The Board met on Tuesday. We discused scheduling a training/planning meeting for the incoming Board to consider one through three year goals for the Club. We will be asking for input from the Club prior to that meeting in the next month or two. We will be supporting the NAACP Annual Freedom Fund Dinner on Saturday, February 22nd at the DECC. The NAACP will be our program on Friday, 2/21.  At the ECO meeting last evening we learned that Second Harvest has gone through significant changes and growth in the last year including closing their Air Park facility and moving into a much larger facility in Morgan Park. We will schedule a lunch meeting and work project there in the near future. We learned from a call with our outbound student Gus Olson's dad Justin that Gus is doing great in Thailand and will be back to Duluth on June 4th. We look forward to hearing a presentation about his adventure. Jason told us that we have exceded our Club's Foundation giving goal for this year. Thank you for your generosity Skyliners. A "Bring a Guest" meeting is scheduled for March 7th. Please think about who would want to join us in our service and friendships. 

 

Guests last week were - Visiting Rotarians from Superior Dr. Bob McClellan and Joe Radtke, and Paul Almirall.

 

Dr. Bob and Joe told us about their Club's Ukraine project which got an ambulance with medical equipment and supplies sent from Dover to Kyiv. The project was a true Rotary International collaboration with involvement by Clubs in England, San Antonio, LaViv, and a District Grant along with funding from the Superior Club. Dr. Bob and Joe showed us a flag that was given to them that was half the American and half the Ukrainian flag. If only the nations of the world could learn to cooperate to build peace as Rotary does, our world would be a much better place. Dr. Bob presented a check for Skyline's help with the Dragon Boat Festival along with medals to Alex, Adam, and Mark for their participation. Superior will hold their Wine and Craft Beer event on March 26th. Tickets will be available soon. 

There will be a Skyline Club social event in March held at the Skyline Social & Games Center. This will be an early evening food and fun event for the whole family. Details to follow.  

 

Rob entertained us with his usual humorous fellowship. Appropriately it was regarding all things Super Bowl including the GOAT and costume malfunctions.  

 

President Adam introduced our presenter, Andrew Weisz, CEO of Finden Marketing that is the marketing organization for the NorthShore Inline Marathon. Andrew told the history of the year the marathon started by skier George Hovland in 1996. In 2000 it was the world's largest Inline Marathon. Inline skating is growing and there are races around the world. The record time for men is 57:18 minutes which averages to approximately 30 mph. It is a challenge to coordinate the race as it is held on city, county, and state land and rain is terrible for skaters. Andrew's business is in a very interesting historic building in the Craft District. The building was built during the Depression and was a newspaper, coffee and cigar shop. Andrew told us about a new adventure that he is coordinating with Bent Paddle called the Going Bananas Run on June 7th. Runners will wear banana costumes and be chased by someone in a gorilla costume. The route will start and finish at the Taproom building with proceeds going to food shelves. Interesting. Thank you Adam for bringing the program to us.     

 

The next time you need to replace your vehicle license plates you have the option to select Rotary plates.    

 

Febuary is Rotary International Peace and Conflict Prevention Month.  

 

Thought for the Week