In Review

 

The Program Speaker for the Thursday, January 24^th, Edina Rotary Noon Club Meeting was Ruth Bachman of the Hourglass Fund Project.

 

 

 

President John Flynn began the meeting with the Be the Inspiration Videos featuring Michael Stanzak (with a special appearance by Shelly Loberg) and Brad Hepp. President Flynn went on to remind the club of the Snowshoe Golf and Arctic Eating Extravaganza on Saturday, January 26^th.  There were about 40 registered for the event at meeting time and John promised BBQ Musk and warm/sunny weather for all that attend the event. Prior to attending this fun event, members should also be aware of the District 5950 Mid-Term Assembly on January 26^th from 9:00am until 1:00pm at the Minnetonka Community Center.

On the social front, Renee Harberts reminded us all to sign up for the Edina Rotary Noon Club Bowling Event on Saturday, February 2^nd, at the Park Tavern in St. Louis Park. She promised that Sutton McGraw would make sure that teams were not stacked and that there would be prizes for the good bowlers as we are those who bowl for fun. Jake Johnson introduced numerous guests and visiting Rotarians in the audience and let us know that the next Prospective Member Day is February 21^st where P.J. Fleck will be our speaker. It was reported that Les Wanninger was recovering from successful heart bypass surgery and Tim Murphy had recently become a grandfather for the first time. Anna Stratton, sponsored by Don Hutchison, was officially inducted as a New Member by Brad Hepp and Michael and Janet Stanzak were recognized as Major Donors to the Rotary Foundation. Congratulations to all!

 

Mary Youngren introduced our speaker, Ruth Bachman of the Hourglass Fund Project. Ruth had previously spoken to our club seven years ago on the subject of a rare form of cancer, Sarcoma.  After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, Ruth is alive, well and full of life. She challenged us to embrace change and to focus on the positive without denying the negative. We often fail to see the good because we allow the negative to get in the way.

 

Similarly, she advised us to face our fears head on, to practice mindfulness, to develop quality relationships with those around us, to ask for help, to express gratitude, to maintain a sense of humor and to keep resilient role models around us from whom we can learn and lean on. Ruth ended her talk with some wise words of wisdom stating that change pushes us outside of our comfort zones. We should accept what comes our way, embrace the journey and enjoy our lives with those around us. Ruth’s honest and humorous delivery kept the audience entertained and informed. Once Ruth concluded, John Solberg thanked her and President Flynn then adjourned the meeting with the following quote, “You can learn more about a person in an hour of ‘play’ than in a year of conversation.”

 

 

 

Engaging converation with Mark Jessen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edina high school student - Rotary Youth Services.