Minnesota Public Radio® (MPR) is one of the nation's premier public radio stations producing programming for radio, digital and live audiences and operates a 45-station radio network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states. Reaching 900,000 listeners each week, MPR and its three regional services—MPR News, Classical MPR and The Current—produce programming for radio, digital and live audiences. Patty Mester Regional Manager of MPR, will share an overview of the station and their work in Duluth and surrounding areas.
Even with the beautiful day, the Lyric Conference Center at the Holiday Inn was full of Rotarians! President Elaine Hansen called us to attention with the slightest tap of the bell followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and The Four Way Test. Sheryl Homan gave us a humorous and thoughtful invocation on astrophysics, how it happens an astronomer, our speaker, has the last name of Rock, and then the importance of looking skyward for “the heavens are telling the glory of God” with a reminder we are inhabitants of Turtle Island, know to some as North America.
Gary Bubalo introduced our guests followed by a quick launch into fines for the Golden Can. Clearly it was graduation season and there were proud parents and grandparents present. President-Elect Tricia Bunten paid for her son Ben, Chana Stocke paid for her daughter Liza, Brian Liberty paid for his son Joe, and Edie Michalski paid for her grandson Kevin. Assistant Governor Al Makynen was pictured in the Pathways newsletter of the Duluth Benedictine Sisters serving in his role as President of the Duluth Serra Ministry at a social hosted for the Sisters.
Past District Governor Earl Rogers provided insight into his success at selling Trip Raffle tickets. His secret: make the ask and be creative. A ticket can be sold to a group, at work or among friends. He reminded us that each member is asked to buy one, sell one, or sell two or more! What it means for the Club is our ability to make an even bigger difference in the community.
Elaine Hansen announced that the Club along with Barnes and Noble will be hosting a Book Fair in support of the Lowell Elementary School on Friday, June 23rd. Ten percent of all purchases that day at Barnes and Noble will be donated to the Lowell Elementary Library. Members were asked to be at the fair to answer questions about Rotary and to represent the Club during the event.
Chair of the Day, Marc Seigar, introduced our speaker Jim Rock, Program Director of the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium. In addition to research and publications, Jim teaches on multiple topics associated with astronomy including a course entitled Native Skywatchers. In 2011, Jim was the principal investigator for NASA and designed the first Native American experiment for the space shuttle Atlantis. He is an international consultant, instructor, interpreter, activist and author on restoration of sacred sites.
Chairperson of the Day Marc Seigar with Speaker Jim Rock and Jim’s granddaughter and helper Amara.
His opening remarks were the traditional greeting in his native Dakota language, which he then translated. He is a member of the Seven Starfire Nations and he described how everything on and above the earth is interrelated including the earth as mother and the sky as father. His ancestors were on this land called Turtle Island (also known as North America) for ten thousand years, going back to the end of the last ice age.
Jim described the use of sacred tobacco to the four points of the compass and of the eagle soaring in the sky as it carries messages in both directions between earth and sky. He then took us to Twins Baseball to show us the similarities between ancient symbols and the Minnesota Twins logo. The similarities were eerie, striking and difficult to describe with words. He showed us the logo which depicts the Twin Cities with the Mississippi River between yet connected by a bridge. He then showed us a similar representation of ancient symbols representing the river on earth mirrored in the sky by the Milky Way. You were left with no doubt there are connections between ancient and modern peoples, the land and the sky. Our speaker, through his words and visuals, showed us how to see the world in a new way. He blended the language of culture with the language of science.
The Club 25 Trip Raffle kicked off on Thursday, May 11th. The drawing will take place on June 15th but you do not have to be present to win. This year the committee has made an exciting update to the prizes to encourage ticket sales. The cash prizes are based on the number of tickets sold and will be as follows:
One Platinum Level: 20% of purse (up to $7,500)
One Gold Level: 10% of purse (up to $3,750)
Three Silver Level: 5% of purse (up to $1,875)
Five Bronze Level: 1% of purse (up to $375)
The drawing will also include a variety of complimentary hotel room stays. Each Club 25er will be given two $100 tickets to buy or sell. You can pick up your tickets at a Thursday meeting or in the Rotary office. This important fundraiser gives everyone a chance to win these amazing prizes. Contact the Rotary Office at 218-722-0451 or bri@duluthrotary.org with questions. Club 25ers can charge their ticket purchases to their accounts.
Join us for a night on the waterfront at Pier B to celebrate President Elaine Hansen on Thursday, June 29th. The cocktail hour begins at 5:00 pm with dinner served at 6:00 pm. The cost will be $35.75 for Rotarians and $51 for guests. Please register via our website by clicking here.
Is there a book you have been meaning to pick up at Barnes & Noble? If yes, stop in on Friday, June 23rd to purchase the book and 10% of your purchase will be donated to the Lowell Elementary Library. Each year Club 25 donated one book for each speaker at our weekly meetings to an elementary school library. This year Lowell Elementary is the school selected to receive these books. Barnes & Noble is offering this special opportunity to allow Club 25 to donate even more to the Lowell Elementary Library. Just mention Rotary or Lowell Elementary when making your purchase on Friday, June 23rd to increase Club 25’s donation to the library.
The Duluth-Superior Eco Rotary club is in need of volunteers for Grandma's Marathon recycling in the exciting zone behind the finish line. We help finishers decide what is compost, recyclable or garbage and they appreciate our efforts. The two shifts are 6:00 am - 10:30 am and 10:15 am -2:30 pm. A volunteer training meeting will be scheduled soon before the race. This meeting is where you will get your t-shirt, your FINISH LINE ribbon, (this is your pass to get in the area), pins, meal tickets, and drink tickets. We need up to 60 volunteers for this event, so it's important for us to draw people in from other clubs, including your friends, family, and co-workers. Please contact Anna Pulles at:
On Saturday, June 24th the North Shore Rotary Club of Two Harbors will be hosting their ForeKids Couples Golf Tournament at Lakeview National. The tee time is 8:30 am and the money raised will be used for from Silver Bay and Two Harbors students to attend Camp RYLA. The cost is $65 per person, which includes the following:
· 18 holes of golf (6 holes best ball – 6 holes alternate golf – 6 holes scramble)
· Luncheon following play
· Registration gifts valued at over $30 per couple
· Flight awards
The tournament is limited to 20 couples. Reserve a tee time by calling 218-834-2664.
On Thursday, June 8th Rotarians hosted a BBQ for the students at Piedmont Elementary to celebrate their last day of school. Thank you to John Moir, Jim Schwartz, Jerry Peolfske, Allen Anway, Jeff Fifield, Corey Collier and Bill Abalan for helping out. A big ‘thank you’ to Super One who donated the food for the event and The Hills Youth and Family Services for organizing the event!
Allen Anway and Jerry Pelofske caught a quick bite before going back to serving food.
John Moir and Jim Schwartz served hot dogs to the students.
Jeff Fifield, Corey Collier and Bill Abalan were the “Grill Masters” for the event.
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