Play ball! That was the cry from President Steve Yorde who announced the beginning of the baseball season and of our Rotary meeting with President John Baumgarten directed to play the Star Spangled Banner.
After all standing in one direction to face the flag, we were instructed by Beth Storaasli in her invocation of the benefits of learning to row in one direction. And further, she observed that those actively engaged in rowing are not inclined to rock the boat. Not that members of Rotary Club #25 are known for rocking the boat. It is more likely the members own the boat.
There was no assigned Fellowship Reporter. However, Rotarians are nimble and we did not depend upon media coverage or even a Fellowship Reporter to cover the good works and events in the lives of our members. Jeff Fifield was honor-bound to come forward and pay for failing to silence his cell phone. Although if your cell phone goes off during Rotary (a cell phone free zone) it is acceptable to quietly deposit funds into the Golden Can at the end of the meeting. Thank you Jeff for the reminder for the rest of us to check our phones. Jay Ott came up to pay in recognition of 20 years publishing the Chamber of Commerce. Earl Rogers was thankful to have avoided injury during two separate falls. Rob Hofmann, as last week’s Gimlet Reporter, confessed to having missed the recognition of Elizabeth Simonson as part of the report on the UMD Romano Gym. Readers should be advised that this reporter makes no guarantees as to errors of omission. Bill Gronseth as Superintendent of Schools was extraordinarily brief in his remarks while depositing funds into the Golden Can. His comment “Yah, you know” was all that he said and yet it was sufficient for all who had read the morning paper. Skeeter Moore was caught up in a variation of “Days Gone By” and paid for a video clip shown on WDIO TV about a Bowling Green-Bulldogs hockey game played 35 years ago. We are hopeful that Skeeter is still receiving residuals. Katherine LaFleur at Duluth Sister Cities International was pleased about the coverage carried on Kurdistan24.NET.
Clearly stories about our members and their organizations are not limited to local coverage in the Duluthian Magazine or the Duluth News Tribune!
Visiting Rotarians are always welcome and make any meeting that much more interesting. It was amazing to have two guests, Jim Gruba and - the real - Bob MacLean, from Harbortown Rotary (actually there were four from Harbortown when you include the speakers). Generally it is Club 25 members who visit and nearly fill a table at the Wednesday morning club.
Natalie Zeleznikar quizzed us on our upcoming fellowship and fundraising event. Everyone should have Thursday, May 9, on their calendars. The Rotary Auction and Dinner will be at Marshall School that evening and replaces the regular noon meeting that day. The event will be catered by OMC, and it is a BYOB event. Great fellowship, great food, and a great way to support Rotary. Make sure to invite your friends, family, and other Rotarians from surrounding clubs!
Our program co-speakers were introduced by Chair of the Day Jenny Peterson. Mike Cochran, Past President of Harbortown Rotary, and Maude Dornfeld, Harbortown Rotarian and Executive Director of Life House, described what is new in 2019 for the Dragon Boat Festival.
Co-Speakers of the Day Michael Cochran and Maude Dornfeld
The Dragon Boat Festival is a premier Head of the Lakes event with a mission to raise funds for charity, draw people from the upper Midwest to the area, and to provide recreation. Although over $1.5 million has been raised, both for the SMDC Foundation and for the community and international grants of Harbortown and Superior Rotary, the public is not clear on the purpose of the event. Going forward and with the new festival mottos of “Paddle with a Purpose” and “Every Family Should Have a Home” the focus on homelessness is clear. Funds raised will be channeled into three area organizations dedicated to reducing homelessness. With their three partners – Life House (Duluth), Harbor House (Superior), and Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity – Harbortown and Superior Rotary Clubs are dedicated to making a difference.
If you were unable to make the meeting to hear this inspiring message, you missed the boat!
2018 Dragon Boat Festival Photos by Karl Everett
Habitat for Humanity House Painting, Saturday, March 30 Ten of the 25 people who showed up for the Habitat for Humanity house painting at 2412 West First Street on Saturday were Rotaractors from the Twin Ports Rotaractor Club.
Rotaractor Steven Lowe.
Rotaractors Adam Vogelsberg, Dylan Noack, and Ethan Johnson.
Rotaractors Alex Baraga, Ethan Johnson, Adam Vogelsberg, Dylan Noack, Steven Lowe, and McKenzie MacFarlane!
April 30 Deadline for Camp RYLA
July 14-20, Crookston, MN
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a youth leadership camp that gives high school students hands-on active learning activities and sessions to build on their own leadership skills. RYLA 5580 is sponsored by Rotary International District 5580 for a week each summer at the University of Minnesota Crookston.
Who should apply?
· Potential leaders attending high schools located in Rotary District 5580
· Students entering their senior (preferable) or junior year of high school
· Individuals involved in school activities including athletics, fine arts and student government
· Individuals with volunteer and/or work experience
· Students with good academic records
For more information and to submit your application: http://district5580ryla.org/application/