Author: Phill Goldman

As you saw last month, the website server has been restored and updated.  I believe all is working as it did before, please let me know of any issues you find.

Changes you may see:

• Some of you, depending on email address, may have to re-confirm your membership. This is inconvenient but expected - your memberships haven't changed.
• The server is a bit more responsive, especially on phone data connections.
• Back-issues of posts and newsletters older than two years have been archived to save space - if you need them, ask the Webmaster to retrieve them.

Dues Payment methods for the September due date will be in place for the June picnic, you won't need to wait until mid summer.

Services you can find at the website

• The most current calendar of events and locations. See the Events menu.
• Signup sheets, available in real time. Look for Signup Sheets under the My USS Nokomis tab.
• Manage changes to your password and email address. See My Settings, again under the Mu USS Nokomis tab.
• Link to current Nokomis merch at Merchandise under the My Nokomis tab.  You can suggest new items too!

And, as always, if you hear of folks having a hard time getting email, let Phill know.

A new server with our restored content came online early in the morning of 15 April. I'm checking and optimizing the site on its new machine.  This special edition newsletter is the same content as the monthly newsetter prior to the April meeting (though I did correct some content).  I'm using it as test data to ensure our newsletter mailer is still 'Fully Functional'.

The new server is the same in name, but has a new IP address.  That shouldn't affect deliverability.   Please send any bug reports to Phill.

Geeky Details (if you care)

The server is now 10 years newer, based on AlmaLinux 9.7, MariaDB 11.4, and PHP 8.0-8.5.  The PHP update will enable some more flexibility in web page construction.  I've already modernized several plugins and verified the backup facility.  I'll update the member manager and signup sheet manager;  security has been consolidated into fewer packages.

The May meeting will take place at Phill and Lynne’s home in Dayton (details later). Starting times remain the same.  More details in the next newsletter.

After the meeting we have a community service opportunity. We’ll be tying fleece blankets for needy kids. We’d like to complete as many blankets as we can, and that takes many hands. Please mark your calendar for the May 9th meeting date as an all-day event, and join us to make lives better.

Our server for USSNokomis.org failed during an upgrade, on Friday, April 3rd. Not only does it support our website, it’s the librarian and mailer for the Newsletter. That’s why you’re seeing this improvised PDF, sent from Phill’s personal email.

Our service provider tells me the new server is in place and coming back to life as of Sunday evening. Next comes installing and hardening the system followed by migrating system data, which should take a day or two.

The site will be available as soon as we can. If all goes well you’d never know something under the hood had changed, but nothing is ever that smooth. If changes are minor I’ll include details in the next newsletter; if they are major I’ll send out a supplement.

Thanks for your patience. Neither I nor the Board know anything other than this or can speed anything up, so there’s no need to call, text, message, or email.

- Phill

[Ed Note: Server online and being checked out on 15 April.  See article from that date.]

This year's Regional Science Fair(s) went off as planned, even with a great many changes in the last month.   The most notable were new, nicer but smaller location, and resulting two fairs in one.

There were two sessions this year, one for the middle school in the morning, a second for High School at the regular time. It made for a longer day, but certainly warmer and easier to hear.

Did you ever wonder how to see nerve damage in a mouse?  Restart muscle motor reaction in injury patient?  Did you need to figure how to use AI to spot AI deepfake (with an app)? How do the Magnetic Brakes work in Roller Coasters?  Well, a lot of kids wondered about these and even more, with research, experiments, and real data to back them up, not just Internet opinions and memes.  I found it refreshing to see students get their ideas from pop culture, but test them with scientific method and in many cases learn the facts vs believing the hype.

Finally, let me thank all the Nokomis folks who I spotted at the event, and who responded with grace and enthusiasm when things changed under our feet:  Jim (AM and PM), Mary (AM and PM), Rich (PM) , Lynne (AM and PM), Phill (AM, PM and Sunday Awards), and Grover (AM).  I was happy to see you!

Mark your calendar - the event will be back on last Friday in February, 2027 and back in the larger, single event Coliseum.

Hail to Our Intrepid USS Nokomis Away Team!  Melanie Tauer and Scott Hill represented us all at the Polar Plunge in St. Peter on February 7th.  Their efforts raised money for the MN Special Olympics.

Weather at Jump Time was 21 Degrees, low winds.

For the story overall, The Mankato Free Press "Hundreds plunge into Hallett Pond for a good cause"