Minnetonka Rotary The Spoke - May 12, 2021 (May 14, 2021)

Meeting Minutes - Alexa Rundquist

The group assembled via zoom and in the room. The room has nice lights, that is all we could see on zoom because even though we asked Alisa several times to tip her screen down she must not heard us.

The room chatted away loudly while those of us on zoom where kindly yelled at by Pete G., he called it greeting us… I do not think I would enjoy having him as my alarm clock.

A very interesting bell was rung by Lenny N. but hey at least he rang it. Chris Carr had no control of this meeting as he was busy drinking coffee enjoying the view of the lake. (this is a joke, he had full control and is a wonderful president)

Guests

Foundation Grant Recipient - Marlais Brand – Voyager Outward Bound – She had two daughters who received service above self scholarships. This year at VOB they will serve 650 students of those 350 students of color.

Invocation

Mary T. read a poem and reflected on it. John Donne 1572 (London) – 1631 (London) “No man is an island, Entire of itself. Each is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of thine own Or of thine friend's were. Each man's death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send not to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee.”

Pledge

Pledge of allegiance presented.

4-Way Test

Glen J. tested himself while share the four way test… no worries he passed.

$5.00 caribou gift card to the person who mentions they saw this when the spoke is published. (See Alexa. - Ed.)

Rotary Minute

Cathy C - Rotary Action plan – we are supposed to be looking at this – Cathy promptly ruined Lenny’s computer but being tech savvy Lenny quickly stepped in to save the day. Back to the minute … Rotary wants us to feel engaged no matter how long you have been here 1 day or 5 decades. She stressed we need to seek feedback from our members, adopt a participant center approached (try not to have the same person win the raffle each week… hehe) time to visit the action plan. GET TO WORK CHAIRS.

From Cathy C. - May 12, 2021 Rotary Minute

Announcements

Nancy: The Foundation scholarships winners have been named!!!!!

May 19th - Virtual – Hopkins Program – If you want to join the event let Nancy know and she will share the link.

May 27^th – Minnetonka Program – 7:15am (Nancy plans to attend happy hour before the program. Please consult your doctor before drinking that early in the am Nancy 😊)

June 11^th – GED Program – 5pm at a Park and Nate Rundquist will be attending.

Roaring through Winter ‘s Last Program will be tomorrow – Thursday May 13^th –

Meditation and Mindfulness with our own Betsy Weiner.

Highway 7 Cleanup – Famous Dave's at 8:30am this Saturday – May 15th

Thursday May 20^th – Free Bikes for Kids – 5pm- 7pm

Bob has a date… don’t worry Vicki it is just for golf. Our own Links and Libations event will be on Sept 9^th - Mark the date!!!

Summerfest – June 26^th - 3pm – 10pm – Time to Serve those in the community.

Service above self! Chris R. was in charge of getting the liquor license, he was confused and thought he was just getting liquor and has been enjoying a happy hour. Just kidding, this club is good for a drinking joke, he is meeting with the city to get it all squared away and then meeting the distributors.

Next week – we will be handing out bling, lots and lots of bling. You will be able to get a picture with Chris or Chris.

Remember to sign up for Meals for Mac: SIGN UP HERE

Cathy won her own raffle ….. she is batting a 1000 in 2021.. too bad the Twins can’t sign her.

Hmm things were a little strange but those of us on zoom couldn’t see so we think Cathy won a chicken dinner.

Happy Bucks

Sam S.– He was happy that Peter Moe was on and was impressed by a television interview he did which resulted in him joining the Arboretum as a member. He also Walked into mattress store… bought a mattress that Deb loves. Happy WIFE Happy LIFE.

Mary T – Her and Ron had a Mother’s Day zoom and found out they will be a great grandparents… Chris noted they are already great but glad a baby is coming. Mary will give us $5 for the new baby.

Frank B. – Cares nonprofit had a online program last night which included our current president Biden and several former presidents.

Chris Carr – He is happy to be joining us from the wonderful Detroit Lakes. Jozee just accepted into a new school (not college)!

Ann W. - excited to see her friend Mac. Also Her grandson Luke is living with Grandma and Grandpa cause her granddaughter Lauren had COVID.

Mac H. – Thank you to everyone. The emotions really start to flow when his friends reach out. This is really an appreciation buck. GOD BLESS you all.

Floriane N. – Still in India and her friend is doing really well. She hopes she can get out of India with the limited flights.

Ben M. – Traveling to Texas to watch sports with his son.

Lenny N. - $5 friends and Family. On Mother’s Day he spent time with two wonderful mothers in his life. Grandpa Bob helped Lenny’s father with a low vision examine but really, he solidified Lenny’s dream of being an optometrist.

Char M. – Sunday morning her former children called her. They still loved her.

Grandpa Dr. Bob - $1 for Lenny – Lenny wanted to get paid for helping him with the low vision examine. We learned that the acorn doesn’t fall from the tree as Lenny’s father razzed him in the same way Lenny likes to razz us.

Pete G. – Yelled at us. Talked about the veggie crap that Ron U. brought. And he is going fishing so cant’ clean up the side of the road. (For the record the Veggie Crap was a lovely meal that Linda loved)

Pete could be heard yelling at people throughout the meeting so things are back to normal there and we couldn’t be happier!!!!

Program

Ron U. read a 32 page introduction of Peter Moe, Contact Ron directly to receive a transcript of this.

Founded in 1958 and has 1200 acres.
- Voted USA Today Readers choice Best Botanical Garden in 2017 & 2019
Our Mission
- At the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum we seek to: Welcome, inform and inspire all through outstanding displays, protected natural areas, horticultural research and education.
30000 Members
- 164 Auxiliary Members
- 518 Volunteers
  - Volunteer Hours 35,373 with a value over a million.
  - 2,408 Master Gardener Volunteers
U of M – gives us about 10% of our budget
Tulips are strong now but Lilacs are coming next.
1974 Northern Lights Azalea was developed at the Arboretum
What to see
- 21 Displays and Model Landscapes
- 28 gardens
- 216 Works of Art
- 44 Collections
Youth Education – No Field Trips this year but summer camps are starting.
- 57,077 Annual Participants
- 99% of teachers reported Arb experience exceeded or met expectations.
- Send Field Trips in a box all over the US.
- 3 Plant mobiles that bring the field trip right to the school.
- Urban Gardening
Research started in 1908
- 161 new varieties introduced since 1920
- 11 grapes
- 28 apples
- 34 varieties of trees, shrubs, and ornamental grasses (Plant a True North – Kentucky Coffee Tree)
- Plant Conservation & Ecosystem Restoration
Fun Side Facts
- Past District Gov. Russ Michelitz has a brick dedicated to his DG year at the arboretum.
- Nancy Davis took her mother their last year during COVID and remind all of us to take advantage of the drive through option.
- Sam is a member of the arboretum.
- Alexa chaperoned Nolan’s first ever field trip at the Arboretum.
- If you made it this far… email Alexa and she will make sure your next Starbucks coffee is on her. (limited to the first 3 Rotarians who claim it, also you can’t claim both the caribou and Starbucks cards offered in these notes)

Next Meeting

Next meeting is May 19th at 7:30 a.m.

Adjournment

Chris adjourned the meeting at 8:31 a.m.

Member Submissions

None this week.

The Club for Building Responsible Youth