This Week at Rotary
We Meet at Noon on Thursday
May 16, 2022
IN PERSON & ZOOM
At
Leslie Chaplin and Tammy Horiza
North Country Ride Mental Health Program
North Country RIDE offers horse-facilitated activities for children and adults who are challenged by a wide variety of special needs. These include physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral disabilities. North Country RIDE was started in 1982 to provide services to individuals throughout Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin. Clients from age 4 to 80 with a variety of special need
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting
By Al Makynen
Everyone made quick work of the soup and salad bar. Past Assistant Governor Phil Strom gave us a Rotary Reflection on the need for acceptance. With his recent diagnosis of Parkinson’s, he has come to rely even more upon the precepts contained in the serenity prayer written in 1932 by the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”.
The Golden Can raised a few dollars as Rotarians celebrated events in their lives. Kevin Hagen was a proud father with his son pictured on the front page of the Duluth News Tribune. Cory Collier donated his last dollar (literally) in honor of his daughter who completed her education at the New England School of Law.
Dan Maki announced the Scenic Highway 61 Rotary Clean Up for Thursday, May 19. We will gather in the parking lot of the Clearwater Grill at 2:30 with an after party at the home of Past President Michelle Buria. The more that volunteer, the faster we get done! This is a great fellowship opportunity and one way to give back to the community.
Past Assistant Governor Al Makynen gave a quick report on the success of last week’s Rotary Dinner and Auction. We had a great social with over 100 people in attendance. We raised significant dollars for both the Grants Committee and for Polio Plus. Final numbers will be published soon. Our treasurer, Elaine Hansen has more work to do including waiting for some of the invoices. There was one last piece of business. One of the premium raffle baskets (“Summer BBQ”) was not claimed so at the meeting it was auctioned off. There were several spirited bidders with Past President Steve Yorde declared the winner at $200.
Past Assistant Governor Phil Strom, Speaker Dan Hartman, Chair of the Day Past President Branden Robinson
Chair of the Day and Past President,
Branden Robinson provided a humorous introduction of his long-time friend Dan Hartman, Executive Director of the
Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center (DECC). Although built in 1966, it is no longer your grandfather’s convention center. With a new executive director, a new chef, a new vision, and an inspired staff, the DECC is open for business. Even now one quarter of all events in Duluth occur at the DECC. That is good, but not good enough. Additional full-time staff has been hired to market the DECC to producers around the world. There are nine venues at the DECC to host events including Pioneer Hall, Symphony Hall, Amsoil Arena, Ballrooms, and Back Yard Space along the waterfront. Dan Hartman and his crew can do almost anything. The DECC complex was built to host events. There are spaces with amazing views of the harbor, Aerial Lift Bridge and City. Beyond improvements to the physical space, Dan described improvements to create a comprehensive “DECC Experience”. Examples include tickets that have time-stamped food and beverage pick up to avoid long lines. With community partners, a comprehensive ticket could include both the event and hotel stay. The future of the DECC is bright with expanded sourcing of local foods, production of their own events, having the best convention center views in Minnesota, and some of the best entertainment anywhere.
Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center at night. Check out all those classic cars.
The Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center – 1966 configuration.