March 14, 2024

For Those Attending in Person

Lunch Buffet

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

(Link Sent Thursday Morning)

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Goodwill’s mission is transforming lives for generations through learning and the power of work. True North Goodwill is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that provides training, jobs, and support services for people with barriers to employment who seek greater independence. 

 

By Rob Hofmann

 

 

I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag…

 

Pulling “double duty”, President Gary Melander provides the Reflection.

 

Membership Chair Zack Walters has been a frequent guest at the podium in recent weeks.  This week he introduced Club #25’s newest member Travis Klingeisen who works with fellow Rotarian Pat Pfahl at RBC Wealth management. In a gesture that may become a new tradition for introducing new members to the Club faithful, Zach Walters exchanged Travis Klingeisen’s adhesive name tag for a bona fide Club #25 Badge making it very official!

 

Membership Chair Zach Walters

 

Our newest member Travis Klingeisen

 

President Gary Melander shared some great news that in addition to our regular program for March 14^th, Jireh (G-Ray) Mabamba will be joining us to share a bit about his work serving children and families with disabilities in the Twin Cities. Those who know G-Ray will not be surprised to learn that he is President-Elect of Rotary Club of Minneapolis #9! In other news, President Gary Melander announced that Past District Governor Kay Biga has arranged for a wonderful opportunity for our Rotary Clubs!  Free preview performance of the musical Next To Normal and the Duluth Playhouse – Thursday, March 14^th!   See details below!

 

New Generations Chair Rob Hofmann had incoming Junior Rotarians introduce themselves. He asked Rotarians to “get to know these future leaders” – and asked the Junior Rotarians to “ask a lot of questions of Club #25 Rotarians”. Rob Hofmann reminded everyone that our Thursday, April 11th meeting will be our annual Junior Rotarian Day, when all 2023/2024 Club #25 Junior Rotarians will help plan and lead our weekly meeting. Another the Camp RYLA will once again be held in July and Club #25 has five RYLA scholarships available for ANY Junior or Senior. Please spread the word and SHARE THIS LINK!!

 

Junior Rotarians every Rotarian should meet!

 

Chair of The Day Past President Branden Robinson ascended the stage to introduce one of our own Rotarians - Jerry Thoreson.  As Managing Director of Destination Duluth,  Jerry Thoreson brought the energy and passion of a religious zealot as he shared what Destination Duluth has become in its short eleven-year history.  Was there a touch of divine inspiration behind the conception and implementation of Destination Duluth…? Yes, Jerry Thoreson believes there is!

 

Past President Branden Robinson

 

Jerry Thoreson named Past President Branden Robinson as the true visionary and spark behind the creation of Destination Duluth. With help from Duluthians Tom Livingston and Chris Swanson, what began in 2013 with an idea to create a community of Duluth Citizen Promoters by enlisting 35 Duluth area photographers and writers has grown into a far larger contributing community of 350! 

 

 

Photo by  Tim Mlodozyniec

 

According to shareablee.com, Destination Duluth ranks #3 nationally in social media in the tourism category – outperforming multi-million dollar tourist social media organizations such as Choose Chicago, Discover Los Angeles, and Visit California.  Since 2023 Destination Duluth has had more than 650,000,000 views of their content! Surveys of Duluth tourists repeatedly demonstrate that their experiences visiting Destination Duluth’s Facebook, Instagram, and website (with its incredible photography and stories) are a deciding factor for their journey to Northern Minnesota. In addition to the influence Destination Duluth has upon outsiders, Destination Duluth is viewed with pride among resident Duluthians – as well as outsiders who have moved their families TO Duluth because of Destination Duluth.  As President Gary Melander say: “HOW LUCKY ARE WE?”  

 

 

Past District Governor Kay Biga has arranged for a wonderful opportunity for our Rotary Clubs! 

 

The Thursday, March 14th performance of Next To Normal at the Duluth Playhouse will be designated as Rotary Night.  The entire Playhouse will be dedicated to Rotary members and our guests.  There are no tickets required for this evening event.  This is the night before the play opens to the public!

 

With RI President R. Gordon R. McInally calling for Rotary to create hope in the world by working for peace and mental wellbeing, this performance with its mental health theme is especially relevant to Rotarians.

 

Schedule:

 

The Next To Normal Rotary Night Event, Thursday, March 14, 2024

6:00 p.m.  Doors Open with refreshments as a time to visit with each other.

7:00 p.m.  Theatre Doors open guests can begin to take their seats.

7:30 p.m. Start of Show Next To Normal runs about 2 hrs. in length, and there will be one 15 min intermission.

 

There will be refreshments and a cash bar starting at 6 p.m. and continuing through the intermission.

 

Description:

 

Music by Tom Kitt

Lyrics and Book by Brian Yorkey

 

This Pulitzer prize-winning, contemporary musical invites audiences into the minds and hearts of the Goodmans, a suburban family struggling with the effects of mental illness. This brave and breathtaking story features an unforgettable rock score by Tom Kitt and original book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey. Named “one of the year’s ten best shows” by critics around the country, this truly authentic piece of musical theatre goes where few can with honesty and conviction.

 

What a great opportunity to socialize, meet and mingle with other Rotarians and enjoy an evening at the Playhouse!   Please share this information with your Club and include it in your newsletter.  If you have any questions, please let me know.

 

 

Mark Niedermier

218-269-1532

 

Kay Biga

218-390-6507