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Volume 105 #35
A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT MICHELLE BURIA
 
Following State and Local guidelines and in the interest of public health, the Rotary Board has decided to cancel the weekly Thursday meetings through the end of March.
 
The Rotary office will remain open; however, we ask that you only go to the office for necessary business that cannot otherwise be conducted electronically or over the phone.
 
Committee meetings will be held at the discretion of the Chairs including the decision to meet in person or electronically or to postpone meetings until a later date.
 
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting
by Darlene Anderson
 
As Rotarians gathered for their weekly meeting, many were discussing the Conversation Starter question “When you were a kid, how did you spend your summers?” The answers brought forth stories, smiles and chuckles. Returning after two weeks away President Michelle Buria rang the Rotary bell and invited all to stand and join her in reciting the Rotary 4 Way Test.
 
Delivering the Fellowship Report was Past President Bob Bennett, congratulating Edina realtor Sheryl Homan for once again winning the Top Seller Award – this time for 2019. Past President Dave McLean kicked the Golden Can as he acknowledged Junior Rotarian Drew Sams for his play with the Hermantown High School hockey team at state. Then Dave asked Junior Rotarian Finn Hoops, Duluth East hockey player, another outstanding player, to stand and be recognized. Both young men have played as teammates and opponents since their youth demonstrating the camaraderie that exists amongst so many of our local hockey players. Seeing an opportunity to fill the Golden Can, Past President Bob Bennett asked all who attended Hermantown High School, live in Hermantown or work in Hermantown to add their dollars. Jay Ott stated that he and Zach Walters shared the same plane on their return trip from “Mickey Mouse Land” and a smiling Jay paid Zach's fine along with his own. There will be a hockey game played at Amsoil Arena Thursday night - minus any audience - between two teams of the “Old Men of Hockey League” which includes Club #25’s own Skeeter Moore. He shared that this will be the same audience they have had all winter - ZERO!
 
 
Left to right: Junior Rotarians and hockey players Drew Sams and Finn Hoops with Dave McLean
 
There are several important Club 25 events coming up and the planning has begun. The Rotary Annual Dinner and Auction Committee, under the direction of Ryan Johnson, meets on Tuesday, March 17. The Duck Pluck Committee, again led by Head Duck Jon Ohman, gathers on Monday, March 16. Any club member who desires to assist with the events is invited to attend the planning meetings. Please watch future editions of the Gimlet for more announcements.
 
President Elect and Chair of the Day Dean Casperson introduced our speaker Jeramy Katchuba, District Vice President, Duluth Area Family YMCA. It has been 18 years since Jeramy presented to our Rotary Club and he began with a game of “YMCA Trivia” which included prizes for the Rotarian with the correct or closest answer.
 
1) In what decade did the YMCA begin in Duluth? 1882.
 
2) In what decade did Camp Miller begin? It was in 1898. The locations were Deer River, then Ely, then Sturgeon Lake. Camp Miller is the longest running camp in Minnesota and fourth oldest in the United States.
 
3) When did the YMCA begin in Cook County? 2014 in Grand Marais. It is attached to the school and kids can move right from their classroom to the Y for the after-school programs. It is currently used by 1752 people and has the highest retention rate in the U.S.
 
4) When did the community service branch open in the Harbor Highlands? 7 years ago. It focuses on youth services in that neighborhood.
 
5) What was the launch date of the newest facility? October 14, 2019. It is the YMCA at Essentia Wellness Center located in Hermantown. It is a partnership between the YMCA (Manager of the facility), City of Hermantown (Owner of the property) and Essentia (Naming rights to the facility and key renter for their on-site clinic).
 
The $26 million facility was truly a partnership between these three entities, funds from a state bonding request, St Louis County and 15 regional townships plus contributions from the public. This is clearly an example of a partnership at its best The YMCA at Essentia Wellness Center is located at 4289 Ugstad Road in the old Hermantown Middle School building. The renovated 72,000 square foot facility includes an aquatics center, gym area, workout space, indoor track and community spaces. It also houses a licensed childcare facility currently serving 118 kids which was the number projected in a few years rather than months.
 
The facility is being so well utilized that it has already surpassed the 5-year projected numbers with over 6600 new members since opening. In January 2020 more than 30,000 visits to the facility were recorded. This not only meets but exceeds the original goals of providing services to not only those living in Hermantown, but in the surrounding area. It is also a shining example of what can be accomplished with community partnerships.
 
