We Meet Thursday Evening August 12, 2021

7:00 p.m.

Pier B Resort Hotel

800 West Railroad Street, Duluth, MN

 

 

Come and help celebrate with our own Sandy Hoff the fifth anniversary of the opening of Pier B Resort Hotel.  It is rumored a number of Rotarians will be arriving early to order off the menu and wine list from Silo’s Restaurant well before the start of the music and celebration.

 

By Traci Marciniak

 

President Chana Stocke called the meeting to order. Since there was not an American flag in the ballroom, the attempt to say the Pledge of Allegiance was foiled. The members quickly recovered and recited the Rotary Four-Way Test.

 

Following a couple of garbage-related comments that prompted more than a few laughs, Past President Branden Robinson offered a thoughtful reflection regarding the importance of WLSSD to our community. Duluth and surrounding areas are known and valued for their natural beauty and outdoor activities. It’s everyone’s responsibility to be a good steward of the environment so that Northeastern Minnesota remains a gem.

Branden Robinson delivering the Rotary Reflection

 

President Chana Stocke invited Rotarians to self-report. Jerry Pelofske kicked the golden can in recognition of his 50^th wedding anniversary and the birth of his second great-grandchild and the fantastic news that his son has gotten a clean bill of health after being diagnosed with cancer in 2015. That certainly generated a hearty round of applause.  Patra Sevastiades reported that her mother turned 90 years old. Everyone is hoping for those longevity genes!

Jerry Polofske stuffing the Golden Can for his 50^th Anniversary

 

With regret, President Chana Stocke announced the resignation of Jeff Bradt and Jeff Isikka.  No one else named Jeff is allowed to leave the Club! 

 

Patra Sevastiades encouraged Rotarians with businesses to consider sponsoring a coupon in the Rose Sale Coupon Book. It’s a great deal at $275 and comes with a lot of great benefits. Rotary Rose Day is Friday, October 15.

 

Geiger Yount announced there are sign-up sheets for the Harvest Festival on September 11 at Bayfront Park. Volunteers are needed to greet attendees and to suggest to guests, a free-will offering to support the event. Please sign up if you are able.

 

Mary Niemeyer announced two upcoming Rotary Fellowship events.  Next week, August 5, we are gathering at Pier B to celebrate the Resort’s 5-year anniversary. There will be a cash bar, music, and more. Sandy Hoff said it was okay if Rotarians get a little wild as long as nothing really valuable gets damaged. On September 17, Rotarians, along with their significant others and children/grandchildren, are invited on North Shore Scenic Railroad’s passenger train for a ride up the shore with a stop at Sammy’s in Lakeside for the pizza buffet. The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for kids.

Mary Niemeyer announcing Rotary Fun Fellowship events

 

Chair of the Day Geiger Yount, introduced A.J. Axtell from WLSSD. AJ is originally from Michigan and has a BS in biology with a minor in chemistry, as well as a master’s degree in microbiology. AJ moved to Duluth in 2006 and is a mom to three young children.

 

AJ said in simplest terms, WLSSD is there to help people manage the things they need to get rid of—or in other words—garbage, recycling, hazardous waste, and more. WLSSD is a government agency that was established in 1971, around the time of the Clean Water Act, to deal with the polluted St. Louis River. WLSSD is publicly funded and serves the North Shore and Duluth, all the way down to Carlton County.

 

WLSSD’s focus includes waste-water treatment and solid waste disposal. St. Louis County residents are mandated to have garbage service therefore the county transfer station is closed to the public, unlike in Carlton County where residents can personally bring their garbage, recycling, and other rubbish to the Carlton County transfer station.

 

AJ explained that there are items that are restricted from entering the solid waste disposal system, such as tires, and it is the responsibility of the garbage hauler to educate customers on what can be placed in the trash. If restricted items are found in the trash, the garbage hauler can either take them back or pay a substantial fine. Garbage haulers can also report which business attempted to dispose of restricted materials and WLSSD staff will work with that business to educate them on proper disposal.

Currently, the solid waste that is delivered to WLSSD by licensed garbage haulers is sent to the landfill in Superior. Each day 18 semi-trucks haul waste to the landfill. In approximately four years, the Superior Landfill will be closing, so WLSSD will have to arrange to bring the waste a greater distance.  Expect hauling fees to rise.

 

When materials are picked up for recycling in Minnesota, the material must be recycled and cannot be placed back into the waste stream.  All items to be recycled can be put out together as they are sorted and separated later.  It is important to clean the items, but they do not have to be perfectly, squeaky clean. It’s more about the weight as sophisticated machinery is used to sort.

 

AJ encourages people to do what they can when it comes to being environmentally friendly. There is a whole spectrum from people who can put their entire day’s garbage in a mason jar, to those folks who need to use disposable diapers to maintain their sanity. No one can be perfect but every effort counts. So next time, use a recyclable aluminum cup when you’re outside instead of that disposable plastic cup. Easy, right?!

Our speaker A.J. Axtell from WLSSD

 

Skeeter Moore pulled the winning 50/50 ticket. Gary Melander was the winner of the $73 prize. How does Gary keep doing that? And this week he was not even selling the 50-50 tickets.  Jim Schwartz and Al Makynen cornered all the high rollers!

 

Jim Schwartz and Al Makynen collecting the cash

 

Skeeter Moore pulling the winning ticket

President Chana Stocke keeping a watchful eye

 

Gary Melander waiting for his winnings