We Meet at Noon on WEDNESDAY

November 23, 2022

For Those Attending in Person

BUFFET LUNCH

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

(Link Sent Thursday Morning)

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Once again two prestigious services clubs come together to celebrate great work, community service and abiding fellowship!

 

By Traci Marciniak

 

Rotary Club 25 members met at the Holiday Inn’s Great Lakes Ballroom on a blustery and cold day. President Barb Perrella rang the bell and called the meeting to order. Rotarians sang “America the Beautiful” accompanied by Past President John Baumgarten on the piano, and recited the Rotary Four-Way Test.

Jeff Wencel provided the day’s reflection, highlighting how the more things change, the more they stay the same. In reviewing a 1922 issue of “Duluth Herald” newspaper, Jeff Wencel found at that time the United States was actively working to better relations with Mexico, the citizens of Duluth were often working overtime to have enough money to purchase gas AND interest rates were in the 5% to 6% range. Doesn’t that seem strikingly familiar to today?

 

President Barb Perrella introduced Reid Sheldahl from Involta —a guest of Tom Young.

 

Members were reminded to sign up for the Rotary Christmas party, scheduled for December 7 at Pier B. It will be a fun celebration with appetizers, fellowship, a cash bar, and a view of the Bentleyville lights.

Jerry Pelofske asked fellow Rotarians to sign up to ring bells at local Super One stores on December 9 and 16 to benefit the Salvation Army. Time slots are from noon – 2 p.m. or 2 – 4 p.m.

 

Jerry Pelofske Who will Ring for Rotary?

  

Past President John Baumgartner Food Drive

Past President John Baumgarten encouraged the members of Club 25 to contribute to the 30^th annual food drive to fill Christmas food baskets for those in need in the Duluth community. Through a steadfast partnership with Super One Foods, all donations will be matched 3 to 1 by Miner’s Corporation and several of its vendors.

 

President Barb Perrella was pleased to award Rotary’s “Service Above Self” award to Past Assistant District Governor Phil Strom for his numerous activities that have benefited Rotary Club 25 and the Rotary Foundation. Phil Strom’s list of volunteer activities, committee participation and fundraising is too lengthy to list—just know that it is impressive and speaks to his commitment to Rotary and to his personal character.

President Barb Perrella with Assistant District Governor Phil Strom

 

Then Past Assistant District Governor Phil Strom shifted gears and awarded Geiger Yount a five-sapphire Paul Harris Fellow pin for her contributions to the Rotary Foundation.

Past Assistant District Governor Phil Strom awards Geiger Yount

 

Chair of the Day, Past Assistant District Governor Phil Strom introduced the speaker of the day, his daughter, Annette Strom. Annette and her husband, both retired Duluth School District teachers and avid travelers, went on a teaching adventure of a lifetime at Stamford American International School in Singapore.

Our speaker Annette Strom

Singapore is a small island in Southeast Asia with a population of 6.5 million people, including about 1 million expats from all over the world from Germany, India, the United States and more. Four distinct languages are most common and include English, Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil. The island is sunny and tropical and is known for its birds, orchids, and various reptiles. The types of food served represents the melting pot of cultures that exist in the area, and many dishes are SPICY!

Singapore, a beautiful island nation

Student enrollment at Stamford American International School included children from the age of Pre-K to 12^th grade from all over the world. There were 74 different countries represented within the institution. The majority of students are the children of employees representing several Fortune 500 companies that have relocated to Singapore. In addition, Annette was selected as the Interact Club Advisor due to her long history of Rotary International involvement.

 

Similar to the United States, when COVID-19 hit the country, Singapore implemented a lockdown, or “circuit breaker” as local residents called it. The classes Annette and her husband taught were transitioned to a virtual format and any non-essential activities outside of a person's home were prohibited.

Annette Strom with Proud Papa Past Assistant District Governor Phil Strom

Assistant Governor Tricia Bunten was the lucky winner of the $40 50/50 drawing.

Do you feel lucky?