This Week at Rotary
Thursday, May 18, 2023
IN PERSON & ZOOM
For Those Attending in Person
Buffet Lunch
(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)
(Link Sent Thursday Morning)
At
Holiday Inn Downtown
MN DOT District 1 Public Affairs Coordinator
Margie Nelson has been with MN DOT since March 2020 working in communications. Margie will share an update of state transportation work happening in and around the Duluth area including the Twin Ports Interchange. Upcoming projects and general information about MN DOT District 1 will also be highlighted.
Chair of the day – Justin Terch
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting
By Traci Marciniak
Rotary Club #25 President Barb Perrella welcomed members, guests, and visiting Rotarians and called the meeting to order. Club members sang “America the Beautiful” and recited the Rotary 4-Way Test of the things we think, say, and do.
Sheryl Homan graciously offered to provide the day’s reflection in the absence of Past President Branden Robinson. In true Club #25 fashion, she shared thoughtful words about the power of music and wrapped up with a couple of groan-worthy music-focused puns.
President Barb introduced the day’s visiting Rotarians, Bob McClean from Harbortown and Patty Mester from Eco-Rotary.
Allen Anway was first up with a self-report sharing that an article he wrote several years ago for “Trains Magazine,” for which he was paid $78, is about to be reprinted. Corey Collier hit the golden can and reported that his daughter is working on her PhD.
Trains Magazine author Allen Anway
Past Assistant District Governor, Phil Strom shared a eulogy for Rotarian Dick Olson, who passed away on April 17th at the age of 92. Dick was as an outstanding citizen of Duluth who had a love of sports, his family, the Boy Scouts of America, and Rotary.
Past Assistant District Governor Phil Strom eulogizing our late Rotarian Dick Olson
Past Assistant District Governor Al Makynen thanked everyone who served on the auction committee and shared the event raised a total of $37,000, with $13,000 being dedicated to the Club’s grant making, $13,000 for youth mental health, and $11,000 designated to Polio Plus.
Past Assistant District Governor Al Makynen thanked all Rotarians for their support
Past President Dean Casperson seeking support for the Boys & Girls Club
Jerry Thoreson announced the June 1 and June 15 club meetings will include a “Mugshot Mania,” an opportunity for Club #25 members to get new headshots taken, by fellow Rotarian and professional photographer, Jeff Fifield.
Visiting Rotarian, Bob McClean, announced the Harbortown club’s annual raffle and encouraged members to purchase one of the 500 tickets that will be sold. The raffle drawing will be held on June 21 and features all cash prizes.
Chair of the Day
Geiger Yount introduced the day’s speaker, Bret Amundson. Bret is the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences and an associate professor of music at the College of St. Scholastica. He is also the Artistic Director of the
Lake Superior Youth Chorus.
Chair of the Day Geiger Yount
When Bret began his work with the Lake Superior Youth Chorus twelve years ago, there were 19 singers performing two concerts per year, with a $10,000 budget. Since that time, the organization now has a resident choir, 180 members, as well as 400 outreach singers, with a more than $300,000 budget. Their staff includes six directors, four accompanists, an outreach program coordinator, a choir manager, and six interns, as well as a board of directors—a group they are always looking to grow.
Simply, Lake Superior Youth Chorus is focused on building an active and inclusive group of young choral artists, centered on holistic music education. Any child who wants to participate can, no child is turned away due to cost or previous experience.
The Lake Superior Youth Chorus’ stated values drive their activities and performances. The values include holistic education, informed choral artistry, active community, parental involvement, and inclusivity.
Chair of the Day Geiger Yount with speaker Bret Amundson
President Barb had Bret draw the ticket for the 50/50 drawing of $34. The big winner was Past President Mike Orman.
Past President Mike Orman buys his “lucky ticket” from Dan Maki
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