This Week at Rotary
Thursday May 2, 2024
IN PERSON & ZOOM
For Those Attending in Person
Buffet Lunch
11: 30 AM START
(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:30)
(Link Sent Thursday Morning)
At
Holiday Inn Downtown
Come for a great time of fellowship. Our scheduled speaker had a conflict. Thursday's program is to be determined as of Gimlet publication time,
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting
By Patra Sevastiades
Report for our annual dinner and auction: Supper Club 25
Part 1. Friendship
"Friendliness knows no bounds; it surmounts all barriers; it navigates all seas." –Paul Harris, 1935
Nancy Erickson, Ann Cutts, and Sandi Thoreson make delectable selections
Rotary Club 25’s annual dinner and auction sparkled with good cheer as Club members and their lovely guests gathered to enjoy one another’s company and a delicious meal at “Supper Club 25” and to raise money for worthy causes.
In true supper club style, each table displayed a relish tray, a plate of deviled eggs, and glasses of tomato juice. A black and red theme—tablecloths, table drapes, and napkins—was accented with a centerpiece of votive candles nested in gold mesh. Around each table, diners gathered to enjoy sumptuous fare.
(L to R)Travis Klingeisen, Marissa Klingeisen, David Kolquist, Diane Kolquist, guest and Pat Pfahl enjoy a supper club experience.
Suspended behind the dais, a gorgeous drape of black, accented by a red drape, created a stunning backdrop behind the podium. Outside, a perfect cobalt blue sky could be seen. Inside, one experienced the coziness of a supper club, thanks to the beautiful design of Past President Bonita Nelson.
Past President and Assistant District Governor Dean Casperson, emcee warmly welcomes all.
Past President and Assistant District Governor Dean Casperson opened the evening, welcoming everyone. He invited President Gary Melander to address the happy crowd.
President Gary Melander thanks Club members for help with the event
“Welcome to Rotary! How lucky are we?” he said warmly. (“Well done, Gary,” someone was heard to say at a nearby table.) He thanked all who made the evening possible.
Seamlessly, the event transitioned from dinner to auction to accomplish its other purpose.
Part 2. Service above self.
"All organization that is wholly selfish cannot last long. If we, as a Rotary club, expect to survive and grow, we must do some things to justify our existence. We must perform a civic service." –Donald Carter, 1906.
Tom Sullivan, veteran auctioneer, came to the podium to help us raise Club funds to support the Rotary work of service above self. With that, the dessert auction began.
Carla Melander eyes Judy Roger’s dreamy pineapple cake.
Cindy Seiler paired a chocolate Bundt cake with raspberries and Chambord.
Mary Young’s chocolate raspberry cake.
Next came the perennial favorite, 50/50 Heads and Tails game. All of the necklaces were sold.
Carla Melander chooses “heads.”
The last two standing square off for a final round
Jack Seiler is congratulated on the win by his gracious opponent
The live auction began. First up was a luxury rental in The Villages, Florida. Tom Young, who won the bid for this item last year, told the audience he had a spectacular stay.
Tom Young says his time at The Villages was an absolute pleasure.
A wonderful assortment of items and experiences—from fine art to a ride on a water car plus seaplane ride, from firewood to a smokeless fire pit, from time at Schultz Lake, or on the waterfront, or on a 60-foot schooner and more! —were on offer.
Then our auctioneer took up two of our most significant causes.
Auctioneer Tom Sullivan asks who will support the effort to eradicate polio?
Polio Plus. The need to eradicate polio from the globe took center stage is ongoing. Would donors help Rotary eliminate polio in the less than 1% of the world where it exists?
Yes, Rotarians and their guests stepped up, to the tune of $4,350.
Fundraising Chair and organizer of “Supper Club 25” Greg Hansen raises his bid paddle.
CHILD (Children’s Mental Health Initiative Lifts Duluth). For four years, our Club has funded on-site mental health services at the Boys & Girls Club—a game-changer that supports kids as they tackle life challenges. Gifts of $8,000 had already been pledged. Will members support this cause again this year, bringing help to so many children?
Yes, $6,300 was donated by dinner attendees, bringing the total to $14,300.
Karol Sowers keeps track of live auction bids.
Finally, the raffle boxes and silent auction items, graciously donated by so many, attracted donations by many.
“Coffee Break” silent auction item
All told, the evening brought in much needed revenue for Club 25, funds to help us achieve our philanthropic goals. The net result will be announced at a future Club #25 meeting.
Cassie and Brian Fulda enjoy an evening out for a great cause.
Tom and Kathy Sullivan at “Supper Club 25”.
Callie Hoff and Past President Barb Perrella volunteer to make the evening a success.
A trio of Rotarians—Greg Hansen, Past President and Assistant District Governor Dean Casperson, and Past President and District Governor-Elect for 2025 Elaine Hansen
Smiling while doing good: Cindy Seiler, Past President Sandy Hoff, and Sheryl Homan
Past District Governor Kay Biga and Jeff Fifield smile for the camera
Callie Hoff and Candy and Jim Houton—daughter, sister, and brother-in-law of Past President Sandy Hoff
Jim Dwyer, Pat Spott, and Past President and Assistant District Governor Dean Casperson
Friends of Geiger Yount . . .
More friends of Geiger Yount . . .
. . . And more friends of Geiger Yount!
Cassie and Brian Fulda and friends
Carla Melander and President Gary Melander, Tim Mowbray, and Sandi Thoreson
Past President Sandy Hoff and Pat Pfahl share a beverage.