Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011

Today: Round Table: Dreaming of Northfield’s Future, Steve Wilmot (Ellingboe)

Birthdays: Ed Fox (12/11), Dean Johnson (12/14) and Dale Ness and John Ophaug (12/15).

Next Week: Anti-Bullying, Lynn and Maggie Miland (Durkin)

Last Week:

Tom Thorfinnson, an active Hopkins Rotarian who is completing his two-year term on Rotary International’s Board of Directors, is a self-described progressive within Rotary circles. He sees the need for Rotary to refresh some of its mores in order to be more relevant to younger prospective members. But he said there are some fundamental core values that need to be preserved. He counts ethics and service among them.

A graduate of St. Olaf College, Tom practices law in the Twin Cities. Since 1980, he has been an active Rotarian. He and his wife, Jane, have hosted three Rotary Youth Exchange students. Tom has served as a Country Representative for Rotary Youth Exchanges to and from Thailand, India and Indonesia. He chaired the Multi-District Youth Exchange program for 5950-5960. In 1996-97, Tom served District 5950 as Governor. He has chaired numerous district committees, many with a focus on fundraising for The Rotary Foundation.

His eyes were opened wide to the important work Rotary does when he visited Haiti. He subsequently has made 10 trips, working on numerous water and housing projects. He said it is just one example of the impact Rotary has in so many developing countries worldwide.

The Rotary Foundation, Tom said, is a vehicle that helps Rotarians make a difference.

“At its core, Rotary is an amazing organization, and we should all support it,” he said.

Paul Harris Award: Rick Estenson honored his longtime friend and brother-in-law Chuck Beske with Paul Harris Fellowship. Chuck has been active in a number of humanitarian initiatives that reflect Rotary’s mission.

This just in…..

Amelia Ousley, an outbound in South Africa, reports:
Since arriving in Grahamstown, South Africa, she has experienced the racial difficulties and disparities that remain in post-Apartheid South Africa.  She has been volunteering at the Lebone Centre, which is a place where disadvantaged black children go for help with reading and schoolwork. The children also receive a meal and have the option of taking music lessons and working on art projects. Many of the children are HIV positive or suffer from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and all have grown up in poverty.
This week Amelia went with her Rotary club to visit a school that was built by a local monastery for rural children. Without this school, many of the children would receive no education at all.  Her Rotary Club in South Africa would like to purchase some supplies for the school and Amelia thinks this may be a worthy cause for the Northfield club to support.

Grace McGregor, our outbound in Finland, writes:
   “Being here in Finland, I have three lives; my life in the US, my life in Finland, and my life as an exchange student. It is really only something you can understand if you’ve done it yourself… you actually experience being in someone else’s shoes, which seems to be something not many people get to do. It really is the greatest experience you can have, it opens your mind to how the world can work, and that not everything that works is “right” and not everything that is “right” works.”

Elisha McLaughlin, another outbound in Finland, writes:
“Things have been amazing here. The exchange experience is truly beyond words. I never really believed people when they said it was something you couldn’t understand until you had experienced it for yourself, but it is 100% true. Being here in Finland has pushed me outside of my comfort zone, redefined words like home, friends, family, normal, time, important and so much more, taught me about myself, and allowed me to meet some of the most amazing people in the world (both Finns and other exchange students). I have memories that will last a lifetime and am only four months into my exchange. This has been the best time of my life so far, despite challenges, and I have no doubt I will continue to enjoy my exchange and grow as a person as the year goes on.”

Guests: Nathan Yaffe, Cindy and Chuck Beske, Kris, Sam and Maria Estenson (Estenson); Erin Mayberry and Jill Frey (V. Dilley); and Ruth Amerman (Amerman).

Scholarship Enhancement: David Koenig

Announcements:

— Fred Rogers is looking for volunteers to work as bell ringers for the Rice County unit of the Salvation Army during the holiday season. Ringers raised $6,000 in the first three weeks. He hopes to double that amount before the season is over.

— Rotary is responsible for two weeks of Meals-On-Wheels in January. If you are available the weeks of January 8 and January 15, please see Lynn Pederson.

— James and Clarice Grabau made a memorable entrance last week. James is recovering from knee surgery, Clarice from a broken wrist. We witnessed James hobbling ahead of Clarice so he could open the door for her. They’ll laugh about this some day.

