We Meet at Noon on Thursday

October 28, 2021

Plated Meal Served

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

Emily Vikre

Co-Founder and CEO

Vikre Distillery

 

Emily Vikre is a native Duluthian that will tell her story of the founding of Vikre Distillery.  How having no background in distilling or in business she and her husband Joel built a craft distillery from an idea into a business that employs 37 people and distributes spirits to nine states.

 

By Al Makynen

 

The room was buzzing with energy on what was an otherwise cool day.  There were multiple guests who added to the fellowship including prospective members Kevin Hagen of Northshore Bank, Vinod Gupta of Ameriprise Financial, and Rose Misiewicz of Jamar Company.  The Rotary Reflection by Past Assistant Governor Phil Strom was about World Polio Day (October 24^th) where in the Rotarian Magazine for October the cover story is about our “Delivering on a Promise”!  We do make a difference.

 

The fellowship report was fast and furious with a crowd rushing forward to stuff the Golden Can.  Allen Anway was pleased that in a feature article, Positively Superior Magazine was able to spell his company’s name correctly (A2D2).  No word if they could spell Allen’s name.    Jay Ott, the owner of Positively Superior Magazine, claimed all was correct.  This reporter did not do any fact-checking on spelling – and rarely does.

 

Jay Ott is positive that Positively Superior Magazine got it right

 

Assistant Governor Tricia Bunten paid a double fine for having sold a home and bought a home with the help of Sheryl Homan.   When paying for two Rotarians involved in two events would that not be a quadruple fine?  Phil Strom paid in honor of Zack Walters, who was absent, for a nice article in the newspaper about the Jungle Boy Gym.  Grant Hauschild announced he is the proud father of an 18-month baby boy, Henry, with a daughter on the way.  The announcement delays were a result of not being at Rotary due to the pandemic.  Visiting Rotarian Bill Gronseth got caught up in the excitement of attending his old club and paid for his granddaughter’s first birthday.

 

Grant Hauschild announcing his expanded family

 

President Chana Stocke was clearly proud of the volunteer effort during the 36^th Annual Rotary Rose Day!  She made a special point of thanking each member for their time to make the sale a success.  She read from a long list, not in alphabetical order, which is included here!  Treasurer Elaine Hansen, Ruth Westra, Steve Hadley, Jay Ott, Geiger Yount, Foundation President Jerry Pelofske, Phil Strom, Past President Al Makynen, Brett Kinney, Dave Fulda, Grant Hauschild, Jennifer Smith, Gary Melander, President-Elect Barb Perrella, Mary Niemeyer, Jeff Fifield, Liz Simonson, Tom Homan, Past President Branden Robinson Doug Erickson, Tom Young, Greg Hansen, Mark Peterson, Past President Bill Gravelle, Renee Mattson, and Jenny Peterson.

 

Rotary Roses at Mount Royal with Al Makynen, Brett Kinney, Geiger Yount, Elaine Hansen, and Jay Ott

 

Rotary Roses at Super One with Ruth Westra and Dave Fulda

 

In addition to volunteer efforts, and raising funds for community grants, members through the Rotary Foundation make a difference around the world.  Phil Strom, Chair of the Rotary Foundation Committee, recognized Tricia Bunten with a Paul Harris Fellowship, with diamond ($10,000), signifying her as a Major Donor.  In her acceptance, she was a bit surprised that monthly contributions to the Foundation had accumulated so quickly!

 

 

Tricia Bunten reflecting upon receiving her Paul Harris Fellowship with Diamond.  Phil Strom looks on.

 

 

Chair of the Day, Al Makynen, introduced our speaker Frank Frederickson, Vice President of Minnesota Power.

Speaker Frank Frederickson

 

Frank was energetic and quick to acknowledge that not everyone in the room was a mechanical or electrical engineer - and that was a good thing!  So first we had to be grounded on the basics of electrical generation, distribution, and consumption – from the smallest residential to the largest commercial customer.  Some were shocked to learn power is generated at the moment of consumption, delivered at the speed of light.  The national grid is in a continuous state of balance.  There is no storage capability.   That day needs to come in order for continued progress on the use of renewable energy as the sun does not always shine and the wind does not always blow.  Minnesota power has reached 50% from renewable sources.  By 2035 it is planning to be at 80% with known technology.  Its aspirational goal, requiring yet to be developed and scaled technology, is to be 100% renewable by 2050.   The challenge is to maintain quality electrical service which includes:  (1) reliability, (2) sustainability, and (3) affordability. All must be achieved, none can be sacrificed.

 

Minnesota Power, its customers and service area

 

  Minnesota Power’s plan for the future