We Meet at 5:30 PM on Thursday

May 5, 2022

At

This is the Club's largest social and fundraising event.

 

Come just for the great meal and fellowship.

 

Participation in the fundraising (live and silent auction) are up to you.

 

 

 

By Traci Marciniak

 

Rotarians met at the Boat Club Restaurant in the historic Fitger’s complex. The windows overlooking Lake Superior let the beautiful sunshine stream in, reminiscent of a lovely summer day, but everyone present knew it was still feeling like winter out there! President Chana Stocke called the meeting to order. Since the Boat Club was sans piano AND flag, Rotarians dove right into reciting the Rotary 4-Way Test.

 

Two staples of a Rotary meeting are The Golden Can and The 4-Way Test

 

(L to R) Dave Fulda and President Chana Stocke

 

Dave Fulda headed to the podium to give the day’s reflection, which centered on the topics of imagination and hard work. Imagination is the start of all good things. Rotary and Club 25 are where we are today because of the imagination of countless Rotarians who came before us. Dave Fulda shared wise words of wisdom we can all use: “Focus on the goals and not the barriers” and “keep it simple, keep it real, and keep it going.”

 

Past President Dean Casperson kicked the Golden Can and let the group know that he and his wife, fellow Rotarian Patra Sevastiades, had their European river cruise cut short when 60% of the passengers tested positive for COVID, resulting in a 7-day quarantine in Vienna in a hotel room overlooking the Danube and mountains. Hmm, that doesn’t sound too bad…

 

Past President Dean Casperson

 

Past Assistant Governor President Al Makynen paid $33 for every year he has been a member of Rotary and in honor of his birthday. Rotarians sang a rather out-of-tune Happy Birthday. Jerry Pelofske read aloud from a certificate of appreciation given to Club #25 for participation in the Northeastern American Indian Science and Engineering Fair.

 

Past Assistant Al Makynen “Kicking the Golden Can”

Jerry Pelofske with a Certificate of Appreciation

 

We all know that Rotarians are nothing if not resourceful and creative, so when President Chana Stocke announced the day’s speaker was unable to attend, she quickly pivoted the meeting agenda to “Plan B” - featuring Club #25 committee updates.

 

Jim Schwartz, Chair of the Grants Committee, awarded the Duluth Center for Women and Children a $1000 grant to the First Ladies of the Hillside group. Julia (Jules) Williams was there to receive the award and, in a voice filled with emotion, shared the good work the group has been doing and her gratitude for the support of Club #25.  Jim Schwartz provided information about recent grant awards from the Club’s $20,000 grant budget. He indicated that the grants committee will be approaching the Rotary Foundation to support a couple of additional grants this fiscal year.

 

(L to R) Julia (Jules) Williams, Duluth Center for Women and Children with Jim Schwartz

 

Rob Hofmann, Co-Chair of the Junior Rotarian RYLA Subcommittee updated the group on RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) activities. Club #25 has budgeted for five high school sophomores or juniors to attend the camp this year. The process for nominations will be different this year due to timing issues, so please reach out to Rob Hofmann or Tom Young for more information.

 

Paul Helstrom, Chair of the International Services Committee discussed recent activities of the committee with regard to the South Soudan Leadership and Community Development program. He indicated there may be an upcoming international service opportunity in Belize to construct bathrooms in an area that does not have a central sanitation system.

 

   

 

Past Assistant Governor President Al Makynen updated the group on May 5^th’s Annual Rotary Club of Duluth Dinner and Auction scheduled for Thursday, May 5 at the Marshall School Cafeteria. The 22-person auction committee has been working hard and has planned a fun evening including raffles, silent and live auctions, the ever-so-popular and entertaining “Heads and Tails” game, as well as a delicious meal prepared by Gary Schneider from G.B. Schneider. Remember, the deserts that will be up for auction are being made by fellow Rotarians! Yum!

 

Jerry Thoreson pulled the winning ticket for the 50/50 drawing and the lucky winner was Jeff Fifield.

 

Rotarians of Club # 25 enjoying fine food, great fellowship, and a beautiful view of Lake Superior