Back from her trip to Washington, DC, President Tricia Bunten welcomed Rotarians and guests asking all to join in singing the National Anthem accompanied by Past President John Baumgarten.

Following the invocation by Jeff Iisakka, Fellowship Reporter Dave Holappa welcomed our visiting Rotarian and guests. Then on to the business of filling the Golden Can. Natalie Zeleznikar was seen on WDIO-TV attending the 75^th wedding anniversary for Mike and Tillie Skorich at Keystone Bluffs.  A DNT article told how Dan Mosely planned to build a “real estate empire” like Past President Sandy Hoff or the late Rob Link. But not all careers go as we planned. Instead Dan discovered his calling as a financial advisor and is now the new managing director of Northwestern Mutual's Duluth office. The latest issue of Chamber Express announced a new sponsor of the Professional Development Summit – Frandsen Bank and their big ad featured a smiling Brett Kinney.

Our favorite Administrative Assistant McKenzie MacFarlane was seen on TV cleaning up the lakewalk following the big storm. Reporter Dave graciously paid her fine. The International Falls Airport Phase 1 project is completed and last week Jon Ohman paid his fine, but Jeff Iisakka missed paying a work zone fine as Kraus Anderson is the contractor. Joining the team of RSM US Wealth Management is Michelle Buria. Michelle's new office will keep her close to the Rotary office.

Congratulations to Jeff Fifield's son Owen who was named Employee of the Month at Woodland Hills. Both Jeff Fifield and Jeff Bradt hit the Golden Can.

Since November is Foundation Month in the world of Rotary, Dave had received permission to do a pin check. All those not wearing a Rotary pin were told to place a dollar on the table. Fair warning to all – another pin check may be coming in the near future. Be sure to wear your Rotary pin proudly.

The newest member of Club 25 is Scott Frankovich (sponsored by Barb Perrella and President-Elect Steve Yorde).  Sorry, Dave Updegraff, you only held that spot for one week! Scott attended Duluth East and joined the US Navy upon graduation. His one stint of service turned into a 24-year career as a Navy diver. Upon retiring in 2008, he and his wife Amy Carlson (a new director at the DECC) returned to Duluth where he is General Manager for Great Lakes Alarm and Security. Scott wants to serve on the Special Events committee and received an enthusiastic “Yes” from Chair Karol Sowers. Welcome, Scott.

Today's grant presentation by Traci Marciniak was a $5,000 check to a group we have assisted for several years.  Hope for the Children is a program that came out of Lakeview Covenant  Church and is headed by Michele Keil. She shared that the funds we give help them purchase and fill backpacks for St. Louis County foster care parents. When foster parents have a child placed with them, the child often comes with nothing. The backpacks are age specific and include a new outfit, pajamas, underwear and a toy or coloring book. Between 100-140 backpacks are given out each year and are greatly appreciated by the foster parents and the children.

As stated before November is Rotary Foundation Month and Dean Casperson, President of the Rotary Club of Duluth Foundation, gave us our word of the day: “Generosity”. It is due to the generosity of Rotarians that our two foundations are funded. However, many ask why there are two foundations. The Rotary Foundation (which has 72 sustaining members from Club 25) focuses on international projects such as Polio Plus. Today there are only three confirmed cases of polio in the whole world and these are in Pakistan. The goal of eradicating polio is close to being reached. However, half of all the funds donated to Rotary International are returned to our district to be used as matching grants for projects we select. The local foundation, the Rotary Club of Duluth Foundation, (which has 25 sustaining members) began 25 years ago with $5,000 and has grown to almost $250,000 today. The earnings from this fund are used for projects in our area such as the Enger Park Peace Plaza and scholarships to Camp RYLA. To become a sustaining member is as easy as asking Bri in the office to add $25 or more per quarter to your Rotary bill. By giving to one or both of the foundations, your contribution will go on doing good in our community and the world for many years to come.

Chair of the Day Jena Evans introduced today's speaker who is one of our newer members, Bob Kase. Bob has a vast background as an educator, administrator, business leader and performer and has been and is involved in the “Business of Music.” Bob did not immediately step to the podium, but instead picked up his trumpet and was joined by UMD Professor of Jazz Studies Ryan Frane on the piano. We soon knew why Bob has performed with many recording  artists. Wow!!! Bob is thankful that he began his career in the era when professional musicians used orchestras as that provided him many opportunities to play his trumpet and hone his musical gifts. It was while he was attending UMD that Sonny and Cher came to Duluth (1969) and he was invited to play with their orchestra. The trumpet first chair cut his lip and “the kid” was asked to take his place. After the concert he was asked if he would like to complete the tour with the orchestra and as they say, “the rest is history”. As a studio artist he has performed with many international recording stars such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Andy Williams, Peggy Lee, The Temptations, Lena Horne, Wayne Newton, Natalie Cole and the list goes on. Playing in their orchestras has taken him around the world and allowed him to meet many interesting people and experience many cultures. He has also performed on more than 200 recording projects, including four solo jazz recordings with his own quintet and a latest “Grammy Nominated” CD titled “As We Gather”; one of which Jeff Fifield won for correctly answering a trivia question. Now Bob continues his recording career and also serves as Dean of the School of Fine Arts at UMD. I know I am waiting for the next time he plays for us at Rotary!

 

At Thursday’s meeting several Rotarians were recognized for their gracious gifts of $1,000 or more to the local foundation, The Rotary Club of Duluth Foundation. Thank you to those that have donated!

 

Join us to ring the bells indoors downtown for Salvation Army Christmas Kettles. Carry on the tradition of Club 25 being one of the leading service clubs in funds collected for this  wonderful cause. Please use the links below to register: