Feb. 28, 2019, Holiday Inn Great Lakes Ballroom: It has been four years since Past President Branden Robinson rang the opening bell at a weekly Club 25 meeting. Aside from looking mildly shocked at the decibel level of the “gong” however, Branden has not lost a step, nor the ease at which he assumes the role. After receiving his welcoming remarks, we stood for a communal recitation of Rotary’s “Four-Way Test.” Jeff Iisakka invited us to sit for the Invocation, expanding on the many blessings of living on the shore of Lake Superior. The cataclysmic geological event of the last ice age formed the indentation in the earth’s crust that holds 10% of the fresh water in the world. We learned it contains more water than the sum of all the other Great Lakes, plus 3 more Lake Eries.
Darlene Anderson came to the mic for the fellowship report. Work zone fines were assessed for Sheryl Homan, Chana Stocke and newest member Zach Walters. Jim Olson recently returned from Florida, having witnessed his son Trevor score goals in each of the 3 hockey games Jim was able to attend! Allen Anway was recognized for participation in his 42nd Berkie, and his visitor, daughter Carol, accompanied Allen to the Golden Can after skiing the race with her dad for the fourth time. Finally Darlene announced that our very own McKenzie MacFarlane will be departing for a Rotary service trip to Guatemala, to be joined there by Chana Stocke. Rob Hofmann made a compelling plea for Rotarians who might be interested in becoming involved with District 5580’s Camp RYLA. Past President Phil Strom took the mic to lend condolences on behalf of the Club to Allen Anway and daughter Carol upon the recent death of wife and mother Dorothy Anway. Phil then called Skeeter Moore to the podium for a presentation of Skeeter’s Paul Harris Fellowship award.
Skeeter Moore accepting his Paul Harris Fellowship Award from Past President Phil Strom
Geiger Yount came to the podium to introduce today’s program in the person of Deb DeLuca. Deb’s husband, Rotarian Eric Dott, missed this highly informative presentation due to a business trip. Geiger appropriately expounded on Deb’s impressive resumé. She joined the Duluth Port Authority four years ago as Government and Environmental Affairs Director and only recently was promoted to the top job as Director. Deb had spent 14 years as owner and Principal of DeLuca Strategies, where she provided consulting services to public, private and nonprofit sector clients. Deb’s program today, however, focused not specifically at Port operations, but on a major new local initiative, Foundations for Growth, which is intended to expand Duluth’s many industrial opportunities. Expanding the sustainable industrial base, which has trailed other Minnesota cities, will “lift all boats.” Intentional in this effort is to increase the availability of healthy wage industrial sector jobs, to create a higher living standard for many current Duluthians living at or below poverty levels. A strong upward movement in the ad valorem tax base is the accompanying goal. Deb’s comprehensive program and accompanying materials raised a n enthusiastic response and round of questions from our membership. This is a very important initiative for the economic and socially just future of our beloved Duluth. We thank Ms. DeLuca for her thoughtful presentation as well as her dedication to our community. It seems she would fit very well as a member of Duluth Rotary!
Past President Branden Robinson with Speaker Deb DeLuca and Geiger Yount
To end the program, Edie Michalski held the winning ticket for the 50/50 lottery and claimed the $61 prize.
April 30 Deadline for Camp RYLA, July 14-20, Crookston, MN
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a youth leadership camp that gives high school students hands-on active learning activities and sessions to build on their own leadership skills. RYLA 5580 is sponsored by Rotary International District 5580 for a week each summer at the University of Minnesota Crookston campus.
Who should apply
· Potential leaders attending high school in Rotary District 5580
· Students entering their senior year (preferably) or junior year of high school
· Individuals Involved in school activities, including: athletics, fine arts, and student government
· Individuals with volunteer and/or work experience
· Students with good academic records
For more information and to submit your application: http://district5580ryla.org/application/
April 18 Hands-On Project
Club #25 is planning a hands-on crafting meeting April 18 and we are asking members to bring scissors to share - as many pairs as you have!
Member Spotlight
Stacy Oltmanns
Member Since 2019
Newest Club #25 Member Stacy Oltmanns with husband Patrick, daughter Ayla, and son Niklas
I am from Apple Valley, and I graduated from the University of St. Thomas. My husband and I enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, camping and reading.
My husband, Patrick is a Physical Therapist and owns a small, private clinic in the Mt. Royal area called Living Well Therapy. He also has a location in Floodwood, MN.
I like to go to warm weather locations and read books on the beach. Two years ago we took a trip to Utah to camp and mountain bike as a family. We like taking vacations with many activities. My son is Niklas is a junior at East High School and is into everything active. He does well in school, has a number of friend groups, plays baseball and volleyball, loves downhill skiing, mountain biking, and has recently taken up playing the guitar. My daughter Ayla is in 8th grade at
Ordean Middle School and plays volleyball and track and is a mountain biker. She also does well in school, and is very creative with playing music, creating videos and cooking.
My husband and I lived in Oregon for 3 1/2 years and used to do triathlons.
Why I like Rotary? I enjoy networking with others who want to give back to the community.
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