Between Earth and Sky: Indigenous Sky Visionaries of Turtle Island
It is important to preserve and share star stories and wisdom across a network of people and how it can impact our view of the future. The program will include a view of water and climate issues which impacted early residents of our region thousands of years ago. Presenter Jim Rock, Program Director of the Alworth Planetarium at UMD, will connect these star stories with Rotary International’s commitment to water and what we can do locally and globally. He will be introduced by our own Marc Seigar, associate dean of the Swenson College of Science and Engineering, also at UMD.
President Elaine Hansen opened our meeting. Inspired by a gloriously sunny June 1st, we began our meeting singing the “The Star Spangled Banner” accompanied by Past President John Baumgarten.
Sheryl Homan offered an inspired invocation as she began with the recognizable maxim: “You’ve got to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything”. Sheryl reminded us of the great humanitarian Dr. Albert Schweitzer who embodied “Service Above Self” for much in his life. A physician, musician, and philosopher, Dr. Schweitzer was a recipient of the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize. He lived a life of service to others by maintaining, promoting, and enhancing life – and the living. These values mirror Rotarian values as Sheryl had us recite the Rotary 4-Way Test. Sheryl provided inspiring quotes by Dr. Schweitzer – “The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion – and the will to serve others”.
Past President Bill Gravelle, this week’s Fellowship Reporter, welcomed a number of guests and one visiting Rotarian. Anna Nelson from Duluth Superior Eco Rotary invited Club 25 Rotarians to join her and fellow Rotarians to help with cleanup at the finish line of this year’s Grandma’s Marathon. Patti Nadeau joined us as a guest of Darlene Anderson. Mark Eckman played host to his wife Mary Eckman. And we had a sighting of Paul “Count” Vesterstein – a former Club 25 member. Bill Gravelle, played the part of Club 25 Dentist – “extracting funds” as he called all alumni from Duluth East for the success of their robotics team that is traveling to Knoxville, TN to compete in the championship round of competitive robotics, as well as a team competing in the “Destination Imagination” Global competition. Denfeld High School alumni were not exempt from mass fines as Bill noted that Denfeld welders have been recognized for extraordinary accomplishments. Ryan Johnson was cited for a better than average showing of “shooting traps” for another local with the same name. Rotarians were encouraged to look at the last issue of The Budgeteer for a wonderful article about Past President Dick Palmer. Geiger Yount kicked the can on behalf of her daughter and former Club 25 program presenter, arborist Louise Levy as she was recognized as a “Steward of Trees”. Bill called out Henry Roberts for taking a long-distance call from Chile at last week’s meeting… Henry said he could not ignore a call from his beloved son. Jim Schwartz self reported to celebrate the birth of granddaughter Sara Grace Schwartz.
President Elaine Hansen recognized all Rotarians with June birthdays and those that were in attendance were serenaded by the crowd.
Announcements began with Jim Schwartz requesting one or two more fishing boats for the June 9th Woodland Hills Fishing Trip. Please let Jim know as soon as possible if you can help. Darlene Anderson let it be known that Club 25 will host one international student this coming year! Carlos, a student from Brazil, will join us this August. However, Darlene is seeking a home for Carlos beginning in Mid-August for at least a three-month period.
Ryan Johnson encouraged all to participate in the Club 25 Trip (cash) Raffle. Ryan reminded us that everyone is welcome – including non-Rotarians. Remember, the “live drawing” will occur at our June 15th meeting.
Past President Phil Strom had the privilege of awarding two Paul Harris Fellow Awards. Rotarian Mark Eckman honored his wife, Mary Eckman, with the award and stated that his sustaining donation of $25 each quarter made this possible. Bill Abalan was presented his 5th Sapphire for his continued generosity.
Bill Abalan was presented his 5th Sapphire pin, by Phil Strom, for being a sustaining member of The Rotary Foundation.
Phil Strom shaking hands with Mark Eckman for honoring Mary Eckman, Mark’s wife, with a Paul Harris Fellow Award.
Dave Nolle was next up presenting Perfect Attendance Awards to a number of Rotarians.
