It's that time of year, when the weather grows cold, and there are many without homes in need of shelter and other resources. The Salvation Army USA provides food, shelter, clothing, financial assistance and so much more. That is why we ring the bells for the Red Kettle campaign. And the day we volunteered, donations were doubled!
Thank you to those who volunteered at the Lakeville Cub Foods and Fleet Farm.
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of this, November 2nd guest speaker was Camille Rosa from A Breath of Hope Lung Foundation.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, more than breast, colon, and kidney COMBINED. Lung cancer is frequently diagnosed after it has spread.
Big thank you to Tony Steel for 20 years of service in the Lakeville Rotary STRIVE Program! Thank you for your vision, your passion, and your commitment to the Lakeville STRIVE program.
Jay Young presented Bob Erickson with a $2000 check from the Rotary Club of Lakeville Foundation to support the Lakeville Arts Center Fine Art Festival.
The planning has begun for the 21st Year of the Taste of Lakeville! This live event at Lakeville Area Arts Center is scheduled for Thursday, August 17, 2023. It has grown to become a premier community event that raises substantial funds to support the people of Lakeville. As the event’s organizers, The Rotary Club of Lakeville Foundation would like to encourage you to consider sponsoring this event. Lakeville marketing materials (including printed media and on the event website) www.tasteoflakeville.org.
As an event sponsor, you will receive the following benefits: Your donations support educational and service projects within Lakeville and the surrounding community. Please view the complete list on our website. We intend to raise funds to help build our community as one of the best places in the nation to raise a family and conduct business. We welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss the level that best suits your business. Downloadable Pamphlet
This exclusive, VIP experience will be held indoors in the Lakeville Arts Center and includes a VIP Woodford Reserve Lounge, Premium Wine & Spirits Tastings, Entertainment, and a chance to win a trip to Bourbon Country!
• Woodford Reserve VIP Lounge — Featuring Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Double Oak, Malt, Rye, Wheat and Woodford Reserve Glass • Premium & Reserve Wine Pours • Top Shelf Spirits & Liquor Pours • Live VIP Entertainment Featuring Johnny Holiday & Willie Moore • Food Pairings by The Better Half — Korean Beef Skewer: Marinated Beef, Shishito Pepper, Red Onion, Cherry Tomato, Togarashi Seasoning, Teriyaki. Miso Aioli — Maine Style Lobster Crostini: Chilled Lobster Salad, Pickled Celery Relish, Ancho Chili. • Premium Chocolate from Masterpiece Chocolates • Exclusive Prize Drawing – Bourbon Trail Tour includes Airfare & Lodging – Valued at $2,500 • Full Access to TOL Grounds, VIP Parking & Entrance
Online auction begins May 16 and ends May 22nd. To participate, click on the link below, and join Group 764 to review and bid on items. 100% of proceeds support the Lakeville Rotary Club.
Lakeville Rotary Club along with Rotary District 5960 and 10 Minnesota and Wisconsin Rotary Clubs celebrated donating a six-passenger, electric, all-season transportation cart to the Magnus Veterans Foundation (MVF) Jan. 12, 2022. The MVF, located in Dayton, MN, provides a variety of physical, psychological, social and other health-related services at no cost (free) to veterans. The modified cart is needed to move veterans and guests throughout the 38-acre site. Elk River Rotarians Casey Mahon and Heather Kliewer (sitting in the front seat of photo #1), with the support of President Tove Lichty (second from left) led all aspects of the initiative, which raised more than $11,000 for the purchase and upkeep of the cart.
Rotarians and staff and volunteers of the Magnus Veterans Foundation celebrate the presentation of the cart Jan. 12, 2022 at the MVF site.
Join us on our journey with our Environmental Global Grant Initiative in Huilloc Peru concerning Greenhouses.
The project is moving forward and - we are doing good!
Dr. Douglas reported on the meeting with the beneficiary partners of the greenhouses project, and the meeting with Aron, president of the Alianza Andina organization.
"Breaking News"! Taste of Lakeville's new VIP EXPERIENCE is featured in Sun ThisWeek. The newspaper highlighted the event's two Executive Chefs, John Krause and Neal Meier who will be providing cooking demonstrations. Read more: https://www.hometownsource.com/.../page_483ced5b-adb4...
Mike Puppe. Mike is a previous Apple Valley Rotarian and is President of Lakeview Bank. Mike's sponsor is Tom Mork.
Brandon Smieja. Brandon is a previous New Prague Rotarian and is the VP of commercial lending with Lakeview Bank and his sponsor is Tom Mork.
Martin Luckcuck. Martin is a returning Lakeville Rotarian (2004-2007). Martin’s the President and CIO of SMp3 LLC Consulting and Innovation Support for the Supermarket Maintenance Industry. Martin’s sponsor is Jim Christian
Joshua Lee. Joshua is the Assistant Dean of Students for St. Olaf College. Joshua’s sponsor is Nicole Lauer.
MARCH 2021 ROTARY STUDENTS OF THE MONTH Each month of the school year, the Lakeville Rotary Club recognizes students of the senior class who demonstrate “Service Above Self”.
For the month of March Addison Brown has been chosen as the March Rotary Student of the Month for Lakeville South High School. Addison’s parents are Steven and Tracy Brown and her Dean is Kelly McDermott. Over the course of her academic career, Addison has taken 14 semesters of AP courses and 16 semesters of Honors Courses while excelling in basketball. Addi ranks in the top 5% of her highly competitive class of 465 students. Upon graduation, Addison plans on getting her Bachelors degree and then she plans on attending Law School. Not only is Addi extremely passionate about academics and learning, but she is also found leading her peers in many clubs and activities, such as Basketball, National Honors Society, Spanish Club, Cribbage club, Key club, and HOSA rewarding and a natural fit for her. Addison dedicates her non-study time to volunteering as a youth basketball coach, Feed My Starving Children, and other LSHS leadership events. Whatever the activity or cause, Addi commits her time and naturally leads her peers.
This past Thursday Rotarian Roger Struthers shared his Member Classification Talk. Roger is in sales with The Blackburn Company selling functional and decorative hardware for the kitchen and bath.
Roger was a member of the Hopkins, MN Rotary Club from 2002-2016, and served as treasurer for five years and in 2016 he moved from the Hopkins club to Lakeville. Roger is a valued volunteer assisting with operations on the Taste of Lakeville.
Roger and his wife, Lynsay, live in Lakeville with their two rescued dogs, Mario and Josie. When not in Lakeville you can find them traveling in their Airstream.
Lakeville Rotary Club welcomed Paul Hofslien. Paul has been a member of the Prior Lake Rotary for over 25 years. He has served many positions including Treasurer, Secretary, Foundation Chair and President. He has been on the District Foundation Team for the last 4 years, serving as Team Lead for the Fund Development Team.
Paul shared how our giving to The Rotary Foundation makes an impact both globally and locally through Positive Peace and the fundamentals on How The Foundation Works with 50% of what we give annually will be returned back to our district in 3-years to be used toward our district clubs projects.
The Lakeville Chamber and Tourism office has reached out and asked Rotarians for help to support our local restaurant and hospitality workers who are struggling to provide a holiday for their children.
With your help Plateful of Love to date has covered 73 kids and 37 families with gifts and groceries for the holidays!
Rotarians! Thank you for making this program a success!
Students Taking Renewed Interest in the Value of Education (S.T.R.I.V.E)
STRIVE is a mentoring program for high school seniors at LNHS and LSHS. The focus is on preparing for post-graduation opportunities, while working to improve academically.
Become a S.T.R.I.V.E. Mentor!
GREAT MENTORS are a key to this program's success. Rotarians mentor students by sharing their experiences, knowledge, and advice to motivate and inspire students to make the most of their senior year. Essentially, we help them to successfully launch from high school.
There will be 5 STRIVE mentor meetings that will be held approximately once a month on Wednesdays from 11:30am-12:30pm at Bracketts. The first meeting is November 11th.
Mentor candidates should contact Tony Steel at tsteel@rwbaird.com or 612-749-4149.
What a great day for saving lives! We collected 265 units of blood on Tuesday. That is the largest, single-day collection ever recorded for Memorial Blood Centers. You and all of Lakeville should feel proud of this accomplishment.
There were 59 first-time ever donors. Welcome to a group of very special abnormal people. Only 37% of the population is able to donate and less than 10% do. There were 113 people who were first-time donors with Memorial Blood Centers. That number is important, because Memorial's blood stays in Minnesota and most of it goes to the Twin Cities area hospitals.
This year threw us all a curveball. We were disappointed that we couldn’t host the 2020 Taste of Lakeville due to gathering restrictions. To make the best of a situation, in true Rotary fashion, we moved our auction online and our wine judging to your home. And….YOU SHOWED UP! We are taken aback by the support our community has continued to give for the Taste of Lakeville! We are so thankful!
Lakeville Rotary Club is proud to announce their 2020-2021 Club President, Steve Volavka.
Steve is the owner and creative partner with Kris Murto of Ensemble Creative & Marketing. Steve has been involved with marketing and creative design for over twenty-five years. In addition to his marketing business Stave and Kris are owners of Remedy Bar a CBD, Wellness, and PET CBD supplies in Downtown Lakeville. Steve has been a member of Lakeville Rotary since April 2013.
David Yorks is a life-long resident of Lake Minnetonka and a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a History degree and a Masters Degree in American History. He has a fifty-five year interest in the presidency of John F. Kennedy.
Join us as we hear from Jason Viana, Executive Director of Open Door Pantry!
He has led the hunger relief organization since 2016 following almost 20 years of work in the nonprofit sector, most recently with the American Red Cross here in Minnesota. Jason hails from the deep south and now lives in Burnsville with his wife and two young boys Eli and Noah.
Mike Cooper introduced our speaker Kent Olson. Kent is a Professor Emeritus from the Applied Economics Department at the University of Minnesota. He worked mainly in farm management here in the U.S. and around the world. He retired as Associate Director of the Extension Center for Community Vitality which focused on the development of communities in Minnesota. He also is the Vice President of Iringa Hope.
Kent shared facts and insight on the poverty levels in the US and around the World. Poverty affects 10% of the world population approximately 780,000,000 individuals and with the impact of COVID-19 this rate should rise within the next few years.
You can view Kent's presentation at the following link:
Amazing First Impressions.....Why The First 15 Seconds Matter More Than You Think."
Michael has delivered thousands of presentations and keynote speeches on the subjects of leadership, selling, and customer service to businesses and Rotary groups around the world.
Speakers Dr. Laura Niedernhofer and Dr. Paul Robbins from the University of Minnesota. They spoke on aging. 10,000 people turn 65 every day in America. By 2030, the number of individuals aged 65 and older will exceed those under 20. This is the greatest biomedical challenge we are facing today given that old age is the greatest risk factor for most chronic diseases. Bold and new approaches are needed.
Lakeville Rotary welcomed Ann Messerschmidt - Environmental Resources Specialist, City of Lakeville to our virtual Club meeting today. Ann has been working with the City for 17 years conducting wetland and construction site reviews, planning events like the city’s largest volunteer event (Watershed Cleanup Day), ensuring the City is meeting Stormwater Pollution Prevention requirements of the state, as well as managing native vegetation at past environmental improvement projects, monitoring water quality at all Lakeville Lakes, and managing pretty much any outside thing you can think of. Ann is the main person who is making sure the Valley Lake Pollinator garden is functioning at tip-top shape and is here today to provide an update.
Rotarian Cody Rodewald , Align Chiropractic Lakeville, was our speaker today. He gave us one word to keep in the back of our mind during this time, " Adaptation".
Watch today's meeting to hear more from Dr. Rodewald on his biggest keys to Health & Wellness during COVID-19.
Rotarian Colleen LaBeau brought this story to our attention of long time Taste of Lakeville contributor Dan Selfinger! A Go Fund Me page has been created in support of Dan by Tara Forbord.
Dan has had one long winter. After his wife, Amy passed away unexpectedly in February, he was left to raise his 3 underage children by himself.
He is in the process of adopting two of Amy's kids and found out the the child support for one of them will end as Amy is now deceased.
Dan's contribution to the Taste for many years has been substantial to our silent auction area. Please click the following link to read the entire story!
Speaker Jeff Mortensen, CEO 360 Communities spoke at our Club meeting today. Jeff started with drawing parallels of his experience with the COVID-19 Pandemic to that of his family's experience at the April 15, 2013, Boston Marathon Bombing. Where they found the need to access the tools, resources, and data they had at their disposal and rely on the collective wisdom of their group. He noticed during that event two actions from the crowd. People that moved away and people that moved toward the conflict.
District 5960 Rotarians and Rotaractors, the District 5960 Mid-Term is Saturday, January 11, 2020, at the Anderson Center on the campus of Hamline University. It's an exciting time to connect with other District Rotarians and Rotaractors to look back and look ahead as we start a new decade of "Connecting the World," inspiring others, and making a positive difference in our communities and the world!
Ken Mosier introduced our speakers Ken Olson and Valdi Stefanson. Olson shared some information on the 501c3 NGO Shoulder to Shoulder. Shoulder to Shoulder works both in Minnesota and in Tanzania to support and upgrade Lutheran medical facilities in the Iringa Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. They have worked for nearly 20 years, helping Ilula Lutheran hospital grow from a Health Center to a District Hospital with 100 beds serving a population of 250,000.
