Regular Meeting, October 29, 2008

(Dallas Bond, Executive Director of the Keweenaw Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, answers questions after his interesting presentation)


Attendance at the meeting was unusually light this week with only 14 members and two guests. Guests were Linda Grahek and Dallas Bond, our speaker.

President Kevin made three announcements: (1) He reminded members of the December 17 Christmas and Awards Dinner and added that a sign-up sheet will soon be circulated. Save the date. (2) The second reading of proposed membership for Susan Hallwach. (3) Kevin paid a dollar to advertise his "Big Buck" fund-raising contest held each year the details of which escaped your not-so-alert editor for which he will pay a fine next week.

Dallas Bond spoke mainly of the Community Partnerships which are the outgrowth of chamber committees of the past. Specifically there are six major partnerships which the chamber supports: 1) KEDA (for economic development), 2) the Keweenaw Convention and Visitors Bureau KCVB (for tourism), 3) Superintendant's Round Table (for Education), 4) The KPCC itself for chamber developments, 5) Health Care Professionals and 6) Community Service Organizations such as the CLK Rotary and others.

For this presentation, Dallas focused on Tourism as his theme and revealed many plans to bring large groups to the area such as the annual Lake Superior Performance Rally and perhaps a new organization, Horizons Unlimited, which is composed of hundreds of responsible Harley motorcycle owners and riders. Also, he pointed out that between June and October there were 0ver 3,000 walk-ins at the chamber office in Houghton, some coming in several days in a row to get more and more information.

Finally, he announced that chamber's goal is to make their new website a one-stop shopping experience for tourists wishing to visit othe Copper Country.

A lively question and answer period followed the presentation.

Next week, is our monthly business meeting. With many important decisions to be made by the memership, we hope most of you will takem the time and opportunity to attend. The food is great (yes, I'll pay another fine) and the fellowship greater. Please be there.

Regular Meeting, October 22,. 2008

Once again your old blogger had to leave town, this time to attend the Great Lakes Passenger Vessel Association meeting in Traverse City. The following account comes from Kevin.

In addition to the members, there were two guests hosted by Kathleen Johnson, her sister and brother-in-law.

Evan MacDonald from the Keweenaw Land Trust was our guest presenter for the meeting. Evan spoke about the Marsin Nature Retreat Center which was bequeathed to the KLT. He also spoke about the Hancock/Calumet corridor (scenic by-way) and told us about recent land acquisitions and intended projects for the future of the wetlands between those two cities. It was a very good presentation and seemed like there is many more opportunities to learn about all the other stuff the KLT is involved with. For those with an interest in land preservation, contact the KLT.

Announcements included the (1) Board Meeting next Tuesday afternoon, (2) the reading of Susan Hallwach's name as a potential member, and (3) the Christmas/Paul Harris Award dinner on the 17th of December. (we'll switch from a lunch meeting to a dinner meeting that day)

That's about it. Have a good day and we'll see you next week.



(Here are two pictures from our photo archive that will recall to us the District dinner and Paul Harris awards following dinner of a couple of years ago. We'll make this a big celebration on December 17th with a 100% turnout to see our newest Paul Harris Fellow(s).

Meeting of October 15, 2008

On Tuesday, the day before our meeting, Betty and I took a ride out toward High Rock Bay on Keweenaw Point. It was a wonderfully warm day and the colors were spectacular. I thought I would brighten up your day by including a few pictures.











Though your editor was unable to attend this weeks meeting, he has a hearsay report on the meeting. It is from Kevin and I will copy a few of his comments onto this blog:



Jeffrey Primeau was the guest and gave a brief presentation of his Italian Hall Luminary project.

In short, he is working to reinvigorate the Christmas Eve candlight vigil that used to take place at the Italian Hall site. Last year he made ice-luminaries out of bunt cake pans as forms. He is working to have something a bit more permanent and has contacted VSI with the request to make permanent luminaries (votives)
that can be used from year to year. (prototype was on hand for inspection) Following some Q/A, a motion to support Jeff's efforts by donating $500.00 of the total $3,000.00 being requested was put on the floor. It was understood that if, at the conclusion of Jeff's efforts
to garner other support, more funds were needed, we could consider an additional contribution at a later time. The motion was supported and discussion ensued.

