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President Tricia Bunten with Past President John Baumgarten at the piano opened the gathering.  Past President Dick Carlson then proceeded to inspire us with an invocation to strengthen our positive mental attitude to accomplish our dreams. 

Dave Holappa worked his magic on behalf of the Golden Can.  Superintendent Bill Gronseth was pleased to pay a work zone fine for the newspaper article reporting a 1.5% increase in student enrollment.  President-Elect Steve Yorde remembered to bring extra cash to Rotary to cover the fines generated by his wife Adele for her work at the Port Authority.  A Business North piece about the contractors who built the new Birthing Center at St. Luke’s Hospital generated multiple work zone fines:  Dave Fulda and Dale Johnson for Johnson Carpet One; Tom McCabe for his son who works at St. Germain’s Glass (and yes, this was an acknowledged stretch);  Gary Melander for Belanger’s.  And, Catherine Carter Huber  for her work at the St. Luke’s Foundation.  Barb Perrella announced that after months of renovation, the new Lyric Kitchen and Bar will open on October 31.  In honor of our program, Chas Bernick paid a fine for having been born on the banks of the Mississippi River where he rafted as a kid.  No additional details were provided.  James and Susan Swenson were recently honored by receiving the University of Minnesota Regents Award.  Tricia Bunten, Marc Seigar, Ken Bloom, and Suzanne Anderson from the University of Minnesota - Duluth all came forward.  And last, Dave Holappa produced a “Go Packers” hat.  The crowd’s reaction was dramatic with a demand for an enhanced fine!

Matt Rosendahl gave us what he called the second to last announcement on the Rose Sale.  He acknowledged the work of every member so far this year, including those who will be participating in fellowship during distribution on Rotary Rose Day in the City of Duluth.  A Mayoral Proclamation to that effect will be read at Noon on Friday in the Holiday Center. In particular he called out the work of Past President Dave McLean for counting returned ticket stubs and money.  There was recognition of Assistant Governor Al Makynen for leading the Coupon Committee.  Chuck Chairs and Gary Melander were thanked for coordination of the distribution sites.  Suzanne Anderson was recognized for her work to obtain the Team prizes and then Allen Anway for leading the Sales Team that won all the prizes!  Bri Braaten, our Executive Administrator, was singled out for going above and beyond to make the Rose Sale a success to such a degree that Matt declared her: “The Hero of the Rose Sale”.

Chair of the Day, Past President John Moir wasted no time in his introduction of fellow Rotarian, and a Life Member of the Club, Dave Rutford.  Dave was born in Duluth and raised in St. Paul.  He earned an engineering degree from the University of Minnesota.  In 1970 he founded REMM Engineering, serving as its President until his retirement in 1998. 

What came next was the retelling of a journey of adventure, the rafting of the Mississippi River from St. Paul to New Orleans, an engineering feat accomplished at a young age with two friends in 1955.  Huck Finn has nothing on Dave Rutford!  How he ever convinced the Coast Guard to issue a provisional number, subject to review in St. Louis if they got that far, for a 15 foot by 30 foot raft made of tamarack logs and barrels, defies the imagination.   The most spectacular part included the use of an automobile on the raft to provide the power for the propeller and provide a place to get out of the elements.

The encounters with locks, barges, paddlewheel dredges, submerged wing dams, white water rapids, bridges, boathouses and channel markers came at such a rapid pace it was hard to keep up with the events of the voyage.  And along with his narrative were slides showing life on the river.

As with many voyages, there is often help along the way.  The three guys on a raft from Minnesota to Louisiana caught the attention of the local media and made them an attraction on the “Ol’ Man River”.  There were encounters with strangers who offered help of food, fuel, money for supplies, or a place to stay.  The description of making hand rolled cigarettes from Prince Albert pipe tobacco wrapped using newspaper described the era.  The description of replacing a damaged bronze bearing on the propeller shaft with a water lubricated wood bearing described their creativity.  Oh and then, to get back to St. Paul they took the car from the raft, removed the modifications, and drove home.

As is not uncommon for an engineer, a great adventure is described in simple definite terms.  From St. Paul to New Orleans, a journey of 1,200 miles, 31 days, and 18 quarts of motor oil.

 

The annual Twin Ports Paul Harris Fellows Dinner will be on Wednesday, November 8th at Barkers Island Inn in Superior, WI. The social hour will begin at 5:30 pm with dinner following at 6:30 pm. The cost per person is $35. If you would like to attend, please contact Bri in our Rotary office.