Regular Meeting, September 30, 2009

(This week's pictures from our archive are meant to remind everyone that the highway cleanup is scheduled this month. Experience has proved the adage that "many hands make light work.")

Attendance: 26 total including 2 guests, Dave & Linda Grahek, and our program speaker, Ned Huwatschek.

Our Club enthusiastically gave Happy Dollars – Joel Keranen gave $2 in honor of Joel and his wife both completing a ½ marathon on Sept 26. Joel reported Mindy beat him by a 2 tenths of a second. Also, a number of Rotarians were fined $1 each for not wearing their Rotary lapel pins! Lesson learned = Wear Your Rotary Pin!

Ned Huwatschek, our speaker, presented a program on the history of the Smith Fisheries. He began by asking how many Rotarians had visited Smith Fisheries to which approximately 2/3 indicated they had. Ned explained that the owner was Mr. Lamorand whose first location was at Keystone Bay. He relocated to the current location after determining the logistics getting supplies and fish to market. After moving to Smith Fisheries, Mr Lamorand burned the Keystone buildings.

Ned’s family bought the Fisheries in the early 1940s and operated it until 1968. At its peak, the Fisheries had 17 buildings and operated 2 fishing boats. With no road until much later, access to the Fisheries was by water – year round.

Ned’s family also owned fisheries in Grand Marais, Oscoda and Port Washington WI. The family business shipped whitefish and lake trout to restaurants they owned in Wisconsin and in California. Imagine ordering fresh Lake Superior Lake Trout in a California restaurant.

The Huwatshek family sold Smith Fisheries in 1988 to a MTU grad: Hal Baldauf. He still maintains the road and several buildings.

President Jim Lowell thanked Ned for his presentation and presented him a Rotary mug.
Meeting adjourned at 1pm.

Regular Meeting, September 23, 2009

A couple of years ago, I was slated to be president and Dan Dalquist was to be my vice president. At one of our luncheons, I explained this arrangement to my wife, who was a guest, and she said, "Well, there you go: Dumb and Dumber," Thanks Betty.

Well, folks, Dumb and Dumber have teamed up again: we are jointly producing the CLK Rotary Blog. Dan will write the words and I will take the pictures and put it on line. Than at some point, Dan will take over the whole operation. To mark the occasion, there is a new format for the Blog. We hope you enjoy it.

(Below is a picture of our speaker guests: Sgt Philips of the CLK ROTC Cadets, Rochelle Miller, Junior at CLK High School and Katie Miller, Junior at Lake Linden Hubbell high school.)

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.

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 Manitowish in Wisconsin. Students experience a variety of leadership development skills including a variety of teambuilding 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.

(President Jim presents the highly valued CLK Rotary mugs to the young ROTC ladies.)

Regular Meeting, September 16, 2009

(CCISD Superintendent Dennis Harbour accepts the coveted CLK Rotary mug as a gift for his interesting and compelling presentation.)


Attending the meeting were 13 members and 3 guests. Guests were Dave & Linda Grahek from Breckenridge Rotary and Dennis Harbour, Superintendent of the Copper Country Intermediate School District.

1. President Jim announced that due to the press of his business, Ole van Goor has tendered his resignation to the club. It was accepted with deep regrets and the hope that in the future as time permits, Ole will re-join the club.

2. Jim noted that three members have signed up for the training session to become mentors to students in the Calumet and Lake Linden high schools; they at Tom Scanlan, Tom Tikkanen, and Kevin Store. Thank you, gentlemen. There is still time for others to sign on to this important mentoring task. If interested, call Jim Lowell ASAP.

3. In terms of the all-important membership committee, Jim decided that there would be no specific committee assigned; rather, he said, we are all responsible of the growth and survival of this club and any ideas for increasing and retaining members are welcome.

4. Finally, he announced that "category" programs are welcome. If any member wants to talk about his Rotary category, please see Jim.

