|
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting By Al Makynen The Duluth Rotary Club is the place to be for fellowship on Thursday. After singing America the Beautiful in honor of Memorial Day, Past Assistant Governor Al Makynen delivered the Rotary Reflection on the idea of a sense of place and our goal as Rotarians to make a difference as we remain ever mindful of the needs of others. A reminder was given that our meeting next week ( November 16) will be at the Kitchi Gammi Club. Do not spend time circling the Holiday Parking ramp and then find out you are in the wrong location! Jerry Thoreson our resident photographer left his plate, soup, and cookie (at risk) to catch the vibe in the room President Gary Melander called upon Past Assistant Governor, Phil Strom (Chair of the Foundation Committee) to come forward for a special presentation. Past President Michelle Buria received a Paul Harris Fellowship Pin with three sapphires. This represents a cumulative gift to the Rotary International Foundation of $4,000. Michelle Buria remarked that she was surprised at having achieved this level of giving. She had signed up for regular electronic giving to both the Rotary International Foundation and to the Rotary Club of Duluth Foundation. She stated it is easy to do and, encouraged everyone to do the same. President Gary Melander keeps a watchful eye as Michelle Buria accepts her Paul Harris Fellowship Pin The chair of our Membership Committee, Zach Walters has celebrated a recent series of new member introductions. Our newest member Will Holz, remarked that he joined Rotary to become more to give back more. He was drawn to Rotary Club #25 due to the cumulative knowledge of its members. Zach Walters looks on as new member Will Holz addresses the Club Saturday is Veterans Day. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the armistice was signed in Paris to end the Great War. (Later to be known as World War I.) Armistice Day was officially proclaimed by a Resolution of Congress in 1926. It was made a National Holiday in 1938. An Act of Congress in 1954, signed by President Eisenhower, proclaimed it Veterans Day. Many Club Members have served in our armed services. Serving in the Air Force: Past President Bob Bennett, Doug Erickson, Steve Hadley, Jim Monge, Jack Seiler, Harvey Smith, and Bill Sozansky. Serving in the Army: Craig Fellman, Past President Bill Gravelle, Jon Ohman, and Phil Strom. Serving in the Navy: Scott Frankovich, Jon Helstrom, Tom Homan, and Jeff Wencl. Air Force Veterans Doug Erickson and Bob Bennett Army Veterans, Phil Strom, Bill Gravelle, and Jon Ohman Chair of the Day, President Gary Melander introduced Tom Schaer a foster parent from New Hope for Families. New Hope is a not-for-profit organization located in the former St. Anthony Catholic Church building located at 1028 East Eighth Street, with the mission to create a community of support for all adoptive and foster children and families. The effort sprang from a desire to address the orphans that are hidden within the foster care system. New Hope is an emergency foster care center with a contract with St. Louis County to receive children ages newborn to age 18 on a 24-7 basis. It is a Christian-based organization fulfilling the words of the Bible's James 1 admonition that "true religion" is to take care of orphans in distress. The facility is licensed to house up to six children with an exemption for up to eight if there are siblings involved. The children are transitioned either to permanent placements or if possible, returned to their parents within thirty days.
|
.png)