— Save the date: “To India and Back,” our bi-annual winter fundraiser will be Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012. Tickets will be available for purchase today.

— Mark Abbott reported that progress is being made on our service project in Thailand. Photos that he circulated showed the school taking shape for the orphanage and boarding school.

— President Bierman announced that Judy Brown-Wescott is recovering from back surgery. She will be recuperating for four to six weeks.

— Jim Holden offered to donate to Rotary proceeds from the sale of his Minnesota tennis book.

Coming Up:
Dec. 29 –- Rotary Social in the evening. No noon meeting.
Jan. 5 – Roberto Zayas – Classification, (Rich)
Jan. 12 – Aishwarya Gokhale, Exchange Student from India – (Abdella).
 

Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011

Today: Thomas M. Thorfinnson – Rotary Foundation, (Pritchard and Brown)

Birthdays: Jim Holden (12/6) and Jim Pokorney (12/7)

Next Week: Round Table: Dreaming of Northfield’s Future, Steve Wilmot (Ellingboe)

Last Week:

Sweden has been generous with the world. It has given us ikea, abba, safety matches, Pippi Longstocking and now Felicia Speychal.

At her core, Felicia is a happy wanderer. She is eager to learn about other people and other cultures. She was 13 when she traveled to England by herself for a summer language course. Before coming to the United States this fall, she had already logged trips to Turkey, Thailand, Bulgaria, Malta, Finland, Italy, Norway and Denmark. She speaks French and Italian in addition to English and Swedish. For her, language is a pathway to understanding other cultures.

At home in Kariskoga, she and her five-year old sister live with their parents. Her mother works with prison inmates and her father is a production manager. Felicia is in a natural science program in high school and is hoping to become a pediatrician. She is involved in music, gymnastics and diving.

While here in Northfield, Felicia has embraced the exchange experience. She has participated in tennis and gymnastics, volunteered, taken challenging courses and recorded an impressive 3.95 GPA.

She has found school to be very different from what she has experienced in Sweden. Here the emphasis is more on copying and memorization, she said. In Sweden, there is more discussion and analysis.

Felicia is very appreciative of her counselors, Jim and Caroline Holden, and her host families. She thanked the club for giving her this opportunity.

Turkey Trot: The Thanksgiving Turkey Trot set records in all categories. Mike Lane, chair of the event, reported that 660 runners and walkers participated, allowing us to net $10,000 from the event. Wow!

Ed Fox Tribute: We celebrated Ed Fox’s new Rotary emeritus status with cake and a heartfelt rendition of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Ed became a Rotarian in 1947. He was president of the Des Moines club in 1973 when Rotary International celebrated its golden anniversary and was a member here when we celebrated our centennial anniversary. He graciously accepted the honorary membership conferred upon him. Brett Reese thanked Ed for his service and the kindness he has displayed over the years in both his personal and professional life.

Guests: Sam and Maria Estenson (Estenson); Sonja Stevens (Kyte); Caroline Holden, Anne Archibald, Hannah Vasilis, Beth West, Katie, Ellen and Tom Roster, Sharon Rasmussen, Carla and Marshall Hanson, Rachel Marosi, Maggie Miland, Cindy Carlson, Angel and Bob Dobrow (Felicia); Virginia Lorang (Fenton); Melissa Eblen-Zayas (Zayas); and Peter Prudden (Koenig).

Scholarship Enhancement: Linda Willgohs

Announcements:

— An account has been established at First National Bank to aid Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin and his family. Their house was completely destroyed by fire on Thanksgiving eve.

— Fred Rogers is looking for volunteers to work as bell ringers for the Rice County unit of the Salvation Army during the holiday season.

— Rotary is responsible for two weeks of Meals-On-Wheels in January. If you are available the weeks of January 8 and January 15, please see Lynn Pederson.

— Charlie Cogan mentioned that James Grabau is recovering after knee surgery.

— Save the date: “To India and Back,” our bi-annual winter fundraiser will be Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012.

Coming Up:
Dec. 22 –- Anti-bullying, Lynn and Maggie Miland (Durkin)
Jan. 5 – Roberto Zayas – Classification, (Rich)
Jan. 12 – Aishwarya Gokhale, Exchange Student from India – (Abdella).
 

