Posted by Jeff Benson on Sep 25, 2018

We had no visitors today, but we celebrated the return of Jim O’Brien after his summer at the lake cabin.  Welcome back, Jim!

 

The Board met this morning and here is a summary:

- Sue Ager’s resignation was regretfully accepted by the Board.  Sue knows that she will always be a welcome visitor to the club.

- John Ordway’s Treasurer’s report shows us $5,000 on the plus side so far this year.

- The District 5960 Foundation Celebration is on Saturday, November 10th, 5:30-9:00PM at the Inwood Event Center in Oakdale.  Club member’s admission will be reimbursed by the club but members are encouraged to bring guests at the regular admission price.  You can sign up online here or contact John Ordway.  This event is a wonderful celebration of all that we do, through the Foundation, to make our world a better place for all.

- Geoff Hollimon announced that we have pledged $500 to the Guatemala Literacy Project.

- Ed James reported that planning is progressing for our Harvest Pack event on December 11th.  Ed met with Irondale students yesterday and they have committed to raising $2,000 as well as to providing lots of volunteers.  Cindy Carlson has met with the Lions and Paul Jacobsen will ask the Eagles to help with the event.

- Ed also noted that we should soon have the names of our Irondale student representatives to Camp Enterprise and that we are hoping to start an Interact club at Irondale.

 

This Thursday, 3:30PM at the Exchange, is the kickoff for planning our 40th anniversary celebration.  If you love to party and you’d like to share your thoughts, all members are welcome.  The usual 4:01 happy hour will follow the planning session.

 

Mark December 18th club meeting on your calendars for the annual Christmas Carol Concert/Sing Along with Director Jason Etten and the Irondale Choir.

 

Happy Bucks Summary:

- Gerry Tietz was happy that he and fellow Stout State alum Peg Friberg (Nils’ Wife) were able to hand out awards at Stout’s award ceremony this year.

- Dana had a wonderful time at her annual Quilting Retreat last week.

- Ed was happy that Irondale won its first Homecoming Game in eleven years!

- Nils attended the Retired Pastors and Missionaries Retreat at Trout Lake Camp.

- John Risdall won the raffle, collecting a cool $5.

 

Cindy introduced our speaker, Dr Ron Felt, a long time Rotarian and Past President of the Oak Park, IL club.  He is now a member of the St. Paul Sunrise club and his topic for today was his club’s district matching grant (to which we contributed $250) which benefits the Milagro Women’s Education Center in Guatemala.  Guatemala is a very poor country with a 60% poverty rate.   As in many other poor countries, women and girls are treated as second class citizens and discouraged from educational and/or business pursuits.  Supported by the St Paul Synod of the ELCA, The Women’s Education Center will empower women by providing a safe dormitory setting where young women can get general education as well as specific job skills so that they can return to their communities to start small businesses, serve as leaders and also teach others the skills they have learned.  This particular grant will provide much needed appliances, sewing machines and furnishings for the Center. 

 

Ron also shared photos from his 2017 mission trip to Guatemala, engaging in numerous mission activities while visiting El Mirador School, the Catholic Mission in San Lucas as well as a church in Santiago.  Cindy and Ron are pictured below.

 

As the meeting was ending, it was realized that we had not properly recognized Geoff Hollimon’s 71st Birthday.  Due to the last minute nature of the celebration, Geoff escaped wearing the Birthday Hat but he was treated to a pretty well executed birthday song.  Happy Birthday, Geoff!