This week at Rotary
Next Meeting
Thursday, October 8, 2026
Lunch Buffet
Doors Open 11:30 a.m.
12:00 P.M. START
At
Kitchi Gammi Club
This week’s speaker
Carl Wahl
Senior Special Agent
Secret Service: Experiences as a Special Agent
Carl Wahl has a total of 39 years in federal law enforcement. He started as Special Agent with U.S. Department of Treasury – United States Secret Service in 1975. Five years, later he was transferred to protect George H.W. Bush’s family at their summer home in Maine. Later, he would work in the Vice-Presidential Protective Division for Vice President Bush and Mrs. Bush, protecting them during their daily life in Washington DC. After 9-11, he took a supervisory role in the Federal Air Marshal Service–Minneapolis Field Office. Then in 2005, he accepted a position as an Intelligence Specialist with the U.S. Department of Justice, United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota
Upcoming Club 25 Events
Rotary Club #25 joins with Twin Ports Clubs as part of Rotary's World's Largest Polio Walk.
Rotary's World's Largest Polio Walk
October 24, 2026
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Wade Stadium
101 N 35th Ave. W
Duluth, MN 55807
Duluth, MN 55807
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Second Harvest Northland (2302 Commonwealth Avenue Duluth MN 55808)
Wednesday, October 14th from 1pm to 3pm
We have 5 spots reserved for our group.
Please RSVP to Allison Hanig Landrus at ahanigla@amfam.com.
It's always different what we are doing when we volunteer here, but it all helps ending hunger in our community.
Hi folks! Please save the dates for these 3 great events:
1) Rotary-Life House Thanksgiving Dinner: Tuesday, November 24
2) Boys and Girls Club Decorate The Tree: Tuesday December 1
3) Rotary-Life House Holiday Dinner: Tuesday, December 15
Thanks, Dan and Karen Dock
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting
By Angel Saczko
On the most perfect fall day, we stood among friends as President Dan Maki rang the bell and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. As the crisp autumn air and vibrant colors surrounded us, the morning served as a reminder that hope grows through connection. Gathering with friends, sharing ideas, and working toward a common purpose inspires optimism for the future and reinforces the positive impact we can make together.
President Dan Maki leading the room in the weekly Pledge of Allegiance
The reflection shared by Greg Hansen began with a powerful reminder: "Hope often begins when someone chooses to care." Those words perfectly captured the spirit of service that makes such a profound difference in our communities. Despite the many barriers people face, serves as a vital access point for individuals who might otherwise go without care due to transportation challenges, financial limitations, or other obstacles. By meeting people where they are and providing support when it is needed most, The Hope Clinic offers more than services, it offers hope. It is an inspiring example of what it means to put Service Above Self into action and a reminder that even the smallest act of caring can change a life.
Greg Hansen connecting hope with who we are as Rotarians
Our guests were:
Judy sage-wife of Allen Anway
Alex Lindgren-UMD Medical School
Tessa Schumann-UMD Medical School
Lauren Trystad-UMD Medical School
Katie Sherman-UMD Medical School
Past President Sandy Hoff was the first to Kick the Golden Can to announce his daughter, and former Junior Rotarian, got married this past weekend. Greg Hansen forgot to let us know he was in the September issue of Business North. Better late than never, go check it out!
Natalie Junk is hosting a backyard BBQ on Friday for the ladies of Rotary, I'm sure it will be an amazing time!
Natalie Junk reminding us to come out to her place for a fun ladies’ night
Jay Ott welcomed a new grandson last Saturday, Congrats!
President Elect Jay Ott proud to announce his new grandson
The only announcement came from Angel Saczko, who invited everyone to participate in the Walk to End Alzheimer's on Saturday. This impactful event brings the community together in the fight against Alzheimer's while honoring and supporting those who have experienced its difficult realities firsthand and providing hope for the future.
Members were also encouraged to continue supporting Maria, our exchange student from Brazil. As she settles into life in our community, donations of warm clothing or assistance in any form are greatly appreciated. These simple acts of kindness help ensure she feels welcome, supported, and at home during her time with us.
Dr. Ruth Westra stepped into the role of Chair of the Day and shared the inspiring story of the Hope Clinic's beginnings. She witnessed the vision take shape in 2008 at the UMD Medical School, where dedicated faculty and students came together with a shared goal of improving access to care for those in need. Finding a suitable location, securing funding, and recruiting volunteers were no small tasks, but through perseverance, determination, and an unwavering belief in the mission, the Hope Clinic became a reality.
Looking back, Dr. Ruth spoke with pride about how far the organization has come. What began as an ambitious idea fueled by compassion has grown into an essential community resource, providing hope and care to those who might otherwise go without. Her story served as a powerful reminder that when people unite around a common purpose, meaningful change is possible, and hope can become action.
