|
President Tricia Bunten got the attention of a rowdy crowd not unlike the one at the start of a Vikings football game at the old Metropolitan Stadium. Past President John Baumgarten at the piano helped us get through the Star Spangled Banner by playing in a key more of us could sing. Past President Dick Carlson gave us our invocation comprised of an expanded version of the beatitudes compared to the purpose of Rotary. Our motto of “Service Above Self” holds up well. Past Assistant Governor Phil Strom worked the room on behalf of the Golden Can. First up were Jeff Iisakka and Barb Perrella, each receiving a work zone fine for their work to get the Lyric Kitchen – Bar establishment ready to open in October replacing Porter’s Restaurant. As President of the Miller-Dwan Foundation, Tracy Marciniak was fined for the promotion on local television of the ARTcetera gala fundraiser. Dr. Jay Parker, affectionately known as Doctor Pollen, left his money for the Golden Can in recognition of his 45th wedding anniversary. Getting a bit lyrical, the Fellowship Reporter first tagged Doug Erickson for his trip to Idaho to witness the total eclipse of the sun, and then for the birth of his first grandson, Bennett Erick Remakel. And proof that you can never run away from your past, Tom Wheeler was fined for an article in the Zenith City which reported on the birth of his Grandfather Bert in Duluth on this date in 1870. The Fellowship Report ended with a “Rotary Moment” describing one of the Club’s past signature projects, the Outlaw Bridge. This automobile bridge, built across the Pigeon River between the United States and Canada, was dedicated on August 18, 1917. This joint project of the Duluth Rotary Club and the Fort William - Port Arthur Rotary Club was built across an international border without authorization from either country. Erica Anderson was called up to read her winning entry to the Rotary District 5580 Four Way Test Essay Contest. She had previously won the contest sponsored by our Club. Her essay described in detail how a Federal judge could have applied each part of the Four Way Test in making his ruling against the immigrant travel ban. Several announcements provided opportunities for service. Jim Schwartz discussed the Rotary Back Packs for Kids at the Second Harvest Food Bank starting on September 8th. Jerry Pelofske updated members about the joint project with the Superior Sunrise Rotary Club for a Habitat for Humanity house in Superior on Saturday, September 16th. And not to be forgotten, Matt Rosendahl gave an update on our progress by team for Rotary Roses along with a sales tip on how to utilize others outside of Rotary to help sell tickets. And Matt had with him his trusty sidekick Past President Dave McLean to hold up posters and lawn signs available to assist members. New members Bob Kase, left, and Tom Eling, right, with President-Elect Steve Yorde. Next was a rare and grand occurrence, the introduction of two new members! And who better than the new members to do their own introductions? Tom Eling, CPA under the classification Certified Public Accounting – Tax, works at WIPFLI at their offices on London Road. Tom is married with five children and one grandchild. Tom was sponsored for membership by Deborah Medlin and Past President Bill Gravelle. Bob Kase, under the classification Universities – Administration, is the new Dean of the School of Fine Arts at UMD. Bob is an accomplished trumpet player, a performing artist who has worked with many stars including Frank Sinatra. Bob is a Rotarian, previously a member of the Joliet and Stevens Point Rotary clubs. Bob was sponsored for membership by Tricia Bunten and Rob Hofmann. After Bob’s introduction, John Baumgarten could not contain himself and had to announce to the Club that Bob was also an accomplished pianist! And then on to the main event. The introduction by Chair of the Day, Jon Ohman, of a 1966 graduate of Superior High School and of one of the Minnesota Vikings’ Purple People Eaters, Doug Sutherland. In addition to his fame by playing with the Vikings (1971 -1980) and in three Super Bowls, Doug is currently a successful businessman and a member of Superior Rotary Club 40. Doug shared with us his journey in professional football, starting with being a 14th round draft pick from a Division 3 school to his first day of preseason practice where he competed with a total of 36 rookies and veterans for six spots on the team. At multiple points in his reflections, he stated how honored he was to have played in the NFL. One telling remark was when he compared his $12,000 annual salary in his early years to today where players receive that amount for a signing event! His prepared remarks were brief by design so that he could answer more questions. This was clearly a crowd pleaser as question after question were thrown at him. Here are two examples. What was it like to have Bud Grant as a coach? “Bud Grant did not tolerate mental mistakes. He did not yell. He just stared. You knew when you made a bad play.” Players were not allowed to wear gloves no matter what the temperature, although the coach had his hands in his fur lined jacket pockets. When does a player know it’s time to retire? “When they give you a plane ticket home.” Speaker Doug Sutherland, President Tricia Bunten and Chairperson of the Day Jon Ohman |
.jpg)
