In the Great Hall of the Kitchi Gammi Club, President Elaine Hansen welcomed the Rotary Club members and their guests. She invited all to stand to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” followed by Past President Dick Carlson’s invocation.
Fellowship Reporter Mark Eckman introduced each guest and our Rotary Club exchange students and thanked them for joining us for today's meeting. Since it had been a quiet week for Rotarians in the news, there was only one person present to add to the Golden Can. A few weeks ago Gary Bubalo was seen at the 71st AAD Shrine Circus when it came to Duluth.
A highlight of every club meeting is the presentation of grant checks to local organizations. This week Grant Chair Michelle Buria introduced Laura Bixler and Katie Beck from Babies Need Boxes. Next to the registration table, there was a sample of the box given to new mothers so newborns have a safe sleep place. Our funds will be used to purchase items that are placed in the boxes.
Laura Bixler and Katie Beck of Babies Need Boxes accept a check for $1,084 from Michelle Buria.
Needing little introduction to Club 25 was Todd Johnson, CEO of Boys and Girls Club of the Northland. The funds given by Club 25 will be used for their summer learning program entitled “Summer Brain Gain”. This is an 8-week fun, educational program that aims to prevent summer learning loss and keep kids on track for their upcoming school year.
Todd Johnson, Skyline Rotarian, accepts a check for $4,250 for the Boys & Girls Club of the Northland from Michelle Buria.
The Woodland Hills Fishing Trip is quickly approaching. Jim Schwartz said there are 40 youth that want to go fishing on June 9th. However, if a few more boats and fishing guides are not found, a few of the youth may have to swim. Please contact him if you are able to “Take a Kid Fishing” the morning of June 9th.
Gary Bubalo extended an invitation to the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Gary New Duluth Veterans Memorial starting at 9:00 am on May 29th. Club 25 assisted in the funding for the memorial’s renovation and this would be a good time to come and see it. Mayor Emily Larson and Lake Superior College’s Daniel Fanning, US Army Iraq War Veteran, will be the speakers.
After next week's meeting, Craig Fellman asked that we meet at the Clearwater Grill for the Roadside Clean-up of Club 25's segment of Old North Shore Scenic Drive. Once the work is completed, Craig will treat all for refreshments at the Grill for social hour.
Challenging us to sell Trip Raffle tickets was Master Salesman Earl Rogers. Each member should have received their two tickets which sell for $100 each. The drawing for the raffle will take place on June 15. Earl has sold 30 tickets and challenged us to each do our part or for Skeeter Moore to beat him. The proceeds from the raffle help our club to “Make a Difference” in our community.
Prez Elaine announced that the May Fellowship Breakfast would be held on Friday the 26th at Valentini's. There will be a breakfast buffet prepared for us to enjoy at 7:30 that morning, along with lots of good fellowship. Come and join us!
One of the longest running water sports in the Duluth area has been the Duluth Rowing Club of which Past President John Baumgarten is an active member and treasurer. Other members of the club were our speakers: Michael Cochran and our own Jenny Peterson. Both are avid rowers with Mike rowing now for over 50 years and Jenny competing and placing in the top five at multiple national competitions.
The Duluth Boat Club was founded in 1886 and was largely funded by Julius Barnes, a local grain merchant and head of the Chamber of Commerce. He helped to build the new boat house on Park Point which not only included a place for the boats but also a dorm and dining hall for the rowers in training. The sport was very popular at that time and the Duluth rowers were able to compete at the national level and bring trophies back to Duluth. In 1916, the National Championship was held here complete with a .8 mile long grandstand and thousands of people attending.
However, in 1926 the Duluth Boat Club went out of existence until 1955 when it was reorganized. Today the tradition continues and flourishes with the building of the new Duluth Rowing Center. The Rowing Club has two key programs. One is the youth program focusing on kids 13-18 years of age. Each summer about 125 young people participate in the 10-week program learning not only how to row, but how to care for the equipment and an appreciation of being on the water. The club provides this experience at an affordable fee and scholarships are also available.
The adult program includes 40-50 adults who enjoy the low impact sport. Some are recreational rowers and others are competitive rowers. The oldest rower in the club is a 75 year old woman. So truly, a sport for all ages.
However, in recent years the old Boat Club buildings were showing their age and the boat house was literally falling into the water. In 2012 the club was told of a large inheritance gift they would receive and that brought the dream of a new boat house to life. After drawing up plans and working for three years to obtain all the needed permits, the new Boat House is coming to life. The new facility broke ground and should be completed by the time the summer youth program starts. And so the tradition of Duluth rowing continues.
Today's book donated to the Denfeld School Library “Invincible: History of the Duluth Rowing Club” was written by one of today's speakers, Michael Cochran, graduate of Denfeld High School.
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