We Meet at Noon on Thursday

March 31, 2022

For Those Attending in Person

Plated Meal

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

(Link Sent Thursday Morning)

At

Dr. Tolar will speak about medical education, the Duluth campus and collaboration with the health systems in Duluth. Jakub Tolar, MD, PhD, became Dean of the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2017 and Vice President for Clinical Affairs at the University of Minnesota in 2018. Dr. Tolar also serves as Board Chair for the University of Minnesota Physicians (M Physicians), a multi-specialty group practice for the University of Minnesota Medical School faculty. Dean Tolar serves as the Campus Public Health Officer for the University of Minnesota College System, a role that has been pivotal during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 

By Al Makynen

 

A typical March spring day in Duluth.  At least it was white outside.  No one at my table could believe that President Chana Stocke came back from Palm Springs!  Our gathering location had changed to the Lyric Conference Center having been railroaded out of the Ballroom by a BNSF event.  Past President Brandon Robinson gave the Rotary Reflection about the common bond of Lake Superior.  It is a gift to be enjoyed and protected.  

 

The Golden Can raised a few dollars as Rotarians celebrated events in their lives. Dan Maki was proud to kick the can to honor Past President Sandy Hoff’s daughter Callie Hoff who received the 2022 Laura Hurd Award for being the top player in NCAA Division III Women’s Hockey.  As a mentor to Callie, Skeeter Moore also contributed. Geiger Yount paid in celebration of 33 years in Rotary.

 

Mark your calendars and plan to attend several upcoming special events.  Our annual Dinner and Auction is Thursday, May 5th at Marshall School.  If you have items you wish to donate for the Live Auction, Silent Auction, or Raffle, contact Committee Chair, Past Assistant Governor Al Makynen, (218-343-2515) to arrange to bring items to the Rotary Office.   And this year June 2 is a special Presidents’ Night (note the placement of the plural possessive) at the Garden (formerly known as Grandma’s Sports Garden) to celebrate the Presidential years of Chana Stocke, Dean Casperson, and Michelle Buria.

 

Chair of the Day, Skeeter Moore, made quick work of introducing our two speakers from the Great Lakes Aquarium. First up was Jay Walker, Executive Director and fellow Rotarian of the Duluth Superior ECO Rotary Club, followed by Alexis Burke, Director of Learning and Engagement.   As the #1 paid attraction in Duluth, (190,000 visitors in 2021) its mission is to “connect all people to the water and wildlife”.  The 55 employees and 170 volunteers are accomplished folks using in-house talent to win national awards for their interpretive exhibits. 

 

Speaker Alexis Berke, President Chana Stocke, Speaker Jay Walker

 

The Aquarium has a significant education component with learning engagement through field trips, camps, early childhood programs, teacher training, and a teacher resource center.   And what Rotary meeting would be complete without volunteers to assist in understanding the diurnal vertical migration of Lake Superior.  Yes, you read that right.  And further, the best way to learn is through play!  And, Rotarians know how to play.  So with that, a number of members came forward to play the roles of the daily vertical biomass migration of the lake.  There were algae, crustaceans, and fish, with the system driven by the sun.

 

If you have not been to the Aquarium lately, get yourself down there – and bring your children or grandchildren!

 

Speaker Jay Walker instructed Patra Sevastiades (Sun) and Zach Walters (Green Algae)

 

Rotarians Zach Walters (Green Algae), Jeff Fifield (Zooplankton), Jim Schwartz (Shrimp), Junior Rotarian (Whitefish) and not pictured Rose Misewica (Trout)

 

New and expanded H20 Interactive Exhibit at the Great Lakes Aquarium