We only had 16 members on Zoom with President Anthony offering the invocation. When we got to brags and fines, Dean Monke led off, reporting that high school students were back in the building that day for the first time since before Christmas; Keith Olson said that reminded him of a school year where (I thought he said) there were only 30 days of class. Steve Andrews is the happy new owner of a 1957 Bentley S1 and once it was verified he wasn't talking about a model of one, Lois Josefson said her parents gave her a model car when she was in high school in fulfilment of her birthday wish for a vehicle. President Anthony proudly announced they are expecting their third child, with a due date of June 4th. Brian Tjaden shared Rotary pictures from Leona Zimmerman's scrap book and Kathy Austvold said she recently ran into Brian at a gas station -- unusual for Rotarians to be in each other's physical presence these days.
Everyone attending was asked to identify their favorite spot in Minnesota and there was a wide range of responses. Dan Johnson led off saying he and family enjoy going to the Otter Tail Bakery every Saturday; Lois Josefson's is the top of the hill on the farm where she and her parents resided most of her youth. Keith Olson chose his family's cabin 24 miles southwest of Roseau on the western edge of the Beltrami Island State Forest, while Dave Peters chose Walker, Minnesota, where they go every summer. Wally Cole's first choice was McCarthy's Beach State Park north of Hibbing while both Kathy Austvold and John MacFarlane chose their time on Swan Lake. Dean Monke, Ken Harty, Steve Andrews and Anthony Nordan all chose Duluth and the North Shore, with Steve Andrews also adding being home after being stuck in New York City because of the pandemic. Pete Wasberg is a fan of the North Shore as well, and anywhere he can find Rotarians! Brian Tjaden's choice was the Boundary Waters, even though he has not been back there for 30 years, and anywhere that he can visit with family. Buzz Lundeen loves their lake place on Otter Tail Lake and also referenced Itasca State Park, the latter also the choice of Steve Leitte and Bob Russell.
We then were asked to identify a favorite Rotary meeting. Anthony's was the meeting at which Bankruptcy Judge Ridgway spoke and included in his presentation a discussion of the problems dairy farmers are facing. Kathy liked the kangaroo visit. Lois recalled the meeting at the park where the young man whose family runs our mobile restaurant spoke, appreciating his frankness, depth and affirmation of business. John MacFarlane always likes the presentations by the high school robotics teams. Wally was also a fan of the kangaroo and the recent raptor program, referencing programs that provide information on the organization and functioning of Rotary as well. Keith added an international flair, recalling a Kiwanis club meeting in the Dominican Republic he attended and when one of the wealthiest persons in Israel, a Rotarian, showed him the town. This writer recalled a meeting when we had all student guests throughout the year come back and the program was Ken Peters who talked about financial aid for college students.
The foregoing constituted our program for the day and hopefully people thought it was worthwhile to share and hear other members address these topics.