Regular Meeting, January 9, 2008

The attendance at the meeting was 16 members and 3 guests. Guests were good friend and former member, Jay Ruohonen, Superior Bank Calumet Manager, Amy Roberts, and Hannah Aten, our RYE student from Houghton High School.

(After the meeting, Hannah Aten spoke with Tom about his daughter's experience in Sweden.)



Ms Aten was our speaker and talked about her anticipated trip to Poland which will last from August, 2008 to June 2009. She said that she has no idea yet where in what city she will be staying and who her "Polish parents" will be. RYE students undergo at least four training sessions during which they bond with other RYE students both foreign and domestic. In addition, they learn what is expected of them, the Dos and Don'ts basically, and other factors surrounding their momentous trip. The RYE managers explain clearly the goals and objectives of the program and students take this seriously. She said she will work hard to learn as much Polish as possible, a daunting goal in itself. On the 26th of January, there wil be a fund-raiser at teh Litle Brothers headquarters in Hancock to help the two RYE students from this area--Hancock Rotary sponsors the other one--with the financing needed.

In case you missed it, here are excerpts from Dan Dalquist's announcement of that fund-raiser:

Happy New Year!
Please put Sat Jan 26 aside as your Rotary opportunity to support our outgoing Exchange Student Hannah Aten. Hannah was our speaker today and announced she will be going to Poland in August of 2008!

Hannah has a fund raiser for her and Carrie Yarina (sponsored by Hancock Rotary) to build the $$ needed for plane tickets, preparation fees, living allowances etc. Money raised will be split equally between Hannah and Carrie.

When: Sat night Jan 26 2008 6pm at the Little Brothers office , 527 Hancock St., Hancock Mi. Cost: $20 per person

Meal: Prepared by Malcom Hudson, a Frech chef!

A Silent Auction will also be conducted! It would be fantastic for the CLK Rotary Club to be well represented (and wearing the CLK Rotary Shirts!) at this dinner. Please HURRY TO RSVP AS SEATING IS LIMITED TO 70!!!

Hannah Aten at 906-334-2917. Bobbie & I hope to see many of the CLK club at the dinner!!

Dan

Program chairman next week: Joel Keranen


We'll see you all then...



(Eva and Hannah pose for a final picture.)

Business Meeting, January 2, 2008

Attendance:

It was a pretty good group attending the meeting, 20 members and 2 guests. President Eva decided to share some thoughts about needs and upcoming events. Chief among them was her concern over attendance which, see averred, was nation wide. We cannot find consolation in the fact that this might be a trend among service clubs in general but rather we must work to renew our efforts to attract the important businessmen and women as well as professionals to the concept of "Service Above Self." Some cynics believe that altruism is a thing of the past; it is up to us to prove them wrong.

The March 9th Great Bear Chase and Rotary spaghetti dinner were discussed. Lucy, who has served as chairwoman in the past asked to be relieved this year. Within moments Tom volunteered for the job. Thanks to both Lucy and Tom. Tom said he will form a committee to meet and discuss ways to increase the attendance at that function. Anyone with ideas about promotion, please call Tom as soon as possible.

Eva announced that Ethan, because of a transfer at work, is switching his membership to the Hancock Rotary Club. We will contact his replacement and encourage him/her to join CLK as soon as possible. Contact Eva if you will serve out Ethan's term as club secretary.

Upcoming Events:

March 9: Great Bear Chase and Rotary Spaghetti Dinner

Next Week's Program Chair: George Kiiskila

Regular Meeting, December 26, 2007

(Here are the members and guest in attendance, We missed the rest of you.)

Few members attended the final meeting of the CLK Rotary Club for 2007; in fact, there were but ten members and one guest in total. We almost all fit at one table. But a new year will be staring in a couple of days so lets turn over a new leaf and try to make attendance a bit more of a priority.

The speaker was your OLD blogger himself telling more stories. Oh well, take heart for I am running out of them. Inasmuch as your speaker had forgot it was his session, Dan suggested during lunch that I talk about winterizing the various Queens. I ended up telling about the three or four times I almost sank her at her winter dock and ended the talk with a story about the time I christened "Kilpela's Reef" at Isle Royale.

Oh well, retirement looms and none too soon. See you next wednesday....FOR SURE!!


(The Isle Royale Queen II perched on Kilpela's Reef, Isle Royale)



A HEALTHY, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!

Regular Meeting, December 19, 2007

IMPORTANT ITEM: Our annual Christmas dinner will be held at the Irish Times on Friday, December 21 with cocktails at 6 and dinner thereafter. If you want to attend, please call Andy immediately – repeat, immediately – at 296-0433 to make your reservation. We hope you will attend.



The 13 members and 1 guest (Jim Cone, Sue's son) that attended today’s Rotary Luncheon and Meeting were treated to a performance by the 16-member Calumet Jazz Band, under the direction of Scott Veenstra. The jazz band is a 2-year old program for credit at the high school. The place was really jumping as many of the performers took their turn improvising a riff.

