August 24, 2023

For Those Attending in Person

Buffet

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

(Link Sent Thursday Morning)

At

 

Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity

 

 

Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity helps families in three Minnesota counties escape from unsafe, unhealthy living conditions. Even more: it helps them break the cycle of poverty and begin to build long-term financial security. Research has shown that decent housing improves health, increases children's educational achievement, and strengthens community ties.

 

With over 25 years of energetic nonprofit leadership—including her work as CEO of Stop Foodborne Illness in the Chicago area and president/CEO of Make a Wish Foundation of Oklahoma—Deirdre "retired" and moved to Minnesota to be closer to aging parents. She worked for the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. Now, she uses her business acumen and nonprofit management skills to help create stable housing and the many benefits that derive from it in our region.

 

By Patra Sevastiades

 

So many people attended the meeting that finding a seat was a challenge! President Gary Melander led the singing of the national anthem, with Past President John Baumgarten on the keyboard. All recited the Rotary 4-Way Test.

 

President Gary Melander opens the meeting with a song

 

Past President Dean Casperson delivered the Reflection. He observed that community events like the Lester River Rendezvous and Rotary parallel one another. They promote collaboration, community engagement, and the connection of individuals at the grassroots level—building up the community.

 

Past President Dean Casperson celebrates community-building in his Reflection

 

Five guests were welcomed by President Gary Melander: Will Holz of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, guest of Past President Barb Perrella; Bruce Smith, Rotary past president from San Marcos, Texas; Captain Anthony Nordan of the Salvation Army, who recently relocated to Duluth from Fergus Falls; and Former Past President Dan Bergeland, who was joined by Sarah Adams, a former Rotary exchange student from Club 25 to Merida, Mexico.

 

 

Sarah Adams, a former Club 25 Rotary exchange student to Mexico, visits

 

Love was in the air among the self-reporters. Corey Collier announced that he was married in July. Jerry Pelofske honored his 52^nd wedding anniversary. Past Assistant Governor Al Makynen celebrated his 34^th wedding anniversary.

 

Corey Collier announces he is “off the market” as of last month—he got married!

 

Jerry Pelofske celebrates his 52^nd wedding anniversary.

 

Past Assistant Governor Al Makynen honors his 34^th wedding anniversary.

 

President Gary Melander reminded all that the Rose Sale is coming, headed ably by Past President Barb Perrella. Informational fliers about this major fundraiser graced each table.

 

Jerry Pelofske evoked the season of snow and cocoa when he announced this year’s Salvation Army bell-ringing opportunities: Friday, December 8, and Friday, December 15, 11am-1pm, at all five local SuperOne stores. Get ready to ring those bells!

 

Jerry Pelofske recruits bell-ringers for the Salvation Army Red Bucket campaign

 

Geiger Yount announced her 62^nd wedding anniversary. She invited Rotarians to volunteer to be greeters—our annual tradition—at the annual Lake Superior Harvest Festival at Bayfront, to be held on Saturday, September 9. Contact Geiger!

 

Geiger Yount celebrates her 62^nd wedding anniversary and seeks volunteers for the Harvest Festival at Bayfront

 

Former Past President Dan Bergeland noted that 45 years ago, Geiger Yount and he led the successful Club 25 effort to create new Rotary club partnerships in Mexico.

 

President Gary Melander welcomed our speaker, Lindsey Whitlinger, Committee Chair

of the 24^th annual Lester River Rendezvous. This free event, open to the public and funded by donations, is being led by a Rotarian (from Harbortown).

 

President Gary Melander welcomes our speaker, Lindsey Whitlinger

 

Lindsey Whitlinger shares the magic of the Lester River Rendezvous

 

The Rendezvous will be held in Lester Park on Saturday, September 30. Vendor booths, food, and fun are paired with a Voyageur Village: a Northland fur trading camp with twenty historical re-enactors recreating life in the 18th and 19th centuries. Want to learn about hatchet throwing? Blacksmithing? Firing a cannon? This event is for you!

 

 

The Rendezvous—which celebrates history—has a history of its own, rooted in a love of community. Started in 1998 by Lindsey’s father and a committee of Lakeside enthusiasts and the Lakeside Lester Park Business District, it has been going ever since (aside from a hiatus caused by the pandemic). Lindsey picked up the post-pandemic pieces, recruited a new committee, established a 501(c)(3) organization, secured sponsors, invited re-enactors and food trucks, and in her spare time created a website. Want to help on September 30? Email her at LesterRiverRendezvous@gmail.com.

 

Past Assistant District Governor Phil Strom won the 50/50 drawing.

 

Overheard after the meeting: Captain Anthony Nordan, previously of Fergus Falls and now in Duluth with his family, said, “I will soon transfer my membership to Club 25.” Hurray!

 

Jim Schwartz sells David Fulda tickets while Past President Dan Bergeland and Jerry Pelofske look on

Your 2023/2024 Club #25 Board