Thursday, May 9, 2024

For Those Attending in Person

Buffet Lunch

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:30)

(Link Sent Thursday Morning)

At

 

Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Duluth Area Chamber Foundation

 

 

Matt serves as the President of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce and the Duluth Area Chamber Foundation, where he is passionately committed to business advocacy, leadership, and relationship-building. Prior to his influential role at the Chamber, Matt amassed nearly fifteen years of experience in the private business sector, primarily focusing on leadership roles and financial management.

Matt holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business with Concentrations in Management and Accounting, and a Master of Business Administration with an Accounting Concentration from Excelsior College, a private, non-profit institution located in Albany, New York

Chair of the day – Rob Hofmann

 

By Darlene Anderson

 

Rotarians and guests assembled in the Great Hall of the Kitchi Gammi Club for their weekly meeting, and their attention was drawn to the front of the room when President Gary Melander rang the Rotary bell, welcoming everyone. President-Elect Elizabeth Simonson shared her moment of Reflection on today's topic “The Solar Eclipse”. Many people prepare extensively to celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime event. She asked, “What if we would notice and reflect on all the wonders of the universe that we take for granted? For every 24 hours is a once-in-a-lifetime gift.” Beginning each day with that thought can help us to live intentionally and how our thoughts and actions serve our community and each other.

 

President-Elect Elizabeth Simonson

 

President Gary Melander introduced and welcomed today's guests: Jerry Pelofske's wife Chris, former Club 25 member Rachel Martin, Karen Barisford and Peg Oman (Kid's Closet), Amy Wolcott and Sarah Lerohl (St Louis River Quest), Katie Haglin (Union Gospel Mission) and Dawn Shykes (LSS Crisis Nursery). A warm round of applause also welcomed them.

 

Self-reporting and kicking the Golden Can began with Rob Hofmann confessing that even though he is the Gimlet editor, and should know better, he mistakenly went to the Holiday Inn today and had to scurry over to the Kitchi Gammi Club. He also noted that he had misplaced his name badge and so added more dollars. Greg Hansen thanked all those who made the Rotary Auction so successful. Thank you to all who served, donated items and bid. Together Rotarians and guests made it an entertaining and profitable evening. Continuing the auction theme, Jack Seiler added $20 as he was the “Heads and Tails Game” winner. Zach Walters announced a new program at his Jungle Gym Duluth. 18 months ago he learned that Past-Assistant Governor Phil Strom had been diagnosed with Parkinson's. Zach Walters researched and found that boxing can be good physical therapy for that condition. And so, he and Phil Strom have been working out together. It has been a good experience for both of them, so much so that a new class will be held each Wednesday for those with Parkinson's. Phil Strom let us know that he still has not been able to “land a punch” on Jungle Boy Zach.

 

Treasurer Greg Hansen reports on Dinner/Auction success

 

“Jungle Boy” Zach Walters

 

We were anxious to hear the results of the Auction and President Gary Melander reported that $11,000 was raised for our Rotary Club grants program, $15,000 for the C.H.I.L.D. Mental Health Initiative Program and $4,350 for Polio Plus.  Thank you again to each one who made this possible.

 

President Gary Melander

 

Grants Chairman Jack Seiler noted he has the best job of all in Rotary – presenting Rotary checks to organizations chosen by the Grants Committee. A $3,000 check was presented to Kid's Closet. Peg Oman shared that 800 kids ranging in age from pre-K to 5^th grade were given winter clothing as well as spring outfits. Teachers note that kids do better in school when they have good clothing. The $1,250 check for St Louis River Quest provides a special learning experience for 6^th graders as they explore the St Louis River Estuary on the Vista, featuring lessons and hands-on activities focused on our local environment. Union Gospel Mission has been active in Duluth for 100 years and Katie Haglin is the new director. She noted that in 1922, 248 meals were served in a month. Now, in 2024, 6,998 meals were served last month. The mission also has 20 single-room units to serve those in need along with supportive services. One of the things the $1,500 from Rotary will be used to purchase bus passes for the people they serve so they can access employment or medical services. Dawn Shykes from LSS Crisis Nursery accepted the $3,550 check which will be used to provide supplies for those caring for infants and young children. Last year, they served 52 unique family units, including several that were grandparents on fixed incomes who are raising their grandchildren. Four examples of our Rotary dollars serving our community.

 

Grants Chairman Jack Seiler

 

Karen Barisford and Peg Oman (Kid's Closet),

 

Amy Wolcott and Sarah Lerohl (St Louis River Quest),

 

Katie Haglin (Union Gospel Mission)

 

Dawn Shykes (LSS Crisis Nursery).

 

 

President Gary Melander introduced today's speaker, who has been a member of Club 25 for 40+ years, Allen Anway, who asked the question, “Is It Worth It to See an Eclipse?” Allen then gave us a quick lesson on what an eclipse is, along with the history of scientific theories regarding the sun and light, such as Albert Einstein's theory of relativity proposed in 1905. Astronomer and physicist Arthur Eddington proved Einstein's theory in 1919 when he viewed the solar eclipse and was able to photograph it. Today the Webb Telescope has again shown that light rays do not go straight and confirm Einstein's theory.

 

To understand the uniqueness and rarity of a complete solar eclipse, Allen Anway traveled to Dallas, Texas to view and experience this event and where the skies were forecast to be clear. He noted that everything looks normal - until it happens. Then all turns dark as if someone has turned off the lights. However, in photographs he took one can see some stars in the dark sky. He noted that even though the eclipse was on April 8 the stars viewed were those in the constellation last October. Truly wonders of our universe.

 

Allen Anway – man of science and romance!!

 

But today's question: “Was It Worth It to See the Eclipse?” Allen Anway said that sometimes one has profound thoughts during an eclipse. However, Allen Anway was focused on a question for the woman sitting next to him – “Will you marry me?” And her reply was “Yes!” A wedding is planned for this summer. Talk about a surprise ending to a scientific presentation. He had opened his presentation by saying no questions afterward, but now I know there are lots of questions that we will be asking in the intervening weeks.

 

Rotarians reciting the Rotary Four-Way Test

 

All but one Rotarian with their badge… Can you spot who it is???