Ken and Valdi explained that 60% of all medial diagnoses requires X-ray Analysis, which is much more than broken bones and having an X-ray machine can be the difference between getting the right or wrong treatment or life or death.
Ilula is on the main highway from Dar es Salaam. This highway is very busy and there is an enormous amount of truck traffic, cars, motorbikes, bicycles and bijajis. So consequently, there are many accidents and injuries.
Ken and Valdi's "ask" is for our support in their Global Grant to assist with purchasing an X-ray machine for Ilula. The cost for the machine is $150,000. Ken and Valdi are working with clubs in both District 5960 and 5950 to make this happen.
You have been invited by Prior Lake Rotary Club to join them for the following special meeting event.
Event: Club Meeting Program-Lea B Olsen "Rethink the Win"
Date: Oct 09, 2019 7:00 AM - Oct 09, 2019 8:15 AM
Fee:
Location: The Wilds Golf Club 3151 Wilds Ridge Ct. NW Prior Lake, MN 55372
Details: The Prior Lake Rotary Club is pleased to invite you to our Wednesday, Oct. 9th, meeting at the Wilds. Our featured speaker that morning will be Lea B. Olsen. As a parent, sports broadcaster and former Minnesota Gopher basketball player, she has experienced sports culture from every angle. After graduating from
the U of M with a journalism major, she has worked for NBCSN, ESPN's national WNBA coverage, is a game analyst for the Lynx and a sideline TV reporter for the Timberwolves. As founder of Rethink the Win, Lea champions young athletes as complete people and focuses on the positive impact of sports beyond the game. She has many tips for parents as they help their kids navigate the youth sports culture.
You can also book family and friends. Please go to www.priorlakerotary.org to register so that we know how many to be expecting.
One of Rotary's areas of service is Vocation Service. As a Rotarian, how can you put these ideals into action? Consider these suggestions:
Talk about your profession in your club, and take time to learn about fellow members’ occupations.
Use your skills and expertise to serve a community.
Practice your profession with integrity, and inspire others to behave ethically through your words and actions.
Help young people achieve their career goals.
Guide and encourage others in their professional development.
These last two items are the reason for this email. District 5960 is looking to do just that for our Rotaractors, Rotex (former Youth Exchange students), and Young Rotarians (<35). We plan to have meet-up events throughout the year to bring mentors and mentees together through vocational and other interests.
Tom Vonhof officially welcomed Jim Kretsch to Lakeville Rotary Club this past week. Jim has been with Lakeville since early April. His sponsors are Bob Bayer and Steve Volavka. Jim is an Attorney with Kretsch Law Offices in Lakeville and is a Past President with Bloomington Daymakers Rotary Club. Jim his wife, Jane, and their three children live in Lakeville.
What/Where: It might be hard to believe but we have kids in our communities that are sleeping on the floor or in a tough situation. Thanks to your help Sleep in Heavenly Peace has delivered over 525 beds in the past 2.5 years and there is still a big need. There are kids waiting for the beds we will be building in September!
Working with Youth, Rotary District 5960 and Lakeville Rotary Club are committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all participants in Rotary activities. It is the duty of all Rotarians, spouses or partners of Rotarians, and any other volunteers to safeguard to the best of their ability the welfare of and to prevent the abuse or neglect of youth with whom they come into contact in Rotary Youth activities.
All Volunteers participating in Rotary Youth activities and having significant interaction with youth must beYouth Certified in three easy steps. (No fee to be certified and only takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.)
Lakeville Rotary Club welcomed Rotarians from the newly formed South Metro Networking Rotaract Club. Rachel Marzahn, Shamara Duwearatchi, and Lionel Mbayu.
Rachel Marzahn
Rachel Marzahn holds a dual Rotarian role. One as a member of Lakeville Rotary Club and the other as the current president of South Metro Networking Rotaract Club. Rachel shared the " fun fact" that she can breath fire!
Shamara Duwearatchi
Next, Shamara Duwearatchi, was born in the city of Columbo in Sri Lanka. Shamara’s fun fact is that she loves playing tennis and she is looking forward to doing a project that would help the people in her home country.
Lionel Mbayu
The third member presenting today was Lionel Mbayu. Lionel moved to Minnesota from Douala, Cameroon and his fun fact is that he speaks fluent French.
The team shared some facts on “What is Rotaract?” and a fun video presentation on their experience at the recent Rotary International Convention in Hamburg, Germany: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00krgCNAJ5k.
Rachel Marzahn presented President Ken Mosier with the 2019 RI Convention Banner.
In closing Rachel, Shamara, and Lionel invited all of us to attend the Official Chartering Ceremony of South Metro Networking Rotaract Club on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at Buck Hill. Click Here for registration link.
Trafficking Justice was founded by Adri Carlson in 2012 out of Hosanna Church in Lakeville, Minnesota. Adri had just been on a missions trip to southeast Asia and had seen first-hand the reality of Sex Trafficking there. Adri then found out that trafficking was also happening in Minnesota and approached Hosanna about starting a small group whose goal was to help prevent sexual exploitation and trafficking in our local communities.
Today’s speaker, Laura Mulliken, works for Trafficking Justice and has worked in the Whittier neighborhood of Minneapolis, with survivors of sex trafficking and the outreach programs to both victims and exploiters. She is a frequent speaker on sex trafficking awareness and prevention, the impact of pornography, outreach and restoration for the sexually exploited.
Laura gave us background information and “what” is human trafficking and spoke about Trafficking Justice’s mission, goals, and programs . To find out more about sex trafficking in Minnesota visit, http://traffickingjustice.com/about-us/sex-trafficking-in-mn/ .
Rotary historians have written that the 3rd Rotary Club was the Oakland Club, which started in 1909. Their sixth President, V. O. Lawrence was the first Rotarian in history to inaugurate a system of fines on latecomers at the weekly luncheons, enriching the club’s charity funds. From this practice evolved the birthday fine and bell ringer.
Pat Arling introduced Maridel Sandberg from Together for Good. Together for Good provides practical help and relational support to struggling families. Their goal is to keep children safe and help families going through trauma to keep their families together.
Together for Good 180 volunteers offer practical help by hosting children during times of parental crisis and surround families with ongoing support.
Maridel shared information on their upcoming fundraising event. Having fun with March Madness brackets and donating funds back to a good cause. For more information visit www.retailroi.org/march .
The Lakeville Rotary Club and the Lakeville Fire Department are sponsoring a joint blood drive on Thursday, April 4th, from 1:00 pm until 7:00 pm, at Fire Station #4 located at 9465 185th Street West here in Lakeville (Behind Lifetime and across the street from Century Middle School).
You are invited to help with this important project by scheduling your donation directly at the drive's web site. Just double click on the following link:
If you are unable to donate there are other ways you can help. We need volunteers at the refreshment table and we especially need help promoting the blood drive. Please take flyers / posters and ask friends and relatives to participate.
Former Lakeville Rotarian, John Clark, introduced our speakers Mason Braasch, Lakeville North High School speech team captain, Jenn Baese, head coach and Yatesh Singh, assistant coach.
Lakeville North Speech team is composed of 87 highly talented students with a wide range of backgrounds, interest, and passions. There are 13 events of competition in Minnesota, ranging from humorous to dramatic, entertaining to informative, each of which requires a multitude of different skills.
Mason presented her Informative Speech on the Census. She is a fourth-year speech participant and has competed both locally and nationally in the categories of Duo, Drama, Prose, Info, Poi and Duet. Outside of speech, Mason is involved in the LNHS Historical Society, Now and Then Singers, Theatre, NHS and Student Council.
Cody Rodewall introduced our speaker Jack Larson, CEO or the Xcel Energy Center.
Larson has been a fixture at Twin Cities sports venues for about 45 years, and he has extensive history with the NHL and we found out that he even gave a skating lesson to Rotarian Phil Bruneau. Larson took over at Xcel Energy Center in 2001, a year after the Wild’s arena opened.
Larson gave us a brief history of NHL hockey in Minnesota with the North Stars from 1967 to 1993 at the Met Center in Bloomington and current with the Wild at the Xcel Center in St. Paul 2000-01 to present.
Larson ended his talk by answering questions from the members.
Every farmer knows that the worst possible time to sell your crops is at harvest time since at this time the markets are flooded with crops for sale and the prices are low, but this is precisely when most farmers in rural Iringa, Tanzania sell their harvest. So, if they know this is a bad time to sell why do the small farmers in Iringa do this? They sell simply because their creditors know that at this time, they have a source of funds (crop sales) so all their bills come due and they have no choice!
The warehouse receipt program sponsored by our club helps solve this problem by allowing the small farmers to bring their crops into an approved warehouse and receive a receipt for them. They can then take the receipt and get a loan for 60% of the value of the crops. Alternatively, they can use the receipt as collateral for paying their bills. In either case the receipt is backed by a fund that guarantees payment of up to 60% of the value of the crop.
By providing this credit facility the farmers can now wait a few months to sell when the crop prices are typically 30-100% higher! (In the US our farmers do this by making use of a variety of private and/or government programs. In Iringa there has been no such option until now.)
The Warehouse receipt program that we are sponsoring will provide financing for farmers to store 18,000 bags of maize. It will help 550 families increase their incomes – touching 3,500 people! Based on a pilot program that was conducted, we are estimating that it will result in an average 40% price increase – providing almost $200,000 in additional income to these families.
Finally, since the program has possession of the farmer’s crops, the funds guaranteeing the receipts can be replenished by crops sales if necessary. Overall this means the funds that we send can be used year after year after year – providing an ongoing benefit to the families served! What a Christmas gift for the poor people in Iringa!
President Peg Duenow and Nancy Savstrom, Community Service Chair, presented an $9000 grant check to Sleep in Heavenly Peace for the November 10th "Bed Build." Lakeville Rotary Club sponsored 60 beds, provided linens and sent many volunteers.
Speaker : Joe Schmit, KSTP TV - Topic: Make a Silent Impact
Great leaders are the happiest, most productive people because they have discovered how to lead a life of significance. It's all about making an impact.
Joe Schmit has been interviewing and researching influential people discovering the factors that truly make an impact in the lives of others.
He is a storyteller who has spent 30 years as sports anchor for KSTP-TV (ABC-Minneapolis/St. Paul) and has been awarded 18 Emmy's and a National Headliner Award.
Joe's keynote, workshops, video series and book help individuals and teams put those principles into practice and make a true impact.
Andean Community Partners began in 2005 when pediatrician Dr. Doug Tate and Professor Ted Johnson developed an interim course at St. Olaf College called Peruvian Medical Experience. For the first two years of the program, 12 premedical and predental students shadowed a surgical team of Children’s Surgical International in Arequipa Peru.
Andean Community Partners now serves 500 to 600 patients annually in their mission to improve the health and well-being of people in Andean communities by focusing on health and infrastructure, while encouraging St. Olaf students to live a life of worth and service.
President Peg Duenow presented Dr. Tate with a grant check from Lakeville Rotary Club in the amount of $4000 to be used toward an electronic medical record (EMR) system that could be shared with all providers (Dr.’s, Dentists, pharmacy etc.) The Andean Community Partners doctors and volunteers work in Willoq every January. Occasionally, the mission will have patients who need care at other facilities. The non-profit Andean Community Partners (ACP) is planning to coordinate and facilitate the care that these patients’ needs. Having the information in an EMR would improve the process and would facilitate communication with the local providers.
The Prior Lake and Lakeville Rotary Club are co-sponsoring the newest Rotaract Club: South Metro Networking. South Metro Networking is a Rotaract Club that brings together people ages 21-35 to exchange ideas with leaders in the south metro community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service to others.
Congratulations to the 2017-18 Perfect Attendance Recipients!
Perfect Attendance is calculated by meetings attended, make ups at other Rotary Club meetings or online, 501 Club Meetings, Rotary volunteer committee meetings, district and club events, Rotary service projects.
Sheila Longie introduced our guest speaker, Trooper Mike Krukowski, at Lakeville Rotary this past week. He shared an amazing story of split-second decision making, determination, God's saving grace and human forgiveness.
Doug Anderson introduce our speaker Nancy Wagner. Nancy has been connected with numerous nonprofit organizations working in Haiti to give hope, health and life to tens of thousands of adults and children. She was Feed My Starving Children's first Development Director and continues her involvement in hunger relief, economic development and health care as a liaison between and ambassador for ministries in Minnesota and Haiti. She currently serves as President of Children's Health Ministries' Board of Directors.
Children’s Health Ministries’ (CHM) mission is to strengthen families by serving the health and nutritional needs of children and mothers. They work in Haiti, which is the poorest country in the Americas, with 80% of the population living in poverty. Forty-five thousand children under age 5 die each year, mostly due to poverty related illnesses. CHM established an Outpatient Malnutrition Program to work with the estimated 19% of children under 5 years are under-weight and over 4% who are acutely malnourished. Fifty-three of the child deaths in Haiti are the result of malnutrition.
Children over the age of 6 months of age are treated using Medika Mamba, a ready to use therapeutic food product produced in Haiti specifically designed to treat acute malnutrition.
