Monday, June 16, 2025

President’s Night Party

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Our meeting this week will be held on MONDAY, June 16 at PIER B, to toast President Elizabeth Simonson at the “almost” conclusion of her Rotary year.  There are still a few seats available for the shenanigans of an evening most foul.  If your plans allow you to be there, contact Renee Burns, renee@trinitycreekllc.com or 218-310-2627 and reserve your spot.  This will be a fun, interactive evening with a special appearance by Inspector Clue-So. 

On Tuesday, June 10 a momentous occasion was witnessing our very own, Past President Elaine Hansen transitioning from District Governor Elect, to District Governor in a beautiful event at the Kitchi Gammi Club.  The gavel was passed from now, Past District Governor Kay Parries to now District Governor Elaine Hansen, witnessed by a large number of Rotarians from across the district and more than a dozen from Rotary Club #25.  District Governor Elaine Hansen began the evening with meaningful and thoughtful remarks that are even more significant in these turbulent times and are certainly worth printing here in the Gimlet for all to appreciate.

 

“As we gather tonight, let us remember that Rotary removes barriers, unites dedicated individual in service to change the world for good.  Through fellowship and action, we strive for international peace and to provide a lasting impact – as we “Unite for Good”, the motto for the 2025-2026 Rotary Year.

For over 120 years, Rotary has embodied these values to help change the world for the better.”

 

 

District Governor Elaine Hansen with Greg Hansen, Barbara and Past President Bob Bennett

Past District Governor Kay Parries and others

 

Jim Landwehr and Past President Sandy Hoff    

 

Past Presidents Michelle Buria and Barb Perrella, Renee Burns, President Elizabeth Simonson and Bob Reichert

 

News of the Gavel Passing was greeted with a standing ovation for Past President and District Governor Elaine Hansen!

 

Past President and District Governor Elaine Hansen accepting the enthusiastic applause of Club #25 Rotarians!

 

 

By Renee Burns

 

A lively gathering of Rotarians and guests were welcomed by President Elizabeth Simonson with great authority and a hearty ring of the Rotary bell.  Upon testing the microphone situation Past President Sandy Hoff noted a hot mic and a hot President!   

 

Greg Hansen offered a fitting reflection that noted the high impact initiatives that Rotary achieves.  The good Rotarians do through fundraising is in turn felt in the local community, particularly with regard to youth and helping to meet their physical and mental health needs.  Rotary International has come close, through a multi-year effort to eradicate polio in the WORLD, and through countless other work that positively affects not only our local communities, but the world, in ways large and small.  As Rotarians, what ideas do you have for high impact initiatives?

 

 

Greg Hansen offering a thoughtful Rotary Reflection

 

Being the close of the Rotary year is fast approaching, we took care of the necessary work of the club to ensure a smooth transition from one President’s term to the next.  President Elizabeth Simonson stepped to the microphone to offer the slate of officers for 2025-2026 as follows:

            President Zach Walters

            President Elect Dan Maki

            Secretary Patra Sevastiades

            Treasurer Jen Smith

            Past President Elizabeth Simonson

The slate of officers was passed unanimously, though President Elizabeth Simonson noted she would like to nominate herself for another term….

 

At this point of the meeting there was an unexpected visitor!  An Inspector Clue-So barged into the meeting and announced there was something afoot at Club #25!  In his rumpled trench coat and ruffled hair, he apprised the group that there was a dastardly plan in the works that involved members of our esteemed club, and our help was needed to solve this issue!!  We were told to arrive at Pier B at 5:30pm (on the dot) on Monday, June 16 to assist him with his investigation.

There were gasps of shock and awe at this unexpected appearance and Renee Burns advised the group that there were still spots available for the gathering on June 16 to recognize President Elizabeth Simonson’s Rotary Year.

 

Inspector Clue-So – AKA Rob Hofmann

Amid all the drama, there were some notable announcements that were recognized with contributions to the Golden Can:

 

Bob Reichert announced that his Cousin, Mikie Sherrill has won the Democratic primary to advance to the Governor’s race in New Jersey, sounds like we have a future program in the works!

 

Greg Hansen had a happy and notable announcement that he has been named one of the top 10 accountants in the State of Minnesota!

 

Anthony Nordan in his previous club asked a prospective member to join Rotary and that person has now joined the club, with shows how rewarding it is to simply ask someone to attend a meeting.

 

Finally, in an already busy meeting, Past President Sandy Hoff, or as President Elizabeth Simonson formally made the introduction, Sanford Hoff, strode to the podium to introduce our Speaker, Dante Tomassoni the Director of Corporate and Government Affairs at Cirrus Aircraft.

Dante is the son of David Tomassoni, a respected and effective Iron Range State Senator who passed away from ALS too soon, in 2022. 

 

Dante began by providing important statistics about Cirrus which has been in business for a remarkable 40 years already.  Cirrus has 2,800 employees, with 1,700 in Duluth and had $1.4 billion in revenue in 2024.  Notably 96% of the Cirrus aircraft is made with parts manufactured in the United States and sourced in 28 states through 520 supply chain partners.

 

Cirrus is known as the plane with the parachute, and is to date, the only one with that very important safety feature.  As Cirrus continues to strive for excellence and innovation, they develop new and better ways to assist pilots in flying their planes, leading to the highest safety rating in all of general aviation and a two-year waiting list for their planes.  One such feature Dante talked about was the “safe return” button on the pilot’s dashboard.  This button finds the nearest airport and will fly the plane there if something happens to the pilot during flight, with a series of easy to understand commands for a passenger to follow.

 

Cirrus parachute in action

Cirrus produces two types of aircraft, the SR Series, the original concept plane and the Vision Jet.  The success of these aircraft has created a wait of two-years for the SR and two and a half years for the jet.  Through creativity and an eye to unique safety features and continual improvement, Cirrus has gained a place at the top of the general aviation industry and we’re fortunate to have such a company call Duluth their home.

 

Dante Tomassoni, Cirrus Director of Corporate and Government Affairs

 

Past President Sandy Hoff, Dante Tomassoni and President Elizabeth Simonson after a very interesting presentation on Cirrus Aircraft