Today’s Program: “Love, Love” – Jim Holden, author of “Tennis in Minnesota” (Ophaug)

Happy Birthday:  Lynne Young (7/28)

Next Week:  No noon meeting. Rotary Social at Estensons, 5:15 p.m..

Last Meeting:

Women In Northfield Giving Support (WINGS) is celebrating its 10^th anniversary.

Jacqui Dorsey, a local attorney and WINGS member, said over the decade the group has raised $700,000, parked $300,000 in an endowment and given away $400,000 to local projects that benefit women and children. In 2010 alone, they awarded $54,000 in grants, ranging from $500 to $10,000. Funds can only be used for discreet projects, never operating funds.

WINGS mission is three fold. First it strives to raise awareness about community needs. Second it actively raises money to help meet those needs. And third it nurtures the philanthropic impulse.

Members can join by pledging $1,000 over three years, or they can join as part of a “giving circle,” with the group pledging $1,000 over three years.

WINGS looks for opportunities to collaborate with other community groups, such as the United Way or say Rotary. They are now working with the Southeast Minnesota Initiative on a micro-grant program to help women start new businesses.

Guests: Margit Johnson, Erin Mayberry, Mary Hahn and Mary Loven (Boxrud); Sue Crow-Metz and Julie Nelson (Crow)

Scholarship Enhancement: Jan Stevens

Announcements:

Club members and their families are invited to the Estenson Fieldhouse Thursday, August 5, for a summer social beginning at 5:15 pm.  In addition to food and fellowship, the Copper Street Vintage Band will perform.  The evening social takes the place of the regular meeting.

President Weber invited members to consider being part of the Rotary Friendship Exchange, which will go to the Philippines January 27-February 7. You must pay your own way. The deadline for sign up is August 30. For details, see Chris.

Pat O’Neil reported that Roberto is now home in Spain. In absentia, Roberto presented us with a flag from his home Rotary club.

Jan Stevens gave a plug for the upcoming vintage band festival. I don’t know who keeps track of these things, but she says it is the premier brass band event in the world..

Coming Up:

Aug. 5 – 5:15 pm Rotary Social at the Estenson’s

Aug. 12 – Getting to the Heart of the Matter, Jim Pokorney

Aug. 18 – Key – Barbeque  5 p.m.

Aug. 19 – Ann Richards, Peace Corps returnee from Romania (Ims)

Welcome Our Newest Members:

Dayna Clemment, Peter Schmelzer, Mark Henke, Nancy Amerman

Today’s Program: Jacqui Dorsey and WINGS 10^th Anniversary (Ness)

Happy Birthday: Mark Mohlke 7/19, Duane Benson 7/21, Linda Willgohs 7/22

Next Week:  Jim Holden, author of “Tennis in Minnesota” (Ophaug)

Last Meeting:

Our club truly appreciates the energy and organizational skills of members like Missi Arens, who presented her classification talk.  Missi is currently the Vice President of the Central Region of the Girl Scouts of the MN and WI River Valleys, a region that serves 40,000 girls, 350 of whom are from the Northfield area.

Missi lives in Farmington with her husband Mark and children Jake and Nicole.  Missi grew up in Bloomington as a tomboy who loved sports, especially soccer.  Missi attended Normandale Community College and later received her BA in Organizational Leadership from Bethel University and also a Certificate in Fund Development from St. Thomas.

Missi has worked as the Education Coordinator at the Minnesota Zoo and is a certified EMT Training Officer.  While working for Allina Medical Transport she met her future husband Mark. Since 1999 Missi has worked for the Girl Scouts and helped implement the recent major administrative reorganization that the Girl Scouts undertook to better fulfill their mission “to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place”

Guests: Elissa Skytte, 2008-09 inbound student from Denmark, Breanna Tetrault, 2008-09 outbound student to Poland, Sam Estenson, 2009-10 outbound student to Japan, Betsy Spethmann (Young), Bob Johnson.

Visiting Rotarians: Kim Holland, former District Governor from the Dallas, TX area, Bill Talen, former Northfield member now in Del Ray Beach, FL.