Today: Felicia Speychal, Our Exchange Student from Sweden,    Holden)

Birthdays: Art Monaghan (11/25), Sam Gett (11/27), Matt Hillmann (11/29), and John Ehresmann (12/4)

Next Week: Thomas M. Thorfinnson – Rotary Foundation, (Pritchard and Brown),

Last Week:

Laura Baker Services Association (LBSA) is 95 percent of the way towards completing its $1.3 million “Inspiring Possibilities, Realizing Dreams” capital campaign. The funds will be used for two new, one-story, residential cottages that will create a more home-like atmosphere for the LBSA’s Oak Street clients. Sandra Gerdes, LBSA executive director, said they want to create an environment where clients and staff can live and work as a family.

The campaign has already allowed for the restoration of Elwell and Baker halls. Once the two new cottages are built, the venerable, but fading Margaret Graves Hall — now 83 years old — will be razed. In its place, a Recognition Garden will be created.

Gerdes said the important thing to remember is that this campaign will create homes for the developmentally disabled who reside at Oak Street. It will give staff an opportunity to work with the clients in new ways that today’s cramped common space does not permit.

Laura Baker Services Association was founded it namesake, Laura Baker, in 1897. It moved to 211 Oak Street in Northfield in 1898.

This just in…..

Last week’s Thanksgiving Turkey Trot was a huge success.

New Member: Tate Running was inducted into the club. His sponsor is Don Robertson. Congratulations Tate and welcome.

Paul Harris Recognition: The Rotary Foundation recognized Mark Abbott for his fifth Paul Harris Scholarship.

Guests: Jim Pech (Estenson), Paul Krause (Brown-Wescott)

Scholarship Enhancement: Dale Ness

Announcements:

The board has accepted Paul Reiland and Virginia Lorang for membership.

Save the date: “To India and Back,” our bi-annual winter fundraiser will be Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012.

Chris Weber is looking for volunteers to help with interviews for the Rotary International Global Grant Scholarships.

Coming Up:
Dec. 15 — Round Table: Dreaming of Northfield’s Future, Steve Wilmot ( Ellingboe)
Dec. 22 –- Anti-bullying, Lynn and Maggie Miland (Durkin)

Today: “Inspiring Possibilities, Realizing Dreams,” Laura Baker Services Association, Director Sandi Gerdes (Braucher)

Birthdays: Jim Prichard and Mathew Rich (11/17)

Next Week: TURKEY TROT.

Last Week:

It’s about the dreams.

That’s what District Governor Judy Freund says is so transformative about service.

“It’s about giving people dreams and supporting them in the pursuit of those dreams,” she said.

A retired educator from Hudson, Wis., Judy has been visiting the 55 local Rotary clubs in her district over the last six months, promoting the work of the Rotary Foundation. It’s the arm of the organization that leverages local giving to fund humanitarian projects, large and small, around the globe, everything from polio eradication to clean water and school buildings.  .

Every club has identified service along with fellowship as a core Rotary attribute, she said. The local projects inform our understanding of international dynamics. And when we step either physically or spiritually into other cultures it engenders new understanding. “It causes us to carry ourselves with a sense of respect for others,” she said.

The Rotary Foundation is there to support all service projects, Judy said. Her wish is for every Rotarian to participate every year in some way, big or small. Then when Rotary wins the Nobel Prize for eradicating polio, everyone can share it that success.

Guests: Bill Talen (Bierman), Troy Ross (Estenson), Catherine Lewis and Christine Anderson (V. Dilley)

Scholarship Enhancement: Our exchange students with an assist from Russ Halverson

Announcements:

The board has accepted Paul Reiland and Virginia Lorang for membership.

Save the date: “To India and Back,” our bi-annual winter fundraiser will be Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012.

Chris Weber is looking for volunteers to help with interviews for the Rotary International Global Grant Scholarships.