Haiti’s maternal mortality rate is the highest in the western hemisphere. Children’s Health Ministry provide women with prenatal care to help reduce risk to both mother and child. Nancy shared some personal stories of women that have been helped by CHM. To learn more visit their website, http://www.chmhaiti.org
Tom Vonhof inducted one of our newest members, Clint Spohn, into Rotary and the Lakeville Club. Clint is part owner of Hometown Autos. Clint lives in Lakeville with his wife Kelsey and their 7 month old son Tucker.
Bob Showers, Author of The Twins in the Dome, an Iowa native that shared that he came to Minnesota every chance he got to watch the Twins at the Met and later moving to the Twin Cities to take a job with the North Stars.
From 1982 – 2009 the Twins called the Metrodome their home. During that time there were two World Championships, 1987 & 1991, Hall of Fame performances, crazy bounces, and balls lost in the roof.
Bob interviewed many legendary Twins players and personalities and his book is packed with stories and comments. He shared with us some stories from Kent Hrbek, Tom Kelly, and Kirby Puckett.
The Twins in the Dome is available online at Amazon or at Barnes and Noble.
On Friday, April 20, 2018, Rotarians from District 5960, which covers south east and east metro Minnesota and western Wisconsin, met at the District Conference of Clubs at Mystic Lake Center for the annual celebration.
Greg LaMere introduced our speaker Lakeville native Brian Ryks, CEO and executive director of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. The board of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which owns and operates Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and six general aviation airports in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Over the course of his 30-year aviation career, Ryks has had a major impact at the airports he has led and in the industry as a whole and in 2016 & 2017 the Airports Council International names MSP the best airport in North America in its size category. The ranking is based on results of passenger surveys in 34 key performance areas through the global Airport Service Quality Program.
Ryks shared the MSP’s has a $15.9 Billion total economic output and $7.1 Billion input to the state of Minnesota.
Future of MSP airport includes:
Terminal 1 ticketing and baggage claim levels will be completely remodeled by 2010
Changes in elevator and escalator placements
InterContinental Hotel expected to be completed by June 2018
New parking ramp
Update on Airlake Airport:
The airport has seen a significant increase in operations due to growth in flight training.
Updates include:
Extended both runways ends for a runway length of 4,850 feet.
Displace Runway 12 end for additional airspace clearance over railroad track
Relocate 225th Street to accommodate runway changes
Modify some taxiway configurations
Develop the South Building Area and access roadway
Rachel Marzahn, new Rotarian but not new to Rotary – As part of the Marzhan family Rachel has shared her time and talents with the club for many years as part of the Marzhan Family Holiday program and other volunteer opportunities within the club.
Volunteers needed to help with the “Done in a Day” Service Project on Friday, April 20th at the Conference of Clubs. The project will benefit MN Links Passageways in Prior Lake.
Volunteer Areas:
Making Greeting Cards & Pack Snack Bags
Room Monitors - 1 hour shifts from 9:30am - 3:30pm
Items needed for the project (any quantity of items accepted)
String backpacks (100)
Water bottles (100)
Snack Items Needed: 100 (any quantity of times accepted)
Jerky, trail mix, granola and breakfast bars, single serving of Mac & Cheese, Ramen, Ready to eat individual size soup, individual size bag of chips, single serving and ready to eat pasta, fruit cups
Some people save lives every day -- doctors, nurses, EMT's, police officers, and firefighters. Yesterday, as we were finishing our blood drive at the fire station, they received a "call". It was fascinating to watch as the crew arrived, methodically putting on their gear, and then leaving in the truck. It looked like just another day at the office. It wasn't nearly as exciting as they show on television! Then I realized they spend hours and hours training, so this is fast and efficient. It is not supposed to be exciting. To all of you who routinely save our lives, thank you.
The blood drive was a big success. We had 39 people attempt to donate, and we collected 34 units of blood. That is at least a five-year record for our Rotary Club. Thank you to everyone who participated -- the donors, the donors who tried but couldn't, and the volunteers. We are helping to save lives too. Each of you should feel proud knowing that 102 people are going to benefit from what we did yesterday.
Before Clyde was a Curator, he was a Collector. He started with the Twins’ first game as a franchise at Met Stadium in 1961. Then as Paul Harvey would say, “Here’s the rest of the story”. As a teacher and coach, he was given a season pass to the 1966 MN Twins and after saying a simple “Thank You” to Cal Griffith, Griffith moved his season pass ticket to his family box. Where he watched the games from 1966 – 1981.
Clyde shared that his collection started to really grow in 1981 when the MET Stadium was being torn down and for 34 nights he went through boxes of items that were scheduled to be torn out. He accumulated many items during this time. Today you can see parts of his collection neatly displayed in glass cases at nearly every turn in Target Field.
Clyde shared with us some of the Twins Jerseys and shared some of the steps on how he authenticates his items.
Statement from Clyde: “It isn’t about money, it isn’t about me,” he said. “It’s about collecting the game for the fans to see and enjoy long after I’m gone.
Join us tomorrow for our speaker Clyde Doepner, Minnesota Twins Curator
The first-ever curator in Twins history, Clyde Doepner, a lifelong Twins supporter, catalogs, maintain and collects Twins memorabilia items for historical purposes. Doepner has extensive knowledge of the Twins organization and is also the owner of one of the largest Twins memorabilia collections in the world.
Collecting various items from an early age, Clyde Doepner became known as Clyde the Collector. He began collecting Minnesota Twins baseball memorabilia in 1981 when the Twins moved into the Metrodome. When the Twins hired Doepner as the team curator, he became known as Clyde the Curator.
The Lakeville Rotary Club and the Lakeville Fire Department are sponsoring a joint blood drive on Thursday, March 22nd from 2:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Fire Station #4 located at 9465 185th Street West here in Lakeville (Behind New Life Fitness Center and across the street from Century Middle School).
Join us March 1, 2018, for our Speaker Tom Hendrickson as he shares an update on Iringa Hope.
In 2016, Iringa Hope is working in 35 rural villages in the Iringa, Tanzania region. Rural Iringa is the poorest region of the country. Over 85% of the resident...s of these villages are subsistence farmers with incomes averaging less than $300/year. According to government surveys, less than 1% of these residents have access to financial services leading to depressed incomes with few opportunities for improvement.
In December 2002, nine-year-old Mitch Chepokas, terminally ill with bone cancer, withdrew the entire $6,000 from his savings account and put it in envelopes for the kids on the pediatric oncology floor at the hospital. After giving away all of his money, Mitch made a pinky swear promise with his dad to always help children with cancer and their families after he was gone. Mitch passed away on April 11, 2003, and shortly afterwards, the Pinky Swear Foundation was established by Mitch’s parents, to honor the Pinky Swear Mitch made with his dad. To date, over $11 million has been raised to support brave kids battling cancer.
Tim Hyde shared with us that the 5th Annual Messfest will be held at the MN Pro Paintball in Lakeville on June 23, 2018.
Lakeville Rotary Club welcomed Detective Jessica Swaner, Lieutenant Tim Knutson, Chief Jeff Long, Officer Jeff Hanson of the Lakeville Police Department to our Thursday meeting.
Our speaker today was Mary Brown from MN Adult and Teen Challenge. This program assists teens and adults in gaining freedom from chemical addictions and other life controlling problems by addressing their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Tony gave a brief update on the STRIVE (Students Taking Renewed Interest in Education) program at Lakeville North & Lakeville South High Schools. The program involves 12 Rotarians volunteers and 32 students.
STRIVE is a program for high school seniors who have faced some academic challenges, but want to make the most of their last year of high school. Students who choose to participate in STRIVE are matched with an adult mentor from Lakeville Rotary Club. Mentors are not tutors, but are there to offer support, encouragement and assistance. Students and mentors meet once a month for about 50 minutes during the school day and talk about how school is going and what their plans are for the future. Meetings also include presentations on topics relevant to life after high school – college, careers, finances, etc. The goal is for students to improve their grades and earn a possible scholarship award.
Rotary Volunteers:
Lakeville North - Mark Booth, Phil Bruneau, Kathy Cleveland, Scott Miller, Mark Priore, Chris Casey
Lakeville South -Jeff Kohlnhofer, Rich Henderson, Ken Wentworth, Judy Keliher, Jeff Long, Emily Williams
STRIVE Coordinator: Tony Steel
The students and mentors have completed three meetings and on November 30th Tony and the students went on their first of three college visits to Minnesota State, Mankato Campus.
The next meeting will be held on January 9, 2018. Speaker Glenn Starfield, topic "How to Get a Job."
Greg LaMere introduced our speaker Author Todd Mueller. Todd spoke about his book, Town Ball Parks of Minnesota. Town Ball Parks of Minnesota, explores the heritage of the state's unique, historic and most-beloved ballparks. The book features 27 ballparks, ranging from a multi-million dollar sports complex to a rural park miles from any city and at the end of a dirt road.
The Rotary Club of Lakeville was honored on November 4th at the 16th Annual Rotary Foundation Celebration held at Brackett's Crossing Country Club.
The Rotary Club of Lakeville was recognized for its contributions to The Rotary Foundation along with 15 other Clubs. Funds totaling over $530,000 in the 2016-17 year. Funds will be used to continue efforts to wipe out polio, train future peacemakers, support clean water sources and strengthen local economies.
"I am proud of my fellow Rotarians, their willingness to share their time and treasure to make our communities, our world a better, safer place." said District Governor Kyle Haugen.
Recognition Received for 100% Giving to the The Rotary Foundation.
Tom Mork interviewed former Lakeville South Cougar and Gopher QB Mitch Leidner. As a Lakeville resident, he shared great stories that spanned from high school recruitment, his time at the U of M and his brief stint with the Vikings.
Greg LaMere introduced our speaker Chelsea Holub. Chelsea is the president of Twin Cities Rotaract and has been a member since 2015. She currently works at the Minneapolis American Indian Center as a court monitor for child protection cases. She is a lifelong Minnesotan and lives in Roseville.
Our Speaker for October 19th was one of our returning new members Michael Baumann.
Michael is the new ISD 194 superintendent for Lakeville Public Schools. He lives in Lakeville with his wife Shelly and they have one son, Alexander who is currently in college on a ROTC scholarship.
Keynote Speaker: Ed Futa, Past General Secretary and Chief Operating Officer of Rotary International - Ed is a very engaging and entertaing speaker. (bio)
Our speaker was Mary Liz Holberg, Commissioner-Sixth District for Dakota County.
Commissioner Holberg is a Minnesota politician and a former MN State Representative for Lakeville. She serves on a seven-person board that oversees county spending and services.
Commissioner Holberg shared the Mission and Vision statement of the CDA Board with the club along with some of its history over the past 45 years.
Some interesting facts shared included that Dakota County has had the lowest per capita tax rate in the state for the past 3-years and has been debt free as 1-1/2 years ago.
The majority of the CDA budget is spent in Community Service and Commissioner Holberg shared that the Metro Transit Orange Line that serves Dakota County is the most cost-effective route for Metro Transits with a 75.13% retention of fares.
For more information visit on the Dakota County Community Development Agency (CDA) visit their website at www.dakotacda.org.
Congratulations! 2016-17 Perfect Attendance Award Recipients'
Rotary is an organization whose members are committed to service. Attendance at weekly Rotary meetings foster fellowship among club members, enriches their professional and personal knowledge, and keeps members current on local, District, and Rotary International news and events.
Tom Vonhof inducted our returning member Michael Baumann, Superintendent at Lakeville Area Public Schools ISD 194, into Lakeville Rotary today. Michael’s sponsor is Judy Keliher. Michael is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and has spent the last nine years in the St. Paul Public Schools.
Skip Thaler introduced our speakers Artistic Director Mark Russell Smith and Megen Balda, Executive Director of the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS.) GTCYS broadens access to orchestral music and reaches more than 16,000 children and adults through core educational programs, free outreach activities and workshops, concerts, and special performances throughout the Twin Cities. Their programs provide a youth orchestra experience for young musicians of all ages and abilities, aiding in their development as young artists and adults. In the 16-17 season, GTCYS served 16,000 students ages 8 to 18 from across the Twin Cities and provided more than $50,000 in scholarships.
The club was also treated to a performance of the “Polish Dance” by Skip’s granddaughter Paige Thaler.
Speaker, Jess Luce with Dakota County Communities for a Lifetime (CFL) Initiative Update.
Jess shared that we are well aware of the changing demographics, but maybe less aware of how the changes will impact your community and what some of the potential age-friendly solutions are.
What are “Communities For a Lifetime?” (CFL)
Communities for all ages, Elder-friendly communities, Healthy aging communities, Vital aging communities, Livable communities, Sustainable Communities for all ages.
Basically…CFL are good places to grow up and grow older. With a philosophy of inclusiveness that suggests that if you plan and build for an older population, you will create a community to serve all ages.
The premise is that healthy, active and successful residents yield economic and social benefits for the whole community…contribute more economically and volunteer hours. The Community for a Lifetime concept resonates with more people, other age groups, and especially Boomers, because more people benefit, not just the old.
Jess shared that If cities want to keep their residents (and not lose them to other nearby cities), they will have to become more “Age-Friendly”—to meet the demands of their aging residents and the preferences of Millennials…now the largest age cohort.
