History was everywhere. President Tricia Bunten started us off with Past President John Baumgarten at the piano for the Star Spangled Banner. Singing at Club meetings is a long Rotary tradition. Although our Club no longer uses the official Rotary Song Book, our singing at the beginning of every meeting and of happy birthday is a nod to that tradition. Past President Dan Bergeland gave us our invocation comprised of a history lesson with a prayer that we would all learn from our past.
Past President Bill Gravelle had the honor of introducing three visiting Rotarians and four guests before launching into his work to fill the Golden Can with fines of all sorts. Brian Liberty and Sandy Hoff made the mistake of promoting the Duluth Playhouse at the Friday’s Fellowship Breakfast. Support of the Playhouse is no doubt a worthy cause but also an example of where no good deed goes unpunished. Karol Sowers had a big week celebrating her 32nd wedding anniversary and the marriage of her son. Michael Scharenbroich had an informative spot on KDAL radio about invasive aquatic species and the new boat cleaning station at Pike Lake. Chana Stocke has been elected to the Board of Directors of The Hills, the corporate umbrella of Woodland Hills, Cambia Hills and Neighborhood Youth Services. All former and current Woodland Hills board members were instructed to come forward and pay their fine. It appeared as though there was at least one board member at every table! And to make sure the Golden Can participated in the theme of the day, all members who had a college degree in history were fined. It was truly a mass fine with a large crowd coming forward including those with double majors!
There was a bumper crop of 15 members with August birthdays who together had a total of 369 years of service to Rotary! As a recovering accountant, this reporter was struck by the length of service. Members have served Rotary from 5 to 55 years with an average of 25 years of service. Edie Michalski, in recognition of her birthday ending in a zero, made a generous contribution to the Golden Can equal to her age.
A special congratulations to Past President Jack Soetebier with 55 years of service to our Club and to the community. An example of living history.
Suzanne Anderson made a quick appeal for seven additional paddlers for the Dragon Boat Races. Our Club has had a boat in the race every year since the beginning. It is a fun day on the water.
Rob Hofmann, Chair of the New Generations Committee, is seeking a member to work with the Junior Rotarian program as a liaison with the Harbor City International School and the Lakeview Christian Academy.
Assistant Governor Warren Bender provided the opportunity for all of us to help fund international projects in Guatemala by purchasing free trade coffee. The coffee is grown in the area
immediately surrounding the school where area Rotary Clubs, including our own, have supported multiple projects.
Assistant Governor Warren Bender
Chair of the Day, Charley Korsch, introduced our speaker Doris Malkmus, Director of the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum. With a rapid transition, the Director made a quick point that the museum located at 902 East Superior Street is a hidden historical treasure. She revealed that a vast majority of visitors to the Museum are tourists. Attendance recently surged fivefold when a huge banner reading “Free Admission” was hung across the front doors! The current exhibit is: “Wright Brothers and First Flight” which continues until August 27th and is the right place to be.
The Karpeles Museum opened in 1993 in a repurposed historic building and represents one of fifteen locations across the United States. The founder David Karpeles, a 1953 Denfeld High School graduate, and his wife create, from one of the country’s largest private collections, the traveling exhibits which circulate every four months. The artifacts and manuscripts bring history into perspective in a way that no textbook can accomplish. Seeing even the smallest piece of history makes the past come alive and makes it real.
When (not if) you go to the Karpeles Manuscript Museum make sure you sign the guest book. The Director is expecting you! She claims to have our membership list and will be looking for your name to appear.
President Tricia Bunten, Speaker Doris Malkmus, and Charley Korsch
The Club 25 Grants Committee is accepting applications to provide funding to qualifying organizations in the Fall, 2017. For more information on the criteria for receiving funding from Club 25, review the Grant Guidelines. To apply for funding, the organization should complete the Grant Application Form. All applications are due to Bri, bri@duluthrotary.org, by August 15th. If the organization received a grant from Club 25 last year, a Final Report must be completed prior to being considered for further funding.
Duluth Skyline Rotary Club is kicking off their 2017 Peach Sale. If you would like to order a lug of peaches (22lbs or 36-42 peaches) for $35, please see Earl Rogers at one of our Thursday meetings or call Earl at 218-728-3012. Pickup will be Friday, August 18th 11am to 7pm and Saturday August 19th 9am until sold out at Sam’s Club on Maple Grove Road.
The 16th annual Dragon Boat Festival will take place Friday, August 25th and Saturday, August 26th. This event is organized by Harbortown Rotary Club, Superior Rotary Club 40 and Superior Sunrise Centennial Rotary Club. To represent Club 25 at the event Suzanne Anderson is organizing a team of paddlers. If you are interested in helping please contact Suzanne via email sanders1@d.umn.edu or phone 218-391-2117. If you are not able to paddle, you can still join the fun by attending at the Dragon Boat Festival at Barker’s Island.
In 1991, our local foundation, Rotary Club of Duluth Foundation, was established to help the club meet its “Service Above Self” philanthropic mission in Duluth. In 1998 the Foundation Board changed its name to the Westmoreland Foundation to recognize one of Club 25’s most distinguished members, H.E. “Wes” Westmoreland. Wes was our Club President, served as District Governor and a founder of Westmoreland Larson and Hill, a public relations firm that served clients throughout the region.
In 2015, the Foundation Board evaluated its own image, its purpose, its connection to Club 25 and the community of Duluth. The Board was advised, in large part by our Club membership, to make the connection to our Club clearer. Further, it needed to reinforce the purpose of our local foundation as solely for the benefit of the Rotary Club of Duluth. Therefore, the decision was made to return to the original name, the Rotary Club of Duluth Foundation.
We continue to honor Wes Westmoreland. The three funds within the Foundation: Endowment, Scholarship, and Community are all named in his honor. The donor recognition program includes the Westmoreland Crest for donations to the endowment of $1,000 or more.
Many of us knew Wes Westmoreland. Wes lived the motto of Service Above Self and said many times in his invocation, “And, be ever mindful of the needs of others”. And while the Foundation has returned to its original name, Wes will continue to be recognized though the individual funds. If you have any questions, please contact the Foundation’s President Dean Casperson.
I’m from Duluth, graduated from East High School in 2007, UMD in 2011 with a degree in Spanish and Sociology. I also have a Master’s degree in non-profit management.
My main pastime includes-- anything outside! Mountain-biking, gardening, or hiking along Chester Creek are my summer and fall favorites.
My husband Stephen is the creative half of our duo-- by trade he's a graphic designer, and works for Northern Waters Restaurant and Smokehaus as their Creative Manager. In addition to doing all things design, he is a fantastic cook! This fall we're looking forward to spending a week together in Puerto Rico-- immersing ourselves in the history, food and sunshine.
Gordita
'Gordita' (Spanish for little chubby girl), is our 'fur baby', a black lab, chow-chow mix. We adopted her from Animal Allies 8 years ago. Gordita serves as chair of the entertainment committee in our house, as well as running coach.
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