Scholarship Enhancement: Mark Abbott

Announcements:

Club members and their families are invited to the Estenson Fieldhouse Thursday, August 5, for a summer social beginning at 5:15 pm.  In addition to food and fellowship, the Copper Street Vintage Band will perform.  The evening social takes the place of the regular meeting.

Congratulations to Ed Fox who celebrates 63 years of valuable Rotary membership and service!

Vicky Dilley reported that several attendees at the Rotary International Convention in Montreal were amazed that our small club hosts five inbound exchange students and sends out 15!

With regret the Board has accepted the resignation of Mike Flynn because scheduling conflicts with our meeting time.

Coming Up:

August 5 – No Noon Meeting!

August 5 – 5:15 pm Rotary Social at the Estenson’s

Welcome Our Newest Members:

Dayna Clemment, Peter Schmelzer, Mark Henke, Nancy Amerman

Happy Birthday: Nancy Amerman and Myron Solid (7/12) and Jan Stevens (7/15)

Next Week: Jacqui Dorsey and WINGS (Ness)

Last Meeting:

The Cannon Valley Elder Collegium (CVEC) is a life-long learner’s dream. This home-grown virtual academy offers 10-12 liberal arts classes each eight-week term during the fall, winter and spring. Classes typically meet for two hours once a week.

Ed Lufkin, the current executive director, and Bill Carlson, his predecessor, provided an overview of the program. Courses are designed for students age 50 and older, but nobody’s checking Ids at the door. The cost of each course is $50, but scholarships are available.

Bill said Northfield is in a unique position for this type of senior education to succeed. Northfield has an unusually large supply of retired teachers, and the community is a haven for intellectually curious retirees.  Ed added that collegium benefits from the breadth and depth of experience their students bring to the program.

Ron Ronning and Keith Anderson started the program 13 years ago with help from the Minnesota Humanities Commission. The program is fully funded by its members. During the last academic year, the collegium set a new record with a student enrollment of 500.

Club Goals: President Weber reviewed our club goals for 2010-11. They range from maintaining our excellent Youth Exchange Program and implementing a Youth Protection Program to providing fellowship opportunities for members and promoting literacy. The complete list is posted on the web site.

Paul Harris Fellows: Dale Ness, Kurt Larson and Bill Carlson  were all recognized as Paul Harris fellows. Bill dedicated his to his wife, Charlotte Carlson.

Guests: Char Carlson (B. Carlson), Bob Johnson (J. Larson) and Laurie Pappas (Prowe)

Scholarship Enhancement: Our guest Bob Johnson

Announcements:

Club members and their families are invited to the Estenson Fieldhouse Thursday, Aug. 5, for a summer social. Besides the food and fellowship, there will be a concert by one of the bands here for the Vintage Band Festival.

Jan Stevens announced that tickets tare now on sale to Vintage Band events, a dance and a  vaudevillian production.

Charlie Cogan said there will be a special day at a Twins game on October 2 dedicated to PolioPlus. Both our district and the Minneapolis district will be participating.

Coming Up

July 29 – Jim Holden – Author of Tennis in Minnesota (Ophaug)

Welcome Our Newest Members:

Dayna Clemment, Peter Schmelzer, Mark Henke, Nancy Amerman

A financial boost is coming to the Northfield Union of Youth.

The group, also known as The Key, has received a $40,000 commitment from the Rotary Club of Northfield.

The money, which will come in installments of $8,000 a year for the next five years, will help toward a loan the group received in the spring to purchase a new facility, the former Northfield Photo Memories on West Sixth Street.

More>>

Happy Birthday: Dayna Clemment (7/5) and Candy Taylor (7/7)

Next Week: Missi Ahrens, Classification (Williams)

Last Meeting:

State Senator Kevin Dahle and State Representative David Bly said the state budget crisis overshadowed all other issues this past legislative session. The two DFLers said legislators went home after agreeing to a temporary fix that still finds them staring at a $6 billion deficit when they return to St. Paul next year.

A Supreme Court ruling that overturned Gov. Pawlenty’s unallottments injected some additional drama into the session. In the end, the Legislature ended up ratifying most of the spending cuts the governor had imposed.

