We Meet at Noon on Thursday

May 27, 2021

Plated Meal Served

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

 

Sarah Strommen

Commissioner – Department of Natural Resources

 

Minnesota has State Parks, State Recreation Areas, and State Waysides encompassing over 234,000 acres!  A partial list of activities includes camping, lodging, hiking, and fishing.  Come and hear more about the unforgettable recreational experiences of our State Parks and Trails and how the DNR is working to ensure these opportunities are preserved and enhanced.

 

By Rob Hofmann

 

Despite a few technical difficulties with ZOOM (that challenged even the most tech savvy Rotarians) President Elect Chana Stocke rang the Rotary Bell at 12:14 PM.  Rotarians, along with 17 on ZOOM, recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary Four-Way Test. 

 

President Elect Chana Stocke

 

Today’s Rotary Refection was offered by Ryan Johnson who expressed his great pleasure to answer the call to provide a meditation.  Reflecting upon the significant challenges we all faced this past year and the promise of better days ahead, the poem Good Timber by Douglas Malloch provided inspiration to remind us that we indeed are resilient: Good timber does not grow with ease: The stronger wind, the stronger trees; The further sky, the greater length; The more the storm, the more the strength.

 

“Clean-Plate” Dave Fulda, “GQ” Brian Fulda, “Miles of Smiles” Gary Melander

 

Our Fellowship Report began with introductions of our guests. We welcomed Roxanne Esguerra, a guest of Doug Erickson who is a native of Singapore, and our speaker Haley Cope of the Lake Superior Zoo. A few Rotarians stepped up to kick the Golden Can. Jay Ott placed $2.00 saying that was all he had following his son’s wedding! Skeeter Moore contributed a work-zone fine announcing that the North Shore Inline Marathon is alive and well for 2021 – and to save the dates of September 17 – 19, 2021 for volunteer opportunities!

Skeeter Moore wants YOU for the North Shore Inline Marathon!

 

Speaking of our beautiful North Shore, Rotarians are invited to help keep our part of the North Shore Drive clean by joining fellow Rotarians on May 27th at 2:30 PM meeting at the Clearwater Grille followed by fellowship at the home of Past President Michelle Buria.

 

Chair of the Day Jerry Thoreson introduced our speaker, Lake Superior Zoo CEO Haley Cope by providing a bit of background. Ms. Cope is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Crookston and joined the zoo in 2018 as the director of marketing. She was elevated to her current role in the midst of some of the most challenging days faced by the zoo and its board of directors.

 

Haley Cope, CEO Lake Superior Zoo

 

Ms. Cope began her program by taking note of today’s Reflection and its theme of toughness. Stating “Nothing grows without experiencing some bit of struggle”.  Surviving the Flood of 2012 and COVID of 2020, the Lake Superior Zoo (LSZ) now looks for exciting days ahead. To underscore this point, Ms. Cope invites us to join the more than 1,456 member households to visit the zoo as it is once again open to the public 7 days a week. Ms. Cope provided us with a “Zoo 101” by reminding us of the humble beginnings in 1923 with “Billy the Deer” to the beloved and now relocated Berlin the Polar Bear. LSZ is a true regional asset, home to 350 animals many of which can only be seen here! LSZ is a hub of animal conservation initiatives and even serves to rescue injured or abandoned animals such as a couple of orphaned brown bears.

 

Can you bear a kiss?

 

LSZ is one of only three zoos in Minnesota accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. The zoo provides space and programs for a number of community-based partners such as Valley Youth Center of Duluth and the LSZ’s own Pre-School that currently serves 10 families with enrolled kids ages 33 months to 5 years. The year 2021 and beyond holds great promise for LSZ as Ms. Cope announced they are in the midst of their 2021 membership drive, expect to retire its debt with the City of Duluth, and undertake a capital campaign to renovate facilities.