Bill Abalan- 34 years, Roni Salo- 26 years, Geiger Yount- 28 years, Tom McCabe- 21 years and Jack Soetebier- 55 years.
President Elaine introduced one of the more unique and entertaining programs we have had. Chairperson of the Day, Dave Nolle – assisted by Barb Perrella - placed us all in “Jeopardy” – tasking us to demonstrate our knowledge of all things Rotary. Using the format of the popular game show Jeopardy, each table of Rotarians competed against each other to test knowledge of Rotary International, Rotary Club 25 history, RI Foundation good works, and much more. The competition was fierce and robust. Rotarian vs. Rotarian tackled categories such as “What is Rotary?”, “Club 25 in Five Years” and “Impact” with awards ranging from 100 points to 500. Of course, answers had to be presented in the form of a question! The judges, Dave Nolle and President Elaine Hansen gave “thumbs up or down” on a number of responses. It is fair to say that Club 25 knows its stuff!
The winning table, Phil Strom, Sheryl Homan, Rob Hofmann, Deb Medlin and Bill Gravelle, scored 1,900 points following the “Final Jeopardy Round” and all were awarded for their win by receiving beautifully designed Rotary cookies.
Runner-up table , Mark Eckman, Mary Eckman, Jon Ohman, Jeff Fifield and President-Elect Tricia Bunten also feasted of the edible trophy.
The delightful edible trophies from the Jeopardy game.
The Club 25 Trip Raffle kicked off on Thursday, May 11th. The drawing will take place on June 15th but you do not have to be present to win. This year the committee has made an exciting update to the prizes to encourage ticket sales. The cash prizes are based on the number of tickets sold and will be as follows:
One Platinum Level: 20% of purse (up to $7,500)
One Gold Level: 10% of purse (up to $3,750)
Three Silver Level: 5% of purse (up to $1,875)
Five Bronze Level: 1% of purse (up to $375)
The drawing will also include a variety of complimentary hotel room stays. Each Club 25er will be given two $100 tickets to buy or sell. You can pick up your tickets at a Thursday meeting or in the Rotary office. This important fundraiser gives everyone a chance to win these amazing prizes. Contact the Rotary Office at 218-722-0451 or bri@duluthrotary.org with questions. Club 25ers can charge their ticket purchases to their accounts.
The Duluth-Superior Eco Rotary club is in need of volunteers for Grandma's Marathon recycling in the exciting zone behind the finish line. We help finishers decide what is compost, recyclable or garbage and they appreciate our efforts. The two shifts are 6:00 am - 10:30 am and 10:15 am -2:30 pm. A volunteer training meeting will be scheduled soon before the race. This meeting is where you will get your t-shirt, your FINISH LINE ribbon, (this is your pass to get in the area), pins, meal tickets, and drink tickets. We need up to 60 volunteers for this event, so it's important for us to draw people in from other clubs, including your friends, family, and co-workers. Please contact Anna Pulles at:
On Saturday, June 24th the North Shore Rotary Club of Two Harbors will be hosting their ForeKids Couples Golf Tournament at Lakeview National. The tee time is 8:30 am and the money raised will be used for from Silver Bay and Two Harbors students to attend Camp RYLA. The cost is $65 per person, which includes the following:
· 18 holes of golf (6 holes best ball – 6 holes alternate golf – 6 holes scramble)
· Luncheon following play
· Registration gifts valued at over $30 per couple
· Flight awards
The tournament is limited to 20 couples. Reserve a tee time by calling 218-834-2664.
The Rotary Club of Duluth Foundation would like to thank the following Rotarians who donate quarterly, as sustainers, to grow the Foundation:
Scott Bradt
Tricia Bunten
Dean Casperson
Elaine Hansen
Greg Hansen
Jon Helstrom
Diane Holliday-Welsh
Jim Landwehr
Al Makynen
John Moir
Jim Monge
Mike Orman
Jerry Ostroski
Bob Reichart
Henry Roberts
Jim Schwartz
Bob Torgrimson
Steve Yorde
If you would like to become a sustainer of The Rotary Club of Duluth Foundation please contact Bri in the Rotary Office by email bri@duluthrotary.org or call 218-722-0451.
.jpg)
.jpg)
