RIPON - It was an unusual experience for Ripon Rotarians on Wednesday when members opted for box lunches at the Silverado Nursery and Design Center on Stockton Avenue a block south of the downtown district.

Club program chairman John Mangelos had scheduled the event with Silverado general manager Joe Barkley as a change of pace for the usual weekly meeting held at the Barnwood Restaurant adjacent to Highway 99.

The lunch was held in the nursery’s spacious design center located behind the rows of plants, ornamentals and trees.   Building and other required permits are currently being sought  on adjoining land that was recently purchased to the south for expansion of the nursery facility.

Nursery manager Sue Ziegert served as the program by designing a cactus bowl for the Rotarians who learned how easy it can be to purchase the small plants and create a decorative ornamental for a patio or front porch.

The last Ripon Rotary meeting outside the usual restaurant format was held at the Mistlin Sports Park water tower using the walking way around the perimeter of the tower.  Rotarians were taken on a tour of the interior of the tower that was originally planned for an eatery of some type.

Work is scheduled to begin next week on the $4 million soft ball diamonds that will circle the tower.  Fans will be able to watch the games from the elevated walkways that circle the water tower and have visions of the entire sports park from baseball to soccer tournaments.