After a brief discussion, a motion was presented to amend the original motion from $500.00 to the complete $3,000.00. This amendment also received support and more discussion followed.

During the discussion of the amendment, another motion was offered to amend the amendment
to include "Rotarian Support, meaning our efforts to construct, maintain, store, etc. as required to make sure the event continues on an annual basis in perpetuity." This support would ensure that the Christmas Eve vigil continues in the event Jeff cannot any longer continue with the effort.

With the motions on the floor, a vote was called for the amendment to the amendment and was approved. The motion, as amended, was voted on and passed. Finally, the original motion read: "Rotary will contribute $3,000 towards this project and will support this effort through human participatory efforts for construction, maintenance, storage, setup, etc. as required to make sure the event continues on an annual basis in perpetuity." The motion passed. In short, there is overwhelming club approval to award $3,000 to the Italian Hall Luminary Vigil.

One member asked that the Board of Directors discuss the implication this might have on the desire to have a major project as discussed in the previous meetings and to report this to the membership.

As far as our present budget is concerned, the funds are available for this project. Kevin also added that he is going to seek District funds as well to help support this project and thereby reduce our capital outlay.

It sounded like an exciting meeting to me and I wish I had been there.

Regular Meeting of October 8, 2008

(Our guest speakers, Susan and Carol, holding the prized mugs of the CLK Rotary Club.)



Turnout for this week's meeting consisted of 17 members and 7 guests. Guest were Linda and Dave Grahek, Roger Webster from Troy Rotary, Bill Fink and Bob Sharkey from Houghton Rotary, and our speakers, Carol Fouts and Susan Hallwachs both of Hearing Applications, L.L.C.

Kevin announced that only two showed up on Saturday to clean our stretch of highway, he and Jim Lowell. That's too much for two people, folks, so we've got to change this or stop doing it. If a lot more show up, we can finish this project in one hour. So let's have a resurgence of enthusiasm for this worthy community exercise; that's what we are in Rotary for, is it not? For the record, Kevin went back during the week to do a quick pickup of the most noticeable trash. Perhaps this project should be opened for ideas.

Also, members are submitting ideas to Kevin and the board on the long-term project we have been discussing. The docket is still open so drop him or any board member a note and let them know what you think should be done.

Our speakers, Susan and Carol brought a variety of instruments to the meeting to demonstrate how we can help our aging parents, including aging members (I might add) to cope with this loss. Speaking from personal experience, it should be noted that of all the handicaps, hearing loss is the least respected and the least tolerated. It is not only difficult but very expensive to try to compensate for this loss but maybe this company has some answers. They are located in Allouez at 906-337.

See you next Wednesday.

Regular Meeting, 10/1/08

NOTE: WE ARE LOOKING FOR WORKERS TO BE ON THE CORNER OF US-41 AND M-203 IN CALUMET AT 9 A.M. ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, TO HELP FULFILL OUR COMMITMENT TO CLEAN UP OUR PORTION OF THE HIGHWAY. REMEMBER, MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK.

Kevin opened the meeting with an appeal for more suggestions on a major project for our sponsorship. He has received a couple but would like to see everyone respond. In addition, he announced that the Board meeting will be held on October 7 with the business meeting of the club on the 8th,

Attendance was light, 13 members and 3 guests. Guests were Dave and Linda Grahek and Joy Liljigren.

After lunch, our speaker was Dan Dalquist who, after passing out the new trail map (see Dan for more copies), gave the club the benefit of some of his wisdom as a broker for Edward Jones. His very interesting and informative presentation was followed by anecdotes from members regarding the current mortgage and bailout crisis. In short, it was a lively discussion.

See you next week.










(Dan, discussing the upcoming so-called "bailout" which is being voted on today by the US House of Representatives.)