All of us can benefit from more walkable, bikeable communities that offer more transit options, more affordable housing options, more green space/parks, and opportunities to exercise and engage with their community…
As people age, these characteristics of a CFL become even more essential to living a vital, active, and healthy life. Life becomes more localized as we become less mobile
Age-Friendly Policies can help create a more age-friendly community.
The Age-Friendly policies that a community needs are: Accessory Dwelling Unit Policy, Complete Streets Policy, Mixed-Use Land Policy, Bike Walk Policy.
Several Lakeville Rotarians joined together last Thursday evening to pack for "Home in a box." the boxes will be shipped via a container ship to Chimbote, Peru to Father's Jack's Mission. Read More
Rob Smith has been able to help thousands of people re balance their bodies to help them look, feel and live better lives. His holistic methods and belief systems were shaped by a life filled with chronic pain, failed surgeries and cortisone shots that didn’t help. Knowing he needed a “Second Opinion” instead of another surgery.
Tom Vonhof inducted our newest Club Member Paula Albright. Many members might remember Paula she is a returning member to Lakeville Rotary Club. She was with the club from Sept 1993 - April 1996. Paula's a Veterianarian and owner of Southfork Animal Hospital. Paula's sponsor is Steve Volavka.
We need 6 – 8 volunteers to help with cleaning up the landscape at Passageways in Prior Lake. We will need to bring our own tools: pruners, hedge clippers, weed whips, rakes, yard bags, etc. - Contact Nancy Savstrom, nancy@matrad.com .
Rob Smith is the author of Second Opinion: A Step by Step Holistic Guide to Look and Feel Better Without Drugs and Surgery.
His book Second Opinion reached Amazon number one bestseller in three different categories. He is a Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiologist and has been in the health and fitness industry for 25 years.
Rob has worked with Division 1, Olympic and professional athletes as well as clients who he helped lose over 120 pounds. Along with his wife Paula, Rob oversees all programs at the Body Project, a Holistic Wellness Center specializing in joint pain, concussions, depression and functional fitness.
Rob holds eighteen different certifications in the areas of core conditioning, lower back rehabilitation, corrective exercise, golf bio-mechanic, myo-skeletal alignment techniques, personal training, nutritional microscopy, sports nutrition, bio-cellular analysis and nutrition response testing.
Rob’s philosophy is to get to the root cause of the dysfunction rather than just treating symptoms.
Our speaker today was Megan Wolf with the Metropolitan Council. Megan was appointed to the council by Governor Pawlenty in 2009. The Council was created as "a regional solution for regional problems" nearly 50 years ago.
Lakeville Rotary is sponsoring The 2nd Annual Frank Schoeben Memorial Blood Drive on Monday, October 9th from 3:00 pm until 7:30 pm at Crossroads Church. You are invited to help with this important project by registering to donate online at Memorial Blood Centers www.mbc.org or contact Mike Cooper at 952/500‐0862.
If you are unable to donate there are other ways you can help. We need volunteers at the refreshment table and we especially need help promoting the blood drive. Please take flyers / posters and ask friends and relatives to participate.
Today’s speaker, Abul Sharah, was introduced by Peg Duenow.
International Village Clinic is a Minnesota nonprofit providing hope and vitality to women and families in rural villages in India through high quality healthcare.
Abula Sharah was a fatherless, impoverished boy from, Uttar Pradesh, India’s poorest province. He worked hard throughout his life and career and rose to senior engineering and marketing positions at Honeywell and MTS Systems.
Nerea. A year. She left everything behind including her family and decided to take a plane and cross the ocean to another part of the world, ignoring all the fear, the insecurity, the uncertainty.
June 29th meeting - "Passing of the Gavel" Greg LaMere passes the gavel to Pat Arling as he assumes the role of 2017-18 president for the Lakeville Rotary Club.
Gary Ziehr shared his classification talk and he entertained us with stories of his CPA experience in lodging, entertainment, and casinos in Las Vegas and South America.
Born a Badger Fan in Madison, WI and graduate from University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, hockey player in his youth. His path brought him to Las Vegas then back to the Midwest as the Director of Finance for Mystic Lake Casino. After losing his first wife Nikki to breast cancer he took some time off to spend with his family and eventually purchasing Action Sign Company in Apple Valley. Action Sign Company is a full-service sign company servicing the metro area.
Gary married Sara last summer and their family has grown to four sons and one of their favorite holiday traditions is volunteering for the Rotary Salvation Army “Red Kettle” campaign and ringing the bell.
Tera Girardin, Photographer. Author. Mom. Terra is a natural light portrait photographer in Minneapolis, MN. After her youngest son, Alex, was diagnosed with autism, Tera felt compelled to photograph other children and tell their stories. This mission led to publishing, “Faces of Autism.” Faces of Autism is her first book.
Terra wanted to create a book that had stories showing the “lighter side of autism”, so with the help of 31 kids from the Twin Cities area she created a book that featured their stories through photos.
For more information or to purchase the book visit:
Our noon Rotary members will be working to collect school supplies for the school district’s Ready, Set, Achieve!event and we are also working to get a Rotary team to walk/run/volunteer with the Lights and Sirens Glow Run for the Lakeville Public Safety Foundation.
Rotarians will be collecting school supplies at every Thursday morning meeting from now through the end of July. All supplies will be donated by Rotary to the Stuff the Bus and used for Ready, Set, Achieve! so students have the basic, necessary supplies to start them off for a successful school year. For those wishing to donate supplies, please bring them to the morning meeting and deposit in the collection boxes.
Register below to be part of our Rotary team! A family-friendly 5K non-timed run OR 1.25 mile walk that welcomes runners and walkers of all-ages and ability. Light up the night and support the Lakeville Police and Fire Departments – all proceeds from the Glow Run benefits the Lakeville Public Safety Foundation.
The registration for the 2nd annual Lights and Sirens Glow Run/Fun Run is now open! Register today!
Carin Thomas introduced our speaker, Britt Carlson, Senior Director of Partnerships. Britt is working directly with the Super Bowl Host Committee's partners and sponsors to make the Minnesota's Super Bowl festivities possible. Prior to joining the Host Committee, Britt was with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx and MN Vikings.
Britt shared the 52 Weeks of the Super Bowl promotion for Super Bowl LII on Feb 4, 2018, ending with a
10-Day festival for 1 million plus guests and 5,000 media with 10, 000 volunteers.
The campaign will introduce the World to the BOLD NORTH, the media campaign which will allow the world to know more about Minnesota with 52 weeks of stories. For more information visit, http://www.mnsuperbowl.com/MN52/Week-14 .
Have you thought about volunteering? Crew 52 volunteers will be stationed throughout our region, welcoming guests in our airports, hotels, skyways and transit hubs, and helping make the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee's 10-day festival is promising to be a wonderful experience for everyone. For more information or to volunteer visit, http://www.mnsuperbowl.com/get-involved/volunteer .
Sal Di Leo, an entrepreneur who has successfully tackled many challenges in business and in life, Sal volunteers much of his time serving those in need. With his family, he founded St. Francis Lodge, a free retreat center where nuns, priests and others can reflect and rest to enhance their lives and work. Sal spoke to us about his life and the importance of gratitude. His self-published memoir, Did I Ever Thank You, Sister? rooted in his childhood experiences in a Catholic orphanage in Joliet, Illinois and later on through his experiences at Boy’s Town in Nebraska.
Ticket coordinators cannot accept any money. Please send in with your invoice directly to Alan Williams,( Lakeville Rotary Club, PO Box 433, Lakeville MN 55044)
Raffle Tickets – This is voluntary, but, we need everyone’s help to sell Raffle Tickets. The 2017 advance raffle will be the “Wall of Wine” and tickets are $10 each. Contact:Ryan Schmisek, schmisek@gmail.com or 571-214-9864, for tickets
Our speaker Rob Reynolds is the Director of Advocacy for The Deterra System and former police chief with the Eden Prairie Police Department.
The Deterra System is a scientifically proven product, powered by a Molecular Adsorption Technology and in a simple 3-step process, a user can deactivate drugs, thereby preventing drug misuse and protecting the environment.
This is an innovative technology which allows patients to safely dispose of unwanted or expired prescription painkillers at home.
A person using Deterra Drug Deactivation System simply puts their medication in a bag containing a carbon that bonds to pharmaceutical compounds when water is added. The person adds water and shakes it up to neutralize the active ingredient in the drug. The biodegradable bag can then be placed into the trash.
The Deterra system neutralizes 98 percent of the medication, using a form of activated charcoal. The bag can then be disposed of safely, without the risk of the drugs entering the water supply or landfill.
Ken Mosier introduced our speaker First Judicial District Court Judge Mark Vandelist.
Judge Vandelist has been a Lakeville resident since 1985, Ken mentioned that he was originally from a small town near Greenbay, WI, a Packers fan and season ticket holder. Judge Vandelist is chambered at Le Center in Le Sueur County. Judge Vandelist is a certified civil trial specialist, serves as an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association and volunteers as coach for Lakeville North High School Mock Trial.
Minnesota’s First Judicial District consists of Carver, Dakota, Goodhue, Le Sueur, McLeod, Scott and Sibley Counties.
Judge Vandelist spoke to us about the Adult Drug (Treatment) Court.
Treatment Court strategies include extended probation, frequent appearances before a judge, frequent meetings with probation officers, staggered sentencing that breaks up jail time into segments and allows the participant to "earn" reductions in jail time with good behavior, and regular alcohol and other drug testing.
Research shows that this approach has proven more effective than traditional court strategies at reducing repeat offenses. This is especially true for certain offenders, such as those having a high recidivism potential. Treatment Courts result in more defendants turning their lives around and becoming healthy, law-abiding citizens. Research also shows that when these strategies are implemented correctly, they improve public safety and save taxpayer dollars.
The following courts fall under the Treatment Court umbrella: Adult Drug Courts, DWI Courts, Family Dependency Treatment Court, Juvenile Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Veterans Court.
Judge Vandelist shared one of his stories on the treatment court about Jimmy (31 years old) who was staring at nearly five years in prison. By November 2014, he had 41 convictions over a 12-year period. Many were drug-related, several for methamphetamine possession. Within one year, he lost his job, crashed his car, lost his license, most importantly, he had lost his family. Through the Drug Court program (18 months) Jimmy was able to turn his life around gain full-time employment, his licenses and girlfriend and children.
Join us Thursday, March 23rd for our speaker Tim Grant.
Our personal happiness drives our success in business, family life, community life and love life.” Tim Grant’s personal happiness has survived and now thrives despite growing up in an angry alcoholic family, achieving business success and surviving business failure, achieving community success, and finally creating a thriving environment along with his bride for their children.
Tim's "Personal Happiness is a Prerequisite for a Successful Life” presentation provides the audience with a concise learning curve to greater personal happiness, motivates them with the significant benefits of living happier and teaches them the five key action steps to build a happier life. “A happier life is a successful life”. Tim draws from the leaders in positive psychology and turns PhD. research into you and me understanding.
Tim Grant is an entrepreneur and an intrepreneur. Over his career he has built three businesses, two stand alone and one startup within an existing corporate structure. He was on the leadership team of CCRN, and volunteer lobbyist responsible for passing the Minnesota Personal Protection Act and is an 18 year member of the National Ski Patrol. Tim resides in Edina, Minnesota with his bride Beth and children, Keenan and Kendahl. He holds an MBA from St. Thomas University, a BA in Political Science and Economics from the University of Minnesota and has graduate credit in Theology from St. Paul Seminary. Tim Grant is President of Merriness Inc.
Join us March 9th at 7:00am at Brackett's Crossing Country Club- Speaker Duke Pieper
I'm Alive" Courage, Hope, and a Miracle"
Duke Pieper was 15 years old when he was told that he had a 5% chance to live. It seemed that all the odds were stacked up against him. Except one, his determination. Through that determination and what is deemed as a medical miracle he was able to survive multiple surgeries in fact. How many Duke Pieper’s exist in the world? Not as many as you would think, he is truly a rare find and he has made sure to take full advantage of the life he has been given. According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation, there are nearly 500,000 deaths worldwide each year caused by brain aneurysms and half the victims are younger than 50.
The presenter for the meeting was John Crudele, who is a professional speaker, member of the Eden Prairie AM Rotary Club and is involved with Camp RYLA. John recently returned from an 18-day mission trip to the Marinduque Island, Philippines where he volunteered at various Feed My Starving Children feeding stations. He shares some stories of this trip and he described how the 235 feeding stations on the island change the lives of the children living there. Feed My Starving Children sends millions of food packages to the Philippines each year and it continues to grow. John explained that just one meal per day for six months can bring an impoverished child back to health.
The second part of John’s presentation was a moving discussion about developing self-worth and identity, how to better connect with people and the building blocks of healthy development that help young people grow up healthy, caring and responsible. John made a lot of impactful points that will help us in our personal and professional lives.
CrossRoads Church is hosting the Lakeville Rotary’s 2017 Lakeville Community Blood Drive on Monday, March 13 from 3:00 pm until 7:30 pm. You are invited to help with this important project by registering to donate online at Memorial Blood Centers www.mbc.orgor contact Mike Cooper at 952/500‐0862. We also need help at the refreshment table to serve juice and snacks to the donors.
