Rotary Clubs donate tables and benches at Wolske Bay

Rotary members from L-R: Scott Fredrick, Bill Butsic, Mike Shaide, Gus Myran, and Court Sand.

By Maggie Foote

Winter’s frosty temperatures offer those who venture out, the fun of skating on Lake Menomin. This year, between skating and the occasional snowball fight, outdoor enthusiasts were able to use new tables and benches. Thanks to the combined efforts of the two Menomonie Rotary Clubs and the City of Menomonie, 12 picnic tables and 5 benches were constructed and placed at Menomonie’s Wolske Bay park. 

The new outdoor furniture provided places for families and friends to gather,  sit to lace up skates, or relax for a few minutes. The new additions were completed in time to benefit the many Menomonie folks who came to see the annual holiday light display.

In 2019, members of the Menomonie Rotary Clubs stained and assembled some 10 new picnic tables and donated them to the City for use at Wilson Park.  In 2025, Rotarians again saw a need and worked together to fund and replace deteriorating picnic tables and benches at Wolske Bay park. 

Working with Dave Schofield, director of Public Works for the City of Menomonie, dedicated volunteers from the Rotary Club of Menomonie and the Sunrise Rotary Club spent three weekends in the fall of 2025 gathering materials, staining tabletops, and assembling tables and benches.

Cedar Falls Building Systems, Inc., generously donated space for material storage and assembly.  Northern Cross Arm Co., Inc., Chippewa Falls, offered a deep discount on lumber, and GLP Services, Eau Claire, donated the plaques that were placed on each table and bench to acknowledge Rotary’s contributions.  City staff, under the direction of David Frank, then transported the tables to the park in time for winter use.  

Mayor Randy Knaack, expressed his excitement for Rotary’s donation and “thanked the Menomonie Rotary Clubs for their contribution of funds and labor to improve the experience of visitors to our parks during the winter and all summer long.”  

The two Rotary Clubs are part of Rotary International, a world-wide service organization supporting a network of more than 45,000 clubs, consisting of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite to create lasting change. For more than 110 years, Rotarians have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects, from literacy and peace to water and health. 

For more information visit Rotary Club of Menomonie,  https://www.menomonierotary.org/   or Menomonie Sunrise Rotary, https://www.menomoniesunriserotary.org/ 

New members are always welcome.

Maggie Foote is past president of the Rotary Club of Menomonie