Dr. Ruth Westra reminiscing of her time at UMD and how she was there at the very beginning of the Hope Clinic
Since its inception, the Hope Clinic has remained committed to bringing healthcare services deeper into our community and expanding access for those who face barriers to receiving care. This mission has led them to serve many individuals within the unhoused population, providing an important reminder that difficult circumstances can affect anyone. Through compassionate listening and a safe, welcoming environment, the Hope Clinic helps patients receive the care and support they need.
Tessa Schumann-UMD Medical student
HOPE stands for Health Of People Everywhere, and they truly live out that mission every day. Since opening their doors within the CHUM facility, the clinic has served nearly 1,000 members of our community through close to 800 patient encounters. Despite operating just one day per week for only two hours, the clinic still assists approximately 60 patients each year. As CHUM's renovations are completed, the Hope Clinic looks forward to moving into a larger space, creating opportunities to expand services and potentially increase operating hours with additional volunteer support.
Lauren Trystad-UMD Medical student
The clinic is staffed entirely by volunteers, including medical and pharmacy students from UMD's Medical School and dedicated faculty members. This partnership creates meaningful benefits for everyone involved. Community members receive much-needed healthcare services, while students gain valuable clinical experience under the guidance and oversight of faculty mentors. The clinic also provides opportunities for research, hands-on learning, and strengthening connections within our community.
The Hope Clinic works closely with a variety of community organizations to ensure patients can access ongoing and specialized care when needed. Key partners include the Duluth Family Clinic, local emergency departments, and WE Health Clinic. As the clinic continues to grow, it remains focused on building additional partnerships and expanding services to better meet community needs.
Alex Lindgren-UMD Medical student
How can we help support this incredible effort? The Hope Clinic accepts donations of items that provide comfort and care to community members. Donation drop boxes are available at the UMD Medical School for toiletries and comfort items such as socks. They also maintain an Amazon Wish List featuring their most-needed items. Monetary donations can be coordinated through Past President Elizabeth Simonson, who is also happy to collect donated items.
Every contribution, no matter the size, helps bring hope, dignity, and care to those who need it most.
Katie Sherman-UMD Medical School
The story of the Hope Clinic is, at its core, a story about seeing people, meeting them where they are, and reminding them that they matter. That feels deeply connected to what Rotary stands for. Through our commitment to Service Above Self, we strive to make our community stronger, more caring, and more hopeful for everyone who calls it home. Whether it is through a kind word, a helping hand, a volunteer hour, or a donation, each act of service has the power to change a life.
Hope begins when someone chooses to care, and that is exactly what Rotarians do every day. The Hope Clinic is a beautiful example of neighbors coming together to lift up neighbors, creating dignity, connection, and healing for those facing difficult circumstances. As Rotarians, we are proud to support efforts like these because we know that the greatest impact often starts with simple acts of compassion. Together, we can continue building a community where hope is not just a feeling, but a promise that no one has to face life's challenges alone.
The guests from the UMD medical school, Past President Elizabeth Simonson, and Dr. Ruth Westra
Rotarian Job Well Done!
A Message From Geiger Yount:
Kudos to all of you who have engaged in recent years with the community as Rotary Greeters for the annual Harvest Festival produced by NE Minnesota Sustainable Farming Association The Eco Rotary Club is also active in this event assuring that attendees put their discards into the proper trash bins and learn a little more about what goes where.
Here's the $$ history on our Greeter endeavor most recent three years:
2026 $6,139 an all-time high; lovely weather, cheerful donors
2025 $4,285 a rainy day
2024 $4,951 almost but not quite $5K
Mark your calendars for first Saturday after Labor Day September 11, 2027
One thing I sensed for our project this year is clearer signage for suggested donation and many returnees who came prepared to make a donation.
PLEASE, any of you, give me your feedback for the 2026 endeavor. I'll pass that along to the steering group who meet soon to reflect, review, and plan for 2027. – Geiger 218-341-9435
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Club 25 – 100 Years Ago This Week
By Jerry Thoreson
The Gimlet
Vol. 10, No. 49 • October 6, 1926
Roll Call: Members 130. Guests 8. Total 138.
Boys’ Work and the Gift of Time
One hundred years ago, The Gimlet devoted much of its front page to quotations and paraphrases from District Governor Archie McCannel’s address to Club 25.
Among his strongest messages was Rotary’s responsibility to boys. 1926-10-06_Vol-10_No-49
“The chief outlet for Rotary activity is Boys’ Work.”
“Seek out, perhaps, your own boy.”
“Find a way to that boy’s heart through his hobby. Show him his interests are your interests.”
“Think of what it would mean if our 123,000 Rotarians were each to interest himself in some boy!”
“We can’t always find diamonds, but we can find some mighty good uncut stones.”
And perhaps the most memorable:
“It is comparatively easy to pay, but not so easy to give what the boy needs most: YOURSELF.”
McCannel closed that thought with the example of a father who gave his son an unusual Christmas present: one hour each week and two hours every Sunday of HIS OWN TIME.
A century later, that still sounds like a pretty good gift.
