Thursday, August 14, 2025

Lunch Buffet

Doors Open 11:30AM

At

 

     

Captain Rick Slatten

St. Louis County Rescue Squad. 

 

Chair of the day: Elizabeth Simonson

 

Rick Slatten is the captain of the St. Louis County Rescue Squad. The Rescue Squad is a group of approximately 95 highly trained, experienced, and well-equipped volunteers who are ready to search for and rescue our loved ones anywhere in the County. They also help to find and catch those who have broken the law and try to hide in remote areas.

 

Rotarians! We have an opportunity to help fight hunger in our area! Rotary Club # 25 has partnered with Second Harvest Northland to assist them in their mission to create a hunger-free Northland at their new facility in West Duluth.  Come. Join. Have FUN! 

For more information about Second Harvest Northland visit: https://secondharvestnorthland.org/ Thank you for considering this opportunity! To sign up, contact: Daniel Maki

 

By Darlene Anderson

 

The Great Hall of the Kitchi Gammi Club was filled with Rotarians and guests when President Zach Walters rang the Rotary bell and extended a warm welcome. Matt Baumgartner's Reflection commented how often we spend a lot of time trying to understand why people behave the way they do - and often that isn't easy. Sometimes we get it right, and often we don't. Rotary's Four Way Test: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? helps us to course-correct leading us to see differently, think differently and lead with empathy.

 

 

President Zach introduced today's guests: Jim and Linda Paulsen, Roger and JoAnn Miller, Wayne Bouche, Blaze Zenner, Mike Cuzzo, Deb Amberg. Dan Daughterty (former member), Bob Heimbach (former member), Dave Holappa (former member) and his spouse Chris. These were all guests of Jim Landwehr who probably set a new record for guests at one meeting. Also joining us were Natalie Junk (soon to be member) and her guest Deb Evans; Chris Pelofske, wife of Jeff Pelofske, and Bob McClellan of the Superior Rotary Club.

 

Just a few of our many guests

Geiger Yount calling for Harvest Fest volunteers

 

Announcements included Geiger Yount asking all to sign the card for Past President and Assistant District Governor Phil Strom who is recovering from surgery at Ecumen Lakeshore. She also is recruiting volunteers for the Harvest Festival Greeter Team on September 6 at Bayfront Park. President-Elect Dan Maki shared that Wednesday, August 13, is our club's opportunity to assist at Second Harvest from 1:00-3:00. Bob McClellan of the Superior Rotary Club invited all to the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival on August 22 and 23. This is the 25^th year for the fundraising festival and please join them for a time of fellowship and fun.

 

President-Elect Daniel Maki calling for Second Harvest volunteers

 

Bob McClellan of the Superior Rotary

 

The Rotary Rose Sale is celebrating its 40^th year as it began in 1985. Past President Gary Melander noted that in the 39 years the club has raised $1.35 million that has been given back to our community. The sale began with former member and Past-President Dave Allison sharing the idea he had heard about from a club in Kansas City. Over the years there have been many memorable experiences such as the year the rose sale date had to be changed because our roses did not pass US customs. A Colombian cartel thought they could get their drugs through customs in boxes of Rotary roses. A second rose order had to be placed, and distribution date delayed. But the best memories are those of Rotarians working together to sell and distribute the roses. Two Rotarians hold the record for most roses sold: Arnold Nides who sold 500-750 dozen every year and Past President and Assistant District Governor Phil Strom who sells 100s of dozen of roses each year. To all the Rotarians past and present we thank you. And now for this final year we ask that we have 100% participation celebrating 40 years of service! Or as Past President Gary Melander declared: 100 for 40! To see a video of highlights of the Rose Sales through the years, go here.  

 

Past President Gary Melander

“Let’s make the Rose Sale’s 40th anniversary the best! “100 for 40!”

 

Kicking the Golden Can Jerry Pelofske shared that he and Chris have celebrated their 54^th wedding anniversary. Congratulations Jerry and Chris.  Jay Ott said that his four sisters were visiting him and Vicki for the weekend, and he survived thus donating to the Golden Can.

 

Happy 54^th Wedding Anniversary Jerry and Chris Pelofske

 

Chair of the Day Jim Landwehr introduced his friend Dr. Steve Hennessy who is a 40-year law enforcement professional having worked for the FBI (in the days of J. Edgar Hoover) and as a professor at St Cloud State University. His 30 years of research assist him in understanding why cops act as they do. Dr Hennessy noted that 64 years ago he was introduced to Rotary when he was a Junior Rotarian in Littleton, Colorado. Over the years he has studied thousands of police personalities and their ways of communicating with each other and the public. Studies measure personality factors using the Myers-Briggs Test as well as Law Enforcement Personality Profile and other instruments. As he has studied those in the police profession and comparing to the general public there are distinct differences. One of the most distinct differences is that 70% of police are the Sensing-Thinking type (doing things in order, having a routine) where in the general public survey only32-42% fall into this category. The personality category that only 5% of police officers fill a category of Intuition/Feeling (able to skip steps in a process and having compassion). Studies show that there is a great difference in how people look at issues, other people, and how they react in varied situations. While one can't change a person's personality style, one can learn how to adapt and develop. Understanding the different personality types also helps management to know which roles a person is best suited for and where they can use their skills most successfully.

 

President Zach Walters with guest speaker Dr. Steve Hennessy