This Week at Rotary
We Meet at Noon on Thursday
December 8, 2022
IN PERSON & ZOOM
For Those Attending in Person
BUFFET LUNCH
(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)
(Link Sent Thursday Morning)
At
Holiday Inn Downtown
Tony Dierckins
Publisher
Chair of the Day: Holly Mirau
Duluth Myths Debunked!
“Duluth once had more millionaires per capita…,” Legend of the Ship Canal Dig, Mark Twain’s quote: “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in Duluth”…
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting
By Al Makynen
The Ballroom was filled with the sound of the National Anthem once Past President John Baumgarten wrestled to the ground the misbehaving piano. The Club then approved funds by acclamation to fix the piano. Past Assistant Governor, Al Makynen provided a Rotary Reflection on servant leadership. The Club exists to serve the members. The District exists to serve the Clubs. The District Governor exists to serve the District.
Past Assistant Governor Al Makynen reflecting on servant leadership
President Barb Perrella introduced a number of guests of which two have submitted membership applications. They are Reid Sheldahl, guest of Tom Young and Nancy Erickson, guest (and spouse) of Doug Erickson. It was rumored that if we keep this up we will need to change our moniker of “A Club of Old Men - and their Fathers” to a “Couples Club”! Also attending was visiting Rotarian, First Gentleman, Pat Spott.
Members have warmed to the limelight of self-reporting.
Rob Hofmann, our resident actor on stage and screen, paid a work zone fine for his speaking part in the new movie
Merry Kiss Cam, filmed in Duluth and streaming on Hulu. If you have not seen the movie yet, or even if you have, there will be a screening of the movie at our December 29 regular Thursday meeting.
Patra Sevastiades donated to the Golden Can for having run in a Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot with her seven-year-old granddaughter.
Wednesday, December 7
th is our Holiday Party at Pier B. Invitations have been sent – check your email. If possible be there slightly before the start time of 5:00 p.m. to witness the nightly lighting of Bentleyville. You will have a ringside seat. This social event does
NOT replace the next day’s regular meeting when we will have author Tony Dierckins as our speaker.
Jerry Pelofske worked the crowd to fill the Salvation Army Bell Ringing slots for Friday, December 9 and Friday, December 16. Great job getting us inside (warm) locations at Super One Foods! But you may get a call if there is an opening. Be prepared to say
yes. Past President
John Baumgarten was thrilled to announce that as a result of the reminder sent by our Treasurer and District Governor Elect Nominee,
Elaine Hansen, we
exceeded our goal of raising $5,000 to fund, with our partners 1,000 Salvation Army Christmas Food Baskets. Thank you for your generosity!
John Baumgarten announcing we exceeded our Food Drive goal!
President
Barb Perrella as the Chair of the Day introduced our speaker and program, District Governor Kay Biga. Our District Governor knows us well having joined Club #25 in 1996 before founding the Duluth Superior ECO Rotary Club. In her travels visiting so far 57 of the 62 clubs of the District, clubs that range in size as small as 9 to 100+, she has learned, commented upon, and shared much. This year the theme is “Imagine Rotary”. Imagine ways in which Clubs can grow and serve their community, nation, and world. “Women in Rotary” is a campaign to diversify, attract more people to Rotary, and grow.
Jennifer Jones this year becoming the first woman President of Rotary International is the crowning achievement.
Making “the ask” to have others join you in Rotary is one of the best things you can do for your friends, family, and associates. Governor Biga described her club visits in the district, nation, and international. There are many and varied ways that clubs are formed, grown, and serve. There are singing clubs, Veteran’s clubs, theme clubs, couples clubs, all-women, and yes -all men clubs. Finding what works in your area is the key. And for established clubs to stay relevant and vibrant, change can be hard, but necessary. On a number of metrics, Governor Biga had praise for Club #25. Our Club membership is 33% women and we are a part of a District that leads the State, Nation, and World. Our public image is positive through our proactive Facebook page. Our support of the Rotary International Foundation is outstanding. Our long-standing commitment to youth and the RYLA program is commendable. Our fundraising for community grants makes a difference. And we have retained and added hands-on projects for opportunities for service.
My sense is our Club got more than a passing grade.
Past President Chana Stocke, President Elect Gary Melander,
President Barb Perrella with District Governor Kay Biga
Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) – A life-changing experience
Boys and Girls Club Christmas Decorating
By Dan Dock
Rotarians from Duluth Rotary Club 25 and Skyline Rotary festively decorated the Boys and Girls Club. The Rotarians untangled Christmas lights, put up the tree, and hung the ornaments. The tables, doorways, and walls, exhibited signs of Christmas. Cookies abounded! The kids who saw them were dazzled.
Thank you to the Rotarians who made this happen: Jerry Pelofske, Jim Schwartz, Mark Leutgeb- Skyline Rotary, Dan Dock, Tammy Sundbom, Patra Sevastiades, Past President Dean Casperson, Karen Dock, Stacy Oltmanns, Darlene Anderson, Geiger Yount
The Holiday Decorating Crew