Alan Anderson, Northfield Rotarian, presented this past week on Rotary and Climate Change. 2017-18 RI President Ian Riseley theme “Making a Difference” what does this have to do with our speaker?
Ian Riseley also made a case recently that protecting the environment and curbing climate change are essential to Rotary’s goal of sustainable service.
Ian Riseley was quoted recently saying that Environmental degradation and global climate change are serious threats to everyone. “They are having a disproportionate impact on those who are most vulnerable, those to whom Rotary has the greatest responsibility. Yet environmental issues rarely register on Rotary agenda.”
Did you know that the Environmental degradation is one of the major threats listed by the UN’s High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges, and Change.
President-elect Ian Riseley is challenging every Rotary club to make a difference by planting a tree for each of its members between the start of Rotary year on 1 July and Earth Day on 22 April 2018. Trees remove carbon dioxide (CO 2) and other greenhouse gases from the air, which slows down global warming.
The Courage to Connect...Relationship Keys in Work, Family, Mentorship & Life It's not enough just to work hard. It's not enough to do a great job. There are proactive definitive steps to growth and if you want to succeed, you must learn how to connect with people! Your sense of community improves, your ability to create teamwork increases, and your influence skyrockets. People who connect with others have better relationships, experience less conflict, and get more things done...yet there is an important place for "me" in mentorship. John Crudele's presentations and coaching cultivates personal leadership and prepares participants to embrace and "grow through" change and challenge. Throughout his career, more than two million people have been inspired by his stories, attracted to his authenticity, and challenged by his candor. John is a founding partner with the John Maxwell Team and is the founder of Partnership for Youth. He is the coauthor of "making Sense of Adolescence," a contributing author to the "Teen Power" series and has a story in one of the popular "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books. Most of all he is dedicated to Rotary (member of the Eden Prairie Morning Club for 7 years) and serves in ways that makes a difference in the lives of young people.. and those who love them. -
Rotary’s Legacy and the Challenge of Climate Change
A talk by Alan Anderson
Rotary has had a significant impact in the world, helping mothers and children, fighting diseases like polio, securing clean water sources, and much more. The world’s climate scientists are telling us that climate change is beginning to put some of these achievements at risk, and if unchecked, climate change will undo much of Rotary’s good work in the world.
What does the science say? What can Rotarians do to combat climate change? We’ll discuss these questions and more, with time for your questions.
Al Just shared part of his story with us and for the rest we will need to wait for the release of his book. A trilogy series currently titled “Collision Course” but as Al mentioned. The publishers often change the title prior to publication.
Al shared how he grew up in Franklin, MN and since he was a young man he prepared for ministry. His ministry allowed him to travel, teach, and coach in Wisconsin and Arizona. It was in Arizona where his wife, Sharon, was tragically killed and Al was charged with her murder. Al shared that as God was always special in his life he was even more so while enduring his experiences in prison.
While in prison Al met John Nelson who was instrumental in helping him find the men that killed his wife and led to his release. Twenty years after his experience Al has returned to work with inmates and operates Redemption Ministries.
The mission at Defending The Blue Line®(DTBL) is ensuring that children of military members are afforded every opportunity to participate in the game of hockey. They accomplish this by providing free equipment for military kids, hockey camps, special events, and financial assistance for registration fees and other costs associated with hockey.
Paul Marzahn introduced our speakers Jill Hall and Tony Caterina with HEART.
HEART was created in 2012 as Hosanna’s response to natural disasters. It has expanded to include all types of emergencies: community disaster assistance, individual and family emergencies, and a specialized prayer ministry.
Jill Hall shared HEART in numbers:
1000 + families received assistance
256 volunteers readily available
25 impact teams displaced nationally
7 countries reached
$250,000 of product donated
25,000 square foot warehouse
HEART's three focus areas include:
Supplies/materials
National Teams
Community Impact
HEART works with National Teams assisting with natural disasters such as hurricane, tornado, and flood relief and currently they are ready to send a semi truckof supplies/materials to Baton Rouge.
Tony shared stories and information on HEART local outreach programs within the Twin Cities area.
Tom Vonhof introduced our speaker LakevilleFire Chief, Mike Meyer. The Lakeville Fire Department is dedicated to serving the community through the protection of lives and property by providing public safety education and professional emergency response.
Chief Meyer has been with Lakeville since 1995 and Fire Chief since 2010. He shared the following statistics on Lakeville:
Who is Lakeville Fire Department?
85 Paid per Call Firefighters who are required to live within two miles from whatever station they report to.
Respond to approximately 30-35 fires per year.
Training and recruitment requirements:
18 years or older
Training includes: Ladder Training with FFD, Hazmat Ops Testing, Agility Test
It takes 2-years of training to become a certified Fire Fighter
New Changes to the department includes a duty crew shift that works during the day. This team responds to any medical or duty calls.
Lakeville Fire Department volunteers – You will see them at many public events including:
Craig Manson introduced the speaker for the day, Scott Welle. Scott’s theme is “Outperform the norm”. He has a Masters in sports psychology and is the author of several bestselling books.
Principle 1. Outperformers Commit to something, keep it positive.
Reinforce your commitments daily.
"Winning is not normal and those who constantly win follow an ‘abnormal’ path. The discipline, dedication and sacrifices are incomprehensible to those thousands standing outside, looking in, who are capable of joining the winning team, yet unwilling to pay the price of admission. Winners win in a fair effort, on a level playing field; because they deserve to win... they willingly pay their dues in full, time after time, after time."
Principle 2. Outperformers attack: What you do in the first hour each sets the tone.
Principle 3. Outperformers Conquer: Positively respond to adversity.
People have about 50,000 thoughts per day. 80% negative.
You are your own biggest opponent
There is no failure, only feedback
Focus on the progress not the perfection
Principle 4. Outperformers Fuel
Hydrate for high performance
Body weight/2*= ounces of water to consume per day.
Principle 5. Outperformers Move When the body turns off, the brain turns off.
Humans were built to move.
Principle 6. Outperformers have Generosity
Giving all of yourself
If you are spent 100% you can accept any result
Give your presence and your passion
If you would like to receive weekly strategies from Scott
Craig Manson introduced Patrick Donohue, President, CEO & Director of Hill Capital Corporation and past member of Rotary #9 in Minneapolis. Hill Capital’s creating a grassroots community of people that want to invest in small businesses and support entrepreneurships.
Patrick shared that Hill Capital is aligned with James J. Hill’s belief in the cooperation of the production, distribution and exchange of wealth.
Students Taking Renewed Interest in the Value of Education (S.T.R.I.V.E)
STRIVE is a mentoring program for seniors at LNHS and LSHS with emphasis on preparing for post-graduation opportunities and responsibilities while working to improve grade point average.
Become a S.T.R.I.V.E. Mentor!
GREAT MENTORS are the key to this program's success. Rotarians mentor students by sharing their experiences, knowledge, and advice to motivate and inspire students to make the most of their senior year. We help them launch from High School.
(STRIVE meetings will be held approximately once a month on Tuesdays from 7-8am at the High School.)
Mentor candidates should contact Tony Steel at tsteel@rwbaird.com or 612-749-4149.
Lakeville Police Chief Jeff Long introduced our speaker Russ Helmueller. Officer Helmueller shared some information on his work with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). He shared that he investigates complaints of the electronic solicitation and exploitation of children which often brings him to the undercover chat rooms on the dark web. He works alongside other ICAC task force agencies to train and to help protect children.
Chief Long was quoted in the Aug 6, 2015, “SunThisWeek” article that “There is no mistake as to age with these victims,”. “These cases involve the very dark side of human behavior. Despite this, Russ is tenacious in his pursuit of these predators and pedophiles.”
Officer Helmueller said over the last decade, the number of child pornography cases he investigates has steadily increased, changing from underground exchanges of video tapes and magazines to material being shared and consumed completely online.
Officer Helmueller shared that there are millions of pictures of children being brutally sexually assaulted, and he is always on alert for new victims.
“You never know when you’re going to come across a picture of some young child that is currently being abused,” He said he investigates video tape evidence with the audio off so he does not hear the children’s screams.
Officer Helmuellers work is “mentally and emotionally challenging” and last September he was honored as the first Officer of the Year for the City of Lakeville.
Judy Kehlier introduced the noon speakers, Jill Hall, Partnership Manager and Tony Caterina, Directorwith HEART, the Hosanna! Emergency Action Response Team, was created in 2012 as a formalized congregational response to the significant increase of natural disasters. In 2014, this was expanded to include all types of emergencies. This includes community disaster assistance, individual and family emergencies (veterans, seniors, and serious illnesses), and specialized prayer ministry for off-site needs.
Bob Finke recognized and thanked all of the Lakeville Rotary Club YEA ( Young Entrepreneurs Academy) mentors and introduced our speaker YEA entrepreneur Jeremy Ziemer.
Jeremy Ziemer, creator of Spoil Alert, received $1,000 toward for his business this past March and was recognized as the overall winner of the event that qualified him to compete in the 2016 YEA Saunders Scholars national semifinals in Rochester, New York in May.
Jeremy explained how he came up with his idea for his business, Spoil Alert. It included a discussion between his parents on how long a container of leftovers was in the refrigerator and would the food be spoiled when he took a bite of it. Spoil Alert was born from this experience as Jeremy imagined a timer that people could stick on their food storage ware to save them the agony of accidentally eating food that has gone bad.
Jeremy is ready to go forward with his product and he has spoken to the local area ACE Hardware Stores who have expressed an interest in caring the Spoil Alert once he has the manufacturing part of the process worked out. The cost of the Spoil Alert $ 12.99 and he is working on an app notification for phones and ipads.
Tim Roche let us know that YEA will be back with some modifications next year. The program will start in November and end in March in time for the Spring Home Show. This will allow the students an opportunity to display and sell their products.
The Fast for Hope Initiative started in 2007 is based on the belief that while projectbased funding is critical to address immediate needs in developing parts of the world, a new model needs to be created in order to more effectively address the problem of systemic poverty in the world. This new model is based on a belief that the local community knows best what they need and that the community must take ownership of any solution in order for it to be successful. Finally instead of doing a project in multiple communities, this is intended to be a multifaceted effort simultaneously addressing the myriad of needs that are interconnected and which cause the residents of one or two particular communities to live in extreme poverty.
GOAL
Goal is to create a replicable and sustainable model to address extreme poverty in the developing world. The issues will vary community to community, but may include lack of access to education, lack of access to transportation and markets, limited experience organizing as a community, culture of dependence on charity. In 2015, with assistance from a District Grant, El Corozo
A key to our approach is to build relationships before we build stuff.
Part of what creates sustainability is building capacity of the residents of El Corozo. Historically communities organize around the family so little experience organizing as a community, how to call meetings, how to make group decisions, how to elect leaders, how to reach consensus, how to organize into different work groups, how to raise funds.
Because of the extreme poverty there has become a culture of dependence, to seek help from others and to follow the directions of government leaders. Important for the community to realize that their voice, thoughts and dreams matter.
District 5960 Invited El Corozo, Nicaragua to join us in this initiative in spring 2012. Efforts really started to get underway in fall 2012.
WHERE ARE WE NOW
Started a reading project. Like a book mobile but in homes. Run by volunteers.
Pharmacy – We purchase two advanced first aid kits. Several community members completed training. Community now trying to determine where they should be located and how much to charge so that supplies can be replaced.
Road. The road is impassible during the raining season and hardly useable during the dry season. About 3.2 miles in length. The road is used to attend High School, to get to work, to conduct trade, for medical care, etc. The road serving the community is in two municipalities. After about a year of effort, the two mayors agreed to conduct a survey of the road. They then promised to design the road and to prepare a cost estimate. They promised to have this done by the end of June 2015, but have failed to do so. The community is in regular contact with the mayors, the respective municipal councils and other government agencies to remind them of the promises and to advocate for the completion of the studies. While that has been very frustrating, it has been an opportunity for the community to learn how to advocate for themselves. This is a major accomplishment. It is also important to remember that while by our standards things seem to be moving slowly, we also need to remind ourselves how long it would take to build a new road in our country, if we were starting at the initial concept stage.
The community has a laptop computer so they can more easily communicate with the outside world.
The community has incorporated in their curriculum a program on entrepreneurship. This is for the upper grades of the elementary school and is in its second year.
Opportunity International is an international organization focused on micro-lending, but in Nicaragua they are exploring a new approach to improving the agricultural practices of poor rural farmers and in providing them with alternative markets for their products.
How can you participate?
Participate in a cultural delegation. Any Rotarian can participate and spouses and significant others are also often invited. You will have an opportunity to meet the people, to see the country, to learn about the history and to see the work you are helping to fund.
Continue to provide financial support. This effort is not funded through the Foundation. (At the same time, Fast for Hope has successfully applied for and received District Grant Funds.)
Have members of the Fast for Hope Steering Committee present to your club.
Pat Arling introduced the 2015 Red Bull Crashed Ice World Champion Cameron Naasz.
