Thursday, May 23, 2024

For Those Attending in Person

Lunch Buffet

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

(Link Sent Thursday Morning)

At

 

 

 

 

 

By Tacitus

 

It was the place to be with the best people to be with.  The Rotary Reflection given by Vinod Gupta described how each of us is on a pilgrimage, to fly like an eagle in life and each day to strive to fly higher than the day before.

 

Vinod Gupta making sure we all know how to fly as Rotary Eagles

 

The Golden Can did not make budget for the Pledge Fund, however Allen Anway came to the rescue to avoid a complete blank and paid a fine for his sportswear worn in recognition of our speaker and fellow Harbortown Rotarian Scott Neustel of Ski Hut.  There may have been a $10 fine there for business promotion!

 

Fashion model Allen Anway on his way up to pay the Golden Can for a product placement ad

 

President Gary Melander announced the noon meeting on July 11 will be our Annual Picnic at the Rotary International Peace Plaza at Enger Park.   Mark your calendars now as to location and explore our work to create the International Peace Plaza (2013) and the lighting project of Enger Tower in celebration of our 100^th Anniversary (2011).  In addition President Gary Melander announced that effective July 18, after six months of evaluation, group discussions at two Club meetings, the results of a Club Survey, and subsequent Board Action, the location for the Rotary Club of Duluth Noon Meeting will be the Kitchi Gammi Club.

 

Rotarians do not need a reason to gather and celebrate.  But if we did, one of the best is to acknowledge and celebrate the work of our President, Gary Melander.  To that end, Patra Sevastiades of the Special

Events Committee invited us to join them for a Vista Cruise President’s Night on Thursday evening, June 20.  There will be heavy hors d’oeuvres.  This will replace our regular noon lunch meeting.  President Elect Elizabeth Simonson will be sending out an invitation with more information.  This will be a rain or shine event.  If the weather is good, we go out on deck.  If not we stay inside closer to the food and libation.

 

Patra Sevastiades inviting everyone to attend the June 20^th Presidents Night Party

 

With that, one of our newest members, and Chair of the Day, Travis Klingeisen introduced our two speakers, David Kolquist and Harbortown Rotarian Scott Nuesel to update us on the latest efforts by Never Surrender, Inc. to raise funds to fight Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

 

Chair of the Day Travis Klingeisen bringing Never Surrender to the Club

 

The latest entry (2023) to raise funds for research, access to advance medication, and medical equipment is the “Tomassoni Tour – Cycle for ALS”.  This event, in its second year, provides a premium experience to riders on key sections of the Mesabi Trail (Which runs from Grand Rapids to Ely).  This event joins the “Black Woods Blizzard Tour” (1999), and “Kolar Toyota ALS Fishing Tournament” (1995).

 

In the United States there are about 20,000 people suffering from ALS.  The number is stable as approximately 5,000 are diagnosed each year and approximately 5,000 die.  Life expectancy from the date of onset is 2-5 years.  It is a progressive disease where today will be one’s best day, tomorrow will be worse.  Those who participate in the Never Surrender events help raise the funds in the fight against ALS.

 

The ALS Never Surrender group with President Gary Melander and Chair, Travis Klingeisen