 
Left to right: Our speaker Jeramy Katchuba with President Elect and Chair of the Day Dean Casperson
 
 
 
 
Nominations for 2021 Rotary Peace Fellowships
Nominations for 2021 Rotary Peace Fellowships
The 2021 Rotary Peace Fellowship application is now available for the next cohort of global peace and development leaders.

Members are encouraged to use their professional and social contacts to find potential candidates.   These resources are available to help you recruit candidates:
Candidates have until 31 May 2020 to submit applications to District 5580. The District has until 1 July to submit endorsed applications to The Rotary Foundation.

Send any questions to rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org.
This Week's Meeting
We meet Thursdays at 12:00 PM
CANCELLED
207 W. Superior St
Duluth, MN 55802
United States of America
VenueMap Venue Map
Speakers
Mar 19, 2020 12:00 PM
DG Elect
Mar 26, 2020 12:00 PM
Police Cheif
Apr 02, 2020 12:00 PM
150th Anniversary Northern Pacific Railroad
Apr 09, 2020 12:00 PM
Destination Duluth
Apr 16, 2020 12:00 PM
Steger Center
Apr 30, 2020 12:00 PM
off-site
May 07, 2020 12:00 PM
Great Lakes Aquarium
May 14, 2020 12:00 PM
Stroke of Genius
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Rotary Duck Pluck Committee Meeting
Conference call
Mar 16, 2020
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
Dinner and Auction Planning Meeting
Lyric
Mar 17, 2020
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
March Board Meeting
Conference call
Mar 17, 2020
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
 
Budget and Finance Committee Meeting
Rotary Office
Mar 19, 2020
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
 
Volunteer: Rotaract Damiano Bread Delivery
Mar 21, 2020
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
 
Chamber Club Photo
Duluth Chamber Office
Mar 24, 2020
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
 
Volunteer: Rotaract Damiano Bread Delivery
Apr 04, 2020
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
 
Volunteer Opportunity: Community Food Distribution
Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank
Apr 08, 2020
4:15 PM – 5:30 PM
 
Rotary Club of Duluth Foundation Board Meeting
Raymond James
Apr 14, 2020
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 
Volunteer: Rotaract Damiano Bread Delivery
Apr 18, 2020
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM
 
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Jennifer Smith
March 1
 
Bill Himango
March 4
 
Chana Stocke
March 16
 
Craig Chilcote
March 16
 
Allen Anway
March 19
 
Earl Rogers
March 20
 
Bill Gravelle
March 22
 
Pat Holliday
March 22
 
Ruth Westra
March 22
 
Christine Empanger
March 29
 
Grant Hauschild
March 31
 
Rob Hofmann
March 31
 
Join Date
Mike Orman
March 1, 1982
38 years
 
Marc Seigar
March 3, 2016
4 years
 
Tom Wheeler
March 6, 1975
45 years
 
Roni Salo
March 7, 1991
29 years
 
Matt Hunter
March 10, 2010
10 years
 
Holly Sampson
March 11, 1993
27 years
 
Steve Burgess
March 14, 2013
7 years
 
Geiger Yount
March 16, 1989
31 years
 
John Baumgarten
March 16, 1972
48 years
 
Pat Pfahl
March 17, 2011
9 years
 
Bob Reichert
March 18, 1976
44 years
 
Suzanne Anderson
March 21, 2013
7 years
 
Jack Soetebier
March 22, 1962
58 years
 
Bob Torgrimson
March 25, 1982
38 years
 
Christine Empanger
March 25, 2019
1 year
 
Bill Himango
March 26, 2009
11 years
 
Brett Kinney
March 28, 2007
13 years
 
Jeff Iisakka
March 28, 2002
18 years
 
Ken Schoen
March 30, 2000
20 years
 
Official Publication of Rotary Club of Duluth 
207 W. Superior St.
Suite 201
Phone: 218-722-0451
Duluth, Minnesota 55802
 
Editor:  Al Makynen
218-343-2515
 
Rotary Office Hours
Monday 9 – 3
Wed. & Thur. 9 – 4
218-722-0451
Website: duluthrotary.org
Rotary-Life House Spring Celebration Dinner
  March 26, 2020   (Thursday)