His journey started four years ago as a sophomore at St. Cloud State University majoring in Public Relations and working as a technology consultant at OfficeMax. But a few days before the event, Cameron’s friend at St. Cloud State and a student brand ambassador for Red Bull, offered Cameron his prospect pass. It was an automatic entry into Crashed Ice. He friend told him that “I think you’d be really good at this,” he told us that he was skeptical about competing and had planned on just “going with friends and having a fun night,” he finished 24th. It was best result by an American. The performance earned him a spot on the U.S. squad for the Crashed Ice World Championship series events in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Canada. He was on plane three weeks later.
Cameron has recently finished his degree at St. Cloud State in Public Relations and Communications and is currently looking for a position that will allow him to train and take part in next year’s completion toward his goal as being the first back- to- back Crashed Ice World Champion
Golf Tournament on Thursday May 12 th - Contact Greg LaMere, greg@metroequityllc.com if you would like to part of a Lakeville team (cost $150 per person)
Conference Reception Thursday May 12 - Mystic Lake
Conference Events Friday, May 13
Keynote Speakers, Ross Bernstein, Chris Heeter & her dog Tuu Weh, Stevie Ray, and Youth Exchange speaker Barbara Nieviadonski
Breakouts Extraordinaire: Choose from 30+ topics focused on Rotary, technology, health & wellness, business and celebrating life.
Lakeville Rotary Club will sponsor members who wish to attend this event . Sign-up at Greeters Table or email kathy.hughitt@rotary5960.org for registration or more information.
Craig Manson introduced our speaker Tom Goodrich, Tom was activated to go to Afghanistan in 2003, where his job with the Army was to persuade representatives of international armed forces to participate in the war on terror in Afghanistan to free up U.S. forces to focus on Iraq. He often traveled with a State Department and CIA representative looking for local War Lords and to present a friendly face; while deployed his team built wells, clinics and about 24 schools.
He returned to Minnesota in April 2004 with the rank of major and a Bronze Star. And the avid sportsman came home determined to start an organization called Fishing for Life and start an annual Fish-A-Thon through which young people raise money for church-based programs for inner-city youths.
Ryan Schmisek gave his classification talk this week. He was born in North Dakota and loves music and theatre. His hobbies include sour dough bread baking and making clear ice.
Ryan attended the University of North Dakota and University of MN for his undergraduate degree and received his law degree from Hamline University. He is married to Melissa and they have a beautiful daughter named Lily.
Ryan’s is an Attorney with Messerli & Kramer and specializes in Family Law. Interesting “Did You Know” about Ryan is that he and Melissa lived in Washington DC and about 2 miles from the Pentagon building during 9/11.
Jay Young presented Karen DeVaughn with a $2000 grant for “Hope for Tomorrow”
Karen thanked Lakeville Rotary Club for being behind the program and shared that Hope for Tomorrow started in 1997 by a group of community leaders that thought we had a group of kids “lost in the shuffle”. Looking forward the Chapter is exploring starting a boy’s chapter in “Lakeville”
Ticket coordinators will have additional tickets at each morning meeting until The Taste.
Raffle Ticket Coordinator
Ryan Schmisek,schmisek@gmail.com or 571-214-9864 (cell), will be handling all raffle ticket distribution to members. While raffle tickets for this year will be sold by members on a voluntary basis, please strongly consider taking raffle tickets at an upcoming meeting to sell. This is important to reach event income goals needed!
Author Patrick “Packy” Mader, present his talk about his newest book, Minnesota Gold.
Packy grew up on a farm near St. Bonifacius, MN, and now lives in Northfield, he teaches fourth through sixth grade near Faribault.
Patrick has had a lifetime fascination with Minnesota sports, history, and geography. He combined those pursuits with his interest in elite international sporting events—primarily the Olympics—to research, interview, and write about fifty-seven living athletes from Minnesota who competed at the highest level. Patrick discovered compelling stories that he thought should be preserved—the result is Minnesota Gold, a fact-filled 400-page book that spans the years 1948 – present, covering a wide range of sports, a balance of men and women, and represents every geographical part of the state.
Through his interviews he was able to chat with swimming gold medalist, Tom Malchow, WNBA star Lindsay Whalen, hockey legend John Mayasich, three-time Olympic soccer goalie, Briana Scurry and 1980 “Miracle on Ice” star Buzz Schneider.
Packy ended his talk with some questions and had some of his books available for sale with $5 of the proceeds donated back to Northfield Rotary.
Carl Wahlstrom introduced today’s speaker, Beth Goetz, The University of Minnesota’s interim athletics director.
Beth oversees over 100 million dollar budget, over 25 sports, and over 700 student athletes. She also shared that she that “yes” she would be interested in taking the position on as a permanent position.
Her position allows her to interact daily with truly outstanding student-athletes, coaches, faculty, staff and supporters and to develop lifelong-leaders.
What’s new at the University?
The construction on the Athletes Village. A $166 million dollar privately funded project that is scheduled to open in January 2018.
Laurie Bolin introduced our speaker Jeremy Roberts with the Dakota County Electronic Task Force.
Jeremy is a Digital Forensic Examiner and he spoke to our Club about cell phone and password security.
Secure your accounts
Secure your phones
Secure your social media account
Did you know that your phone voice & audio saves all of your recordings until you tell it to stop saving it and that the GPS location tracking on our phones is keeping the history of your movement.
Jeremy also shared that the safest phones to own are the Blackberry or Apple and the least secure phones are Android phones.
He also shared that when you take a photo with your phone and paste it to an unsecured site that the phone can track when and where the photo was taken.
A great suggestion is to always have one word that is significant to you. Make sure it’s a random word and include a random number with a punctuation mark similar to Hotshot159!
And to create a different password for every account you have.
When the calendar year turns the Rotary year is half over. Come to be inspired for Rotary 2nd half! Celebrate the midpoint and learn what opportunities still await you!
You are Invited
Leadership Academy/PETS Orientation/Mid-term
Fri Jan 29 & Sat., Jan. 30, 2016
Radisson Hotel in Roseville, MN.
All District Rotarians, especially Presidents, Presidents- elect, Board Members, Committee chairs, Assistant Governors & Club and District leaders are strongly encouraged to attend.
The 2016 District Leadership Academy is for any Rotarian who wants to learn more about Rotary, meet and interact with other Rotarians and enhance their leadership skills. With a customer service theme featuring presentations by Minnesota Timberwolves President Chris Wright and Former Rotary International Director Mary Beth Growney Selene, attendees will come away with strategies easily applied to their personal, professional and Rotary lives.
Mid-Term will be fun, interesting and full of information. The theme “Making the World Different through Rotary “will include the four initiatives presented to your clubs by District Governor Marlene Gargulak and provide information about many great programs/projects of clubs and the District.
The morning session will include a Halftime analysis for the 2015-2016 Rotary year plus much more:
1. John Rosengren author of eight books, including the short story collection: Life is Just a Party: Portrait of a Teenage Partier (Deaconess) and the nonfiction exposé Blades of Glory: The True Story of a Young Team Bred to Win (Sourcebooks).will be the guest speaker on “Diversity”
2. Rotary Foundation information
3. Pollinator Project strategies and How you can BEE involved?
In the afternoon, learn about programs and projects for your club to DO. It will be lots of fun! (Watch for more details)
Presidents-Elect Training Orientation: Get a jump on your NCPETS experience (President 2016-2017 and Presidents-elect nominees) with guest presenter Jim Delaney of Engine for Social Innovation
CLICK HERETO REGISTER NOW (through SurveyMonkey) Deadline is Jan. 25 Dinner, Breakfast and lunch is included. Each club can send members FREE as part of their district training fee. (Overnight hotel stays must be booked directly with the Radisson and are the responsibility of the attendee)
District Leadership/PETS Orientation/Mid-Term Rally
Laurie Bolin, 360 Communities, spoke to us today about their Partners For Success program.
Partners For Success helps students and families overcome barriers to school success. Partners For Success family support workers in schools partner with educators and families to implement effective home-based strategies that increase parental involvement, improve academic performance and connect families to community resources.
2014-15 Number of Clients Served
726 Individuals
406 Students
184 Families
Click here to learn more about the Partners for Success program within our community.
Speaker Bryan Bartz, President of Mendell, Mendell Machine and Manufacturing, Inc., is a precision medical machine company, originally founded in 1965 by three partners all with the middle name Wendell (hence their name Mendell). Mendell was purchased by Bryan Bartz and moved to their current location in Lakeville in 2003.
Mendell is a custom precision medical machine shop focused on medical device components, aerospace/defense components, and other technology related components. Their experienced staff lends well for partnering with small, start-up companies up to large and well established organizations. Mendell uses their manufacturing expertise for prototype machining, pre-production, and small through large volume production.
Tom Mork shared with us photos and stories from Tom’s Big Ride (TBR). TBR was a 2,100 mile bicycle ride starting in Venice, LA and following the Mississippi River north all the way to the river’s source at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota. In addition to being an experience of a lifetime, it is also a fundraiser to benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness. In which the team raised $110,000.
Tom Mork, Patrick Boria, Doug Anderson, and Bob Thimjon traveled the complete distance of the ride leaving Venice on July 6, 2015 where they dipped their rear tires into the Mississippi to their arrival at the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River 39 days later on August 13, 2015.
The ride was broken out into sections and in each section other riders joined them including Rotarians Jim Christian, Al Grazzini, Carin Thomas, Tom Schmidt, Phil Bruneau as riders, Dave Oswald driving and helping in the SAG van and Dan Forrest assisting with finding lodging.
Following the presentation State Representative Jon Koznick presented Tom Mork and riders with a Resolution from the State of Minnesota recognizing Tom Mork and Tom’s Big Ride. Congratulations!
Glenn Starfield introduced our speaker A.J. Bucchino who was born in White Plains, New York from an Italian/Jewish family. He comes to Lakeville South High School with outstanding experiences as a player and coach. He played at the collegiate level at University of Wisconsin-River Falls, WI. and the professional levels in the AHL, ECHL, CHL, and SPHL.
Coach Bucchino is President and Owner of the AZ Group, Minnesota Iceman AAA Program. Additionally, he is the Director of Development for ProHybrid Training.
He lives in St. Paul, Minn., with his wife, Danielle who teaches school in Washington County and from Danielle he learned the concept of a cell phone parking lot which he has initiated for his players.
Coach Bucchino’s training goals include teaching the players the concept of “Love”, “Accountability” and “Discipline.” He wants to teach them to “love what they do and don’t ever let anyone take it away from them.”
Dr. Lisa Snyder introduced our speaker and former Lakeville Rotarian Bob Finke. Bob spoke about some of things that he missed about Lakeville Rotary including Frank’s jokes and finding out weekly “What Clint has to be happy about!” Bob recently retired from the TRIA Orthopedics Center and is back at the Lakeville Chamber and is promoting the sponsorship of the Young Entrepreneurs Academy for Lakeville students in the 2015-16 school year.
The program is planned to be an after-school activity this fall and offered to 6 -12 grade students.
First introduced for Lakeville middle school students during the 2013-14 school year, the YEA now has expanded the program as an option for high school students.
YEA is a yearlong after-school program that guides students through the process of creating a real business. With help from local business mentor volunteers, students write business plans, pitch their ideas to an investor panel and actually launch their own companies.
The program has space for up to 24 students, and each must complete an application and pay a $395 application fee and be prepared to go through an interview process to be accepted into the YEA.
Bob mentioned that students who start successful businesses can help strengthen and grow the community.
Volunteers are needed as mentors of the program. The commitment for mentors will include 7 business sessions on Wednesday afternoons and a few Saturday mornings.
Our speaker was one of our own Rotarians, US Navy Captain Richard Henderson. In answer as to what was next in his life, he chose to serve overseas as the Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer Assisting in the Middle East for the US Navy.
This position gave him the responsibility of overseeing 950 Navy personnel mobilized throughout the Middle East (one year active duty tour that ended in May 2015.) Responsible for six separate headquarters, located in Bahrain, Afghanistan (2), Qatar, Kuwait and Germany. 55 direct-reporting subordinates. $95 million operation. High-stress program management under oftentimes hostile conditions.
His year started with three weeks of combat refresher training in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Which included receiving a ton of gear for his mission, shooting, range, and Humvee machine gun training.
His responsibilities included the guided draw-down of Navy mobilized footprint and headquarters consolidation to achieve mandated force reduction in the Afghanistan theater and to oversee planning and execution of Dept. of Defense programs.
During his year he achieved over 50,000 miles in travel visiting personnel in the field, including multiple trips throughout Afghanistan, with extensive speaking and networking engagements.
Captain Henderson was Awarded Legion of Merit and Afghanistan Campaign Medals for his service in direct support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, the liberation of Afghanistan.
District 5960 will be participating in a Rotary Friendship Exchange District 3030 Napgur India from January 9 – 19, 2016. The team should consist of 10 people. District 3030 is large with almost 90 clubs and 4500 Rotarians. Nagpur is also known as the “tiger capital” due to many national parks in the vicinity.
Participants on this exchange are responsible for their own air travel expenses and personal spending money. They may also be expected to cover the following expenses: admission to tourist sites, concerts museums etc., gifts for overnight hosts, meals at Rotary Club meetings, travel insurance and passport.
