This week at Rotary
Next Meeting
Thursday, May 21, 2026
This week’s menu at Rotary
House salad
Pasta Bar – Meatballs and Chicken
Marinara
Alfredo
Dinner Rolls
Doors Open 11:30AM
12:00 PM START
At
Kitchi Gammi Club
This week’s speaker
Fred Friedman
Public Defender, Instructor and Baseball Fan
Fred is a prominent Duluth, Minnesota attorney, law professor, and the longest-serving chief public defender in Minnesota history. Known for his extensive career in public defense, he served as the Chief Public Defender for Minnesota's 6th Judicial District from 1986 until his retirement in 2014. Since 1975, he has taught as an Adjunct Associate Professor of Criminology at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD). He also regularly instructs at national trial schools.
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting
By Angel Saczko
Finally, some beautiful weather to accompany our meeting this past week! The room was buzzing as sunlight streamed through the windows, setting a warm and energized tone. President Zach Walters rang the bell to bring the room to order and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test, grounding us in the shared values that guide our work.
Rob Hofmann invited us to step beyond those windows and into the shining peace we are called to create, manifest, and pursue in the world. Together with Duluth Sister Cities, we as Rotarians have the privilege not only of witnessing the impact of genuine collaboration—through shared educational initiatives, youth exchanges, and sustainable community spaces—but also of serving as catalysts for greater peace and understanding in the world. In these partnerships, we do more than participate; we help forge the very pathways that lead toward a more peaceful world.
Rob Hofmann
Our guests included:
Jan Biga - Superior Rotary
Judy Sage - wife of Allen Anway
Christy Rounds-Eco Rotary & Duluth Sister Cities
JP Gresh - Col, U.S. Army (Retired) & Duluth Sister Cities
Lori Spilde - Ascential Wealth Advisors, guest of President Elect Dan Maki
Past President Al Makynen stepped up to the podium to carry forward the theme of seeing the world beyond the four walls around us. Fresh from his recent European travels, he “kicked the golden can” after celebrating his birthday immersed in nature, surrounded by castles and abbeys.
His reflections reminded us that there is so much more to see and experience beyond our everyday surroundings. As he put it, he was certainly “not in Kansas anymore”—and his journey encouraged all of us to embrace a broader perspective of the world.
Past President Al Makynen
Past President Bonita Nelson recently visited with an old friend and long-time Rotarian, Jane Cotton. Jane introduced her to Rotary 38 years ago and at 91 years old would love to see some familiar faces. Reach out to Bonita Nelson if you are interested in visiting.
Past President Bonita Nelson
A huge thank you to everyone who attended the Gala last week—and to all who contributed to its success! We are especially grateful to our incredible Gala Committee members for their hard work organizing, decorating, and truly bringing the magic to life.
Past President Elizabeth Simonson sharing some exciting preliminary figures from the evening
Approximately $15,000 raised for Neighborhood Youth Services
Approximately $15,000 raised for Polio Plus
Approximately $10,000 raised for the Grants Committee
That’s about $40,000 raised in a single night—all thanks to the generosity and energy of everyone in the room. Even more inspiring is knowing that these funds will go right back into supporting our community and making a meaningful impact.
Sheryl Homan shared with us that a dedicated past Rotarian, Edie Michalski's son Lance, passed away recently. Our hearts go out for her loss. Geiger Yount is sending a card to her from Rotary, if you would like to send your condolences, please contact her.
Sheryl Homan
As our Chair of the Day, Allison Hanig-Landrus had the honor of introducing our esteemed guests and speakers, Christy Rounds and JP Gresh from Duluth Sister Cities.
Chair of the Day, Allison Hanig-Landrus
JP and Christy each bring a wealth of experience to their roles, having traveled extensively and contributed to communities both nationally and internationally. JP’s perspective is enriched by his distinguished service as a Colonel in the U.S. Army, while Christy’s expertise stems from her background in cultural exchange and international collaboration. Together, they demonstrate how meaningful partnerships and global understanding can foster lasting connections and positive change across borders.
(L to R) Christy Rounds-Eco Rotary & Duluth Sister Cities, President Zach Walters, and “JP” Gresh - Col, U.S. Army (Retired) & Duluth Sister Cities
Duluth Sister Cities International works to build lasting global connections by fostering relationships between Duluth and its partner cities—Thunder Bay, Canada; Växjö, Sweden; Petrozavodsk, Russia; Isumi City, Japan; and Rania in Iraqi Kurdistan. Christy and JP are proud to represent such an impactful organization and were excited to share the unique story behind the formation of each partnership. Through cultural exchanges, educational programs, youth engagement, and community projects, the organization promotes mutual understanding and collaboration between communities worldwide. These relationships create meaningful opportunities for people to connect, learn, and share experiences, strengthening both local and global communities while advancing the broader mission of peace through person-to-person diplomacy.
Thunder Bay stands as a particularly special and enduring partnership, having been Duluth’s first sister city, established over 40 years ago. It offers the rare opportunity to visit a sister city by car, reinforcing just how close global connections can be. The “Outlaw Bridge” built through this relationship also played a role in expanding Rotary’s international reach. Today, Duluth Sister Cities is working to reinvigorate this connection, with new efforts including a local pollinator garden in partnership with the Monarch Highway.
The “Outlaw Bridge”
Club #25 once had a strong international committee, and there is growing excitement around the possibility of revitalizing that meaningful work. The room was filled with energy as many recalled the cultural exchanges of the past, including the Peace Bell from Japan with one version at Enger Park, and the craftsmanship behind the red cart, built by late Rotarian Jon Helstrom, alongside fellow Rotarians Gene Cotton and Bruce von Reidel, which carries the “fractured” Peace Bell residing at the DECC.
The impact of Duluth Sister Cities can be seen not only in these shared memories but also in visible community contributions—such as exhibits at the DECC, the Peace Garden, the Sculpture Garden, and international film programs at Zinema. Yet perhaps its greatest legacy lies in what is carried forward. Each generation inherits the responsibility to keep these connections alive—through the work we do, the relationships we build, and the lasting impact we create together.
