Submitted

Derek Hert presented the program at the Thursday, Nov. 6 meeting of the Trenton Rotary Club, held at the BTC Bank community room. Daniel Gott presided at the meeting, Dan Wilford gave the prayer and Jeff Crowley was the sergeant at arms.

Program chairman David Critten introduced Hert, who is a member of the Trenton Fire Department and works for the Grundy County Ambulance Service. Hert told about “Hert’s Wildfire,” a business he has started that allows him to fight wildfires in the Western United States. Hert is a native of Montana and said he helped fight wildfires while attending high school. After moving to Missouri, he still had an interest in the wildfire fighting profession, which led to him establishing his business and contracting with groups in the Western U.S. to assist in their firefighting efforts. This past summer was the first full year the business was in operation, fighting fires in Wyoming and Montana. He has a crew that lives in various places throughout the U.S. He shared information regarding the certification needed to fight wildfires as well as photos of a fire his crew fought in Drummond, MT.

During the business meeting, winners in various categories of the Missouri Day Parade were presented with framed color photos of their entry in recognition of their participation. Those receiving the awards were the THS Mascots, first place best youth entry; Eastview Manor, second place best business entry; Farmers State Bank, first place best business entry; Dreamcatchers, first place best equestrian entry; Cooper Eaton, second place best tractor entry; Art’s Alive, first place best organization entry; Randall Romesburg, first place best tractor entry; and the NCMC Centennial Committee, Best of Show/Spirit of Missouri Day (best overall entry).

It was announced that the club Christmas Party will be held at 6 pm on Thursday, Dec. 18 at Chesapeake on Main. Kim Washburn is the party chairman. It was decided the club will pay for member meals, with members paying for their guest’s meal. Beverages will also be paid for by the members.

It was also announced that all but two spots were filled by club members for Salvation Army Bellringing on Fridays during the months of November and December.

The program for the Dec. 13 meeting of the Rotary Club will be presented by Duane and Kara Helmandollar, who will talk about the Kiwanis Club/KTTN Christmas Wish program. David Critten is the program chairman.

The Trenton High School Band presented the program at the “Fifth Thursday” Rotary Club meeting on Oct. 30. Daniel Gott presided at the meeting, Dan Wilford gave the prayer and Brian Upton was the sergeant at arms.

Program chairman Diane Lowrey introduced THS Band instructor Anthony Webb, who told about the band. Two of the members recapped the competition year for the band as well as told about events in which the band has been participating. The band will be taking part on the Memorial Day Parade in Washington DC in May. They will be one of 30 high school bands in the parade and will be the only band from Missouri. The band has been doing a number of fundraiser to help pay for the trip, which will cost around $60,000. Band members also performed a portion of their competition show for the club, which voted to make a $500 donation to the band