Thursday, September 26, 2024

For Those Attending in Person

Lunch Buffet

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

(Link Sent Thursday Morning)

At

Philip Hult, Development Director Generation Atomic and Ed Newman, Writer/Blogger

                 

Philip Hult recognizes the opportunity afforded to humanity in our current energy transition. Hailing from Minneapolis, he is a promoter of the dual goals of expanding access to energy and reducing the impacts of climate change. After a career in IT consulting identifying and delivering pragmatic solutions that balanced long term goals with current user needs and real-world budgets, he now leverages those skills to promote energy policies that can affect meaningful change. He is currently focused on identifying opportunities to improve the US grid through regulatory reform and addressing the equity challenges surrounding the long-term disposition of spent nuclear fuel. He holds a Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Cambridge.

 

Ed Newman, who had a 30-year career in advertising, working at Chromaline and AMSOIL, now dedicates himself fully to writing, blogging, and journalism. His article, “Is Our Energy Grid at Risk?” was a feature story in the February 2024 issue of Business North.

Chair of the Day: Past President Dean Casperson

 

 

By Patra Sevastiades

President Elizabeth Simonson rang the bell in the Charter Room at the Kitchi Gammi Club, where we dined at family-style banquet tables. She led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary 4-Way Test.

 

President Elizabeth Simonson leads us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Rob Hofmann offered the Reflection: the poem “Grafted” by Welsh poet Poppy, who wrote about her double lung transplant in 2015. The poem ends, “Dear Angel/Donor, be with me here in the bloom, I devote myself to you.”

 

Rob Hofmann shares a poem about an angel—an anonymous organ donor.

 

President Elizabeth Simonson welcomed our guests—Judy Sage, wife and guest of Allen Anway; Monica Myles of the Small Business Administration; Dave and Chris Holappa, past members of Club 25 and guests of today’s speaker, Jim Landwehr; and Adam James of the Essentia Health Foundation, guest of Robin Maxwell Pestalozzi.

Judy Sage is the guest and bride of Allen Anway.

 

Chris and Dave Holappa, past Club members and guests of Jim Landwehr.

 

Adam James of Essential Health Foundation, guest of Robin Maxwell Pestalozzi.

 

Monica Myles of the Small Business Administration took the podium to let Rotarians and guests know that the SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters such as the local flooding in June and July. Categories of applicants, interest rates, and maximum loan amounts are as follows:

 

Renter (2.68%): Damage to personal property (clothing, furniture, etc.), $100,000 limit.

Homeowner (2.68%): Damage to home, $500,000 limit; damage to personal property, $100,000 limit.

Business (4.0%): Damage to building, equipment, supplies, vehicles, $2 million limit.

 

Go to sba.gov/disaster/ to apply. Deadline is September 30, 2024.

 

Monica Myles of the Small Business Administration shares opportunities for low-interest disaster loans.

 

Past President Gary Melander announced that the 2024 Rose Sale has begun online at rotaryroses.com! (Rose Sale tickets will be distributed at the September 26 meeting.) He noted that in the past 38 years, our Club has donated $1.4 million to the community as a result of the Rose Sale.  Jerry Thoreson announces a new incentive program!  Read more about further in this issue of the Gimlet…

 

Past President Gary Melander launches Rotary Rose Sale 2024!

 

Past President Michelle Buria self-reported that the day before, she was featured on WDIO’s “The Lift” segment discussing the drop in interest rates announced by the Federal Reserve. To see this and past segments, visit https://www.wdio.com/tag/common-cents

 

Past President Michelle Buria kicks the Golden Can to celebrate her appearance on WDIO’s “The Lift”

 

Allen Anway also kicked the Golden Can to recognize Club member Jeff Fifield, whose hip surgery was scheduled for the following day.

 

Allen Anway celebrates photographer Jeff Fifield and displays his portrait.

 

John Magas put $80 in the golden can in honor of his mother, who raised John by herself and is now 80. John just moved her from Michigan to Duluth.

 

John Magas honors his mother, who at 80 has become a welcome new resident of Duluth.

 

President Elizabeth Simonson kicked the golden can in honor of the inauguration of UMD’s 18^th president, Dr. Rebecca Cunningham.

 

Chair of the day and Past President and Past Assistant District Governor Phil Strom said that in his four decades of being a Rotarian, he has seen Jim Landwehr top the list for his commitment to Rotary and his contribution of time and resources to Rotary causes. He then welcomed Jim Landwehr, today’s speaker, to the podium.

Past President and Past Assistant District Governor Phil Strom introduces speaker Jim Landwehr.

