Betsy Weiner, Patty Synikin, Peg Keenan. Our speaker Tasya, introduction to come.

Welcome to you all.

Stacey Q. - All meetings are Zoom, and ask the key member for a link to join in.

 

Stacey Q. - Board of Directors meeting on Friday, May 15.

 

Chris Carr -  Fundraiser meeting on Wed, May 20 at 5:00 PM.

 

Nancy D. - Foundation meeting on Thurs, May 14 at 5:00 PM.

 

Alexa R. - Annual District Rotary meeting on Sat, May 16 at 9:00 AM.

 

Scott J. - one last shout out for the Polio effort, Grand Slam, Chili Open. A total Club success

 

Stacey Q. - BIG Huzzah for Tony N. stepping into the (upcoming election for Ed.) Chairs of Club Leadership. Way to Go, Tony!

 

 

What made you decide to work on polio eradication?

 

In 1952, three years before I was born, the U.S. experienced one of the worst polio epidemics in its history.  Thousands died, and even more were paralyzed. I was born a few months after the first polio vaccine became available.  Growing up, I had no idea how lucky I was.

 

Later in life, through the work of our foundation, I began to see firsthand the impact that polio was having on kids.  The U.S. had seen its last case of polio in 1979, thanks to polio vaccines.  That is 27 years.  But even 25 years later in 2004, more than 1000 children in Asia and Africa were paralyzed by polio simply because of where they were born. Today the polio virus is confined to just Afghanistan and Pakistan.

 

Before the Gates Foundation joined the fight to end polio in 2007, Bill spent months talking to experts and analyzing the history of eradication. While global progress had stalled, he believed that eradication was possible because the world had done it before with smallpox in 1980.

 

Rotary played an important role in inspiring his foundation to become involved in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, an incredible global partnership committed to fighting the disease. 

 

I share this with you as we now live with a new virus, that, like polio could be around in world pocket for many years.  I also call your attention to his statement – after 27 years the U.S. saw its last case thanks to polio vaccines – plural.  We have a new reality before us, but an old script.

 

Cathy C. - her grand daughter, another Melander, finished her 1st year at ASU, with a straight A-PLUS report!

 

Terry S. - regarding Jerald in Nebraska currently, Terry was born and raised in or around Lincoln.

 

Char M. - for her oversized Wacky Women coffee cup, also useful for Happy Hour liquids.

 

Jennifer S. - she and her husband, took a road trip to Kankakee, IL to visit her mother. She is isolated, but an arm's length visit through glass was very nice.

 

Mary T. - Mothers Day Zoom call went far and wide, including her grand daughter.

 

Chris Carr - Mothers Day at the cabin, and, from him, an aptly named gift of Impatiens flowers.

 

Ann W. - the Condo Queen, a habit of Friday AND Saturday Happy Hour. Serving Quarantinis?

 

Ron U. - Beautiful display of tulips and apple tree blossoms going on now. Make a reservation.

 

Frank B. -  his sister drove to Monterrey to visit their mother on Mothers Day.

 

Mike G. - on Cathy's Polio minute, he reminds us that we've been here before with epidemics, smallpox, Spanish flu, TB and HIV give us perspective. New reality, Old script.

 

Stacey Q. - in fact, Hepatitis A and TB are back, need to be aware.

 

Mark Marlin - played golf, less trees NOT proportional to less shots. 19th Hole out on the grass.

 

Darlyne E. - she is involved with MN Fatality Management. They meet 3x/week, and MN is very well-prepared for capacity and funerals.

Alex Fisher introduced his friend, Tasya Rosenfeld Kelen, with Isadore Nut Company

Tasya's overall pursuit is to follow her passion and make the world a better place.

 

Her background is journalism and radio, mostly with NPR, MPR, All Things Considered. She won a Peabody Award for report on people and music along the Mississippi, and another for work with HIV in Cuba. Was involved (started?) with Mpls, Jewish Federation, many programs.

 

She and her husband took a 19 country trip, revolving around delicious and healthy foods. They came back to begin a company with nourishing, fresh produce, and especially nuts.

 

The name Isadore Nut Co. comes from her grandfather who had Parkinson's Disease, and sought out healthy food as medicine. He inspired her to continue that work in a commercial setting. The 2017 Super Bowl had good exposure, and they had a location at the MOA. Things changed, large commercial competition filled this void. Time to close up shop?

 

Then, she became aware of JHAP, Jewish Housing and Programming, which reminded her of what she was all about, making a difference. JHAP's mission was with people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Tasya saw a link between her Nut Company and JHAP. She met Amy and Abby, two clients of JHAP, and hired them to work with her. They helped with packaging, and Abby had a special talent for public speaking.

 

JHAP embraces, 'different, not less' as a belief.

 

Amy and Abby, as well as Tasya, all found their purpose and passion together. Things took off again.

 

A call from Dr Erica Coleman recently, with COVID care, wanted healthy snack for the workers. Taysa had a surplus of product, and a pool of others like Isadore Nut Co was formed. They make MN Heroes Snack Packs to feed the health care workers. They are free to hospitals, and the funding comes from $25 donations, or much more from corporate. So far, $50,000 in donations and 2000 snack packs have been sent, in just these last few weeks!

 

So, were are reminded today to help that cause, and to consider hiring disabled workers.

 

Q and A today gave out more info you can find Isadore Nuts on-line, France 44, Wedge and Linden Hills Co-ops.

 

Taysa will send us a sample if we email her, and we can support her in return.

Her email is Taysa@isadorenutco.com

 

Thank you, Taysa, for a wonderful talk, and the huge difference you have, and are, making.

 

Submitted by Bob Hersman