Thursday, October 23, 2025

Lunch Buffet

Doors Open 11:30AM

At

 

 

 

Hear from and bring your questions for Duluth’s longest tenured councilor on what is new at the City of Duluth.

Arik Forsman was appointed as an At Large member of the Duluth City Council in 2018, was elected to the same post in 2019, and was re-elected in 2023. He's the former council President and 2025 chair of the Finance Committee. Forsman also serves on the Duluth Economic Development Authority and was appointed as the Mayor Pro Tem by Mayor Reinert from 2024 - 2026. He previously chaired the council's Intergovernmental, Public Works, Personnel, Committee of the Whole, and Recreation, Libraries & Authorities committees.

 

 

 

 Boys and Girls Club –Lincoln Park Location

2407 W 4^th Street

Tuesday December 2, 2025, 1:00 PM-3:30 PM

Decorate the Tree--(Need 8 total)

Jerry Pelofske

Jim Schwartz

Dan Dock

No skill needed. Making TREE ORNAMENTS with the children that they will take home.

Karen Dock

Cookies    

Need many dozen total.   No nuts please.

Karen Dock- 2 Dozen

NEED PAPER TABLECLOTH (ETC) 

to put the cookies on

Karen Dock

Contact: Dan Dock at dandockdc@aol.com

 

By Al Makynen

 

There was a new sheriff in town.  Dan Maki, President Elect, rang the bell with authority.  President Zach Walters is deep-sea tuna fishing in the Pacific.

 

President Elect Dan Maki practicing for his 2026-27 Presidential Year

 

The Rotary Reflection given by Past Assistant Governor Al Makynen was about the beauty and power of Lake Superior.  The reflection was so short that at the end he had to say: “That’s it!”

 

Al Makynen is giving a very short reflection on the power and beauty of Lake Superior

 

Self-reports give members a chance to share a milestone or event, have new members connect a name to a face, and raise money for the Golden Can in support of community grants.  First up was Rob Hofmann with a “work-zone fine” as he announced the launch of a crowdfunding initiative in support of a new musical he is producing in Duluth.  Jay Ott went a long way back, and had some fun, to connect the dots in order to drop money in the Golden Can.  It seems today’s speaker many years ago was a cook at his restaurant. Geiger Yount shared a recent story about her “I Sell Rotary Roses” button and having a person ask:  “Do you sell peaches too?”  The person did buy a dozen roses while explaining she was once a Junior Rotarian and attended RYLA.  You never know how your past efforts influence today.

 

Geiger Yount with her now famous “I Sell Rotary Roses” button

 

Grants Committee Chair, Chana Stocke, had two of the five recipients ready to receive a Club Community Grant. For the fall cycle, the committee had $10,000 to distribute, with another $10,000 to be distributed next spring.  The number of submittals for consideration far outstrips the available funds.  The first grant of $2,000 was to Chester Bowl for their Ski School Scholarship Fund.  Dave Schaeffer described the programs at Chester Bowl, the number of youth served, and how the grant helps make skiing affordable.  The second grant of $3,000 was awarded to the Damiano Center for their Kids Kitchen Program. 

 

Seth Currier described how this program provides a safe place for children after school where they can receive a nourishing meal.  The program is open to all who walk through the door.

 

Grant Chair, Chana Stocke, awarding $2,000 to Dave Schaeffer of Chester Bowl

 

Seth Currier of the Damiano Center accepting a $3,000 grant from Chana Stocke

 

Past President Gary Melander, Rotary Rose Chair, was a happy man.  The roses have been delivered.  Thirty Rotarians have signed up to fill the 30 distribution slots at three locations over two days.  Distribution for the 40^th Annual Rotary Rose Sale is covered.  He did invite everyone to stop by and join in the fellowship.  This fundraising event again proves we are a vibrant club, a working club, making a difference.

 

Gary Melander, Rose Chair and Chief Cheerleader.

 

With her booming voice from her table, our very own District Governor Elaine Hansen reminded us the District 5580 Conference is being hosted by The Rotary Club of Duluth the weekend of October 24 - 25.  Past President Sandy Hoff joined in to say the party on Saturday night with live entertainment is NOT TO BE MISSED.

 

Rob Hofmann, Chair of the Day, introduced David Schauer, Chair of the Lake Superior Marine Museum Association.  David Schauer is a native of Duluth having attended both Central High School and UMD.  The Museum Association has 400 members and is a 501c3 established in 1973 to provide fundraising for the US Army Corp of Engineers.  His first order of business was to provide an update on the reconstruction project.  The area owned by the Army Corps of Engineers is being updated to protect the park from storms and to match the work done by the City of Duluth.  The second topic was the acquisition of the South Breakwater Light Station in 2018 with final transfer of deed in 2025.  The station was built in 1901 and will be restored and opened to the public for tours.  The third item was “The Gales of November” conference on November 7-8 in recognition of the 50^th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald (November 10, 1975).  On Friday the conference will focus on the maritime industry of the Great Lakes.  Saturday will focus on the Edmund Fitzgerald, the sinking, the loss of 29 men, and the subsequent investigations of the wreck.  The Association works to support the Maritime Museum which is free and open to the public and is the most visited attraction in Minnesota.

 

Chair of the Day Rob Hofmann, Speaker David Scheuer, with President Elect Dan Maki

 

 

Smiling faces greet happy customers

 

(L to R) Darlene Anderson, Past President Barb Perrella, Past President Bill Gravelle, site captain Dave Fulda and Past President Chana Stocke

 

Catherine Carter Huber and Past President Elizabeth Simonson

 

Past Presidents Barb Perrella and Chana Stocke

 

Jon Ohman, Past Presidents Elizabeth Simonson and Michelle Buria