We meet at

Thursday, June 5, 2025

11:30 AM

 

       

Trevor Wills

Associate Dean of Aviation

 

Lake Superior College’s Center for Advanced Aviation is where aviation maintenance technology, aviation management, and professional pilots’ training occur. Join us as Club 25 takes a behind-the-scenes tour of the hangar where it all happens.

 

 

It is a day for Club 25 to join many other Rotarians as District Governor Kay Parries passes the gavel to our own District Governor-Elect Elaine Hansen. Don’t miss this event on June 10 at 5:30pm at the Kitchi Gammi Club. Please RSVP by June 2 (ehansen906@gmail.com). Tickets are $40 per person.

 

 

 

By Patra Sevastiades

 

Every table was full. Plates were heaped with ham-and-cheese sliders, potato salad, and cole slaw. President Elizabeth Simonson rang the bell and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary 4-Way Pledge.

The person scheduled to give the Reflection was absent. Vinod Gupta volunteered on the spot to give a Reflection. He observed that “when everybody loves you”—if no one is criticizing you—it usually means you haven’t pushed the boundaries. Think about your life, he said, and measure how far you’ve pushed the boundaries.

 

“Short timer” President Elizabeth Simonson

 

“Ever ready” Vinod Gupta 

 

Our guests today were speakers Pez Davila and Savannah Brinson; Brandon Zumwalt of Fryberger Law Firm, guest of President Elizabeth Simonson; and Colleen Kelly, Sarah Lerohl, and Amy Wolcott, guests of Jack Seiler.

 

 

Rob Hofmann announced that two young adults will attend Camp RYLA this July courtesy of Club 25.

President Elect Zach Walters reminded all that President’s Night will be June 16, 5:30 pm, at Pier B. Cost is $60 per person. Theme: It’s a Mystery! Help President Elizabeth solve a crime. RSVP TODAY at renee@trinitycreekllc.com.

 

President Elect Zach Walters invites all Rotarians to President’s Night will be June 16, 5:30 pm, at Pier B

 

Jack Seiler, Chair of the Grants Committee, invited Colleen Kelly of Lutheran Social Services Crisis Nursery forward to receive a $2,000 grant check to help struggling families purchase everything from diapers to formula to baby clothes. Jack also welcomed Sarah Lorehl and Amy Wolcott of the St. Louis River Quest to receive a grant check for $862 to provide bus transportation for 1,400 6th-grade students to attend a half-day field trip on the St. Louis River.

 

Colleen Kelly of Lutheran Social Services Crisis Nursery

 

Sarah Lorehl and Amy Wolcott of the St. Louis River Quest

 

President Elect for 2026-2027 Dan Maki invited all to the annual Adopt a Highway clean-up of a stretch of road along the North Shore. Join us on June 5 at 3:30pm. To be followed by a social at the home of Past President Michelle Buria. Contact Dan at dmaki@ascentialwealth.com or 218-590-3593 to participate!

 

President Elect for 2026-2027 Dan Maki

 

District Governor Elect Elaine Hansen invited everyone to the Passing the Gavel, June 10 at 5:30pm at the Kitchi Gammi Club. Cost is $40 per person. Please RSVP TODAY at ehansen906@gmail.com. Also, using our new Club Runner billing system, Elaine will send out updated invoices to Club members this weekend. (Kudos to Past President Dean Casperson for figuring out how to use the billing system.)

 

District Governor Elect Elaine Hansen

 

Chair of the day President Elect Zach Walters introduced Pez Davila, executive director of Neighborhood Youth Services (NYS). Originally from New Jersey, Pez attended West Virginia University and earned his bachelor’s degree in political science, then attended UMD and earned his second bachelor’s degree in physical education. NYS serves 60 to 80 kids per day, Monday through Friday.

 

Pez Davila, executive director of Neighborhood Youth Services (NYS).

 

Savannah Brinson started working at NYS this February with the help of a $15,000 grant from Club 25. She has a bachelor’s degree in social work from UWS. She did her senior internship with NYS.

 

Savannah Brinson of NYS

 

Savannah helped initiate the Neighborhood Youth Services, Inc., Wellness Collective. Working in coordination with Divine Konnections (www.divinekonnections.org), [ROB—INCLUDE WEBSITE OR NOT??] she meets regularly with groups of youth ages 11-14 and ages 14-18. They do activities related to mental health and well-being: vision boards; “coping playlists” (music helps youth take a break and work through emotions); healthy eating; boxing; mindfulness, yoga, and meditation; and journaling. If they need help with a résumé or job interview practice, she works with them. If they need transportation to or from work, she helps with that.

 

She does a daily check-in with children of all ages on an individual basis.

 

Future activities include sound baths; music and art; support animals; and hikes in nature.

 

The presentation was greeted with applause.

 

President Elizabeth Simonson presented Pez with a check and stated that Club 25 had raised $20,000 specifically for youth mental health services at NYS, as we believe in NYS’s mission.

 

(L to R) President Elect Zach Walters, President Elizabeth Simons, Pez Davila, and Savannah Brinson of NYS

 

Greg Hansen won the 50-50 drawing. President Elizabeth thanked our guests.

 

Next week, we will be meeting off-site at the LSC Center for Advanced Aviation, near the airport.

Correction concerning last week’s Gimlet: FYI: Bob Bennett won the 50-50 drawing last week!

 

 

 

Ages 6-18.

 

 

During the school year, the hours at NYS are 3 to 7 pm, M-F. During the summer, the hours are 8 am to 4 pm, M-F.

 

John Magus, Superintendent of ISD 709, said he appreciates all NYS does. He asked: Is there anything else that ISD 709 can do to partner with NYS?

 

Pez said, no; but he appreciated the fact that when the school can’t reach the parents of children who participate in NYS, the school calls NYS. (For instance, if a parent doesn’t show up for an IEP meeting, a member of the NYS staff often can.) Education is a priority at NYS.

 

 

NYS is located at First Presbyterian Church (which is no longer a functioning parish), 300 E. 2nd Street. NYS is able to use the facility for free! Past President Bill Gravelle said he was a member of the presbytery committee that determined what to do with the vacant church building and is glad that NYS is there.

 

 

Some federal grants that were frozen have reopened. There are no relevant state grants. NYS recently applied to the Minneapolis Saint Paul Foundation for a $500,000 grant for mental health. They also applied to another nonprofit for a significant grant for behavioral health. They like to secure large, multi-year grants when possible.

 

 

Someone who’s neurodivergent may be, for instance, on the autism spectrum or have ADHD or ADD. Two kids at NYS are neurodivergent.

 

 

Pez coaches at schools, and NYS staff attend community events.