The whole affair, which included lunch for the band members, was sponsored by Tom Liljigren and much appreciated. A hearty “thanks” to you, Tom.





HELP!! There I growing concern district wide over the dramatic drop in attendance at Rotary meetings and functions and CLK Rotary is no exception. It is troubling and deserves serious thought by everyone. If you have any insights into this, please bring them to the meeting and voice them.

Meantime, have a great Christmas and we’ll see you on Friday evening and also next week.


Andy gives the treasured Rotary mug to Scott Veenstra as a token of our appreciation for the wonderful performance.

SPECIAL REPORT - Sandra (Sandy) Huuki

(Sandy Receives congratulations from Tom on assuming the presidency of the CLK Rotary Club)

Sandra Michelle Clouthier Huuki

Though Sandy was born and raised in Lake Linden, she made her entrance to the world in 1957 at Calumet Public Hospital in Laurium. After finishing both elementary and secondary schools in the Lake Linden-Hubbell Schools System, she started her banking career…the very next day! That was 1975.

Through hard work and dedication to her profession, she was rewarded for excellence in service by being named Community Branch Manager for Citizens Bank in Calumet.

In February, 1977, she married John W. Huuki Jr and this year they celebrated 30 years of a wonderfully blessed marriage. According to Sandy, “John is the love of my life and we continue to grow together.” From this marriage two sons were born: John III, who is married to Sara, have one child (Sandy refers to him as a beautiful grandson), John IV; their other son is Steven.

(Some of the the gang surrounding Sandy at a CLK Rotary Annual Dinner at the Miscowaubik Club)

Sandy and John both love the Keweenaw “because of the four seasons and slower pace,” she says, adding “I live vacation every day in this beautiful part of the world,” to which we all respond, Ditto!

Never one to be idle, Sandy is a Past Treasurer of Main Street Calumet and served in that capacity for three years. She is also a member of the Calumet Lions Club.

Sandy became a CLK Rotarian on March 1, 1994 and served as its president from July, 2002, through June, 2004, a rare 2-year stint. In August, 2003, she was honored with a Paul Harris Fellowship which was purchased for her by Joan Punt from the Albuquerque, New Mexico, Rotary Club.

Sandy never shirks from club activities and actively participates in almost all events.

(The highway clean-up crew one crisp Fall morning)

Meeting of November 14, 2007

Our Town Clock plaque

(Kevin presided over the meeting)


Attendance: 18 members and 4 guests. Guests were Dave and Linda Grahek, Bill Fink and Assistant District Governor Bob Sharkey, both of the Houghton Rotary Club.

After a good round of Happy Dollars, the meeting covered several business topics. Secretary Ethan announced that new badges will be made for anyone who wishes to change the appearance, spelling, or looks of their name on the badges to please notify him. Next, Bob Sharkey made an appeal for support of two projects. The first was to support the Edda Project, which was reported on in an earlier blog and can be re-examined by scrolling down through the blogs below. Next, he asked for the club to match the Houghton funds for the Christmas project.

At this point, Kevin asked for a discussion of our budget process and club donations. He asked, "What footprint do we want to leave in the community? Do we want to make a few large grants and many small ones?" Most agreed these are legitimate questions that the membership should grapple with on occasion so it was decided that a new budget process would be initiated which includes not only the dispensing of monies but the raising of the funds to disburse.




(Tom and Frank listening to the discussion.)



It was generally agreed that new revenue was needed through both current and new fund-raising efforts. We are a small club with shallow pockets so whatever we do will have a serious impact on the validity of the club. Moreover, we have to examine the chance of getting grants and matching funds from both the diustrict and RI.



All members are encouraged to write their comments and submit them for consideration.

Your blogger will be departing for three weeks with hopes to be back for the December 19 meeting.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Regular Meeting, October 1, 2007

Unfortunately there will be no pictures today. My camera died.

There were 19 members and 4 guest at the meeting. Guests were Dave and Linda Grahek, Pete Pietri (Houghton Club) and our speaker, Gordon Rintala from KMMC.

Eva reminded everyone that our annual bell ringing chore is scheduled for Nov 17 and 24. Please sign up as soon as possible. Remember, the more the merrier and the more $$$ for the Salvation Army.

After lunch, Chuck introduced Gordon Rintala whose topic was comparing Film Source mammography with Digital Mammography.

Gordon pointed out that over 90% of hospitals still use Film Source - Xray - mammography, adding that you want to find the cancer before you can feel it. He also discussed risk factors such as age, family history, and life style as major factors in breast cancer.

He then turned to Digital Mammography pointing out that there are only two hospitals in the U.P. with digital equipment, KMMC and Marquette general. Using a power point presentation, Gordon, demonstrated the difference in detection between digital and X-ray and it was dramatic. It was easier to read and had a higher resolution as well as the ability to enlarge the picture significantly.

The demonstration and talk were proof enough for a person to choose Digital Mammography ove X-ray every time. If you want further information, contact Gordon at KMMC.

November 7 meeting is our monthly business meeting. Your reporter will be in KMMC having a procedure so we'll see you on November 14. Ciao.