Thursday, May 30, 2024

For Those Attending in Person

Lunch Buffet

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

(Link Sent Thursday Morning)

At

 

 

Frank Bures is an award-winning writer and speaker based in Minneapolis, and a write for North Home & Life Magazine. He has written over 200 stories for Rotary Magazine, and for many years he wrote the “Culture” column, covering everything from the fine power of culture to the magic of travel, to questions about leading an ethical life. Now the best of those columns has been collected in a book: "The Shape of the World: Essays on Travel, Culture and Belief from Rotary Magazine" https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BG5R1FNR

Frank is the author of "The Geography of Madness," which Newsweek called one of the best travel books of the decade. His stories have been included in Best American Travel Writing, and, in addition to Rotary, he has written for Harper's, The Atlantic, Outside and other publications.

 

 

 

By Darlene Anderson

 

With a ring of the Rotary bell President Gary Melander gained the attention of Rotarians and guests welcoming all to the weekly meeting of Rotary Club #25. After the group singing The National Anthem and reciting the Rotary 4-Way Test, Past Assistant District Governor Phil Strom shared a Reflection focused on the significance of Memorial Day and the service of so many patriotic Americans such as his father who served in the US Navy. He also remembered the trip he and wife Babs took to Normandy, France and Omaha Beach as recited the poem “In Flanders Field, the poppies blow between the crosses row on row...”

 

Past Assistant District Governor Phil Strom

 

Holly Mirau was the first to “Kick the Golden Can” as this will be her last Rotary meeting as she has completed her MBA degree and changed positions at College of St Scholastica. However, when it becomes possible, she will rejoin us. Congratulations Holly - you will be missed.

 

Patra Sevastiades added $31 to the can as she announced that her daughter turned 31 years old and as they celebrated her birthday, she announced that she was engaged to be married. Bob Reichert was the speaker at the Ely Rotary Club this week and shared the story of his daughter Dorie and book “Yellow Butterfly”.

 

Bob Reichert - fresh from Ely, MN

 

President-Elect Elizabeth Simonson reminded all that President's Night Celebration honoring President Gary Melander will be June 20 at 5:30 aboard the Vista Star. Watch for emails that are being sent with further details. There will not be a lunch meeting on that day.

 

Among the guests was Allen Anway’s fiancée Judy Sage, who received a very warm welcome to Club # 25.

 

Allen Anway and fiancée Judy Sage

 

Rotary Club banners were exchanged with Beau Pulliam, President of the Issaquah, Washington Rotary Club and representing Club #25, President Gary Melander.

 

Beau Pulliam, from Issaquah WA with President Gary Melander

 

Chair of the Day Past President Dean Casperson noted that it was 6 years ago that Past President Michelle Buria challenged the club to adopt a major club project. After receiving several proposals from groups in our community, Rotarians chose The Boys and Girls Club Mental Health Initiative Program. So it was that a goal was set to raise $25,000 by selling 5,000 ducks at $5 each and with the help of donors and sponsors “The Duck Pluck” was a success. Tammy Sundbom, Chief Development Officer of the Boys and Girls Club remembered “The Duck Pluck” as being so much fun and that it was the driving force establishing the program. And it is appropriate that we share an update as May is “Mental Health Awareness Month”. Since 2019 and not counting this year, Rotary Club 25 has donated $88,700 which equals about 75% of the program expense. What no one knew as the program began was the next year would be the pandemic and it may have become impossible to initiate this program.

 

Past President Dean Casperson

 

 

Tammy Sundbom then introduced Emily Burnside, Director of Operations, and Caitlin Dupuy, Behavioral Health Coordinator who shared how the program impacts the youth who attend the Club. Every day there is social and emotional learning offered and 90% of the kids participate in that. There are 54 youth who spend additional time with Caitlin as they learn to identify their emotions and learn coping mechanisms. For some youth individual behavior plans are developed meeting several times each week with their counselor. Emily and Caitlin expressed how rewarding it is to see kids develop these skills and how it changes their lives. However, there is a need for more counselors and interns who can work with them impacting the lives of over 600 youth each year.

 

Caitlin Dupuy

 

Meet the Team

 

The impact they make

 

(L to R) President Gary Melander, Tammy Sundbom, Caitlin Dupuy, Emily Burnside and Chair of the Day, Past President Dean Casperson