Regular Meeting, December 23, 2009

(Guest speakers Zak Tervo and Holly Crouch)

A small but lively group today!

We welcomed Holly Crouch and her daughter Hailey and friend Craig Koskela as guests as well as Zak Tervo. Both Holly and Zak were the Club’s Scholarship recipients and were present to tell the Club about their experiences.

Pastor Pete helped open the meeting by introducing himself as Pastor Grinch. Several Happy Dollars were collected in a Festive manner.

Zak Tervo is attending Diesel Mechanics school in Chicago. He is doing well. Grades are good and he is enthusiastically learning his trade. He has completed his 6th course and is currently enjoying an electronics course. Zak is scheduled to complete his schooling by July, however is looking at the possibility of accelerating the program and finishing in March. He has a job upon graduation. Zak is focused. He announced he expects to earn his Master Mechanics license within 4 yrs of completing school. This certification will require Zak to continue his certification exams and get work experience. It was great to see his excitement.

Holly Crouch is attending Finlandia University pursuing a degree in Graphic Design. Holly has completed her 1st semester and is pursuing a 4 yr Bachelors degree. Her curriculum is exposing her to a variety of people including students and faculty from the Lower Peninsula and other countries. Her favorite course so far has been a drawing class. Holly’s graduation plans are abstract since she has 7 more semesters to complete.

She has already been exposed to a variety of artistic media including fabrics,, computer design and ceramics.

Amy Roberts gave a brief report on the Foundation including plans to present two Paul Harris Fellowships on Jan 13 2010.

Dan Dalquist reminded the Club that the 60th birthday party is January 13, 2010. The celebration will be held at our regular meeting date, time, and location. It would be great to have ALL our members present at this special meeting. As part of the discussion regarding the 60th party, Joe Enrietti announced he joined the Club in 1973. He is our member with the most Seniority.



(Since heavy snow in the Harbor prevented our getting a photograph of this year's luminaries, here is a picture, taken last year, of the moving CLK Rotary tribute to the 73 men, women and children who lost their lives in the Italian Hall disaster on December 24, 1913.)


See you next week, same time, same place, the last meeting of 2009. We'd love to see you.

Meetings of Dec 9 and 16, 2009

(Kilpela missed Rotary Wednesday. Said he tried to plow on but didn't have all-wheel drive.)

December 9, 2009 Meeting:

President Jim Lowell called the meeting to order and introduced Sgt Frank Philips – CLK ROTC and Linda Grahek (Dave was out of town) . Sgt Philips was accompanied by two ROTC Cadets: Rochelle Miller – Junior at CLK High School and Katie Miller – Junior at Lake Linden Hubbell high school. Jim then read the names of two prospective members: Scott See and Keith Stenger.

The fall Highway pickup date will be determined at the monthly board meeting – most likely early October.The fall Highway pickup date will be determined at the monthly board meeting – most likely early October.

After our meal and Happy Dollars from 5 Rotarians, Sgt Philips took the floor. He explained the CLK ROTC program had nominated students for the annual RYLA training every years for the past 12 yrs. CLK Rotary sponsors this program at $250 per student per year.

RYLA students attend a weekend Leadership training program at Camp Manito-Wish in Wisconsin. Students experience a variety of leadership development skills including a variety of team-building games and a high ropes course!

The girls described their experience as “Amazing!”. Both have been asked to return next year as instructors at RYLA. Katie and Rochelle said they use the leadership skills in their daily activities with ROTC.

CLK Rotary should be proud of our continued sponsorship of such a worthy program.

December 16, 2009 Meeting:

We had a Full House at this meeting! Twenty Two Rotarians and guests enjoyed a good lunch and program. Guests included Dave & Linda Grahek (we ALL thought they had left last week!) and Pam Grill – Main Street Calumet Board member.

Tom and Sue Scanlan were welcomed back home.

Announcements included Andy Murtagh modeling his Canadian Air Force hockey jersey.

Pam Grill reported on the accomplishments and status of the Calumet Main Street organization. Main St is an organization that is administered in Michigan by MSHDA. Main Street states it has the formula for creating a viable and functioning downtown for a community. She gave several examples of downtowns that have been recovered and are providing economic growth – including Calumet.

