1 match, and know that you have helped Rotary move closer to eliminating Polio from the Planet forever.
Thanks to everyone who came out on Saturday. And Thanks to everyone who donated.
You are the reason the Elmbrook Rotary is the special organization that it is.
Mark Zalewski - Club Treasurer
Elmbrook Rotary Club - "We Rise and Shine"