After lunch, our speaker, Dennis Harbour, was introduced. Though much was discussed about the need for state action on a budget, his primary message was explaining the difficulty school districts have in setting their budgets. For example, the school district budgets must be set by the beginning of their fiscal year, July 1. Unfortunately, the state budget must be set by the state's fiscal year beginning October 1. It doesn't take rocket science to realize that school districts are budgeting blindfolded, with only guesswork for what the state will contribute to their undertaking.

Compounding this problem, Harbour said, was the absolute fact that no further cuts in program can be expected, cuts as little as 5% were to Harbour unachievable.

The solution should expenses exceed revenues? The districts will operate at their basic minimum until the money runs out and then simply close the school. As Draconian as this sounds, it is a real possibility according the Harbour.

The entire program was interesting and thought-provoking. We need an angel of some sorts (an improved economy or auto business) to appear on the horizon. Good Luck!!

Business Meeting, September 2, 2009

(Having taken no pictures, I decided to put up some old ones from the film archive. Here's the CLK Hockey Team of 2009)


This was one of the rare meetings at which no guests were present. There were 16 members in attendance and a good deal of business was discussed:

1. President Jim reminded everyone to update their personal data for the club archive. This is important and is used by the district when calculating benefits, etc.

2. Treasurer Joel announced that there was a total of $9,341.18 in our checking/savings accounts.

(Two pictures from one of our annual fund-raising dinners held at the Miscowaubik Club.)


3. July attendance was 51% and August 59%. We can do better!

4. In January, 2010, the CLK Rotary Club will be 60 years old. President Jim is looking for ideas to mark the celebration of this event. Patricia was elected chairman and she will need committee members to assist her to plan the action. Come with ideas.

5. Tammies Chairman Dan announced that the club made a net profit very close to $2,000 and he reminded everyone that just a slightly better effort next year will produce an enormous increase since all the expenses will remain the same. The results of the ticket sales were: Keweenaw, 50; Calumet/Laurium, 48; Southside, 36, and the winners were Da Valley, 54. Kilpela was awarded 12 golf balls for his efforts in sales. He expects that will get him through 9 holes easily.
6. Jim asked if there is anyone interested in being a mentor and speaking to a couple of 9th grade classes at Calumet and Lake Linden. If interested, you will receive some training and a power point demonstration to use. See President Jim.

(The ribbon cutting at the new Rotary Clock.)


7. In addition, if the club is interested in the "visionary" project, the Houghton club's Elden Johnson is the point man on the project. This is a program whereby a facilitator will conduct a meeting to seek and develop visionary goals for our club.

Finally, we were reminded that the board of directors meets the third Tuesday of each month.

Annual District Governor's Meeting, August 26, 2009

(District Governor Mary Schwaiger addressing the CLK Rotary.)

Attending this meeting were 17 members and 7 guests: guests were Bob Sharkey our Assistant District Governor and Anil Jambakar both of the Houghton club; Dave and Linda Grahek and their granddaughter; Keith, and District Governor Mary Schwaiger.

After a spirited Happy Dollars spree and lunch, Mary was reintroduced to speak to the club.

From the Green Bay club, Mary indicated early on that she identified with the Green Bay Packers (and for that your author forgives her) and that she is a dedicated Rotarian through and through.

Her presentation was what every Rotarian needs from time to time: a reminder not only of what we have been accomplishing but of what our goals could and should be if we continue to work hard at what we do best, i.e. helping other less fortunate. After all the theme of Rotary at present is, "The Future of Rotary International is in Your Hands."

Mary reminded everyone that there are 33,000+ Rotary clubs organized into 551 Districts and 34 Zones and that the tremendous accomplishments of RI could only be possible with this exceedingly effective organization. She pointed out that each of the 551 district governors has established district goals for the year and the totality of that effort is indeed overwhelming. For example, District 6220 goals for the year are:

1. A Presidential Citation fo each club.
2. EREY, a donation of $100 from Every Rotarian Every Year.
3. A Polio Plus fund-raiser during the year.
4. 80% member retention for the year.
5. Visioning. This is a "vision" meeting conducted by trained facilitators to help each club create its future in Rotary. In this regard, anyone wishing to be a facilitator, contact the Houghton club through Jim Lowell.
6. Have fun. In short, all work and no play....etc.