 

Jim Landwehr stood before a screen that read, “Breath of Fresh Air.” He said, “I didn’t know whether to call it that or ‘Thank God, I’ve Got Air!’” Then he told us the gripping saga of his recent double lung transplant.

 

In the spring of this year, Jim recounted, his ability to breathe was so limited that, to get from his bed to the bathroom 25 feet away, he needed to use two chairs as rest stops, where he sat to catch his breath.

 

Jim was suffering from advanced interstitial lung disease, a condition that is not common but is also not rare. A progressive disease with no predictable trajectory, it is noteworthy for changes in the elasticity of the lungs that occur suddenly—like falling off a cliff. In January 2024, he was not sick enough for a lung transplant. In May 2024, he went into the hospital, so sick that he was not safe outside a hospital. He was told he might have a month to live unless he could get a transplant.

 

In the world of transplants, each patient receives a score, the higher, the better. Jim’s score was a dismal 24.61 when he checked into Mayo. His physician put him on additional equipment that after 5 days improved Jim’s score to 38. The next day, he received his first offer of lungs. He was being readied to be wheelchaired from his room to the OR for surgery when he heard bad news: when someone attempted to remove the donor’s lungs, they had torn and could not be used.

 

Four days later, he received another offer of lungs. He went to the OR, where physicians broke his sternum and lifted his ribs, opening his chest as one lifts the hood of a car. Eleven hours later, Jim had new lungs, and doctors had used 90 staples to close his chest. For four days, Jim was in the ICU, heavily sedated, and intermittently given neurological tests. His care team—wife Nancy and daughter Natalie—stayed by his side. Once Jim was well enough to move to the pulmonary care unit and to receive guests, Nancy and Natalie had a wicker basket handy, offering guests drinks and snacks.

Doctors took pictures of Jim’s original lungs side-by-side the new lungs. His lungs looked impossibly small and shriveled by comparison.

 

Jim has gradually gotten stronger. The experience was deeply humbling, and he cannot believe the kindness of so many, especially his wife and daughter. He is immensely grateful. He encouraged everyone to become an organ donor. “Recipients and their families will be very appreciative!”

Jim realized that the person who gave him their lungs gave the gift without knowing if he was male or female, what his religion was, or his political beliefs; they gave their lungs freely and without judgment to whoever needed them. This deeply affected Jim. “Let’s serve everybody that way, without judgment,” he said. “Let’s help everyone.” He received a round of applause.

Humbled and happy, Jim Landwehr shares his astonishing story of a double lung transplant.

President Elizabeth Simonson thanked Jim and told him, “You have an army of Rotarians behind you.”

The 50/50 winner was Bill Gravelle, who won $62. The meeting closed with the ringing of the bell.

 

This year, we are not offering coupon books. Instead, Jerry Thoreson presented a ROTARY ROSE SALE BONUS for 2024 - "Duluth Holiday Weekend Extraordinaire Giveaway!" A drawing at Rotary on the Thursday after the Rose Sale will determine the lucky winner of this prize package valued at $1080!

 

 

 

Included in the Duluth Holiday Weekend Extraordinaire:

 

• Two Night Stay at Pier B Resort, December 13 & 14, 2024 ($600 VALUE!)

• A Bentleyville VIP prize package ($50 VALUE!)

• Two Tickets to “Cinderella” at Duluth Playhouse December 14, 2024 ($130 VALUE!)

• Sauna and Cold Plunge Experience for two at Cedar & Stone floating Sauna at Pier B Resort ($120 VALUE!)

• $50 Gift Card to Chilly Billy’s

• $50 Gift Card to Duluth Grill Family of Restaurants

• 2 Tickets to Glensheen ($40 VALUE!)

• 2 Tickets to Great Lakes Aquarium ($40 VALUE!)

1 ENTRY IS INCLUDED with EACH DOZEN roses purchased or 1 ENTRY IS

INCLUDED with EACH $25 donation.

 

No purchase is necessary to enter the Duluth Holiday Weekend Extraordinaire giveaway. For complete details, go to rotaryroses.com

SPECIAL ROTARIAN INFO:

 

When ordering roses in someone else’s name, be sure to put your name in the “Rotarian Sales Rep” blank. This will count as an entry for you in the giveaway.

 

PRE-SALE BONUS! Get TWO entries to the Duluth Holiday Weekend Extraordinaire giveaway with each dozen roses purchased or each $25 donation. Expires Wednesday, September 25, at 11:59 pm. ORDER NOW AT rotaryroses.com for DOUBLE ENTRIES!