Air Travel Expense looks to be around $1,750.00 round trip per person. Rotarian should expect to have 10 days for visiting and 2 days for traveling. RFE Rotarians will be expected to host incoming Rotarians from District 3030. Those dates for inbound are May 12 – 21, 2016
Application (Application and Deposit Due by Oct 1, 2015)
Dave Bellows introduced our speaker Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie.
Sheriff Leslie is the 20th Sheriff in the history of Dakota County, and took office in November 2014 as our own Rotarian Dave Bellows retired.
Sheriff Leslie shared some of the history of the Dakota County Sheriff's Office including that in 1849, the County of Dakota was created as part of the original nine counties in Minnesota. The population at that time was more than 1,000 Native Americans and 149 white settlers. In 1853, A.R. French was appointed as the first Sheriff of Dakota County.
In the 1930's was an era of change in the county marked by violence and organized crime activity. These changes were felt by the law enforcement community beginning with the murder of Deputy Rudolph Fischer at the jail by a burglar he had earlier arrested. Leo Pavlak, a South St. Paul officer, was killed by a member of the notorious Ma Barker Gang. Deputies and the Hastings Police Chief chased John Dillinger's vehicle over the Spiral Bridge. One of Dillinger's gang members was killed by a Hastings police officer.
Since then Dakota County has grown to be the third most heavily populated county in the State, following Hennepin and Ramsey counties. It is the fastest growing county (numerically) in the State of Minnesota. The Dakota County Sheriff's Office has grown to include nearly 200 employees.
The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office offers many services to the community including, Fingerprinting, Prescription Drug Drop Off, Gun Permits, Records/Reports, Crime Prevention, Internship Program, High School Mentor Program, Child Passenger Safety, Victim Information, Alcohol & Tobacco Compliance. In addition they have several Specialty Units that help support our area.
Margie Horning presented Justin Miller with a district grant check for $3000 which will go toward the City of Lakeville Pioneer Plaza bench project. The club agreed to purchase a total of twelve benches with a total project cost of $12,000.
Darcy Ellarby spoke to us today about the Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE).
RFE is and international exchange program for Rotarians and Rotary couples. This exchange travels District to District in both directions and allows the travelers to make genuine Rotary friends while experiencing another culture.
The goal of the exchange is to advance international understanding and peace through visits across boarders and to promote interclub relationships, fellowships and service projects.
The specific exchange the Darcy addressed was her recent Friendship Exchange to Romania this past March. Where 12 travelers from our district (5960) went and toured Romania and visited 3 Rotary clubs.The tour included visiting Castles and Cathedrals (including Dracula’s Castle), wine tastings. They also visited a youth detention facility where the Timisoara Rotary Club runs an art therapy program.
The Romanian team will be hosted by Lakeville Rotary Club Tuesday, Sept 22 – Friday, Sept 25.They have an exciting schedule planned with lots of opportunities for us to get involved.
Our Local host families will include: Paul & Darcy Ellarby, Paul & Deb Marzahn, Doug & Deb Anderson, Colleen & Tom LaBeau, Joel & Decklynn Theisen, Tony and Patti McDonald and Team members Sheila Longie and Peg Duenow.
The district has offered many exchange programs throughout the years and the next program is scheduled to Nagpur India, January 9 – 20, 2016, for more information click here.
As we were checking out of our motel this morning we met Sam, a retired gentleman originally from Covington and now living in Kansas City, who was in town visiting his sisters. He noticed our bike jerseys and inquired about what we were doing, so we got to talking. After a bit he asked if we would object if he got his camera and took some pictures of us as we did our pre-ride preparations, and of course we didn’t object. As we were about to leave I gave him a bracelet and a card with the TBR contact information, and then asked him if he was a praying man. Sam said he was, and that he was on his way to church this morning and he was going to ask the pastor to pray for our safety.
Today, Sam and his entire home congregation prayed for Tom’s Big Ride.
If we were to graph today’s ride it would look like a bell curve…flat, elevated, and then flat again. We got on the road a little later than originally planned, but it was still early enough that the air actually felt cool as we pedaled past fields of row crops growing in relatively level fields. But eventually we started to climb…not severe climbs, but with each successive battle with gravity we gained a bit more elevation, and occasionally we would catch glimpses of valleys on one side of the road or the other as evidence that we were climbing. And what a sight those valleys were, with trees and other objects completely shrouded in kudzu, creating an almost other-worldly landscape. To say the sights were memorable just doesn’t do them justice.
Today’s ride was much like yesterday’s…or at least the elevated portion was. The roads were narrow, choppy, and twisting, with the turns at times somewhat challenging to locate and navigate. But what unusual, charming names they had! Like Lightfoot Luckett, or Hobe Webb, or Edith Nankipoo…I couldn’t help but ponder what kind of local legends these people were, and I would love to know their stories. Or Turkey Hill Road, or Cooper Creek, or Leighs Chapel Road…names that in their own right can conjure up a certain image of the area’s geography in your mind’s eye. But for the five of us fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience them firsthand today, the names will be linked to the beauty of this part of our great country in our memories forever.
At about the 35 mile mark or so, the road decided to have a little fun with us. We started down a long descent, each of us accelerating over what was probably a half-mile-you-better-occasionally-tap-on-your-brakes-lest-you-fly-off-the-road-drop before being spit out on the river bottom. The road was suddenly level, we could see the river levee close by on our left side, and we thought we had probably seen the last of elevation changes for the day. We came around a corner…and there it was…the biggest, longest hill by far that we had seen yet, and we had to climb it back up into the bluff area we had JUST left! A mile later at the top, we all paused for a breather, knowing that the hill we just climbed was simply a warm up for what lies ahead of us in Missouri and Iowa.
We eventually reached tiny Porter’s Gap, which is little more than a wide spot in the road, but this time it did denote the end of elevation for the day and we dropped once more to the river bottom. The road straightened and for the next 22 miles we were able to resume our normal paceline until we reached the end of our riding day. Water levels here are very high and for the first six miles we rode along a low levee road surrounded by flooded fields on both sides of the road, firsthand evidence of the abundance of rainfall to the north. The sight of irrigation rigs up to their wheels in water seemed just a bit odd.
We finished today’s ride of about 62 miles by 1:00 PM, and after our last stage today’s and yesterday’s distances seem almost like a warm up! However, tomorrow’s ride is almost 80 miles, so the extra time we were able to have today to rest will bode well for us at sunrise tomorrow.
Do a major project this year-significant contribution, visible in the community (Land of Amazement)
Encourage community outreach
Establish a better mentoring & communication process to new members and prospective members
2. Utilize the Visioning Retreat & Electronic Voting of Members to implement some of the wishes of the Rotary Club
3. Opportunities for club members to engage with one another more, while continuing to encourage new members.
4. Taste of Lakeville - Get more member involvement from the start of planning and communicate better to the members all the opportunities and what our proceeds help fund.
5. Have fun! Laughter! Enjoyment! Encouragement! A Club everyone wants to be a part of.
Nancy Savstrom introduced today’s speaker Christine LaMott, Can Do Canines, and her canine assistance dog “ Lloyd”. As the Mom of an autistic son, Christine LaMott shared how she dreaded going out in public with her family. Her son’s emotional and physical outbursts created an isolated lifestyle for the family. Matthew is a seven year old boy who has zero tolerance for frustration.
With the help of their Can-Do-Canine Autism Assistance Dog, Lloyd, Matthew and
Christine have a different reality now. Christine shared with us her journey through the
eyes of a Mom who went from never being able to go out in public with her family to sitting down at a restaurant with her family as the result of a dog.
Can Do Canines (New Hope, Minn.) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities by creating mutually beneficial partnerships with specially trained dogs.
Since 1989, Can Do Canines has provided assistance dogs to people with disabilities, free of charge. Their fully-trained dogs, often adopted from local animal shelters, are provided to clients with mobility challenges, hearing loss or deafness, seizure disorders, diabetes complicated by hypoglycemia unawareness or children with autism.
Can Do Canines is the largest provider of assistance dogs in Minnesota and relies on individual contributions to support its important work. It costs on average $25,000 to train and place an assistance dog.
If you are interested you can take a tour and “Meet the Dogs” The Tails to Tell tours are available on
Thursday, July 23, 11 a.m.
Saturday, August 22, 10 a.m.
Thursday, September 24, 7 p.m.
To arrange for a tour contact 763-331-3000 and for more information on Can Do Canines visit, www.can-do-canines.org.
Lakeville Public Safety Foundation receives $5300 check from Lakeville Rotary to help support the Police & Fireman's Ball scheduled for September 11, 2015, at Brackett's Crossing, Click Here for more information.
Jay Young presented Lisa Holien and Julie Ritter with a grant check for $1000 for the "Ready, Set, Achieve" program in the Lakeville Area Schools. This program benefits students and families facing financial need who are in need of school supplies and school readiness materials. The program anticipates 600 students will be in need of their services and their goal is to help them all be ready to start school with the supplies they need to learn.
Jay Young,Rotary Club of Lakeville Foundation Chair, presented a grant in the amount of $3,000 to Brett Altergott, City of Lakeville Parks & Rec Department, for support for the 4th of July fireworks and the Pan-O-Prog Teen Beach Bash event.
District Governor Karel Weigel presented Craig Manson with the 2014-15 Presidential Citation for Lakeville Rotary Club. The Presidential Citation represents the a mark of aaccomplishment honoring the commitment of club leaders and members to outstanding service, support of the Rotary Foundation and community involvement.
Sheila Longie and President elect Colleen LaBeau presented us with an overview of the 106th Rotary International Convention in Sao Paulo, Brazil. More than 14,000 attendees from all over the world assembled for the four-day convention.
The convention was called “festival of ideas” and President Huang began the celebration announcing the year’s gains in membership, a top priority of his presidency.
As of the end of May, 30 zones have increased their membership in the past 11 months. This Rotary year there has been a 47,884 net membership increase, which is a 4 percent increase, and the best in the last 14 years.
Rotary has clubs in more than 200 countries and territories, covering more of the world than even the United Nations does. But Huang said that opportunities for Rotary service still lie in other areas, including China, Laos, and Vietnam.
PolioPlus
Nigeria and the whole continent of Africa is on the cusp of being polio free. Between 2013 and 2014, the reported cases of polio dropped from 53 to just six in Nigeria. Even more encouraging, is that the last case of polio in Nigeria was reported in July of last year and the last case in all of Africa was reported in Somalia in August.
Transmission of the wild poliovirus has also never been stopped in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In 2014, 85 percent of polio cases worldwide were in Pakistan, the country’s highest case count in over a decade. But progress has been made over the last few months to stem the spread of the virus. The focus for the government and all of the polio partners has shifted to missed children. Vaccinators have gained access to areas that have been out of reach for years.
Since January, cases in Pakistan are lower than this time last year thanks to advocacy work from Rotary members.
In addition to Rotary meetings and events Colleen and Sheila had time to meet new people and tour around Sao Paulo.
Peg Duenow Classification Talk. Peg and her husband, Gene, own and operate 6 KFC Stores that are located in Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska. They were high school sweethearts and have two adult children, Nicole and Alexis.
Peg and Gene have been KFC franchise owners since 1970 and have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know Colonel Sanders. Peg is currently the KFC Government Affairs Committee Chair for KFC.
In her free time Peg has a passion for sailing and especially for ocean passages.
Thank you Peg for sharing your classification story!
A number of volunteers stepped up on 7/26-27 to help make the Lakeville Miracle Field Playground a Twin Cities first. Many are familiar with Miracle Field baseball parks, including Lakeville's located at King Park on Dodd Blvd. across from the Lakeville Police Department.
The new Miracle Field Playground is being installed right next to the Miracle Field baseball diamond.
On Saturday and Sunday many volunteers came to help and not all their names were noted.
Kari Schmitz - coaches her daughter who plays on Miracle Field
Jeff Wenberg - Sun Country pilot.
Trevor Michael - Sun Country pilot
Brett Altergott - Lakeville's second Parks & Recreation Director (now in his second year after Steve Michaud retired from that role in 2013)
Deb Smith
Scott Ahlers
Julie & Jim Christian — Lakeville Rotary
John Hennen - Parks & Recreation employee
Dean & Connor Chelstrom
Brian Roseen - Miracle Field Director for south metro.
Landscape Structures is the product manufacturer located here in MN.
Flagship Recreation is the authorized distributor/installer represented by Charlie Colvin and
Mark McLaughlin. Mark even had his 12 year old son helping on Saturday.
14 different play activities are being installed that accommodate children with special physical or cognitive needs including autism to play side by side with children without special needs. The best example is a side by side zip line activity.
The special surface is being installed next week.
"Homer" the mascot was recently installed. Ribbon cutting is expected sometime in late August.
The Taste of Lakeville is a community celebration where local restaurants, caterers, and fine beverage purveyors get together for one magical evening and offer attendees the opportunity to sample, taste, sip and devour the rich culinary treats our wonderful town has to offer. This event is for adults only. You must be at least 21 years of age to attend and proof of age will be required at the time of admission to the event.
The primary fundraising event for the Lakeville Rotary Club. Proceeds from this event and many of the club's activities go to support Scholarships, Youth Programs, Heritage Center and many, many others. Please feel free to review the List of Beneficiaries, then be sure to Get Your Ticketsfor this exciting event!
