Thursday, May 22, 2025

Lunch Buffet

Doors Open 11:30 AM

At

 

 

Join fellow Club #25 Rotarian Rob Hofmann for a thrilling 20-minute adventure as he slashes through the tangled jungle of film production in Duluth, Minnesota. With the spirit of Indiana Jones, Rob Hofmann and his guests will reveal the basic building blocks of filmmaking, explore why more productions are choosing our region, and uncover the powerful incentives that make this cinematic journey a smart investment—for our community and perhaps for you. Don’t miss this exciting glimpse at what lies just beyond the horizon for Duluth’s film future!
 

 

 

By Al Makynen

 

With the strike of the bell by President Elizabeth Simonson, all conversation ceased!  This is an amazing occurrence to witness.  A room filled with high powered “Type A” professionals who stop on a dime at the sound of a tiny bell!  The Rotary Reflection was given by Rob Hofmann who for a change of pace did not let us sit down.  Perhaps this was an indication of the duration?  He reflected that there are bridges between cultures, generations, and peoples.  Some bridges are crossed with hope.  Others are burned.  There are many actual bridges in the world.  The Brooklyn Bridge in New York is a triumph of engineering.  The Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama is a painful crossing that reshaped America.  The fictional Bridge on the River Kwai, depicts the blurring of the lines between duty and delusion.  And the most famous bridge is the Outlaw Bridge built in 1917 over the Pigeon River by the Rotary Club of Duluth (USA) and the Fort William Port Arthur Club (CANADA) without benefit of international treaty approval.

 

Rob Hofmann reflecting on what bridge to cross

 

It was neat to see a large number of guests and a visiting Rotarian.  If ever you want to meet interesting people, visit a Rotary Club either in Duluth/Superior (cross the Blatnik Bridge while you still can), or when on vacation, or when traveling to far flung places domestic or international.  As a Rotarian you will be welcomed around the world.

 

With multiple self-reports the Golden Can was in fine form.  Former club member, Dave Holappa, was first up with a payment of $22 for all his past years in the Club. Hopefully someone at his table (host) gave him a paper application or directed him to our Club Website to join!

 

Former member Dave Holappa paying the Golden Can with 11 $2 bills saved for the occasion

 

Jack Seiler put in a sizable investment into the Golden Can as he attempted to explain a recent article about his being an “investor” in the Alhambra Theater opening May 16 which is located next to the West Theatre at 319 North Central Avenue.  As he stated; an investor expects a return.  Not expected to happen.  A lender expects the money to be returned.  Not likely to happen.  A donor is a better description. Congratulations for making things happen in the City of Duluth.

 

Jack Seiler explaining why he is putting his remaining $20 into the Golden Can

 

Superintendent of Duluth Schools, John Magas was proud to announce a significant increase in the graduation rates.  Although more work is to be done so that all schools and all groups participate he was pleased to see the improvement.

 

Superintendent John Magas contributing $5 for the 5% increase in graduation rates

 

No less proud was our very own recently published author, Patra Sevastiades of her book “Grace Unbound: The Sacred Activism of an Orthodox Bishop.”  Even better there will be a book reading and signing event on Thursday, May 22 at 6:00 p.m. at the Kitchi Gammi Club.  A short reading with thoughtful questions and answers to follow, including refreshments.

 

  Patra Sevastiades is excited about her recently published book

 

Elizabeth Simonson reported that her home in the woods north of Duluth was located 2 ½ miles away from the fire and that she was in the “Set to Evacuate” zone.  She contributed to the Golden Can in honor of all firefighters.  Geiger Yount of the Caring Committee reminded everyone to sign the condolences card at the registration on the death of former member Bob Johnson.  Before calling up the Co-Chairs of the Gala and Auction Committee, Elizabeth Simonson called up Rob Hofmann to auction a Raffle Basket not picked up by the winner.  Unfortunately, the winner was not one of the registered Pre-Event Tickets sold by Tom Young.  The basket of libations donated by Sandy Hoff was very popular.  The box at the Gala was virtually stuffed with tickets.  Al Makynen walked the room to display the basket of wine and liquor.  Branden Robinson was the eventual winner at $139.75.  I am not sure how this amount was arrived at by the Auctioneer, who clearly lost control!  Co-Chairs Greg Hansen and Al Makynen gave a brief summary of the results of the Annual Rotary Gala and Auction.  Not all expenses are in.  Net income from the event for the Pledge Fund in support of Community Grants was not yet available.  This information to be reported out next week.  What was known is that there were 101 people in attendance.  There were 19 members of the Committee who worked from an organizational meeting in January to weekly meetings in April to put on the event.  During the Paddles-Up portion of the event at the end of the Live Auction, $32,000 was raised in minutes for our two special causes.  Youth Mental Health (Local) raised $19,000.  Polio Plus (International) raised $13,000.  All members of the committee were recognized with those present asked to stand:  Renee Burns, Dean Casperson, Jeff Fifield, Elaine Hansen, Greg Hansen, Rob Hofmann, Sheryl Homan, Morgana Kolenda, Al Makynen, Bonita Nelson, Jon Ohman, Barb Perrella, Christa Scheider, Jim Schwartz, Patra Sevastiades, Elizabeth Simonson, Chana Stocke, Jerry Thoreson, Tom Young.  Rotarians again have proved that we give of our time, talent, and treasurer.  Let us put to rest the myth that our club members do not volunteer or participate.

 

Gala and Auction Committee Co-Chairs, Greg Hansen and Al Makynen, reporting.

 

The next order of business was to have a very proud father-in-law, Chair of the Day, Greg Hansen, introduce Erik Cooper, Assistant Project Manager with the Minnesota Department of Transportation.  As a member of the major projects team coordinating the work of the Twin Ports Interchange (a.k.a. “Can of Worms”) and the Blatnik Bridge Replacement Projects, Eric Cooper was able to give us an in-depth report.  The current bridge was constructed in 1961 with a length of 8,000 feet, 120 feet above the harbor channel.  Today, the bridge handles 33,000 vehicles per day.  However, due to age and conditions, the maximum vehicle weight allowed is at 60% of the original design.  As a result, the detour required for heavy loads (which must stay on State Highways) between Wisconsin and Minnesota would be 160 miles if the Bong Bridge is not available.  Not good for interstate commerce. As a result, the #1 At-Risk Bridge in the MNDOT system is the Blatnik Bridge.  However, our speaker did make clear that the bridge is safe.  The structure has been maintained.

 

The study to replace the bridge was started in 2020.  Steps included (1) conceptual design, (2) screening of options, (3) multiple agency reviews, (4) Federal and State submittals for funding.  Many options were considered including a tunnel under the harbor.  When all options were analyzed, the replacement of the bridge within the current alignment (right of way) was deemed best.  On the Wisconsin approach, seven businesses will be relocated to allow for a sweeping curve.

 

There were 38 stakeholder meetings during planning.  A working group of all permitting agencies are meeting regularly.  Funding for the project is nearly complete.  Currently, the Federal Highway Administration has committed $1B.  Minnesota and Wisconsin have each committed $400M.  A remaining $200M needs to be secured for the $2B price tag.  The joint project is being led by Minnesota, which has elected a Design-Build approach.  With the design firm and contractor selected, the work can proceed more quickly and economically.  Contracts to be awarded in 2026.  Construction to begin in 2027.  Completion in 2031.

 

There is nothing normal about a project this large and complex.  As one engineer observed:  “Normal is just a setting on your dryer.” 

 

Speaker Erik Cooper with Chair of the Day and Father-In-Law Greg Hansen

 

The new Superior Wisconsin approach to the Blatnik Bridge