We Meet at Noon on Thursday

January 12, 2023

For Those Attending in Person

BUFFET LUNCH

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

(Link Sent Thursday Morning)

At

 

 Bobbie Larson

Ski Hut Director of Events. Community Outreach, Marketing

 

 

How a Northern Californian transplant has brought her passion for the out-of-doors is making a difference in the lives of area youth through outdoor programs.

 

Chair of the Day: Dr. Roxanna J. Esguerra

 

By Al Makynen

 

President Barb Perrella whisked us into the New Year.  Past President Branden Robinson reflected upon the Rotary Foundation and its work to rid the world of conflict.  And for good measure, we were all instructed to do our piece to promote peace.

 

Jerry Pelofske thanked all those who rang bells for the Salvation Army Red Kettle.  Another “boots on the ground community service project” (literally - as we sometimes stomped our feet to keep warm).  Those who took time out of their day included:  Dean Casperson, Vinod Gupta, Al Makynen (with daughter Kelly Stein), Jerry Pelofske, Jim Schwartz, Jack Seiler, Reid Sheldahl, Tom Young, and Geiger Yount.   The only self-report was by Past Assistant Governor Phil Strom who placed $56 in the Golden Can for each year of his marriage to the love of his life, Babs.

 

Jerry Pelofske updating the Club on our Salvation Army Bell Ringing efforts

 

Phil Strom celebrating his 56^th Wedding Anniversary with a donation to the Golden Can

 

With it being the first meeting of the month it was time for Stacy Oltmanns to introduce the Junior Rotarians for January.  They represent all seven area high schools. Do visit with these young people.  Make a point of sitting at a table with one of them.  Find out about their plans for the future.  It is fascinating and rewarding.

 

Junior Rotarians with Committee Chair Stacy Oltmanns (third from right)

 

President Barb Perrella presented Daria Devko, an exchange student from Ukraine, and our speaker, the first-place award in the Club’s Rotary Four Way Test Essay Contest.  Her essay will now go on to regional and district competitions.  Daria Devko will be invited back to present her essay.

 

President Barb Perrella presents $250 to Daria Devko for her winning Rotary Four Way Test essay

 

Stacy Oltmanns as Chair of the Day introduced our speaker, Daria Devko, who is an exchange student from Ukraine attending Marshall School.   Her career plan is to attend law school and then establish a women-led law firm.  The title of her presentation was “Ukraine Outside of War”.  With the war, which began on February 24, 2022, holding world attention, she wanted to focus her message on the heritage, traditions, and culture of 44 million people.  She described to us the elaborate customs to celebrate Easter, Christmas, and “Ivana Kupala” (Summer Solstice).  The wedding tradition (followed until about 30 years ago) included the suitor asking the Father of the Bride for her hand in marriage.  The answer was given by either receiving an embroidered towel (yes) or a pumpkin (no).  No translation was available.   We got the sense that American food did not quite come up to her expectations.  She preferred borscht (sour beetroot soup) which is uniquely Ukrainian, not available here and an acquired taste!  And no meal is complete without sour cream somewhere in or around the food. 

 

Daria Devko demonstrates that sharing and living a different culture is one of the best ways to achieve world peace.  She was the first person in her family to leave home to study abroad.  She is still adjusting to the language of “Minnesota Nice” (they speak their minds clearly in Ukraine).  And a trait of Americans that shocked her was our striking up a conversation with a perfect stranger anywhere, anytime. We all have things to learn.

 

Daria Devko describing Ukraine Outside of War

 

You may not like the answer you get.  Beware the pumpkin.