This week at Rotary
Next Meeting
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Lunch Buffet
Judy’s Delicious Cookies
Doors Open 11:30AM
12:00 PM START
At
Kitchi Gammi Club
This week’s speaker
Past District Governor, Elain Hansen will present "Your Rotary – what is your vision for tomorrow?"
Upcoming Club 25 Events
Rotary Club #25 joins with Twin Ports Clubs as part of Rotary's World's Largest Polio Walk.
Rotary's World's Largest Polio Walk
October 24, 2026 – 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Wade Stadium – 101 N 35th Ave. W
Duluth, MN 55807
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Wednesday, October 14th from 1pm to 3pm
We have 5 spots reserved for our group.
Bonus for this month: Superior Rotary will be volunteering at the same time which will allow for added cross-club fellowship!
“It's always different what we are doing when we volunteer here, but it all helps ending hunger in our community.”
Hi folks! Please save the dates for these 3 great events:
1) Rotary-Life House Thanksgiving Dinner: Tuesday, November 24
2) Boys and Girls Club Decorate The Tree: Tuesday December 1
3) Rotary-Life House Holiday Dinner: Tuesday, December 15
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting
By Renee Burns
The October 8 meeting was called to order by President Dan Maki who asked for the assembled group to start with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test, a copy of which is now on the tables so guests can also participate.
President Dan Maki opening the meeting with a smile and warm welcome in the Great Hall.
The Reflection by Past President Branden Robinson was based on the premise that we have the responsibility to protect others to allow us all to live in safety and peace. (side note, living in safety and peace should be a given, but for many people, most certainly is not) He noted that much of the work of security happens before a threat becomes visible; paying attention, anticipating danger, preparing carefully, and earning the trust of those we serve. One of Rotary’s seven areas of focus is Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention. Each of us has a place where we can build peace by supporting the relationships that make that possible. By acting with character and treating others with dignity. The Four-Way Test we recite at each meeting offers a guide; Truth, Fairness, Goodwill and Concern for everyone affected can help us navigate even the most fraught disagreements.
President Dan Maki welcomed our guests: Judy Sage, guest of Allen Anway and Julia Diggins, guest of Tim Mowbray.
Moving into self-reports, Past President Chana Stocke arrived at the podium without cash, but with a warm thanks to Natalie Junk for hosting a Rotary women’s gathering in her backyard last week. It was a lovely evening and there may be an opportunity for the men to join the fun one of these days as well.
Past President Chana Stocke thanking Natalie Junk for her hospitality.
President Dan Maki reported that he had to miss the well-attended Rotary District Conference last week due to illness, which was a huge disappointment for him but he knows the club was well represented with Past President Dean Casperson and Past President and Past District Governor Elaine Hansen.
Announcements brought Dr. Bob to the podium to say the District Conference was indeed great, and the exchange student’s presentation was very inspiring. His announcement was a reminder that World Polio Day is October 24. Districts across many Zones are participating in a walk for Polio at 10am at Wade Stadium on the 24th. Gates will open at 9:00am and the walk will commence at 10:00am. It’s a free, fun day with many activities. There is a suggested donation at the door and those who donate $20 or more will receive a cute beanie in thanks.
Dr. Bob promoting support for World Polio Day on October 24.
Alison Hanig-Landrus encourages volunteers to sign up for the Second Harvest Northland volunteer opportunity.
Allison Hanig-Landrus announced that Wednesday, October 14 is our volunteer day at Second Harvest Northland. We need five volunteers from 1:00-3:00pm. She will not be there but hopes five Rotarians will step forward to volunteer.
Chair of the Day Tim Mowbray introducing his friend who is also the speaker, Carl Wahl.
President Dan Maki welcomed Chair of the Day Tim Mowbray to the podium to introduce our speaker, Carl Wahl, a retired Secret Service Senior Special Agent. Tim’s introduction could have been long and taken time away from Carl’s program, so he cut to the chase, Carl is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and retired from the Secret Service Air Marshal Service, his posting at the time of retirement, after 40-years.
Carl Wahl provided and excellent and highly informative program about his career in the Secret Service.
Carl started the program by passing around his retired Secret Service credentials, which inspired interest from the gathered Rotarians. After his graduation from UW Eau Claire in 1974, Carl joined the Secret Service in the Milwaukee field office as the third youngest agent in service at that time. His brother was an FBI agent under Hoover, but at that time you needed a CPA or a law degree to serve in the FBI, Carl did not have either but found a home and fulfilling career in the Secret Service.
President Lincoln signed the order to create the Secret Service on April 15, 1865, the same day he was assassinated. Over time the service has changed to meet the needs of the public and those they serve. Their Core Responsibilities are:
- Protective Mission — The agency protects the President, Vice President, their families, former presidents, visiting foreign heads of state, major candidates during election periods, and other individuals designated by law. Protection also extends to key facilities such as the White House and to major national events like inaugurations and the State of the Union. This work involves advance planning, threat assessments, airspace security, counter‑surveillance, hazardous‑agent mitigation, and coordination with federal, state, and local partners.
- Investigative Mission — Founded in 1865 to combat widespread counterfeiting, the Secret Service continues to investigate crimes against the U.S. financial system. This includes counterfeit currency, financial fraud, cybercrime targeting banks and payment systems, and other threats to economic stability. In recent years, cyber investigations have become a major focus, preventing billions in potential economic losses.
The service is most well known for the protection work they provide our Presidents and leadership. After President Lincoln created the service and was assassinated in 1985 there were two more assassinations; President Garfield in 1881 and President McKinley in 1901, a total of three awful incidents in only 36 years.
There was an attempt made on President Theodore Roosevelt’s life on October 14, 1912, at a campaign stop in Milwaukee. The attempt was thwarted by a thick speech folded in his pocket and a glasses case that stopped the bullet. There were no further incidents until President Kennedy’s assassination on November 22, 1963. The 1960s was a time of violence with Presidential candidates and civil rights leaders killed. It was the assassination of Robert Kennedy that sparked the inclusion of protection of Presidential candidates.
The job is not glamourous; it calls for constant vigilance and surveillance of crowds to ensure those wanting to do harm are not given access. The Secret Service also provides coverage at high level special events like the Olympics and Presidential Inaugurations.
As well, the service is vigilant about ensuring the nation’s currency is kept safe and not counterfeited. At one point in our history one of every three bills in circulation was counterfeit!
Examples of counterfeit currency.
Carl was part of a team that uncovered the largest counterfeit operation in the State of Minnesota when they uncovered in a raid, boxes of $100 bills for a total of $19 million dollars in counterfeit money!
Rotarians showed their appreciation for an exceptional program with a loud round of applause!
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Club 25 – 100 Years Ago This Week
By Jerry Thoreson
The Gimlet
Vol. 10, No. 50 • October 13, 1926
Roll Call: Members 134. Visiting Rotarians 4. Guests 94. Total 232.
Honor in Business. More Than Words.
One hundred years ago, The Gimlet featured a quote attributed to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow reminding readers that honor in business is measured not by profits or possessions, but by kindness, fairness and integrity.
The Gimlet followed with a challenge to Rotarians that remains just as relevant today. Knowing the principles of Rotary is one thing. Putting them into practice is another.
As the writer concluded, “Rotary asks more of us than that we simply endorse its efforts. We must do.”
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