Thursday June 22, 2023

5:00 PM to 7:30 PM

At

  

 

A celebration honoring our loveable outgoing President, Barb Perrella! Join your fellow Rotarians for a fun "Great Gatsby" themed happy hour on Thursday, June 22nd from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm in the Moorish Room at the Greysolon.   Enjoy an evening of casino-style games, delicious appetizers and beverages, socializing with fellow Rotarians and a chance to thank Barb for her service. Come as you are or dress for the era!

 

By Darlene Anderson

 

As the start-time for the meeting to begin drew closer, President Barb Perrella was notified that the speaker for the day would not be able to attend due to illness. President Barb Perrella and President-Elect Gary Melander put their heads together and soon a new agenda was ready with the meeting theme: “Tap Dancing”. Rotarians always find solutions!

 

President Barb Perrella then rang the Rotary Bell, welcomed Rotarians and guests and invited all to join her in reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance” followed by the “Rotary 4-Way Test”. The Reflection for the Day was delivered by Vinod Gupta highlighting the “Power of Giving”. To illustrate this theme, Vinod Gupta shared an experience that remains in his memory. One year while bell ringing for the Salvation Army at the Mall a young boy and his mother came out of the store near where he was standing. Three times the boy asked his mother for money to put into the kettle and each time the mother said she did not have any money. Finally, she pulled a penny from her purse and gave it to the boy. With a big smile he dropped the coin into the kettle. Today his smile is still remembered as he gave what he could – a lesson for all of us to give as we are able.

 

Rotarians in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance

 

Vinod Gupta’s shares an example of “The Power of Giving”

 

Self-reports. Jack Seiler dropped $40 into the Golden Can in celebration of his 40^th wedding anniversary. Congratulations Jack Seiler and Cindy Seiler, wishing you many more years together. One of our club's newest members Clark Garthwait announced that he and his wife Diane will be leaving the area in the near future. He has accepted a promotion to be an Assistant Scout Executive and will be relocating to Greenville, NC.

 

Jack Seiler celebrating 40 years of marriage to wife Cindy.

 

 

Clark Garthwait announcing his relocation to Greenville, NC

 

President-Elect Gary Melander announced that the “Party of the Year” will be next Thursday, June 22 at Greysolon Plaza's Moorish Room. The Great Gatsby themed party begins at 5:30 as we celebrate President Barb Perrella’s year of faithful service as club president.

 

Tammy Sundbom shared how the Mental Health Program, that Club 25 continues to support, has impacted many lives at the Boys and Girls Club of the Northland. The mental health internship program began just prior to the pandemic and now is in all six of their sites in the Northland. Tammy Sundbom’s daughter has been serving as one of the interns as part of her degree program at the College of Saint Scholastica. She often tells of the positive changes in the kids as well as how grateful she is to be part of the program. This fall the program will be expanding to include group therapy. Truly making a difference in our communities.

 

Tammy Sundbom shares how Rotary support has made a difference!

 

Past-President Elaine Hansen (and District Governor starting in June 2025!) has just returned from a meeting of the district leaders and brought some updates. The theme for the coming year will be two-fold: Environment and Mental Health. The 2026 District Conference will be held in Duluth and will involve all the clubs in the area working together to make it a successful conference.

 

Past-President Elaine Hansen shares news of the 2026 District Conference coming to Duluth.

 

Additional Upcoming Events: July 1 is the Anniversary of the Outlaw Bridge and we have been invited to join in the celebration in Thunder Bay. Gary Melander will be attending and asked others to join him. Contact him for additional details. July 6 will be the Rotary Club 25 Summer Picnic at Enger Park.  Returning this fall: the Paul Harris Dinner. Date and location to be determined.

 

Question of the day: When did you become a serving Rotarian? Answered by Past-President Dean Casperson, “When I joined other Rotarians building a clinic in Peru. I saw service above self in action.” 

Past-President Dean Casperson shares what it means to be a Rotarian who serves

 

Prior to the noon meeting of Rotary Club 25, Jeff Fifield and Jerry Thoreson were busy taking photos of club members and for some, club member and their spouse. Look for the updated photos in our Club #25 Online Directory.

 

The friendly face of Jeff Fifield

 

 

Bob Reichert updating his Club 25 Directory photo

 

Past President Bill Gravelle sits with wife Barb for a couple’s photo