Coming Up:

Dec. 1 — Felicia Speychal, Exchange student from Sweden, (Holden)
Dec. 8 — Thomas M. Thorfinnson – Rotary Foundation, (Pritchard and Brown),
Dec. 15 — Round Table: D reaming of Northfield’s Future, Steve Wilmot ( Ellingboe)
Dec. 22 –- Anti-bullying talk by Lynn and Maggie Miland (Durkin)

Today’s Program | Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011

Today: District Governor Judy Freund (Bierman) 

Birthdays: Lee Dilley (11/10), Greg Carlson (11/11), Carl Caskey (11/14)

Next Week: “Inspiring Possibilities, Realizing Dreams” Laura Baker School, Director Sandi Gerdes (Braucher)

Last Week:

   Omar Jamal, a well-known advocate for Somalis in Minnesota, has recently taken a new job with the Permanent Mission of the Somali Republic to the United Nations.   Omar provided us with an excellent summary of the tumultuous history of Somalia, chronicling its status as an Italian colony, a British protectorate, a dictatorship under Mohamed Siad Barre, enduring Civil War beginning in 1991, the brief United Nations and American involvement with Operation Restore Hope, the huge outpouring of refugees, and attempts at formation of a functioning government continuing since 2004.

Omar was born in Mogadishu and fled Somalia with his family as a youngster, going first to Germany, then to England, followed by Canada and later to Memphis where he studied at the University of Memphis.  Later he moved to Minnesota, worked in the Ventura administration in the State Agricultural Dept. and ultimately became Director of the Somali Justice Center in the Twin Cities focusing on legal advocacy for Somali-Americans.

He was very clear in pointing out that the disparity of wealth and history of contradictions that permeate American society contribute to the disillusionment of vulnerable young Somali-American youth who fear that they can never realize the “American Dream”.

Guests: All our exchange students, Emily and Bob Nesvold (Prowe), Kris Flaten (Flaten), Yogi’s father, Gitta Reppmann and Georgene Malecha (Reppmann),

Scholarship Enhancement: Nancy Amerman

New Member Inductions:

- Todd Thompson, Teacher at ARTech Charter School, consultant and music director, sponsored by Mark Cashman

- Megan Allen Tsui, Executive Director for the Northfield Enterprise Center (NEC), sponsored by Rick Estenson

Please welcome these new members to our club.

Announcements:

— Congratulations to club member Chris Richardson who has been named Minnesota Superintendent of the Year!

— Please contact Mike Lane if you can volunteer for the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot and have not already signed up.

— Chris Weber is looking for volunteers to help with interviews for the Rotary International Global Grant Scholarships.

Coming Up:

Nov. 24 – Turkey Trot

Dec. 1 – Felicia Speychal, Exchange student from Sweden, host (Holden)
Dec. 8 – Thomas M. Thorfinnson – Rotary Foundation, (Pritchard and Brown)

Dec. 15 – Round Table, Dreaming of Northfield’s Future, Steve Wilmot (Ellingboe)

Today’s Program | Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011

Today: Omar Jamal, First Secretary of the Somali Mission to the United Nations (Flaten)

 Birthdays: Steve Wilmot (11/3), Sue Boxrud (11/5) and David Brown (11/5)

 Next Week: District Governor Judy Freund (Bierman)

 Last Week:

Who in the world would try to build an airplane in his basement? John Koser, a good friend of Wayne Abdella, would and did.

A licensed pilot, John stumbled across the Sonex airplane while attending the celebrated Oshkosh Air Show. He came home with airplane plans and enough flat-sheet aluminum to build it. It took him three years and a boatload of rivets to get the thing into the air.

His “little hot rod” is 18 feet long and sports a 22-foot wingspan. Its gross weight is 1,050 pounds, and it runs on a four-cycle aluminum engine, which can handle cruising speeds up to 140 miles per hour.

John teaches undergraduate physics at the University of St. Thomas, so he understands this stuff. If I built it, I surely wouldn’t go up in it, but John does both. In what seems a clear case of putting the cart before the horse, his plane, the one with the shark’s teeth on the fuselage, needed 40 hours of test flying before a FAA examiner pronounced it sky-worthy. I don’t make these rules.

John loves cruising the skies in that third dimension, observing the rivers snaking through the prairies and the ribbons of highway crisscrossing the plains. He calls Stanton Airport the best airport in Minnesota.

This Just In….

