Director, Upper Midwest Film Office

 

 

The Catalyst Festival introduced Duluth to Netflix, Hulu, Disney, ABC, CBS, NBC. We have the eyes of the world upon us. With our work since 1996 and a new financial incentive by St. Louis County, we now have in place the potential to launch one of the biggest area job creators (Post COVID -19).

Are you ready?

 

By Steve Yorde

 

President Dean Casperson welcomed all members and guests to our Zoom meeting and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four-Way Test.  Past Assistant Governor Phil Strom presented the Reflection and was thankful for the three outstanding institutions of higher learning located in our beloved Zenith City.  Dave Schaeffer of the Chester Bowl Improvement Club was welcomed as our guest.

 

Good News:  Past President Holly Sampson reported that Judge Shaun Floerke was named to succeed her as President/CEO of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation.  Chris Mueller reported that St. Scholastica’s annual Thanksgiving Day Buffet at the DECC was replaced this year with 6,000 delivery-only meals.  Phil Strom reported that the UMD men’s hockey team resumes its season (2-0 to date) in Omaha.  Go Bulldogs!

 

The Annual Meeting was called to order by President Dean Casperson.  He called on Past President Michelle Buria, Chair of the Nominating Committee, to present the slate of candidates: Barb Perrella, President Elect; Gary Melander, Renee Mattson, Zach Walters, Directors; Dan Maki, Treasurer Elect; Geiger Yount, Secretary Elect.  It was moved by Phil Strom, seconded by Darlene Anderson, to cast a unanimous ballot.  The motion carried. Terms begin July 1, 2021.  Later, Michelle announced that February 15 is the deadline to nominate a fellow Rotarian and a Corporate/Non-Rotarian for our Service Above Self award.  

  

Grants Committee chair Jenny Peterson presented a $700 virtual check to guest Dave Schaeffer for Chester Bowl camp and skiing/snowboarding scholarships.  Their Ski-Suds-Slices fundraiser was canceled this year, so our club’s donation is especially important.  Paul Helstrom read a letter from Amber Sadowski, Life House development director, expressing appreciation for our Thanksgiving donation of pies.  For their Christmas dinner event, 125 individually-wrapped cookies are needed. Gift cards ($10 and $20) for Wal-Mart and Walgreen’s may also be given, along with hot cocoa supplies for this year’s outdoor event.  Contact Paul Helstrom for details.  Jerry Pelofske reported that bell-ringers are still needed December 9 and 16.  We will be ringing at the Super-One Foods locations. Please contact Jerry Pelofske to fill a 2-hour slot.

 

Chair of the Day and Past President Elaine Hansen introduced our speaker, Dr. Patricia Rogers, President of Lake Superior College.  LSC is an affordable, Top-50 nationally-ranked community college which delivers its mission through partnerships with local business and industry.  Its mission is to educate and train students through 90-plus academic offerings such as welding, 3-D programming, CAD engineering, accounting, cyber-security, health care and aviation.  Fire protection training is in partnership with the Duluth Fire Department.  LSC’s success is due to its partnerships with Monaco Air, Delta Airlines, Cirrus Aviation, St. Luke’s Hospital, Moline, Altec and the City of Duluth, among others.  Immediate challenges include educating students during Covid-19, partnering with high school counselors to ensure they understand LSC’s offerings, moving its downtown programs back to campus while maintaining a downtown presence.  Dr. Rogers looks to the next State bonding bill to help build affordable student housing with Titanium Partners and constructing an on-campus study and event center with access to Yellow Bike Coffee Café.

 

   Lake Superior College Campus

 

Lake Superior College Economic Impact