Mary reminded us of the 2010 District Conference of which she will be hostess on May 14-16 in Green Bay.

Finally, she pointed out that the little things we do will help to spruce up our image, things such as re-labeling our Rotary Magazine with our message after we've read them and bringing them to the various doctor's offices, etc, through the area.

It was an inspiring presentation done by an inspired presenter.



(Jim presented Mary with a small reminder of her visit to the Calumet-Laurium-Keweenaw area.)

Regular Meeting, August

(Our speaker, Chuck Nelson, listens patiently and thoughtfully to a comment from a member.)

There were 18 members and 4 guests in attendance: Guests included Linda and Dave Grahek and their granddaughter and Sharon Fisher of the Aspirus Keweenaw Fitness and Occupational Therapy Center.

President Jim opened the meeting with a very preliminary report on the Tamburitzans fund-raising program and, though the accounting was not complete, pronounced it a success. By next week we should have a full report. Chairman Dan thanked all members their efforts not only in selling tickets and distributing advertising but for housing the entire troupe.

After a round of happy dollars (with one exceptionally large one in honor of Tom Scanlan's new grandchild) the floor was turned over to Member Chuck Nelson, CEO of Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital. Without fanfare, Chuck conducted a modified "Town Meeting" such as has become popular around the various congressional districts about the national health care proposals pending before Congress. Needless to say, the discussion though short was spirited. From your blogger's point of view, there will be many modifications proposed and discussed before a final product, if any, is voted upon. One can say with absolute assurance that before it is over it will stir up emotions.




(Tom Scanlan adding a salient point to the discussion.)

Business Meeting, August 5, 2009

(Immediate Past President, Kevin Store, proudly receives the Presidential Citation for the 2008-09 for meeting and exceeding the stringent criteria of the award.)


Having been away last week, I am experiencing difficulty getting back into the groove on this blog. But here goes: The meeting was attended by 18 members and 4 guests. I regret to say that I missed the introductions of the guests. I do recall that Dave and Linda Grahek and their granddaughter were present so that accounts for three of them. The fourth will have to remain anonymous.

Before President Jim got into the business agenda, several items were discussed. First, Dan said he had two things: the Tamburitzans and the upcoming Bike race of the same day. Come on now folks, the date is getting too close for comfort and a Herculean effort is needed to sell all 650 seats for the Tamburitzans. You all saw the budget. We need the cash to fulfill budget expectations so don't let the community down. As for housing them, contact Dan if you will provide housing. He tells us that the kids will sleep anywhere including the floor if necessary. For the bike race, he needs traffic control people at dangerous intersections at 10 a.m. and again at about 11 a.m. See Dan for details.

Next we sang heartily for the birthday boys, Dan, George, Chuck, and guest Dave Grahek. Getting all four names into the song proved to be difficult.

On the budget: It was resolved and passed that the EREY (Every Rotarian Every Year) budget be reduced to $1,000 with the stipulation that we will put the other $1,000 back in the budget should the funds materialize. We'll look to the 5X5 contributions to help enormously.

There is a new schedule for meetings of the Board of Directors: the third Tuesday of the month at the Range Bank Main Office of Calumet Avenue.

Finally, a new category of "Provisional Membership" was announced. Definition: Members is good standing (i.e. dues current) may be granted provisional membership for a good and valid reason with no limitation on the duration. "Good and valid" will be determined by the Board of Directors upon receipt of an application. Provisional members continue to be members of the CLK Rotary Ckub and are responsible for International and District dues. The provisional member is not responsible for meal assessments but when he/she attends a meeting the normal meal costs must be paid. Moreover, provisional members are encouraged and challenged to participate in all CLK Rotary events and fund-raising efforts. Check with any board member for additional information.
Let me remind everyone that if you want copies of the Board of Directors minutes or the budget, please contact Jim and he will gladly provide a copy via email. His address is jrlowell@winterhaven.org.


See you next week. Tamburitzans: Sell, sell, sell, house spells success!



(Members engaged in lively discussion after the meeting)