We will not meet this Friday at noon on the 23rd at the YMCA, but we will meet Friday for Happy Hour to celebrate the 119th Anniversary of the start of Rotary. Bring co-workers, spouses, friends, or anybody who likes free beer or root beer, appetizers, and fellowship to the Bent Paddle Taproom starting at 5:00 - 7:00. Just socializing, no duties.
Guests last week were visiting Rotarian and Guest of Judy Rogers-Bernie Strack, Student Rotarians from Proctor High School Benjamin and Alexander Johnson, Brent Hungerford of BCH Landscapes-Guest of Lindsey Whitlinger, and Mark Boben our presenter.
Bernie Strack is a good friend of the Club. He was an exchange student from Germany who stayed with Earl and Judy Rogers. He is a member of the Irving Sunrise Club in Texas where he works, but he will be moving to Switzerland to work at the headquarters of his company. He and Mark both spoke at Earl's funeral.
Adam will be attending in-person this Thursday and Friday the North Central President Elect Training in Eagan.
Club Planning is underway for attending the District Conference in Fargo on April 11-13th. For first time District Conference attendees the Club will pay their $170 registration fee. We are looking at housing sharing and ride sharing. Plan to make a decision before March 15th when the cost goes up $50.
Our meeting on March 1st will be a bring a guest meeting. Kevin will organize an activity to engage our guests.
Alex did a great musical fellowship with the Valentines theme of love in the song titles.
Todd M Johnson introduced our presenter Mark Boben. Mark formed the GND (Gary-New Duluth) Development Alliance which is working with the City and other organizations to develop a fully functioning Community Center and recreation area. The project started in 2013 and is a great example of a group of volunteers building, "The Family Center of the Community". The Community Center is revitalizing the Gary-New Duluth area after the closing of the steel and cement plants in 1974-5 displaced 15,000 community members. The Center is a place for the community and for tourists with soccer fields and other team sports areas, picnic and pavilion areas, a community garden, a dog park and a skate boarding park which is the "crown jewel". The vision for the Center's use is, Respect Yourself, Respect Others, Respect Your Community". A fantastic project by a group of volunteers who love their community and are willing to give back to it. Sounds a lot like Rotary.
February is Rotary International Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month.
Thought for the Week
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will live as one".
John Lennon
Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88055955851?pwd=RUVVN1RkK2duMW5RWlgzTmxRLzhxUT09
WE WILL SEE YOU ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 23rd AT THE BENT PADDLE TAPROOM.
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