Sen. Dahle said he believes the lack of revenue is the issue, not overspending. Both he and Rep. Bly have advocated for tax increases to soften the service cuts. David referenced the analysis of State Economist Tom Stinson who said a mix of tax increases and spending cuts would create less drag on the state economy than spending cuts alone.

Despite the grim fiscal forecast, both pointed to successes last session. Sen. Dahle was proud of a bill that protected property owners’ rights in cases of eminent domain. Rep. Bly pointed to PACE legislation that supports energy conservation and progress on the Dan Patch Corridor light rail line.

Passing of the Torch: Rick Estenson received a standing ovation for his leadership this past year as he passed the gavel to Chris Weber, our new president. Chris reported on his experience at the Rotary International Convention in Montreal. He said it was an inspiring experience. He heard speakers such as Greg Mortenson (“Three Cups of Tea”), Queen Nora and Dolly Parton and was impressed to be in the company of Rotarians from around the globe.

Guests: Raphaela Cogan (Cogan), Mark Brown (Henke), Michael Gunderson (Fenton) and Kelby Woodard (Estenson).

Scholarship Enhancement: Michael Gunderson

Announcements:

Club members and their families are invited to the Estenson Fieldhouse Thursday, Aug. 5, for a summer social. Besides the food and fellowship, there will be a concert by one of the bands here for the Vintage Band Festival.

This Saturday the city will celebrate the extension of the Riverside BikeTrail on the east side of the Cannon River in Northfield with a ceremony at 9:30 a.m..

Dayna Clemment is looking for a few good women who will participate in Habitat for Humanit’s “Women Build Day” next week.

Emelda Rasmussen circulated a petition urging the city council to recommit to the United Nationals “culture of peace” initiative.

Coming Up

July 22 – Jacqui Dorsey – WINGS’ 10^th Anniversary (Ness)

July 29 – Jim Holden – Author of Tennis in Minnesota (Ophaug)

Welcome Our Newest Members:

Dayna Clemment, Peter Schmelzer, Mark Henke, Nancy Amerman

Happy Birthday: Pete Stolley (6/29), Scott Richardson (7/1), James Grabau (7/4)

Next Week: Elder Collegium (Bill Carlson and Ed Lufkin)

Last Meeting:

Northfield Middle School Principal Jeff Pesta suggests middle school students are like “wet cement.” They are still malleable, but it is during these three critical years that their identifies and life habits are formed. Thereafter, he posits, change is possible, but it is more difficult, often coming with a cost.

Jeff has spent 14 years in school administration in four different school districts. He says there are no more “at-risk” kids here than in other places. He estimates that about 5 percent are truly in harm’s way. They are resilient, but it is critical that each one has a at least one caring adult who appreciates them and the challenges presented by adolescence.

He is implementing a number of strategies to help middle school kids adjust to their time of life. He is developing a sixth grade transitions program to help kids make the leap from elementary to middle school. He is promoting a pyramid model of student resources to help his staff find help for those who are struggling.

Poverty remains a common theme for those truly at-risk and it is a vexing issue. Jeff says he tries to just deal with each student, one at a time. He reminded us that middle school is a critical time. “Any investment spent on middle school students is worthwhile,” he said.

New Member: Nancy Amerman was inducted into the club. Her daughter, Ruth, was in Lithuania this past year. Nancy has a prospective outbound still in high school. Welcome to the club, Nancy.

Guests: Roberto and Luisa (Amerman), Laurie Pappas (Ophaug), Martha Rogers (Rogers)

Scholarship Enhancement: Judy Brown-Wescott

Announcements:

There will be a passing of the torch today. Chris Weber will succeed Rick Estenson as our fearless leader. Please thank Rick for his outstanding leadership this past year, and thank Chris for assuming his rank.

Luisa and Roberto were bid a fond farewell. They are both now on a Rotary trip to the East Coast. They are scheduled to depart for home shortly after their return.

Nominations for the club’s Good Neighbor Award officially closed yesterday, but if you have a really good nominee, there is a good chance Carl Caskey would allow it to be considered. Remember, the nominee should be someone from outside the club who has demonstrated service above self and whose work has contributed to a stronger, more cohesive community.

