There was high energy everywhere with a buzz in the room well before President Steve Yorde rapped the bell to gain control! It might have had something to do with the free specialty coffee brought by our speaker Sam Levar from the Duluth Coffee Company.

 

The energy in the room was put to good use as we sang the Star Spangled Banner.  Past President John Baumgarten tried to keep us all in the same key. Clearly some in the room had more energy than others, and a few had much stronger and better voices! Past President Dick Carlson kept us at attention to reflect upon the blessings of food and fellowship; the energy that flows from a positive mental attitude; and the firm belief that what the mind can conceive, one’s actions can achieve.

 

In the moments it took Past President Tricia Bunten to reach the podium for the fellowship report, the buzz in the room was back. She had to admonish the assembled dynamic leaders to settle down. The way she said, “settle down folks” it would not have been pretty if we had not! The Duluthian magazine is usually filled with Rotarians doing good work. This month the big news was about the Hills Youth and Family Services securing the site for a new 60-bed facility to serve youth in the metro area. Although Jeff Bradt was not present (Jeff will be advised to bring extra money for the next meeting), at least two of his board members, Dean Casperson and Past Assistant Governor Phil Strom, were present to contribute to the Golden Can. Dean put in extra money as he announced he was on his way to visit the Governor to seek financial support for the Hills project. As luck would have it, today was Steve Yorde’s birthday. And, with the special mention from Tricia, it cost him a few dollars more. Ryan Johnson was honored recently by the Duluth Chamber of Commerce as the Young Professional of the Year, a high honor for a high energy guy. Dave McLean found out that just having his “Greeter” badge on was not sufficient and was fined for failing to wear his name badge during the meeting. Then Paul Helstrom volunteered he had lost his badge and had to pay for losing -- what an honest guy! Rob Hofmann came forward and contributed to the Can in recognition of his 35 years of marriage to Kathleen. Dan Markham came forward to announce two recent gifts from the Kraus-Anderson Foundation to the Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores (COGGS) and to the Gary New Duluth Recreation Center. On a more sad note, Tricia announced that Ken Hansen, husband of Past President Elaine Hansen, died on Tuesday, November 13.

 

Although several were not present to donate to the Golden Can, a total of 13 Rotarians celebrated November birthdays. The following, with years of Rotary Service noted, were in attendance: Scott Frankovich (1); Marc Seigar (2); Dan Markham (5); Barb Perrella (17); and the granddaddy of the bunch; Steve Yorde (30). The missing were likely making up at other Rotary clubs.

 

Next week is Thanksgiving, and John Baumgarten made a final appeal for the Salvation Army Christmas Baskets Food Shelf campaign in concert with the Kiwanis Club. We are a few dollars short of our $7,000 goal. John has confidence we will make it again this year, just as we have done each of the past 25 years! 

 

And not to be outdone in demonstrating the Club’s ability to support worthwhile causes in the community, Catherine Carter Huber, Chair of the Grants Committee, took center stage to present two grants. The first was for $5,000 to “Blessed with More,” a program in support of grieving parents at the loss of a child. Items provided include a teddy bear, memory box, and bereavement materials. The second was for $5,000 to the Damiano Center Children’s Program which serves youth ages 6-12. Over 300 children were served in Duluth last year. The most unnerving piece of information was that seven is now the average age of a homeless person in Duluth.

 

Chair of the Day Barb Perrella introduced our speaker Sam Levar, Sales Manager for the Duluth Coffee Company. Sam is no stranger to Rotary, having been a Junior Rotarian of our Club. The Duluth Coffee Company is located in Downtown Duluth where they specialize in roasting high quality, single-sourced coffee beans from South America. Sam went on to describe how Duluth Coffee is seeking to change the coffee industry by focusing on single source beans to make craft coffee, similar to the brewing industry with its craft beers.

 

The business has grown from roasting five pounds of beans at a time in a garage to today where 4,000 pounds are roasted every Monday morning at 105 East Superior Street. With the increased volume, coffee beans can be purchased and shipped direct from auction in South America. This form of “Direct Trade” allows for selection of the highest quality beans from farmers. Much of today’s coffee bean crop is purchased on the open market at prices so low that production is not sustainable. The term “Fair Trade Coffee” means a minimum wage type value. Specialty coffee purchased at auction is generally priced five times higher.

 

As the business has grown, their mission has changed to focus on the sourcing and roasting of coffee beans with distribution and sales being done by partners including Chas Bernick from the Bernick Companies. Their latest innovation is cold pressed coffee available from Bent Paddle Brewing Company in either bottle, growler or keg.

 

The Duluth Coffee Company represents an example of high energy innovative entrepreneurs starting a business out of their garage (think Microsoft, Medtronic, Amsoil) and growing that business to
become a force within their industry.