We Meet at Noon on Thursday

October 7, 2021

Plated Meal Served

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

 

Matt Baumgartner

President

Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce

 

 

Duluth has both challenges and opportunities.  We are faced with a shortage of workforce, housing, and childcare services. Supply chain issues have resulted in inflation. Mental health and homelessness need more attention. Property taxes are on the rise. These are complex challenges.  We also have opportunities. The diversity of our economy is to be celebrated. We have increased economic development with businesses experiencing strong demand. There is palpable energy with new leaders and new entrepreneurs within our city. So, how can we leverage our opportunities to address the challenges?

 

 

By Rob Hofmann

 

A FULL HOUSE! Rotarians and guests found themselves in a more intimate setting within the Grand Ballroom than what we are accustomed to. Rotarians are a resilient lot, and when our friends at the Holiday Inn asked if we could accommodate their need for extra room for another meeting – Rotary Club #25 said YES!

 

President Chana Stocke rang the bell to bring us to order and led Rotarians and our guests in the Pledge of Allegiance and Rotary Four-Way Test. Your humble Gimlet reporter Rob Hofmann was host to Jessica Petersen, Development Director for the Depot Foundation - who was a Club #25 Denfeld Junior Rotarian.  Welcome back, Jessica! Our guest speaker was a visiting Rotarian from the Duluth Superior Eco Rotary Club - Brandon VanWaeyenberghe.

 

 

President Chana Stocke, Past President Branden Robinson, Visiting Rotarian and Speaker Brandon VanWaeyenberghe and Past President Bob Bennett

 

Our Reflection this day was provided by Assistant District Governor Tricia Bunten who spoke on Rotary International’s October theme – Economic and Community Development. 1.4 billion employed people live on less than $1.25 a day, or $460 a year! 1.4 billion is the equivalent to the entire population of India or the entire USA multiplied 4 times.  In our hometown of Duluth, 18.2% of our population falls below the poverty rate – that is a family of four living on less than $24,000 a year. Of course, the work we do as Rotarians in raising funds to help the Salvation Army feed families, grant-making to help strengthen the local community, and our support of programs that target the most vulnerable does make a difference. Yet, we as members of Rotary Club #25, can accomplish more when we focus our minds, hearts, and souls!

 

Fellowship Reports are always a delightful way to learn what fellow Rotarians are accomplishing in their lives… And a way to raise a little bit of cash.  Allen Anway was proud to announce that he received his booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine. Dave “Iron Man” Fulda (and his nephew Brian Fulda) completed the Duluth Traverse - a 42.49-mile mountain bike ride that burned an average of 3,000 calories a day for two days while they enjoyed spectacular fall colors.

 

President Chana Stocke listens intently to Dave (Iron Man) Fulda as he explains where “burned calories” go!

 

Zach Walters let it be known that when anyone purchases Bzzy Coffee from Yellow Bike Coffee of Hermantown, proceeds go to support his boxing program! Rob Hofmann added $2.00 to the golden can announcing a new addition to the Hofmann family – no, not a newborn – but a new first cousin through the genealogical research performed by Kathleen McQuillan-Hofmann.  President-Elect Barb Perrella reminded us that the Rotary Rose Sale is winding down. Sold tickets and money will need to be turned in at our next meeting. Those Rotarians who are unable to sell roses can still support the sale by giving a donation.  For every $10.00 donated the Rotarian will be credited for a dozen roses sold.  Jon Ohman let it be known that more volunteers are needed for fun-filled fellowship shifts during Rose Distribution Day – Friday, October 15 and Saturday, October 16^th. 

 

 

 

Zach Walters holding an invisible bag of BZZY Coffee 

 

President Elect Barb Perrella talking Roses

 

Patra Sevastiades provided well-earned recognition to the many businesses and nonprofits who support the Rotary Rose Coupon Book.!  A call also went out for program ideas for our 3^rd Quarter   All are encouraged to email program co-chairs Renee Mattson and Al Makynen with recommendations.  Just what the heck is “Duckpin Bowling” anyway?!  Find out by emailing Mary Niemeyer to RSVP and join fellow Rotarians on Wednesday, October 13^th 4pm -6pm at Skyline Social & Games!

 

Although one could not call today’s program Brandon², Chair of the Day Branden (that’s with an e) Robinson introduced our esteemed guest speaker Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra (DSSO) Executive Director Brandon (that’s with an o) VanWaeyenberghe who shared his tall tale of a true “comeback-kid story”.  The DSSO has been a Twin Ports feature since 1932 and currently has 70 musicians, two-thirds of whom are area residents. In September of 2019 Mr. VanWaeyenberghe, a sometimes rodeo cowboy, rode into town to take the reins of a wily and hungry steed!  The DSSO had a deficit of $374,000, a maxed-out line of credit, and numerous unpaid vendor bills. Undeterred, Mr. VanWaeyenberghe was able to tame the beast to the point whereby December 2019 greener grazing seemed just ahead.  Until – that dastardly, no good, thieving varmint COVID-19 rode into to town! Well, the DSSO had to shutter up while – canceling the remainder of the 2019/2020 season. Yet, just over the horizon came a glimmer of hope. The cavalry came with PPP forgivable loans, and an SBA loan of $150,000, plus $15,000 in donations and 400 new donors!  A new pardner (WDSE) came-a-riding to the rescue with live broadcast capabilities of DSSO concerts that reached people in 35 states and a few foreign lands. All of which helped to keep musicians employed, pay off the line of credit, and end the 2020 fiscal year near breakeven.  That villain COVID has a new name, Delta, but our new sheriff in town along with his posse of friends has what it takes to keep making beautiful music.  No slow ride into the sunset for the DSSO. Giddy up!

Brandon VanWaeyenberghe illustrates the “social distancing” of musicians