Volume 110 #43

By Patra Sevastiades

President Elizabeth Simonson smiled warmly, rang the bell, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary 4-Way Test, and introduced Past President Branden Robinson. He reminded us that, just as spring brings hope after the darkness of winter, so we as Rotarians can help those experiencing their own darkness to rediscover hope. President Elizabeth Simonson welcomed our guests: today’s speaker, Dennis Lamkin; Vince Darling of the Shoreview Rotary Club; Judy Sage, guest and bride of Allen Anway; Jim Pratt of the Duluth Lions Club; Chris Pelofske, guest and bride of Jerry Pelofske; and Bill Lundberg—who just submitted his application to join our Club!

 

President Elizabeth Simonson welcomes our guests.

 

Rob Hofmann kicked the Golden Can in memory of Cheng-Khee Chee, Associate Professor Emeritus at UMD and world-renowned watercolor artist.

 

Rob Hofmann honors a local legend, Cheng-Khee Chee

 

Past President Chana Stocke reminded everyone to sign up to attend the upcoming Rotary Gala and Auction Fundraiser at the Kitchi Gammi Club on May 8. You can sign up to attend here: REGISTER!   Jerry Thoreson had placed a small card at every place setting each features a QR code to make it easy to sign up for the Gala and Auction. Bring guests!

 

Past President Chana Stocke

 

Jim Pratt (brother of a beloved member of Club #25, the late Bob Pratt) of the Lions Club gave President Elizabeth Simonson a Lions Club beer mug that reads “Together we can” and invited Rotarians to volunteer at the upcoming Pancake Breakfast on May 1 at the DECC. President Elizabeth Simonson reminded everyone that the next Rotary fellowship will be held on May 1 at 7:30am at the Lions Pancake Breakfast! Plan to attend!

 

President Elizabeth Simonson receives and gift from Lion’s Club member Jim Pratt

 

Visiting Rotarian Vince Darling was invited to the podium and given a Rotary Club 25 flag.

 

Judy Sage was honored as our newest Paul Harris Fellow. Husband Allen Anway’s daughters provided the Paul Harris pin (donated by Allen Anway’s daughter Carol) and medallion (donated by Allen Anway’s Ruth) given to Judy. It was also Judy’s birthday, so we sang “Happy Birthday” to her.

 

Allen Anway with bride Judy Sage, our newest Paul Harris Fellow.

First-time Chair of the Day Matt Baumgartner expressed his appreciation that “in this space of leaders, I’m left with hope.” He has heard concern from local businesses about current economic uncertainty and seeing Rotarians full of hope reignited hope within him. He introduced today’s speaker. Dennis Lamkin is a graduate of UMD and the William Mitchell School of Law, a retired corporate real estate and property manager, and a historic restoration consultant. He has helped guide the restoration of Glensheen Mansion.

 

Matt Baumgartner expressed gratitude for the calming optimism of Club 25

 

Dennis told us that the gardens of Glensheen were built two years before the house so that they would have time to mature before the family of Chester and Clara Congdon moved in. Charles Leavitt, a New York landscape designer, designed the gardens. Leavitt selected several trees that came from Biltmore in Asheville, NC.

 

New York landscape designer Charles Leavitt

 

Resident Historic Preservationist Dennis Lamkin

 

Head gardener George Wyness was interviewed by Clara Congdon in New York and came to Duluth in 1916 with his wife and three tall sons. The unanticipated appearance of the children prompted the Congdons to expand the gardener’s cottage, adding bedrooms and enlarging the pantry, to accommodate the family.

Head gardener George Wyness and a woman of the Congdon household.

 

In 1946, George’s son, Bob, took over the role of head gardener. He, too, stayed on for decades. Next came Dan McClelland, followed by current head gardener, Emily Ford. Fun facts:

 

Gardens today, growing food and flowers.

 

Most of the food grown in Glensheen’s gardens is donated to nonprofits feeding the hungry in our city.

Original greenhouse complex, removed in 1968.

 

Glensheen originally had four greenhouses so that it could start and grow the plants needed on the property. The greenhouses were removed when greenhouses became a local industry.

Glensheen has one of only two remaining clay tennis courts in the U.S.

 

Original pool had jets and was deep enough to swim in.

 

Later, pool was made shallower and a fountain added.

 

The Glensheen pier extends into Lake Superior.

 

Rob Hofmann won the 50/50 drawing.  $43.00!

 

Overheard before the meeting: The Congdons bequeathed Glensheen to the University of Minnesota. Our own Bob Reichert was hired by the university to assess Glensheen. He wrote a 100-page report, and the lion’s share of his recommendations were adopted.