This Week at Rotary
NO MEETING ON JULY 4!
We Meet at 11:30 AM on Thursday
July 11, 2024
IN PERSON
For Those Attending in Person
BOX LUNCHES
At
Enger Park
1601 Enger Tower Road
The Annual Club #25 Enger Park Picnic
We will hold our Annual Rotary Picnic at Enger Park near the Rotary Peace Plaza on Thursday, July 11. Celebrate summer in the company of fellow Rotarians while taking in some of the most breathtaking views of Lake Superior.
PLEASE RSVP Elaine Hansen at
ehansen906@gmail.com by Monday, July 8, so we know how many box lunches to order!
Remember to bring bug spray and a chair!
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting
By Patra Sevastiades
Our last lunch meeting at the Holiday Inn began with the ringing of the bell and President Gary Melander welcoming everyone to Rotary. “How lucky are we?” he asked. “Very lucky!” all responded. He led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-Way Test.
“How lucky are we?” to have had Past President Gary Melander as president.
Rob Hofmann offered the Reflection. He reminded all that Rotary is a place for developing leadership skills. He noted that leadership is what is needed to change the world. Here’s link to the Rotary site he referenced:
Leadership is fostered at Rotary, Rob Hofmann observed.
President Gary Melander welcomed our many guests: Cooper Benning (of Convergint), Rob and Karen Marks (from Florida), Tom and Sara Simonson, and Tracey Simonson.
Sarah and Tom Simonson in foreground, President Elizabeth Simonson, Tracey Simonson, Rob and Karen Marks in background.
Three Rotarians who self-reported mentioned Grandma’s Marathon, held last Saturday. Alan Anway volunteered at the marathon at milepost 5 as a radio operation. The runners were great; the weather conditions were not.
Alan Anway endured cold, wind, and rain to volunteer at Grandma’s Marathon as a radio operator.
Greg Hanson completed his 7th half marathon and thanked all the volunteers who made it possible, like Alan.
Greg Hanson has run seven half marathons.
Jay Ott celebrated the fact that for three years in a row, he has been the first person across the finish line! (He drives the media truck!)
Jay Ott, “first to finish the marathon.”
Jerry Thoreson received the
Marsh Nelson Media Award and was featured on WDIO’s segment “The Lift” on behalf of Destination Duluth—
and he ran his first 5K ever! Three Rotarians celebrated the marvel of their marriages and their spouses:
Bill Gravelle was thankful for a delightful evening on the Vista Queen last week and recognized his and his wife Barb’s 65
th wedding anniversary.
Bill Gravelle celebrates 65 years of marriage to Barb.
Pat Pfahl kicked the can in recognition of his and his wife Sue’s 35th wedding anniversary.
Pat Pfahl celebrates 35 years of marriage to Sue.
“There must have been a lot of June weddings!” said Jim Schwartz, who recognized his and his wife Barb’s 55th wedding anniversary.
Jim Schwartz celebrates 55 years of marriage to Barb.
Then Past District Assistant Governor and Past President Phil Strom came to the podium and celebrated his 80th birthday!
Past District Assistant Governor and Past President Phil Strom celebrates a birthday.
Rob Hofmann noted that our Club has annually provided 3-5 scholarships to high school youth to attend Rotary Youth Leadership Award Camp (“Camp RYLA” for short) in District 5580. A week-long camp, it develops practical skills of leadership and service consistent with Rotary values. “It’s one of the best things this Club does,” Rob Hoffman said, then thanked District Assistant Governor and Past President Dean Casperson and Patra Sevastiades for volunteering to chaperone on the bus coming and going on July 14 and July 20.
President Gary Melander said, “This has been an amazing year, and it has gone so fast.” He received a standing ovation for his year of service as president.
A standing ovation for out-going President Gary Melander.
He welcomed President-Elect Elizabeth Simonson to the podium and thanked her for making a difference to the Club this past year as president-elect. Then, President Gary Melander swore her in as Club President.
Past President Gary Melander and President Elizabeth - Simpson, Stimpson, Samsonite, - Simonson(!) after the swearing in.
President Elizabeth Simonson invited Zach Walters to come forward. He was sworn in as the Club’s President-Elect.
Zach Walters is sworn in as new President-Elect of Club 25 by President Elizabeth Simonson.
The following were next invited to step forward: Tim Mowbray and Jerry Thoreson were sworn in as new Club Board members, and Rob Hofmann was sworn in as a continuing Board member.
President Elizabeth Simonson swears in members of Rotary Club 25 Board: Jerry Thoreson, Rob Hofmann, Jerry Ott.
Everyone was seated except President Elizabeth Simonson. “I love this Club,” she said. She thanked her family for being there. Then she called Rotary Club 25 “the best of the best clubs.”
President Elizabeth Simonson aims to honor the past and chart a course for the future.
“We can’t forget our past members,” she said. “We need to honor our past even as we chart a course to do better.” Then she named some of her aims for the coming year: a packed lunch meeting each week; Rotary events that are full, attracting the lion’s share of the Club; everyone participating in service projects; and the return of Friday breakfasts to build relationships. “It is up to us to make our Club what we want it to be,” she said. Then President Elizabeth Simonson called Past President Gary Melander forward and gave him a gift from the Club and thanked him for all he had done
The 50/50 drawing was held. Jerry Thoreson won $53!
President Elizabeth Simonson reminded everyone of the following, then rang the bell:
On July 4, No meeting.
On July 11, Annual Summer Picnic with box lunches at Enger Park.
On July 18, Lunch meeting at our new location, the Kitchi Gammi Club.
The joy of family: Sarah and Tom Simonson, President Elizabeth Simonson, and Tracey Simonson.