Kristi Rasmussen is in Sweden, living with Felicia Spechal’s family. She recently traveled to Riga, Latvia on a Rotary service project. They visited a nursing home that had been the recipient of club funds, and there, Kristi met a 92-year old resident who had been waiting all week to thank the people who helped improve her life, even in its last stages.

Kristi also went hunting for the first time! The hunting party of 12 did get a large moose and had to drag it about half a kilometer out of the woods. The moose meat will be divided among the hunters, including Kristi, who is eager to try it. (Linda Willgohs, reporting)

Guests: Andrew Bray (Norvold), Linda Borene (Cogan), Paul Reiland (Blumhoefer), Todd Thompson (Cashman), Darlene Abdulla and Bev Koser (W. Abdullah).

Scholarship Enhancement: Bob Will

Announcements:

— The car raffle was pronounced a huge success. We netted $25,000 for our efforts. Total sales were $47,500. Five thousand of that were sales from The Key. Laurie Williams, the winner of the cool new ride, was present to receive our good wishes. Linda Borene, the third place winner, was there to receive her check for $500. Angie Tanghe won was the second-prize winner. She won a gas grill.

— Tom Durkin announced that February 25 will be the date for our bi-annual winter fundraiser. This year it will be: “To India and Back. Corporate sponsorships will be available.

— Chris Richardson encouraged people to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the school levy election. There will be only five polling places for this off-year election, so make sure you know where your precinct is voting.

Coming Up
Nov. 17 –  “Inspiring Possibilities, Realizing Dreams” Laura Baker School, Director Sandi Gerdes (Braucher)
Dec. 1–  Felcia Speychal, Exchange student from Sweden, host (Holden)
Dec. 8 — Thomas M. Thorfinnson – Rotary Foundation, ( Pritchard and Brown)

TODAY’S PROGRAM

Rotary Cogwheel: Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011

Today: John F. Koser:  “You, Too, Can Build an Airplane” (W. Abdella)

Happy Birthday: Doug Crane and Brett Reese (10/25)

Next Week:  Omar Jamal, First Secretary of the Somali Mission to the United Nations (Flaten)

Last Meeting:

I wouldn’t want to be standing next to Bob Flaten in a lightning storm. Everywhere the man goes, there seems to be some sort of trouble.

Drawing on his personal experience in Afghanistan during his time in the Foreign Service, he treated us to a cogent analysis of that international hotspot and the evils that await any move we make.

Despite our decade-long effort to fight terrorism and reshape Afghan society, Bob reminded us that our campaign is a short sidebar to that region’s larger Indian-Pakistani cover story.

“We are just bit players in that drama,” he said.

Pakistan was complicit in creating the Taliban. They see it as a Muslim buffer against Indian infiltration. The U.S. bears responsibility, too.  We persuaded Saudi Arabia to funnel weapons to the Afghan resistance during their war against the Soviet Union. With the weapons came a fierce brand of Islam.

At this point, there are no good choices. If we withdraw support from Pakistan, they will likely cut our supply lines to Afghanistan. If we withdraw from Afghanistan, Bob predicts the Taliban will regain control and pose a threat to both the United States and a wobbly civil Pakistani government. That could mean putting nuclear weapons in the hands of militant jihadists. Bob said this could take another decade to sort out, but we are running out of time.

ROTARY NEWS

This Just In — Laurie Williams is the proud owner of a “new ride,” courtesy of our Rotary car raffle.  Her name was drawn at Dokmo Ford-Chrysler Saturday morning.  Angie Tanghe won the Weber gas grill and Linda Boree the $500. Congratulations to all for a successful event.

New Members: Jacob Conway (Bierman), Robert Craig (Estenson) and Geralyn Sheehan (Taylor) were inducted into the club. Welcome one and all.

Guests: Erin Mayberry (V. Dilley), Megan Tsui (Boxrud), Jesse Streitz (Williams) and Paul Ryland (Rich)

Scholarship Enhancement:  Mathilde Mortensen

Announcements:

— Mike Lane announced that the 11^th Annual Rotary Turkey Trot will be held on Thanksgiving. The committee is looking to expand corporate sponsorships. They will be $200 this year. He could use a couple more turkeys, I mean members, for the committee.

