We Meet at Noon on Thursday

August 25, 2022

For Those Attending in Person

Buffet

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

(Link Sent Thursday Morning)

At

 

Kelly Krieg-Sigman

 

The history and background of this signature project of the downtown La Crosse Rotary Club will be presented, with an emphasis on how and why this project can be effectively implemented in the greater Duluth area in collaboration with the Every Child Ready Duluth initiative.

 

Chair of the Day Jim Schwartz

 

By Steve Yorde

 

Fellow Rotarians and guests arriving at the Holiday Inn were energized by the largest crowd in recent memory!  Great friendship, food, and an excellent program awaited: Duluth writer Tony Dierckens introduced his limited release book Duluth’s Grand Old Architecture 1870–1940.

 

President Barb Perrella led with America the Beautiful accompanied by Past President John Baumgarten.  The Four-Way Test was next, followed by Past President Brandon Robinson’s Reflection focusing on the topic of design.  Design is in everything we do and say, how we live our lives in truth to ourselves, our family, and one another.  He cited our State Capitol’s architecture as an example of exceptional architecture and design, noting that this quality also exists in our beloved “City by the Lake.” 

 

Rotarians and guests sing: America the Beautiful

 

Renee Mattson with Brandon VanWaeyenberghe, Executive Director of the DSSO

 

Visiting guests and Rotarians were introduced, including Past District Governor Earl Rogers, Judy Rogers, Past Assistant District Governor Harry Podgorski, Marin LaPlante, Blake Johnston, Holger Glatzel (visiting from Germany), Callie Hoff, Braden Hoff guests of Past President Sandy Hoff, and Tim Leutgeb from Skyline Rotary. Brandon VanWaeyenberghe, Executive Director of the DSSO, was the guest of Renee Mattson.  Announcements were made concerning the Skyline Rotary’s Peach Sale, our own Rose Sale, the Dragon Boat Festival, Superior Rotary’s annual Raffle, the Harvest Fest at Bayfront Festival Park, the North Shore In-Line Marathon and the Rotary Club of Duluth’s Foundation Scholarship program.

 

Skyline Rotarian Tim Leutgeb and Rob Hofmann talk Peaches and Rose Tickets

 

Jon Ohman updates Rotarians on upcoming Rose Sale

 

 

Jerry Pelofske shares news of the Club #25 Rotary Foundation Scholarship

 

Past President Branden Robinson

 

Past President Branden Robinson returned to the podium to introduce Minnesota Book Award finalist Tony Dierckens, author of two dozen books and owner of Zenith City Press.  Tony recognized co-author Maryanne C. Norton who volunteered at the Duluth Public Library’s Reference Department.  While she passed away in 2018, Maryanne was invaluable to Tony’s completion of Lost Duluth and today’s topic.

 

Our speaker Tony Dierckens

 

Tony wrote this book to “tell the history of Duluth” through stories of how the community developed, where early Duluthians “lived, worked, shopped, prayed, played, and learned.”  He provided an in-depth review of the book’s ten chapters beginning with famed Chicago architect Daniel Burnham, known worldwide for designing the 1895 Chicago World’s Fair.  The “Burnham Plan” in 1908 was adopted by the city and was part of the popular “City Beautiful” movement, which aimed to inspire harmonious social order by constructing appealing public buildings.  The result was the Duluth Civic Center including the St. Louis County Courthouse, City Hall, and eventually the Federal Building. 

 

The 1889 Duluth City Hall ca. 1942,

 

Another famous architect, Oliver Traphagen, designed Duluth’s police headquarters in 1889, the Duluth Bethel, the county’s first courthouse, the fire department’s engine house #1, and numerous private homes still functioning today.  Tony related fascinating stories about Duluth high schools and UMD in his Educational Edifices chapter.  His Houses of Worship chapter features architectural histories of Catholic churches, Temple Israel, Protestant churches including Pilgrim Congregational, and First Presbyterian, among others.   Vignettes about the Duluth Benedictines, two Board of Trade buildings, the Armory and the Alworth Building are all in this book, a “must-have” for all to appreciate and enjoy. 

 

Portland Malt Shop

 

Little known fact: early gas stations were designed by architects to set their clients apart from the competition.  Witness today’s Portland Malt Shop.  President Barb Perrella concluded the meeting by saying, “Tony, you are a treasure to our community.” 

 

The 50-50 drawing produced another record-breaking win for Gary Melander.  Congratulations! 

 

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!  Help Club #25 sell Rose Tickets at Skyline’s peaches distribution from Friday, August 26th to Sunday, August 28th at Hermantown Sam's Club! See Rob Hofmann or email rhofmann@d.umn.edu