Rotary Club of Ottumwa

06/22/2026

Today, our Rotary Club had the pleasure of hearing from Braxton Lockhart, a remarkable 12-year-old from Texas who shared his knowledge and passion for the beef industry.

Braxton works on his family’s ranch, Double L Cattle Company, and taught us about Certified Hereford Beef. Hereford cattle are easily recognized by their distinctive red bodies and white faces and are one of the most widely used cattle breeds in the world.

We learned how Certified Hereford Beef maintains strict quality standards for marbling, tenderness, and consistency, creating value for producers through increased demand and market opportunities. From pasture to plate, the program provides consumers with a trusted brand, premium-quality beef, and a consistently excellent dining experience.

Thank you, Braxton, for sharing your expertise and giving us an inside look at the cattle industry and the journey of Certified Hereford Beef!

06/15/2026

Today, our members enjoyed a fun and interactive game that tested our knowledge of the rich history of the Ottumwa Rotary Club!

Did you know?
📅 Our club was founded in May 1916, making this year our 110th year of service to the Ottumwa community.

🍗 Our first Rotary Chicken BBQ was held in September 1980, launching a tradition that continues to bring people together while supporting local projects and organizations.

Over the years, Ottumwa Rotary has contributed to countless community groups, programs, and improvement projects that have helped make our community stronger. From youth programs and educational initiatives to parks, trails, and public spaces, Rotary’s impact can be seen throughout Ottumwa.

While we are proud of our history and accomplishments, one thing stood out during today’s discussion: the friendships we build and the opportunity to serve our community are what we love most about Rotary.

Here’s to continuing a legacy of Service Above Self for generations to come! 💙💛

06/08/2026

Today at Rotary, we were joined by Cole O’Donnell, the City Finance Director, for an informative look at city finances and budgeting.

Cole has been with the city for two years and shared insight into the important work of the finance department, which oversees accounts receivable, accounts payable, and the city budget process. Budget planning begins with projections from department heads and moves through review by the Finance Director and City Administrator to determine what is reasonable and accurate.

Cole also discussed the implementation of a new financial system and shared some of the financial challenges cities are currently facing.

Key topics included:
• Property tax limitations and state reforms impacting city revenues
• A general fund shortfall this fiscal year and efforts being made to close budget gaps through additional revenue and departmental adjustments
• The reality that reducing expenses often means reducing services

One message was clear: with changing revenue structures and continued financial pressures, all cities will need to continue finding new ways to operate and provide services efficiently.

Thank you, Cole, for giving us a better understanding of the financial challenges and opportunities facing our community and for the work being done behind the scenes to keep our city moving forward.

06/01/2026

🌬️❤️ Cardiopulmonary Outpatient Services at Ottumwa Regional Health Center

Our Cardiopulmonary Department offers a full range of outpatient services to support your heart and lung health, including:

• Cardiopulmonary Rehab
A personalized program designed to improve quality of life for individuals with heart or lung disease.

• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
A noninvasive test that measures electrical activity in the brain to help evaluate seizures, sleep disorders, and other neurological conditions.

• Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT)
Diagnostic testing for COPD, asthma, interstitial lung disease, and other breathing concerns — including tracking treatment progress.

• Sleep Studies
In‑lab polysomnography, split‑night studies, and home sleep testing for patients with suspected Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Congratulations to Peg Lazio on his Paul Harris Award!

05/18/2026

Today at Rotary we were joined by Dr. Michael Scherb, the newest orthopedic surgeon at Ottumwa Regional Health Center.

Dr. Scherb is originally from Spencer and attended Wartburg College before completing medical school in Iowa and his residency in Orlando. Throughout his career, he has also practiced in Baltimore, Maryland and Mason City, Iowa.

With more than 18 years of experience, Dr. Scherb specializes in hip and knee replacements, fractures, foot and ankle care, and arthritis treatment. We appreciated hearing about his background, experience, and commitment to providing orthopedic care for our community.

05/12/2026

🏘️ Exciting Development Update: Vogel Heights!

Today we were joined by Marc Roe with Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress who provided us with an update on the Old St. Joseph Hospital. In 2023, community partners were able reclaim the site and after two environmental site assessments and a geotechnical survey, this market-rate housing project is moving forward!

In the fall Ottumwa was designated a Thriving Community which allowed the project to be competitive for developers.

We are working with Build to Suit to develop this ten acre plot. Here’s what’s in the works:
* 40 properties with 58 doors
* 14 single-family units (min. 1,250 sq ft w/ 2-car garage)
* Duplexes & Triplexes (min. 1,200 sq ft per living unit with garage)

Help celebrate the official groundbreaking this Thursday!

📍 Vogel Heights – 312 E Alta Vista Ave
📅 Thursday, May 14, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

05/08/2026

If you are looking for something fun to do this weekend, be sure to visit the young entrepreneurs around town and find the best Lemonade in Ottumwa! 🍋

Lemonade Day is about more than business—it’s about community. 💛🍋

A heartfelt thank you to our Service Above Self Sponsor for supporting the spirit of giving back and making a difference.

🥤 Thank you: Rotary Club of Ottumwa

Ready to sip your way around town this Saturday? 🍋👇
We’ve got the full stand map waiting for you in the comments—start planning your Lemonade Day Ottumwa stops now!

05/05/2026

Today we were joined by our very own Eddie Pierson, who used his time to remind us of the impact our Rotary Club has made in our community.

We took time to reflect on projects we’ve been proud to support over the years, including the sports complex, tennis courts, community art, and trail improvements. Since 2006, our club has invested more than $180,000 back into our community.

Our impact also reaches beyond our local area through support of international projects such as rhino conservation, polio eradication, and clean water initiatives.

Just as important, Rotary brings out the best in each of us through encouragement, professional collaboration, and friendship. We are grateful for all we have accomplished together and excited for the difference we will continue to make.

04/27/2026

Today’s Rotary meeting featured Bob Kramer and Blake Smith from Financial Partners, who shared a timely update on the market.

They noted that while there’s been quite a bit of volatility recently, markets overall are still trending upward.

A key takeaway was thinking about your finances in “Now, Soon, and Later” buckets:

* Now: Immediate needs
* Soon (2–10 years): Expenses like weddings, education, or home purchases—this money should be preserved and protected
* Later: Long-term investments and growth strategies

For the “Later” bucket, they highlighted three areas to watch:

* Infrastructure supporting AI, including data centers, energy, materials, and increasing power demands
* Military spending, which has risen significantly on a global scale
* Energy overall as a continued area of focus

They also emphasized that not all money is taxed the same. With historically low tax rates, now may be a good time to consider strategies like moving funds from pre-tax accounts to tax-advantaged options.

Their message was clear: thoughtful investment planning, tax planning, and diversification all play an important role in building a strong financial future.

04/23/2026

Don’t forget to join us tonight at Appanoose Rapids 1933 Speakeasy starting at 5:30 for a night of food and fun!