Coming Up

Nov. 10 – District Governor Judy Freund, host – (Bierman)
Nov. 17 -  “Inspiring Possibilities, Realizing Dreams” Laura Baker                                              Nov. 24 — Turkey Trot
Dec. 1– Felcia Speychal, Exchange student from Sweden (Holden)

TODAY’S PROGRAM

Rotary Cogwheel: Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011

Today:  Robert Flaten on Foreign Affairs (Ehresmann)

Happy Birthday: Mark Gleason (10/20), Barry Carlson (10/22) and Rob Martin (10/23)

Next Week: John F. Koser:  “You, Too, Can Build an Airplane” (W. Abdella)

Last Meeting:

Jim Holden, Northfield’s legendary tennis coach, held serve during his classification talk last week. He paid tribute to a cavalcade of folks who had been a positive influence in his life.

Among them was his mother (Jim’s not dumb), who gave him life and then saved it twice. There were teachers, coaches, ministers and, of course, his wife of 49 years, Caroline.

He described his formative years in Sherburne, Minn., a small farming community on the Iowa border, as his “Huck Finn boyhood.” Sherburne had all the elements of Mayberry, cherry cokes at the drug store, backyard ballgames, squirrel hunting — in town — everything but Floyd the Barber.

Jim went to Augsburg College on his brother’s advice and went into education. Over 41 years, he taught and coached at the high school level and taught education at Gustavus and St. Olaf. For 21 of those years, he was at the high school in Northfield and built a formidable boys’ tennis program.

Jim’s passions include traveling, sports and music. He said he has tried to keep a balance between the contemplative and the active life, but he admits he tilted towards the active most of his years.

ROTARY NEWS

Guests: Anita Fisher-Egge (Prowe), Joel Schilling (Ophaug), Tate Running (Robertson), Andrew Gray (Estenson) and Todd Thompson (Williams)

Scholarship Enhancement:  The notorious Calamity Jane Fenton

Announcements:

— President Bierman reminded us that we are on the home stretch of our car raffle campaign. Tickets can be sold up until five minutes before the drawing on Saturday, Oct. 22. Keep plugging. Kids around the world are counting on us.

— Mike Lane announced that the 11^th Annual Rotary Turkey Trot will be held on Thanksgiving. The committee is looking to expand corporate sponsorships. They will be $200 this year.

— Community Resource Bank will be hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive Friday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

— The Defeat of Jesse James Bike Tour raised $29,000, our third largest total. Nice going Rotary.

— Vicki Dilley was named team leader of the Rotary GSET trip to Brazil.

Coming Up

Oct. 22 — Car Raffle Drawing, Dokmo Ford
Nov. 3 –Omar Jamal, 1^st Secretary of the Somali Mission to the UN –  ( Flaten)
Nov. 10 – District Governor Judy Freund, host – (Beirman)
Nov. 17 -  “Inspiring Possibilities, Realizing Dreams” Laura Baker
Nov. 24 — Turkey Trot
Dec. 1– Felcia Speychal, Exchange student from Sweden (Holden)

TODAY’S PROGRAM

Rotary Cogwheel: Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011

Today:  Jim Holden Classification (Crane)

Happy Birthday: Ed Lufkin (10/15)

Next Week: Foreign Affairs with Bob Flaten (Ehresmann)

Last Meeting:

Four of our five exchange students — Camilo was ill this day — took center stage for a scripted Q&A. We learned more about their backgrounds and their goals for their exchange year, and they were able to practice their English in front of an American audience. Here are a few factoids from that day:

Aishwarya Gokhale from India speaks five languages.

Felicia Speychal of Sweden shares a hometown with Alfred Nobel. For her, this exchange year is a journey of self-discovery. She said.when you meet new people and have new experiences, you always learn more about yourself.

Mathilde Mortensen of Denmark once overcame her fear of heights to once go par-gliding in Spain.

Nichapat Tishyadhigama of Thailand is surprised it is not already cold in Minnesota. So are we.

Certificate of Appreciation: The Northfield High School Administration was honored for its strong working relationship with our student exchange program. Principal Joel Leer; assistant principals Marnie Thompson and Jeff Eckhoff, activities director Tom Graupmann, and high school counselor Kathy Wiertsema-Miller were there to receive the Certificate of Appreciation and a standing ovation.