Several key points include comparing our Keweenaw National Historical Park (KNHP) to other national landmarks such as Harper’s Ferry, Lowell Massachusets and Valley Forge! We do have many things to be proud of in Calumet, Laurium, and Keweenaw.

The Main Street organization was started in 1980 and now numbers over 2000 communities. Calumet was selected as a Main Street community in 2003. The focus is on the historic district of Calumet with efforts to improve economic gains, renovate properties, sponsor events, and other activities. For example, from June 2005 through May 2008, Calumet Main St attracted 9 new businesses resulting in 45 new jobs.

CLK Rotary made a three-year commitment of money to help Main Street get on it’s feet in the early years. As then, Main Street needs help with it’s funding. Support can be provided by becoming a Main Street member, by volunteering for various committees or events, or by making a contribution directly to Main Street.

See you next week.

Regular Meeting, December 2, 2009

(Good to see Kevin back on his feet. Here's a picture opf him taken a few months ago when he was on his feet and feeling feisty. Welcome back, Kevin.)


The meeting was (relatively) well attended with guests David and Linda Grahek, Bob Sharkey and a blast from our past, Ed Yarbrough in addition to 20 members. Everyone was pleased to see Kevin Store upright and functional again. Kevin thanked members for their thoughts and prayers during his convalescence.

Business Meeting

Most of the business meeting was pretty routine.
• December birthdays - Tom L., Steve D.
• Attendance for November (53%)
• Upcoming Programs
o Dec. 9 – Jeff Slivkoff
o Dec. 16 – Pam Grill – Main Street
o Dec. 23 – Zach Tervo
o Dec. 30 – Rotary Foundation

Then we discussed the plans for the 60th birthday party on Jan. 13. The Board of Directors recommends that our celebration take place at lunch on January 13th with a minimum of expense with emphasis on community exposure. This general plan was accepted by the Club with the following motions:

Motion: The Board of Directors is authorized to spend as they see fit for the 60th celebration. Due to the short time-frame involved, a quorum is not required to approve expenditures. Andy M./Sandy H. Approved.

Motion: We will invite past Club officers to lunch on January 13th at our expense. Sue. D/Jim Lowrie. Approved.

The next Board meeting will be on December 15th at Range Bank in Calumet.

Regular Meeting, November 25, 2009

(Rebecca Crane, Executive Director of DIAL HELP listens intently to one of the many questions asked of her during her presentation.)

A” Deer Season” meeting! We had 15 members, including guests Dave & Linda Grahek, attend lunch. President Jim introduced guest Rebecca Crane – Executive Director of DIAL HELP. Rebecca will deliver the program.

Names of potential members were read: Jeff Slivkoff (3^rd reading) and Jim Corliss (2^nd reading).

Announcements included: 1. CLK Rotarians have raised over $500 for The Keweenaw County Sheriff Secret Santa! That, coupled with the $500 from the club itself makes for a $1,000 donation to brighten the Christmas for a whole lot of kids. What a Great Club we have! 2. A Board meeting will be Tuesday Dec 1 at 4pm at the Range Bank office in Calumet.

Captain Don Kilpela announced he and Betty were celebrating their 57^th yr of Marriage. Congratulations to both Betty and Don!

Our Program today is about DIAL HELP. Rebecca Crane, has been the Exec Director since June 2009. DIAL HELP began 30 yrs ago as a help line for drug abuse. It has evolved to a crisis line serving all of the UP. The next closest crisis line is Traverse City. There are a few others in the Lower Peninsula. DIAL HELP’s mission is to provide crisis help ( drug abuse, alcohol abuse, victim services and prevention programs in addition to other services) 24 hrs per day 7 days per week.

The organization is funded by grants from both the Federal and state governments as well as money from both the Copper Country and Dickinson County United Way chapters. Annual budget is $350,000 with 90% funded by grants and federal/state agencies. The remaining 10% comes from donations.

DIAL HELP needs volunteers to help deliver its various programs. If any Rotarians are interested, they should contact Rebecca Crane at DIAL HELP.

See you all next Wednesday, December 2.

Remember, through December 1 you can still vote for the Ontonogan PlayDay. Just check out http://playday.kaboom.org/



(Rebecca graciously accepts to revered CLK Rotary Mug)