- See more at: http://portal.clubrunner.ca/7673/SitePage/events#sthash.UGNDWO04.dpuf
Each month of the school year, the Lakeville Rotary Club recognizes students of the senior class who demonstrate “Service Above Self”.
For the month of February Lakeville South School has chosen Erin Kilbride is being nominated for Rotary Student of the Month because of her exceptional leadership skills, determination, admirable perseverance, outstanding work ethic and natural leadership abilities.
Erin currently ranks 13 out of 452 students in her class. She carries a 4.16 grade-point-average.
Erin is also gifted in many co-curricular activities. In cross country running alone, she is a: 6 year Varsity letter winner, 4 time All Conference runner,4 time individual State Meet qualifier,5 time State Meet team qualifier, All State runner in 2009, Key member of numerous Conference and Section Championship teams, and has won Team Awards for Most Inspirational, Best Work Ethic, and Cougar Award
Erin’s parents are Patrick J & Carol F Kilbride and her dean is Dana Cronin
For the month of February Lucie Lyon has been chosen as Lakeville North High School, as Student of the Month. Lucy has earned numerous academic achievements and awards. She is a 2014 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist. Lucie is an AP Scholar with Distinction. Lucie earned the Minnesota State High School Tennis Coaches Association Academic All State Award. Lucie currently has a high GPA of 4.297 and is ranked number 3 in her class.
Lucie is also currently Mock Trial Captain as well as National Honor Society President, and Senior Class Treasurer. She is the Rank Captain of the LNHS Marching Band (a flutist and piccolo player) as well as the girls’ Tennis Team Varsity Captain. Outside of Lakeville North High School, Lucie has volunteered as Special Olympics Assistant Tennis Coach and at the Heritage County Library Reading Program.
Luci’s parents are Ann Brucciani Lyon & Greg Lyon and her dean is Cary Zahn.
Randy Sparling introduced our students that recently attended Camp Enterprise. Lakeville North High School, Andrew Crenshaw and Nick Oblak and from Lakeville South Jack Scheer. The students gave a short overview of their time at the camp and thanked Lakeville Rotary Club for the opportunity.
Each month of the school year, the Lakeville Rotary Club recognizes students of the senior class who demonstrate “Service Above Self”.
For the month of November, Dylan Adelman was nominated at Lakeville South High School, as November Rotary Student of the Month. There are few people in this world that can organize and lead like Dylan. He is the Vice President of our National Honor Society, All-State Speech member, and our Debate team captain. As an organizer, Dylan is outstanding. He started a mentoring/tutoring group at his former elementary to provide students with academic and social/emotional support Last year, Dylan created the first ever Job Fair at Lakeville South HS, which exposed Lakeville North and South students to several local companies in the south metro area. Recently, Dylan organized the first ever TEDX event at Lakeville South, which brought some of Lakeville finest speakers including Mayor Little and Superintendent Snyder to talk about the future of politics, education, and technology.
Academically, Dylan carries a 4.18 GPA and has taken several AP classes at Lakeville South High School.Dylan’s parents are Judi and Duane Adelman. Dylan’s dean is Shaun Murphy.
For the month of November, Alexandra Noll was nominated at Lakeville North High School, as Student of the Month. Alexandra is a Commended National Merit Scholar and an AP Scholar at Lakeville North High School. She is an accomplished piano player, playing since the third grade. She has won numerous awards at the National Federation of Music competitions.
At Lakeville North High School, Alexandra was involved in SAGE. She served as a class officer in grade 11. She was the founder of a club called, SELF (Safe Environment to Live Freely) to encourage self-confidence and self-respect in young women. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Best Buddies and outside of school; she works at Rainbow Food store. Alexandra has volunteered at Feed my Starving Children, Second Harvest Heartland, Trinity Care Center nursing home.
Alexandra's parents are James & Karina Noll and her dean is Cary Zahn.
Jay Young presented Sal Mondelli and Laurie Reib, 360 Communities, with a $5000 grant for the Partners for Success Program in the Lakeville Area School District. The Partners for Success Program brings a Family Support Worker into the schools to help students and families with issues that are affecting the student’s education. The Lakeville Rotary Club has been a supporter of this program since 2005.
Click Here for more information on the Partners for Success Program.
Each month of the school year, the Lakeville Rotary Club recognizes students of the senior class who demonstrate “Service Above Self”.
For the month of October, Cody Jones was nominated at Lakeville North High School, as October Rotary Student of the Month. Cody has been chosen for his strong leadership skills at Lakeville North High School as well as community involvement. At Lakeville North High School, Cody is President of the Senior Class; he is President of the Lakeville delegation for Youth in Government. Cody is on Varsity Football and a member of DECA. He is the President of the Lakeville North DECA Chapter for 2013-2014. Cody has been a two year member of LNHS traveling Speech team. Cody is also a 3 year member of LNHS Now & Then singers, he is the student treasurer. Cody is a 3 year member of the LNHS Concert Chorale. Cody is also the recipient of the 2012 Excel Award and an AP Scholar with Honors.
Outside of Lakeville North high School, Cody is a member of “Envisions Lakeville” community task force. Cody is the Minnesota delegate to the 2013 YMCA Youth Conference on National Affairs. Cody’s parents are Andra Hentges & Andrew Hentges & Leroy Jones. Cody’s dean is Dan McNulty.
For the month of October, Elise Redetzke was nominated at Lakeville South High School, as Student of the Month. Elise was chosen for her positive attitude, character, leadership and successful performance in both academics and co-curricular activities at Lakeville South High School She has a 3.97 GPA, has taken 9 AP and 12 honors courses, President of National Honor Society, on Student Council, Youth in Government, Cougars Leading Cougars and Numerous volunteering activities such as: Augustana Regents nursing home, Feed My Starving Children, and LSHS blood drives. Elise’s parents are Darren and Pamela Redetzke and her dean is John Boche.
Lakeville Rotary Club is hosting a Community Blood Drive - Tuesday, October 8, 2013, from 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Crossroads Church (located at Cedar & Dodd.) - Please consider donating blood or volunteering your time at the drive. Contact Mike Cooper for more information, mcoop52317@gmail.com.
To schedule your appointment please call 1-800-redcross or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code 0176807.
Giving Your Type
To The Right Type
Based on your blood type and where the need is greatest. There are many ways to give-and double or triple the potential of your life-saving gift. In addition to whole blood, you also can donate just part of your blood: red cells, plasma, or platelets.
Using a special automated process called apheresis (AY-fur-EE-sis) each blood component is collected in greater quantities than through traditional methods.
ROTARY SEEKS BUSINESS/PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE FOR EXCHANGE WITH SWEDEN
May 2 - May 31, 2014
Rotarian Opportunity - Group Leader
Non-Rotarian Opportunity - Team Member
Deadline for applications is this Sunday, October 20, 2013.
A once in a lifetime opportunity! Too good to be true! A life-changing learning experience! These are phrases past participants have used to describe Rotary International’s Group Study Exchange program.
Each month of the school year, the Lakeville Rotary Club recognizes students of the senior class who demonstrate “Service Above Self”.
For the month of September, Bronson Bruneau was nominated at Lakeville North High School, as Student of the Month. Bronson was chosen for his high academics, he is currently number one in his senior class of 452. Bronson was also chosen for his extra-curricular involvement as well as strong leadership skills.
At LNHS Bronson is a Senior Class Officer, is an officer on Student Council, he is captain of the basketball team and is on the football team; he has been on the baseball team and is a member of National Honor Society. He is also in Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government. Bronson is currently part of the Homecoming Court. Outside of LNHS, Bronson has won a Congressional Gold Award, as well as many other awards. He has played piano since age 8, is involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and at Hosanna is very involved in many, many activities. His work has been as self-employed, lawn mowing, as well as a referee and umpire for the Lakeville Basketball Assoc. and Lakeville Baseball Assoc. Bronson’s parents are Phil and Kelly Bruneau and his dean is Cheryl Meger.
For the month of September, Margaret Gadek was nominated at Lakeville South High School, as Student of the Month. Throughout her high school years, she has consistently demonstrated maturity in decision-making and leadership. Margaret currently has a cumulative GPA of 4.325 and ranks one out of a highly competitive class of 446 students. Upon graduation, she will have completed nine honors courses and twelve advanced placement courses. Margaret received the National Merit Semifinalist Award as well as the AP Scholar with Distinction Award.
While Margaret’s main focus is academic achievement, she has demonstrated leadership in a variety of extracurricular activities, such as Speech: Extemporaneous Speaking, Debate, and Science Olympiad. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Chemistry Club. In addition, Margaret was the founder of the LSHS Food Shelf that has been serving needy families for over a year now. Her wealth of leadership experience will serve her well in her future career in the medical field. Margaret has made a commitment to excellence in everything she does. She has without fail been an excellent school citizen and positive role model at LSHS. Margaret’s parents are Martin and Mary Gadek and her dean is Dana Cronin.
Dan Ringstad introduced our speaker, Jim Nowak, Assistant Vice President, Risk Management United Bankers Bank. Jim is an economist and a graduate of St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance. Jim has been a featured speaker at many banking industry events and has appeared on Fox9 News.
Jim came prepared with a few of the many indexes he updates on a daily basis. His indexes track the “feel” of the economy, credit growth, 12-month cumulative job growth, consumption & housing, national & MN weekly leading economic activity index, and the job growth. According to Jim locally the news is good for Minnesota but expect the national market to be volatile until the end of the year.
Jim Christian introduced our speaker Thomas Hendrickson, President and Director since 2010. Dr. Hendrickson has many years of experience in forming and running overseas operations. He has worked on projects in Tanzania for the last ten years. He currently teaches engineering at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Iringa Hope is a US, 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation dedicated to alleviating poverty in central rural Tanzania in the Iringa District by providing capital for small loans to farmers and shopkeepers running small stores and other local enterprises. This is commonly called micro-finance or micro-credit. Rural Tanzania is one of the poorest regions in the world.
In the past year they have provided 652 loans through their network of Savings and Credit Coops. They will only approve loans if the purpose of the loan is to make money. Iringa Hope provides training classes, seminars and they have a weekly radio program that reaches out to an audience of 100,000, drawing questions from throughout the area.
The staff from Iringa Hope has learned over the past year that most of the loans are taken out for farming and the borrower’s income rise from less than $300/year to about $900/year. This increased income is used to feed their family, send their children to school, and replace their mud huts and grass roofs with brick homes with tin roofs.
Lakeville South students, Sammie Harris and Abby Quinnell, and Lakeville North students, Joe Crocco and Andy Crenshaw. Presented our Club with donations for Rotary's End Polio Now campaign.
Polio cases have declined rapidly since 1985, but the fight isn't over. Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease, and for as little as US$0.60, a child can be protected against the virus for life. If we don't finish the fight right now, more than 10 million children under the age of five could be paralyzed by polio in the next 40 years. CLICK HERE for more information.
Each month of the school year, the Lakeville Rotary Club recognizes students of the senior class who demonstrate “Service Above Self”.
For the month of May, Kierra Blackstad was nominated at Lakeville North High School, as Student of the Month. Kierra has been chosen due to her academic achievements as well as school activities and outside community involvement. She is a member of National Honor Society and has been recognized as an A.P. Scholar with Honor. Kierra is in concert band, in the pit orchestra for the school musicals as well as an officer for SADD, a Youth Teaching Youth, treasurer for the American Sign Language Club and on the soccer team.
Kierra is an oboist in the Minnesota Youth Symphonies Symphony Orchestra outside of LNHS. She is a member of the MN All-State Concert Band as well as the MN Band Director’s Assoc State Honor Band and has received seven superior ratings in the MN H.S. State Solo/Ensemble contests. Kierra does a large amount of volunteering through Prince of Peace Lutheran church as well as at Lake Marion Elementary School. She works as a soccer goalkeeper coach and with Lifeworks Life Services as well as personal care attendance and home tutor for a student with autism. She plans to attend Luther College next year, majoring in music and education. Kierra’s parents are Peter and Joy Blackstad and her dean is Cheryl Meger.
For the month of May, Lee Bares was nominated at Lakeville South High School, as Student of the Month. Lee was chosen for his positive attitude, character, leadership and successful performance in both academics and co-curricular activities at Lakeville South High School. He has won three consecutive state titles in the pole vault and plans to attend West Point. Lee’s parents are David and Heidi Bares and his dean is Shaun Murphy
Jay Young presented a check to Karen from Hope for Tomorrow. Karen talked about how the program provides mentors to middle school girls. The money will help with field trips.
"Home in the Box" Containers were packed with tarps, rope, sheets, silverware, bucket, fry pans, towels, hangers, bowls, Tupperware, water jug, duct tape, ect.
The 59 boxes were packed by Lakeville Rotarians last Wednesday evening, September 5th and are being shipped to Chimbote, Peru where they will be given to social workers at Father's Jack's mission. The containers will be handed out to new families in need of supplies.
"The Lakeville Rotary Club has current Host Family Opportunities for families in the Lakeville South School District. You do not need to be a Rotarian to be a Host Family! If you would like to learn more, please read the rest of this article,"Hosting Families, " and watch the video. For more information contact Theresa Peterson, Lakeville Rotary Youth Exchange Officer.