ROTARY NEWS

Guests: Diane Carlson-Evans (Crow); Todd Thompson (G. Carlson); Charlie Kyte (Bierman); Clara and Rob Hardy, Pat Van Wyland, Marshall and Carla Hansen, Sharon Rasmussen, Angel Dobrow, Patty Geary, Mike Mitchell and Karna Halverson (Estenson); Ballentine (L. Dilley); and Cindy Carlson (V. Dilley).

Scholarship Enhancement:  Sam Gett

Announcements:

—- President Bierman informed the club that Ed Fox, a member of longstanding, has resigned. He has been affiliated with Rotary for 64 years. Plans are being made to celebrate his long service.

— Barry Carlson reported that the Rotary Class of 2010-11 recently volunteered time to a local Habitat for Humanity project.

 — Judy Brown-Wescott needs volunteers to interview prospective outbound exchange students on Monday, Oct. 24, in the evening. If you can help, contact her. She will train.

.— .Mark Abbott, Diane Abbott and Jane Fenton are going to combine a trip to Rotary’s International Conference in Bangkok next May with a visit to Chiangma and  Baan Mai Phattana, the site of our international project. All are invited.

— President Bierman urged us to put the “umph” in triumph as we come down the stretch on car raffle sales. As a measure of his commitment to this campaign, even though he is morally opposed to this form of body art, he has pledged to have a tattoo of our choosing stamped on his derrier.  People,do we need any more incentive than this? Let’s go!

Coming Up

Oct. 27 – John F. Koser  “You Too Can Build An Airplane” (Wayne Abdella)

TODAY’S PROGRAM

Rotary Cogwheel: Thursday, Oct. 6, 2011

Today’s Program:  Incoming Students Take Center Stage (V. Dilley)

Happy Birthday: Kyle Nordine (10/7)

Next Week: Jim Holden Classification (Crane)

Last Meeting:

Steve Poskanzer, president of Carleton College, announced last week that he is not running for mayor of Northfield.

Steve had offered that his father’s experience as a college faculty member and mayor in a small, academic community in New York gave Steve a unique perspective on town-gown relations. In response to a question from the floor, he said he, himself, has no designs on political office. Sounds like a “maybe” to me.

What he does have designs on is presiding over what he describes as an “exuberantly whacky” college. His recipe for success? Find the best students and the best faculty. His daughter is among the 524 recruits who showed up on campus this fall. She actually discovered Carleton before he did. The first years bring a lot of intellectual firepower from 42 states and 22 countries.

The college has added four new faculty members, one in public health, another in behavioral neurology, one in music history and another in chemistry. The Weitz Center for Creativity (the old middle school) opened to rave reviews. It will be a focal point for creative thinking and visual orientation.

Steve is shepherding along a question-driven, strategic planning process that will provide a road map for Carleton’s future.

ROTARY NEWS

Good Neighbor Award: Judy Dirks was honored for her longstanding commitment to helping international refugees and to promoting human rights in the community. In 1975, she helped form the Northfield Refugee Committee. Over a period of 24 years, that group helped settle 112 Vietnamese refugees in Northfield. She also serves on the Northfield Human Rights Commission and teaches citizenship classes for Community Education. The committee said her actions have always been motivated by a sense of social justice. Thanks for your good work, Judy.

Guests: Judy Dirks, Jose Payas, Tim McDermott, Justina Owusai and Craig Lissler (Weber); Rich Daly (Porkorney), Lowell King (Brown-Wescott) and our exchange students: Aishwarya Gokhale, Mathilde Mortensen, Nichapat Tishyadhigama, and Camilo Zuluaga Caicedo

Scholarship Enhancement:  Hannah Puczko

Announcements:

 — Retired District Governor Craig Lissler recognized Charlie Cogan and Mark Abbott for their special efforts on behalf of the Rotary Foundation.

— President Bierman’s car-raffle sales tip for the week: You must make the ask to make the sale

 Coming Up

Oct. 20 – Foreign Affairs – Bob Flaten (Detert),
Saturday, Oct. 22 – Car Drawing – Dokmo Ford
Oct. 27 – John F. Koser  “You Too Can Build An Airplane”

 (Wayne Abdella)