President Steve Yorde welcomed Rotarians and guests to the weekly meeting of Rotary Club #25. After singing “The Star Spangled Banner” accompanied by Past President John Baumgarten, a moment of reflection was brought by Past President Dick Carlson. He reminded us that being a Rotarian can be fun, inspirational and fulfilling as we learn and serve others together.

 

On the note of serving others, President Steve invited Jim Schwartz to come forward. Jim requested to have three or four more Rotarians join him and Past President John Moir at Piedmont Elementary on June 6. While a very good cook, he cannot cook 300-400 hot dogs on his own. Several hands were raised and the cooking crew was assembled. Schwartz also asked for more boats for Friday, June 7, for the annual “Take A Kid Fishing.” There are 20 kids from The Hills that are looking forward to experiencing fishing—many for the first time. Please pull out the boat, dust it off and contact Jim or Dan Maki and help create special memories for a young person.

 

The Fellowship Report was conducted by “Self-Reporter” and the Golden Can quickly filled. A proud Allen Anway shared that his daughter Carol was interviewed for a report by “Physics Today” the flagship publication of the American Institute of Physics. Jenny Peterson announced the birth of her first grandson who joins three granddaughters. John Foucault kicked the Golden Can as he thanked all for the fantastic and successful Annual Dinner and Auction. Bill Gronseth shared that the scholarship dollars awarded this spring amounted to $2.4 million for East graduates and $5.2 million for Denfeld graduates! And speaking of graduations, Natalie Zeleznikar's son Jake graduated from St. Thomas, Bill Gravelle's granddaughter from Concordia (summa cum laude) and John Baumgarten's granddaughter also graduated college. Not to be outdone, Jena Evans announced the graduation of her daughter from preschool. Steve Yorde added to the can for himself and Past President Sandy Hoff as they were both involved in the launching of Marine 19, the Duluth Fire Department's new fire boat. It is so named to honor the nineteen individuals who lost their lives in the line of duty since the department's inception.

 

A highlight in a Rotary meeting is when a grant check is given to one of our local organizations and a representative tells us how the funds will be used. Today Catherine Carter Huber presented five checks!

 

1. $2500 was given to Lincoln Park Children and Families Collaborative for “Meet on the Street” to be held on West Superior Street in the Craft District. The funds are also used for family night gatherings and the parent support group in Lincoln Park.

 

2. $3000 to Kids Closet of Duluth to purchase clothing for children in need. Each child receives a winter coat, boots and three school outfits. The volunteers at Kids Closet spend the year shopping for bargains to stretch each dollar given in order to clothe as many children as possible.

 

3. $3000 to Life House to assist with the living skills program which includes cooking, financial literacy, grief counseling and much more to over 250 young people.

 

4. $2000 to Zeitgeist Center for Arts and Community allowing community residents to improve their neighborhoods by using creative art and design.

 

5. $5000 to Lutheran Social Services Crisis Nursery which assists families who need help in times of crisis with things such as diapers (28,000 diapers last year) or temporary care for a child.

 

Assistant Head Duck Barb Perella highlighted how each can be involved in our First Annual Duck Pluck. Next week at Rotary all are asked to bring their debit card, checkbook or cash in order to begin the “Adopt a Duck” process. Very cute and adorable yellow ducks may be adopted for $5 each or 10 duckies for $50. There are no price breaks or flock discounts. Volunteers are needed to assist in the Duck Adoption Program at the CHUM Rubarb Festival on June 29 and the Park Point Art Festival on June 30. The goal is for a minimum of 5,000 ducks to be adopted; 10,000 ducks would make an event to remember.

 

Welcome to New Rotary Members! Amy Porter (sponsored by John Foucault) is Executive Director of Chris Jensen. She attended the Auction and learned about Rotary's Polio Plus program. This touched her as she has two siblings afflicted with polio. Amy and her
husband have come to the Northland many years for vacations and were happy to move north when the position opened at Chris Jensen. Matt Hunter (sponsored by Holly Sampson and Sheryl Homan) is President of Head of the Lakes United Way. He is a past club member who had to resign due to health reasons, but is now able to again resume extra activities and is glad to be back. Rick Roxbury (sponsored by Steve Yorde) is with the Duluth News Tribune and from Detroit, Michigan. Welcome to Rotary!

 

On behalf of the Rotary International Foundation, Past President Phil Strom presented “Head Duck” Jon Ohman with his newest pin which has five sapphires representing over $6,000 contributed to the Foundation and/or Polio Plus. Congratulations, Jon, and thank you for all you do in Rotary!

 

The Chair of the Day looked a little different than expected. Jim Schwartz was listed on the agenda, but it looked more like Tim Mowbray stepping up to the podium to introduce the speaker. Tim acknowledged that he was not Jim, and he had known such since they attended elementary school. But it was his pleasure to introduce the speaker Andrea Ketchmark, Executive Director of the North Country National Scenic Trail Association. Andrea told about the 5,000 mile trail, the longest in the United States, covering eight northern states from North Dakota to Vermont. In partnership with other organizations such as Itasca State Park and the Superior Hiking Trail, there are now 3,200 miles of trail developed. That leaves 1,800 miles to go. This week she is in the Northland  celebrating a change in the route of the trail through Minnesota. Rather than going west from Cloquet to Grand Rapids, over terrain not suitable for a hiking trail, the route has been officially changed to use the existing Superior Hiking Trail, the Border Ridge Trail and the Kekekabic Hiking Trail. This provides a more scenic route and uses trails already developed. It does leave a section of the trail from Ely to Grand Rapids undeveloped, but work has begun to design and develop this portion of the route. As summer comes to the Northland, take time to discover and experience the trails that are right in our backyards.