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The Gimlet
Volume 107 #35
 
This Week at Rotary
We Meet at Noon on Thursday
March 3, 2022
IN PERSON & ZOOM
For Those Attending in Person
Plated Meal
(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)
(Link Sent Thursday Morning)
At
Holiday Inn Downtown
 
Richard Wolleat
Northwood Children's Service
 
Putting Children First and Foremost in Duluth, since 1883
Located in Duluth, Minnesota, Northwood Children’s Services provides holistic and professional care, education, and treatment for children with severe emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities.
Established in 1883, Northwood is the oldest and largest organization of its kind in Minnesota.
Northwood is a private, nonprofit, tax-exempt agency committed to building positive change in children’s lives.
 
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting
By Traci Marciniak
 
Rotarians met in the Lake Superior Ballroom at the Holiday Center, and via Zoom, on a rather cold, yet sunny day. President Chana Stocke rang the bell and called the meeting to order. Rotarians sang the national anthem accompanied by Past President John Baumgarten on the piano and recited the Rotary 4-way Test.
 
Past President Branden Robinson shared some statistics showing the need for robust mental health services for kids and teens. He stated, that seventy-five percent of all mental illnesses appear before the age of 24, and suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in the 10 to 24-year-old age group. In addition, diagnosed mental illness is the number one reason kids drop out of school. As a society, we can do better for our kids. As a Club that has provided support for mental health services, we have made a difference.
 
Past President Branden Robinson
 
President Chana Stocke announced that Rotary turned 117 years old yesterday, February 23. Happy Birthday Rotary!
 
Jerry Thoreson announced that 10 years ago, on February 19, 2012, he launched his career in social media marketing. A year later he met Branden Robinson and the co-founders of  Destination Duluth and launched their Facebook page which has become a popular website featuring all the beauty and wonder of Duluth and the North Shore, inspiring people to visit and move to Duluth. The photos of Destination Duluth’s Facebook and Instagram pages have received a whopping 500 million views! He kicked the Golden Can with a $500 gift to the Rotary Foundation of Duluth in honor of the 500 million views! Thank you!!!
 
Skeeter Moore paid a work zone fine to acknowledge the three Olympic speed skaters who have participated in the NorthShore Inline Marathon in the past.  Steve Burgess paid a work zone fine for being named the Wisconsin Banker of the year. This prestigious award represents a lifetime of achievement in the banking industry. He encouraged fellow Rotarian and co-worker Mark Peterson to kick the Golden Can as well.
 
Steve Burgess
Past President Michelle Buria announced that RSM has spun off its financial advisory services and created a new company called Choreo, of which Michelle is now part owner. Past President Michelle also presented a check to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland to support their mental health program. An anonymous donor gave $5000 to be added to the grant committee award, totaling $13,700.00!
 
(L to R: Alexis “LiLi” Ihrig, Tammy Sundbom, Past President Michelle Buria and President Chana Stoke)
 
Past President Michelle Buria introduced Tammy Sundbom, Resource Development Director; and Alexis “LiLi” Ihrig, Mental Health Coordinator, both with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland. Rotary Club #25 has a special relationship with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland providing funding to launch and support the kid’s mental health access program.
 
Boys & Girls Clubs of America had its beginnings in 1860 and has grown to include 4,400 clubs across the United States. Duluth’s first club began in 1971 and now there are four locations in Northern Minnesota with expansions planned in Superior, Wisconsin and Hibbing, Minnesota. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the clubs to be closed to clients, however club personnel were able to continue supporting their clients and families by providing more the 4,000 meals to more than 53,000 people.
 
 
 
The mental health access program began with staffing provided by interns from local colleges. In fall 2021, LiLi Ihrig was hired as the full-time mental health coordinator. LiLi works out of all Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland branches and acts as a case manager. She works with kids individually, as well as their parents, and also teaches a number of different skills groups for the kids. LiLi is able to refer kids to one of five strategic care partners if they require a higher level of mental health care. The Rotary Club #25 grant helps cover the cost of co-pays, medications and more, if needed. LiLi shared a story of “Johnny,” a boy she has worked with at the club. While Johnny has experienced significant challenges in his young life due to trauma and abuse, the relationship he and LiLi forged, along with the skills he has learned, has put him on a hopeful path for the future. And that’s the difference good mental health care can make in a child’s life.
 
LiLi Ihrig drew the winning 50/50 ticket, which was Skeeter Moore’s. He walked away with $28!
 
Jim Schwartz with Brian Fulda
 
District Treasurer Elaine Hansen, Patra Sevastiades, Jeff Fifield Ready for Cinco De Mayo?
This Week's Meeting
Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Holiday Center Great Lakes Ballroom
200 W. Superior St
Duluth, MN
United States of America
VenueMap
Venue Map
Speakers
Mar 03, 2022
Putting Children First and Foremost in Duluth, since 1883
Mar 17, 2022
Ice at the North Pole
Mar 24, 2022
Great Lakes Aquarium - Beyond the Classroom
Mar 31, 2022
Apr 07, 2022
Get to Know Conservation Corps Minnesota!
Apr 21, 2022
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Auction Committee
Holiday Center & Zoom
Mar 03, 2022
1:00 PM – 2:14 PM
 
Rotary Board of Directors
Zoom
Mar 15, 2022 3:30 PM
 
Rotary Board of Directors
Zoom
Apr 19, 2022 3:30 PM
 
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Zach Walters
February 4
 
Renee Mattson
February 7
 
Geiger Yount
February 8
 
Justin Terch
February 12
 
Sheryl Homan
February 12
 
Steve Hadley
February 16
 
Mike Murray
February 23
 
Therese Spehar
February 26
 
Join Date
Elaine Hansen
February 3, 2000
22 years
 
Douglas Erickson
February 4, 1999
23 years
 
Zach Walters
February 4, 2019
3 years
 
Jerry Thoreson
February 5, 2020
2 years
 
Al Makynen
February 9, 1989
33 years
 
Branden Robinson
February 14, 2008
14 years
 
Dale Johnson
February 14, 1974
48 years
 
Jon Helstrom
February 16, 1984
38 years
 
Gary Bubalo
February 17, 2000
22 years
 
Kjell Knudsen
February 18, 1999
23 years
 
Darlene Anderson
February 21, 2008
14 years
 
Mary Niemeyer
February 22, 2018
4 years
 
Katrina Pierson
February 24, 2020
2 years
 
Stacy Oltmanns
February 25, 2019
3 years
 
Christopher McMahon
February 26, 2020
2 years
 
Jim Schwartz
February 26, 2004
18 years
 
Official Publication of
Rotary Club of Duluth
207 W. Superior St.
Suite 201
Phone:218-722-0451
Duluth Minnesota 55802
 
Editor:
Rob Hofmann
218-464-2895
 
Writers:
Darlene Anderson
Rob Hofmann
Al Makynen
Traci Marciniak
Phil Strom
Steve Yorde
 
Photographer:
Jerry Thoreson
 
 
Rotary Office Hours:
By Appointment Only
Until Further Notice
Website: duluthrotary.org