By Bruce Karnick

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Some may have noticed the new flag behind the Confluence in Hastings. On it’s 80 foot flag pole, it is very hard to miss and old glory looks amazing as you drive south into town on Highway 61.

The Hastings Area Rotary Club has a foundation setup for programs like Cycling Without Age and Rotary Fishing, and for projects like the Rotary Pavilion downtown and now the new flagpole at the confluence. The Hastings Rotary Foundation along with Pat Regan and the rest of the Confluence Group played a large part in the covering the construction costs of the flagpole and the Confluence is taking on the costs of maintaining and lighting it, which includes the likelihood of replacing the flag twice per year due to the wear and tear on it.

When complete, the area around the flag will have a commemorative plaque, permanent lighting and proper landscaping. For now, temporary lighting is being acquired with the hopes of being installed by the weekend after Thanksgiving.

The flag was purchased from Mike Wagner of Wagner Construction who also helped with the planning and installation of the pole.

If you have not had a chance to see it, take the drive downtown and look at all the different angles you can, it’s a perfect location for it and the US flag makes a beautiful addition to the downtown area.