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by Bill
Zimbinski
In his invocation, Bill Zelen mentioned the importance of Rotary’s generosity and service in our troubled world. Phil Strom, our fellowship chair, began by introducing our speaker Phil Silvers and his wife Kathleen. Also in attendance were District Governor Tully Chambers and his wife Marilyn. The list of fineable offenses was short as Phil read the infractions, but showed that our members are active in important community activities. Generations Health Care Initiatives announced Bill Gravelle will be one of its new Directors. Jack Schilling and Beth Storaasli are listed as outgoing directors. The YWCA of Duluth presented a Women of Distinction award recently to Melanie Ford. Steve Allison paid for an alleged misspelling in an ad for his seminar. Cathy and Jim Christopherson were recognized for achievements in their successful advertising business. Phil finished his report with a game of “Buck a Buck” in which hunters paid for the deer they shot. Past Pres Larry Fortner read again the slate of officers for the next Rotary year and asked for nominations from the floor.
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Ralph Doty and Jay Parker received awards
in recognition of their donations to the Rotary
Foundation. |
Pres Bonita then asked Phil Silvers to present a Paul Harris Fellowship to Ralph Doty and a sapphire to Jay Parker (4). Paul Harris Fellowship awards were presented last night at the Paul Harris Dinner to Laurel Marie Vose (Dave’s granddaughter), Kyle L. Hecht (Bonita’s grandson), Jared Ostroski (Jerry’s grandson), Robert McCabe (Tom’s son), Annette Strom (Phil’s daughter) and Kenneth Schoen. The following members received sapphires: John Hoff (1), Bob Reichert (1), Bonita Nelson (2), Charlie Grubb (2), Tom McCabe (3), Phil Strom (4), and Dave Vose (4). Jerry Ostroski received a ruby which means he has contributed $7,000 to the Rotary Foundation. All Paul Harris Fellows were then asked to stand.
Announcements
Tricia Bunten made an appeal for frequent flyer miles to be used to help members fly to the Peru project, and asked members to consider quarterly donations to the RI Foundation. Pres Bonita asked all to participate in the Salvation Army Food Drive, and Jon Welles reminded us of the upcoming Bell Ringing during the holiday season. Ashley Borgstrom from C.S.S. spoke about the Basra Project which supplies prosthetic limbs to victims of the Iraq war. Secretary Jeff Fifield read three notes of thanks for our Club’s good works, and Tricia Bunten was rewarded by winning the 50-50 drawing of $99.
Chair of the Day Allen Anway introduced our speaker, Phil Silvers, a former resident of Duluth, former principal of Cathedral High School, and member of the RI Board of Directors. Phil began by telling of visits to many Rotary Clubs around the world illustrated by several amusing stories. He then moved to the current state of economic crisis brought on by unethical behavior worldwide. “What”, he asked “is the role of Rotary among the financial scams of the world”? The “FourWay Test” has been Rotary’s legacy of professional and personal ethics for many years and has served as an example worldwide. Because people everywhere are threatened whenever hunger, disease, or poverty exists, we must lead by example and make a strong effort to teach ethics to young people |