Club members and their families are invited to the Estenson Fieldhouse Thursday, Aug. 5, for a summer social. Besides the food and fellowship, there will be a concert by one of the bands here for the Vintage Band Festival.

Coming Up

July 15 – Missi Ahrens – Classification – (Williams)

July 22 – Topic TBA - (Ness)

Welcome Our Newest Members:

Dayna Clemment, Peter Schmelzer, Mark Henke, Nancy Amerman

Happy Birthday: David Koenig (6/21), Mary Rossing (6/22), Ray Cox (6/26) and Richard Collman (6/26)

Next Week: Legislative Update from Rep. David Bly and State Senator Kevin Dahle

Last Meeting:

Art Monaghan’s boyhood friend, Mike Grimm, keeps the common man entertained with his play-by-play commentary for Gopher basketball on WCCO-radio. He also does the pre-and post game shows and the Tubby Smith show.

He spends about three hours per game researching the stats and creates a cheat sheet, which he passed around for our inspection. He made sure we all remembered that Anthony Jacobs of Northfield is currently playing for the Gophers football team. He also reminded us that a former Northfield resident, Jim Molinari, briefly coached the Gophers, and that the legendary John Wooden almost signed on to coach the Gopher basketball team, but an untimely snowstorm delayed the communication and he ended up at UCLA.

Mike got his start doing the overnight shift at an Iowa radio station. It gave him valuable experience and prepared him to move on to cover the St. Louis Cardinals. He covered the Rams’ trip to the Super Bowl in New Orleans and saw Dennis Rodman singing in a band and throwing beer cans at bar patrons. The first college game Mike ever announced was Luther vs. St. Olaf, here in Northfield. He was a student at Luther at the time.

He loves the new TCF football stadium and notes that the Gophers football team has a very tough schedule this year. He reports that Tubby loves his job here, and we shouldn’t worry about him leaving.

The Pokorney Trifecta

Paul Harris Fellowship: Jim Pokorney honored his wife, Sue, with a Paul Harris Fellowship. He likened the award to the Wizard of Oz presenting a college diploma to the Scarecrow or a badge of honor to the Cowardly Lion. In other words, Sue does not see herself as a particularly “giving” person, but her list of generous acts in the community would fill the rest of this page.

Marston Headley Award: In what may be an unprecedented act of serendipity, Charlie Cogan THEN announced the winner of the Marston Headley “Service Above Self” award. It happened to be Jim Pokorney! Never at a loss for words, Jim gracefully accepted the unexpected honor. He asked the rhetorical question “Why do people get rewarded for doing what they enjoy?” and then…..

Scholarship Enhancement: Who else, but the ubiquitous Jim Pokorney?

Guests: Michael Gunderson (Fenton), Nancy Amerman (Hoschauer), Susan Pokorney (Pokorney), Dawn O’Neill (O’Neill), Candy Nordine (Nordine), Nalongue Cogan (Cogan).

Coming Up:

July 8 – Elder Collegium. (B. Carlson, Lufkin)

July 15 – Missi Ahrens, Classification.  (Williams)

Welcome Our Newest Members:

Dayna Clemment, Peter Schmelzer, Mark Henke, Nancy Amerman

Jim Pokorney, 2010 Marston Headley Service Above Self Award winner.

Jim Pokorney was named winner of the Northfield Rotary Club’s 2010 Marston Headley Service Above Self Award. Cited for his tireless work as a Northfield City Council Member, active participation in his church and willingness to jump in wherever his help is needed. Jim has been a member of the Northfield Rotary Club since 1997.

The Marston Headley Service above Self Award is given each year to a member of the club who has given of their time and energy to make the club a success and to recognize strong involvement in the community. Started by Rotary International 30 years ago, the Northfield chapter began to award it in 1988.  About a decade ago, the local award was renamed in honor of Marston Headley, a long-time member, past club president and secretary for many years.

Happy Birthday: Bob Kuyper (6/15) and Eduardo Wolle (6/18)

Next Week: Jeff Pesta, Northfield Middle School Principal (Maus)

Last Meeting:

The Washington National Cathedral is a national treasure, conceived when the nation was still in its infancy, launched in the latter part of the 19^th century and completed in 1990 with the placing of the final stone.

