For the last time as President of Rotary Club 25, President Tricia Bunten rang the Rotary bell to begin the weekly meeting. Together we stood and sang “The Star Spangled Banner” which was followed with the Fellowship Report by Past-President Phil Strom. Even with a slow week in Duluth the Golden Can was soon filled. Jeff Iisakka's replacement as head Honcho at Kraus-Anderson was announced in the DNT on Monday. It is former Club 25 Rotarian Dan Markham. Jeff was asked to remain by the Golden Can as he was recently blessed with new grandchildren numbers 3 and 4. Granddaughter Sydney Mae Koep was 9 pounds 11 ounces and grandson Case Thomas Pelzer was 10 pounds 11 ounces. Congratulations, Grandpa Jeff. Dick Pelinka's son-in-law, who enlisted in the Navy, was just promoted to an officer. Past President John Baumgarten's granddaughter, Antonia Brune, graduated from Creighton University with a degree in nursing. Other proud parents or grandparents of graduates were asked to come and kick the Golden Can. With his hardy laugh, Tom McCabe added to the can as his great-grandchild had graduated from kindergarten. Then to be certain the can was filled, Phil asked all those who had run or had family members who ran in Grandma's marathon add their bills to the Golden Can. That did it and the can was filled to overflowing.
President Tricia asked that we recognize our long serving Rotarians by having them stand and a round of applause given after all were standing. They were Bob Bennett (40 years), Jon Welles (40), Timothy Mowbray (41), Bill Zimbinski (41), Charles House (42), Bob Reichert (42), Henry Roberts (43), Tom Wheeler (44), Dale Johnson (44), Jack Schilling (44), Dick Carlson(45), John Baumgarten (46), Bill Abalan (47), Tom Bell (47), Dave Allison (48), Jim Monge (52), Jack Soetebier (56) and Dan Mundt (57). Thank you to each one for your years of faithful service to our Rotary Club and our community. It would be hard to relate all the good work that has been done by you, so again thank you.
More thanks were in order as President Tricia thanked those who had served as Committee Chairs during her year as president. She also recognized the Directors who were completing their 2 year term of service on the Board: Jeff Iisakka, Doug Erickson and Barb Perrella. Chana Stocke completed her term as Secretary. Past President Elaine Hansen is completing her 3 years serving on the Board as Pres-Elect, President and Past-President. Tricia thanked her for also serving as a mentor for her and presented Elaine with a bouquet of flowers as a token of her appreciation.
Our new Club President Steve Yorde came to the podium for his Oath of Office and then was presented with the President's Pin by Tricia. She also gave him a special ring to wear which was given her by Past President Elaine. It is a ring that Past President Larry Fortner had made from his President's pin and he began the tradition of passing it on to each succeeding Past President. However, Tricia said it will not fit on any of her fingers and she felt it would be better worn by new President Steve than to sit for a year in her jewelry box. Steve accepted the ring with a special smile as he and Larry had been great friends and so the ring means much to him.
Additional oaths of office were taken by President-Elect Michelle Buria and Secretary Darlene Anderson. The new Directors are Dan Dock (Community and International Service), Jena Evans (Membership) and Robin Pestalozzi (New Generations). The Directors in their second year are Betty George (Club Service), Sheryl Homan (Communications) and Ryan Johnson (Fundraising). Greg Hansen will remain as Treasurer for a second year.
President Tricia said that when she began her year as Club President it seemed like the 52 weeks would be a long time, but it has gone by so quickly. She then recounted some of the highlights of her year. This was the largest fundraising year in the history of the Club and due to the great year we had with Past-President Elaine we were able to give $75,000 through our grant program. Our club received the Presidential Citation this year from Rotary International as we met all our established goals. She thanked the Club for allowing her to serve as the 107th President and to attend the International Conference in South Korea where over 50,000 Rotarians had gathered. And thank you, President Tricia, for your leadership.
Our new President Steve Yorde introduced the new Rotary logo “Be the Inspiration” which will hang on the podium for each of our meetings. Steve's history with Rotary goes all the way back to when he was a Junior Rotarian in Marshall, Minnesota. As he looks ahead at the new Rotary year, Steve highlighted some upcoming projects that we will participate in. First is the Habitat Build which will begin in late summer or early fall to build a home in west Duluth. We will partner with the Skyline and Harbortown Clubs for this. The board is looking to make some much needed repairs on the 20 year old Jean Duluth Soccer Field fencing or as we know it--the “Bob Pratt Soccer Field”. Internationally, we are considering a water purification project in Cameroon working together with Harbortown Rotary Club. Financially, we are in a good position and the Budget/Finance Committee plans to reduce the cost of our weekly meals beginning July 1. And looking to the future, our Rose Sale begins August 16. We are looking forward to another great year of fellowship and service under the leadership of President Steve Yorde.
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