Thursday, January 9, 2025

Lunch Buffet

At

 

College of St. Scholastica

 

1911 was an eventful year in Duluth’s Rotary calendar with the founding of Club #25. In London, far more extravagant celebrations fundraised a specific artistic cause. United for the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary, the crowned heads and royal entourages of Europe partied their Shakespeare-themed night away in the Royal Albert Hall, ostensibly to sponsor a future National Theatre. Kings, queens, princes, princesses, even a Kaiser, re-enacted scenes and characters from Shakespeare with aristocratic excess. Dr. Quarmby commemorates both 1911 events and discusses the serendipitous association between two disparate moments in history that led him to Duluth.

 

By Renee Burns

A festive group of Rotarians enjoyed lunch in the Great Hall amid festive decorations and good cheer.  President Elizabeth Simonson began with greetings and a warm welcome to our guests.  Rob Hofmann provided a Reflection inspired by the wisdom of Franklin Delano Roosevelt encouraged us all to heed the spirit of Christmas and to reflect on our ideals of unity and goodwill amongst all. 

Rob Hofmann and the day’s Reflection

 

Jerry Pelofske reminded us that the next Salvation Army bell ringing opportunity is December 20 at five locations from 11am-1pm.  President Elizabeth Simonson announced that Dan Maki has an opportunity to volunteer to paint at St. Anns and is looking for folks to do good and have fun together.  It was also noted that we will have the first Friday Fellowship Breakfast of the new year on January 10 at 7:30am at the Kitchi Gammi Club.  As this Gimlet writer can attest, the most recent breakfast was well attended with good conversation and interesting topics. 

 

We welcomed Rotarian Steve Sikorski from the Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary Club.  Steve and President Elizabeth Simonson exchanged flags, and we learned that Steve’s club is the 14^th largest in the WORLD, with 347 members.

 

President Elizabeth Simonson exchanges club flags with Steve Sikorski from the Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary Club

Following that amazing membership number from the Sioux Falls Club, Renee Burns asked for all Club 25 Rotarians to complete the Strategic Planning survey that was handed out last week by Ted Schick, has been emailed, is on the tables and that she has copies of!  Your voice, input and ideas are needed so please complete the survey and send back to President Elizabeth Simonson.  If you don’t, she may turn up on your doorstep over the holidays.

 

Renee Burns imploring ALL Rotarians to complete the strategic planning survey

 

Past President and District Governor Elect Elaine Hansen was called to the podium to introduce our speaker, Charles Nies, the 10^th Chancellor of the University of Minnesota Duluth.  It was noted in the introduction that Dr. Nies grew up in Hutchinson, Minnesota and attended undergraduate school at the University of St. Thomas.  He has 25 years’ experience in higher education, most recently as the vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of California, Merced.

 

UMD Chancellor Charles Nies

 

Upon taking the microphone Chancellor Nies told the group he is happy to be back in Minnesota where he is still in awe of the immense beauty of Lake Superior.  He went on to tell the club members his vision for the University of Minnesota Duluth campus, starting with the positioning statement: Where courageous exploration yields lasting rewards

And the Pillars of that statement:

 

It is his feeling that while UMD is a research institution, the educational experience with smaller classroom sizes affords the opportunity for students to have closer contact with their professors.  He envisions closer partnerships with the community, the environment and businesses.  It is interesting to note that Nies is co-chairing the University systemwide strategic planning process, MPact 2025 along with Andrew Alleyne.  At the same time, UMD is embarking on a strategic planning process that will integrate with the larger system plan.  Questions from the members ranged from an update on the expansion of the medical school, to the large lakes observatory to and update on the American Indian studies program.  From the round of appreciative applause at the conclusion of the program it was clear that the members are happy to welcome Mr. Nies back to Minnesota, and Duluth.

 

Rotarians with our speaker Charles Nies

 

 

 

 

Dan and Karen Dock were once again the driving force behind providing a wonderful Christmas dinner for the youth at Life House. 

 

Their generous hearts organize food, decorations and labor to enable these kids to have a festive holiday meal.  Those of us lucky enough to work the event get back far more than we give!  The smiles of gratitude, the offers of thanks and the happiness of the day bring smiles to OUR faces and happiness in OUR hearts.    

 

 

More than 120 youth were served by a total of 19 volunteers. It takes a village to make this happen, from those making the food off-site; thank you past Rotarian Gary Schneider, transport of food, servers, clean up crew, cookie bakers, food makers, cash donations, decorations and help from Skyline Rotary, it’s a team effort all the way. 

 

 

 

Making the Magic Happen – Dan and Karen Dock

 

The serving crew, less Patra Sevastiades

Jim Schwartz, Vinod Gupta, Renee Burns, Dan Dock, Karen Dock, John Magas, Mark Leutgeb from Skyline Rotary, Geiger Yount.

 

The serving crew with Patra Sevastiades.

 

Food transport, Jerry Pelofske

Santa and Mrs. Claus and the helpful Life House Elf

 

Geiger Yount and Karen Dock

 

Breaking Past President Gary Melander’s winning streak, President Elect Zach Walters claimed the 50/50 prize drawing.