Another large attendance on a wet gloomy day at the Lyric Center in the Holiday Inn as everyone anticipated an excellent presentation by fellow Rotarian Tom Homan. Past President Elaine Hansen taking President Tricia Bunten’s place suggested we sing “America the Beautiful” because the past week has been very worrisome for our country. In beginning his invocation, Greg Hansen stated that even though it is difficult to find peace in today's world we all belong to one another quoting Mother Teresa.
Dave McLean and Gary Melander wrestled up $90 for Neal Rothe, the winner of the 50/50 drawing. John Foucault and Bob Bennett greeted Rotarians and guests as they entered the meeting.
Fellowship chair Assistant Governor Al Makynen (newly shorn) pointed out that our method of fining for the golden can is beneficial in three ways: puts a face to a name, recognizes a Rotarian for a job well done or personal milestone, and raises money to serve youth in our community. Tom Young was fined first as Young and Associates received “Agency of the Year” award. Past Pres Mike Orman was seen on WDIO TV while attending with his grandson the Youth Days at United Northern Sportsmen. Dick Pelinka’s daughter Sarah was married on August 5th at Clyde Iron. Assistant Governor Warren Bender was the Minister. John Foucault was heard on a 88.1 radio program entitled “Ethical Entrepreneurship in a Modern World”. This may turn into a series of radio spots. Jim Lewis came forward to receive congratulations on the birth of his son on July 1, 2017. Jeff Iisakka was seen on TV speaking on support of the new bike trails in Duluth. Also for the opening of a 50 year old time capsule on the iron range. Past Pres Dave McLean paid the price for wearing Past Pres Dave Allison’s badge today.
Chairperson of the Day Sandy Hoff with Speaker Tom Homan.
Past Pres Sandy Hoff introduced Tom Homan in a long recitation of Tomʼs interesting and exciting career in the Navy, State Department, and education. After leaving the Navy he served in nine US embassies in the Middle East, Europe, and South Asia, finished his career by teaching international affairs in Kasakhstan, India, and the US. His assignments took him to areas of well known conflict
such as Bagdad at the beginning of the first Gulf War, the “spy swap” with the Russians in Germany, and Brandenberg when President Reagan demanded that Russia “tear down this wall!” Tom, based on his years of diplomacy, thinks that the international problems of today are somewhat predictable. The fact that the State Department went to little effort to learn about North Korea over the years along with lack of diplomacy made our poor relationship with them inevitable, and much worse lately because of nuclear weapons.
At present we have two leaders of nuclear powers acting angry with each other with very little hope for diplomacy . He read a famous quote “angry men do not get along well”. Past presidents have relied heavily on their diplomatic aids who had a wealth of knowledge in their specific areas, but that does not seem to be case presently with many assistant secretary of state jobs going unfilled. While no diplomatic treaties are perfect, it is much better to “substitute dialogue for bullets”.
Elaine Hansen ran this week’s meeting with Tom Homan presenting the program.
Gordon Butler passed away on Tuesday, August 15th. The Club offers our deepest sympathies to his family. The Celebration of Life for Gordon will take place on Sunday, August 27th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Dougherty Funeral Home and the funeral will take place on Monday, August 28th at 11:00 am. A eulogy will be given by Past District Governor Earl Rogers on Thursday, August 24th. To view Gordon’s obituary please click here.
The Membership Committee recommends Thomas Eling, Partner at WIPFLI LLP, for the classification Certified Public Accounting-Tax, proposed by Deb Medlin and Bill Gravelle. If the Board receives no written objections to these proposals within 7 days, he will be invited to become a member.
A coupon book is provided free with each dozen roses distributed on October 13th. In 2016, 5,000 coupon books were distributed to local customers. Each coupon costs $250 and there are other sponsorship opportunities for the Coupon Book and Rose Sale available. If you have or know of a business that would be interested in this amazing opportunity please contact Al Makynen, email almakynen@gmail.com or phone 218-343-2515
On August 18, 1917 the opening ceremony was held for the Pigeon River Bridge. The bridge was funded by the Rotary Club of Duluth, the Fort Wiliam Port Arthur Rotary Club, Cook County in Minnesota and the Ontario Minister of Lands and Forests. Rotarians determined that it would take too long for the US and Canada to negotiate the approval of a bridge connecting Ontario and Minnesota. Due to the lack of government approval, the bridge became known as the Outlaw Bridge. The Rotarian, in June 1971, featured an article with more details. To view the article, on pages 48-52, please click here.
My hometown is Roseville, MN. I attended the University of Minnesota Minneapolis for undergraduate and law school.
My favorite past times are nordic skiing, running, canoeing, hiking, reading, knitting, cooking, piano and singing
My husband, Mark, is an attorney in the same firm, though we practiced in different firms for many years and do different types of legal work. We ski, canoe, run, hike and sing together. We also enjoy to travel internationally and to visit family.
I have three daughters: One is a pediatric hospitalist in St. Paul with 2 children, one is a middle school teacher in New York City with mostly low income immigrant children, and the youngest is in residency training as an Ob-GYN in Boston. They are all accomplished Suzuki violinists, skiiers, and runners.
I was born in Saskatoon and spent 2nd grade in Edinburgh, Scotland. I'm a high school dropout.
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