The outcome of that long journey is a commanding, awe-inspiring gothic edifice that now serves as a “house of prayer” and “spiritual home” for the nation.

Richard Collman is one of 14,000 members of the National Cathedral Association and is captivated by the structure and its meaning. It has become associated with many moments of national mourning and as Richard says: “observes and influences decisions made around the world.”

The cathedral is the Chief Mission Church of the Episcopal Diocese and considered a voice for reconciliation and interfaith dialogue. It is privately funded, and Richard invites anyone interested in helping to sustain this project to consider supporting it with a financial donation.

Richard and his wife, Katherine are leading a tour to Washington D.C. at the end of September to tour the cathedral and other patriotic and religious places in the D.C. area.

Guests: Rianna Dilley (Dilley), Kris Otis Skinner and Charlie Skinner (Estenson), and Roberto and Luisa (O’Neill)

Scholarship Enhancement: Missi Arens

Announcements:

John Ophaug reported that Mancel Mitchell’s wife, Randi, has died. Her funeral will be June 19 in Edina. Mancel was a former Northfield Chief of Police.

Beginning in July, dues will increase from $100 to $125 per quarter.  This is the first dues increase in 10 years and is needed to maintain our quality programming and to meet rising District and International dues plus increased costs for lunches.

Please contact Steve Wilmot if you could volunteer to help take photos at membership and Paul Harris inductions and other Rotary events.

Carl Caskey is seeking nominations for the club’s Good Neighbor award. The deadline is today. See Carl for a nomination form.

Rick Esse, a former club president, has been named Assistant District Governor. Can you spell “u-n-a-l-l-o-t-m-e-n-t?”

Coming Up:

July 1 – Legislative Update from Representative David Bly and Senator Kevin Dahle, Plus Passing of the Leadership Baton – Estenson to Weber

Welcome Our Newest Members:

Dayna Clemment, Peter Schmelzer, Mark Henke, Nancy Amerman

Happy Birthday: Did we miss anyone this week?

Next Week:  Mike Grimm, WCCO/Gopher Sports (Monaghan)

Last Meeting:

“The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.”  Todd Olson from the Minnesota office explained that since the Nature Conservancy was founded in 1951 more than 119 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of rivers worldwide have been preserved.  In Minnesota, the Conservancy has helped conserve more than 378,000 acres.

Tettegouche State Park along the North Shore of Lake Superior was preserved in good measure due to efforts of the Conservancy in partnership with the MN DNR. Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge involved 23,000 acres of prairie restoration of the Red River Valley near Crookston, another large project of the Minnesota Chapter.

Closer to Northfield, the Weaver Dunes Scientific and Natural Area along the Mississippi in Wabasha County has helped preserve the Blanding’s turtles, a threatened species.

Thanks to Todd for giving us a clearly presented overview of the Nature Conservatory.

Guests: Dana Cogan (Charlie Cogan), Bob Bonner (Braucher) and visiting Rotarian from Rosemount Kyle Snesrud.

Scholarship Enhancement: David Wolf

Announcements:

Club members extend their sympathy to Fred Rogers and his family on the recent death of Fred’s father.

Beginning in July, dues will increase from $100 to $125 per quarter.  This is the first dues increase in 10 years and is needed to maintain our quality programming and to meet rising District and International dues plus increased costs for lunches.

This year’s Taste of Northfield event will be held two days, rather than one – Thursday and Friday, June 17 and 18, from 4-10 p.m., in and around Bridge Square.  See Keith Covey for raffle tickets for a chance to win a $1,000 cash prize!

Please contact Steve Wilmot if you could volunteer to help take photos at membership and Paul Harris inductions and other Rotary events.

Coming Up:

June 16 @ 6:30 pm -Party for outbound and inbound exchange students at Estenson’s Field House

June 24 - Jeff Pesta, Principal – The at-risk student at Northfield Middle School (Maus)

July 1 – Legislative Update from Representative David Bly and Senator Kevin Dahle, Plus Passing of the Leadership Baton – Estenson to Weber

Welcome Our Newest Members:

Dayna Clemment, Peter Schmelzer, Mark Henke