CORRECTION: The previous version of the February 9, 2026, Gimlet had Jimmy Denney's father featured as the speaker. We regret the error.
This week at Rotary
Next Meeting
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Lunch Buffet
Doors Open 11:30AM
12:00 PM START
At
Kitchi Gammi Club
This week’s speaker
Jimmy Denney
My Journey to the 2006 Winter Olympics
Jimmy will share his journey in the sport of ski jumping, beginning with his family’s roots in the sport and his early experiences on the hill. He will describe how ski jumping became his primary focus, along with the setbacks, injuries, and disappointments encountered along the way. The program will also highlight key breakthroughs and victories that ultimately led to competing in the 2006 Winter Olympics, offering a thoughtful look at perseverance, resilience, and the long path behind an Olympic moment.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Second Harvest Northland Food Packing
2302 Commonwealth Avenue
Duluth, MN 55808
February 11, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
We have an opportunity to help fight hunger in our area! Our Rotary Club has partnered with Second Harvest Northland to assist them in their mission to create a hunger-free Northland at their new facility in West Duluth.
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting
By Patra Sevastiades
This past Thursday—the day before fans cheered the opening of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan—
Winter sports played a prominent role in our own lunch meeting.
With snow visible through the windows, President-Elect Dan Maki announced that President Zach Walters is at home recovering; he recently received medical attention after a snowboarding incident but is in good spirits. Then Dan led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary 4-Way Test.
President-elect Dan Maki rings the opening bell
Rotarians say the Rotary 4-Way Test
In her Reflection, Natalie Junk expressed gratitude for community, service, and all that lies ahead for Club 25. “It’s a gift to step into a new chapter and feel supported every step of the way,” she said.
Natalie Junk expresses gratitude for her warm welcome by Club 25.
President Elect
Dan then welcomed our guests: Jr. Rotarian Dahlia, from Harbor City International School; Bob MacLean of Harbortown Rotary; Kris Pelofske, wife of
Jerry Pelofske; Lynn Reins, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of the Northland, who is considering joining the Club; and Judy Sage, wife of
Allen Anway. President-elect
Dan then invited people to self-report. Past President
Michelle Buria announced she had been selected to serve on the Modern Widows Club Ambassador Council, her first time serving in a national position, and she had, for the second year in a row, been named to the Forbes/SHOOK Research Best-in-State Women Wealth Advisors list. President Elect
Dan added that he, too, had been named by the Forbes/SHOOK Research as a Team Member—Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams list.
Jerry Thoreson said
he delivered a speech about Destination Duluth at the annual Celebration of Photographers, where he was honored to be among 135 contributing photographers.
President Elect
Dan then announced a volunteer opportunity next week at Second Harvest, on Wednesday, February 11, 1-3pm. (For more information, contact
Daniel Maki.) Guest Harbortown Rotarian Bob MacLean announced that he had bags of coffee for sale for $15 each.
Andy Thielen, our Club’s Rotary Youth Exchange Officer, asked Rotarians to consider hosting an international student. Would you consider doing so? Please reach out to
Andy Thielen!
Bob MacLean of Harbortown Rotary: he’s got coffee!
It is hoped that everyone will attend. Giddy-up!
Finally, President-Elect Dan noted that Jr. Rotarian Dahlia invited us all to attend her grad party/art show, Sunday, June 7, 11am-3pm, 1308 E. 7th Street, Duluth.
Now, President-Elect Dan morphed into Chair of the Day and, for the second time, mentioned a winter sport, the American Birkebeiner Ski Race. A video related the astonishing history behind the “Birkie”: In 1205, two palace guards from the court of Norwegian King Haakonson successfully spirited away the king’s illegitimate infant son during the Norwegian civil war. That son grew up to become Norway’s greatest monarch, unifying Norway. These days, racers wear a 10-lb. pack representing the baby prince. “Birkebeiner” refers to the birch leggings that skiers wore, particularly the two guards.
The Birkebeiner runs from Cable, WI, to Hayward, WI, covering 50 km (30 miles). It is part of a four-day celebration of snow sports that includes everything from youth ski events to adaptive ski events to elite sporting competitions. Each year 40,000 skiers participate, and 2,000 volunteers help. To prevent crowding, waves of skiers start 10 minutes apart.
President Elect Dan Maki’s 2026 racing bib.
The very first Birkebeiner was held in 1973, and 35 people completed it. Today, long-term participants are honored with a special “Birchlegger Spirit of 35” wave. They receive a special crimson bib that begins with the number 35. Allen received one.
Allen Anway has participated in 41 Birkies.
Allen said that in elementary school, his name was never called when choosing teams. Years later, he rode his bicycle daily from Superior to Duluth for work. A fellow worker, Mike Stevens, invited Allen to take part in the third Birkebeiner in 1975. He did. Allen participated again the following year and was featured in a human-interest story in Newsweek for donating his ski jacket to benefit a fellow skier with a broken femur.
Years of racing followed. But in 2005, three weeks after skiing the Birkie, Allen had a heart attack. He underwent bypass surgery. The cardiac ICU nurse who tended Allen the night after his surgery told him the next morning: “You will ski the Birkebeiner again.” And he did.
The last time Allen finished the race, he crossed the finish line at 5:47pm, 13 minutes before the race ended. In 2014, at age 78, he withdrew at the first medical station.
Allen Anway has ski-raced a cumulative 1,200 miles.
The medals were earned over 41 races.
A dazzling display.
Wow! “40 Year Skier”
Shorter skis for the skating course, longer skis for the classic (or striding) course.
President Elect Dan shared that he and his wife were not athletic until their early 30s. One winter, he felt restless. He pulled out his old cross-country skis. His father, Past President Sandy Hoff, had often told him, “If you don’t do things outside of your comfort zone, you won’t grow.” Soon, he had signed up for the Birkebeiner.
“It changed my and my family’s life,” Dan said. Now they all train year-round.
The presentation was followed by applause.
Who won the 50/50 drawing? One of our guests, Bob MacLean!
Bob MacLean, coffee, and two Past Presidents, Barb Perrella and Chana Stocke
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