President John Flynn rang the bell right at 12:30 PM. “Why I love Rotary” pieces by Barbara Born and Doug Johnson. Barbara talked about the event last Saturday with Hearts and Hammers, an organization that has received a Rotary grant. Doug loves doing service together and discussed the Cornerstone project and a project Rotarians have helped with feeding the homeless. President Flynn recognized Barb and Doug. He also recognized grant recipients Dedee and Rose and Superintendent Schultz.
Saturday, June 15th-Edina Rotary and MPD are hosting a homeless Breakfast at the Salvation Army shelter. Ann Platt is in charge and still en route from Rotary International. At least two more people are needed to come and help out!
Steve Slyce was thanked for his hosting a large group at Peter’s Billiards. Everyone learned that you can get a wooden pool table for as low as $55,000!
An announcement was made that on Monday evenings between July and September you can find your Rotary duties on the duty roster. If there’s anything that needs to be changed, let Fred
know!
know!
Todays’ helpers were Tom Reis, Barbara Born, Marty Kupper, Don Hutchison, Scott Blake-greeters, San Asato, Rick Carlson-photography.
Today’s guests were JoAnn Ermer-Selton, Heidi Nauman, Rosie Cataldo: Bonnie Sue Rolstad; Deedee Stevens-Neal: Scott Neal; Tim Nesring, Chris Christensen: Scott MacDonald; Mary Alice Fosse, Dan Myers: David Clynes; Allison Darson: Deedee Stevens-Neal; Jill Meents: Brad Hepp; Emma Song: Wooj; Phil Buckvold, Suky Brinkman: Joe Hayes
Visiting Rotarians: John Schultz and Zdenek Kratky (EMRC)
EMRC’s Annual Golf tournament was announced by Zdenek Kratky on July 10th. It’s their biggest fundraiser. You can go on their website to get more information. The event will be held at Braemar.
New members were announced by Jody Kern: Ryan Wilson and sponsor, Royce Pavelka. Ryan is from Detroit, MI and VP of Traditions Capital Bank. He likes to golf, swim, and reads. Mike Martiny and sponsor, Joe Hayes. Mike is with HRI AQ-Medicare and part of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. Welcome to the club!Renee Harberts announced the Rotary Family Picnic, for June 20th, 5:30-8:30 at Centennial Lakes Pavilion. Lots of activities: paddle boating, mini golf, t-shirt decorating, last social of the year with John Flynn. Sign up by Thursday, June 13. Food will be burgers (all beef) and premium beer and wine as well as nonalcoholic drinks.
Bridget Hallstrom announced a new mentorship program with David Aase. The group will meet the second Thursday of each month at 11:30, with the first meeting on July 11th. Community leaders will share ideas and there will be a different topic each week with a speaker. There will be opportunities to collaborate and a mentor/mentee relationship.
Deedee and Allison talked about Fraser-an early childhood program in Richfield with PT’s, OT’s, speech therapist, play therapists, etc. There is a lot of positive children’s recognition. They thanked the Rotary for the generous donation. President Flynn thanked Deedee. He discussed the Signature Grant project which has helped change the world in positive ways.
Bonnie Rolstad got up and discussed the Human Trafficking Committee (which also includes the two Scotts and Renee). She then introduced Val Burke and Superintendent Schultz. Dr. Schultz spoke about the generosity of Edina residents and the immense opportunities that Edina students receive and how it really symbolizes the ecosystem of Edina.
Rosie and Heidi of Superheroes received $10,000 (which will be matched by the district). The Superhero Kids Foundation is a program founded by a former Navy Seal who lives in Eden Prairie. They discussed that one-quarter of girls and 10 percent of boys will experience a sexual assault in elementary years. 93% of trafficked victims have been a victim of an assault.
Charles Rauenhorst introduced the speaker, Jon Malinski, Piattelli Vineyards, owner and operator. His wife is Arlene and they have been married 54 years. Their son is now the president and acting manager of the company. He said to “Dream Big and Dream Often” Wine making is simple, it's the next 200 years that are difficult.''
Jon went to Argentina for the hard woods for a home building business and had a friend who called and asked about starting a winery. He then went to Medoza, the capital of wine in Argentina with no past experience. The first thing he did was buy some property and then build reservoirs because water is at a premium. You have to make the reservoirs 5 years before you can get a harvest, then it takes 1 year to put the wine in a bottle and shipped to the US. Now Piattelli Vineyards have 650 acres and 4 wells. In 2018, they got 50,000 visitors and in October 2019 they will be opening a Piatelli Resort and Spa. Make sure and visit Argentina. Thank you!
Skip Thomas thanked the speaker. Rotary made a donation to the Memorial Blood Bank in his name.
We ended with the quote-”Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all, “ by Helen Keller