By Bruce Karnick

The Hastings Rotary Club is a non-profit community service organization that funds a variety of service projects in the Hastings area. The Hastings Rotary is part of an international service organization of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem solvers working to make our communities and the world a better place. If you have been wondering where the “Rotary Pavilion” on the riverfront received its name from, now you know. The Hastings Rotary raised over $500,000 to build the pavilion. They have done many other projects around town including refurbishing the bridge over the Vermillion River.

Funding projects and scholarships and programs like the “Cycling without Age” program takes, well, funds. The biggest fundraiser the Rotary puts on each year is their Rivertown Live Concert, normally held in September. Due to COVID, that concert was cancelled for 2020. Before the concert series started, they used to sell roses. Dozens and dozens of beautiful, high quality roses to be exact, all delivered by Rotary volunteers. Katy Lindberg, one of this year’s organizers of the Rotary Rose Sale said “I LOVE delivering the roses. I will take two days off work just so I can spend the whole-time delivering roses. It is just so much fun to see the look on peoples faces when they get a dozen roses.” Why is Rotary going back to the rose sale? “Because it has worked well for us in the past.” Lindberg stated. “With the cancellation of Rivertown Live, we had to do something to raise funds.” So, they decided to ‘kick it old school’ and bring back the rose sale for 2020. This year’s rose sale organizers include Lindberg, Dan Rother, John Hanson, and Mike Slavik.

The 2020 rose sale details.

Two rose choices. All red or “Lollipop Roses” which is a mixture of colors.

Orders will be processed online only.

$25 for one dozen or $100 for five dozen, delivered to same address only All orders will be delivered to Hastings addresses only by a Rotary member.

All proceeds go back in to the community.

Deliveries occur on October 7th and 8th For further details on the Hastings Rotary, to be come a member and to order roses, visit www.hastingsmnrotary.com

The Rotary Rose sale will include your choice of a dozen red roses or a dozen Lollipop roses similar to those pictured here. Delivery can also be contactless if you so choose. Photo Courtesy of Katy Lindberg