Governor's Dinner

The Governor's Dinner on October 15 at the Spica Restaurant was a huge success and a chance for the three local Rotary Clubs (CLK, Houghton and Hancock) to rub elbows and get to know each other. In addition, it was a chance to pass out some awards and accolades to members.

(At left, District 6220 Governor and Mrs. Maynard Bowers)



When it was Eva's turn on the dais, she called on Phil Smythe to be recognized and thanked for his long and dedicated service to the club. Every past president will agree that Phil is invaluable to the efficient running of the club's meetings. Characteristically, Phil was modest in accepting his accolade.

Next, Eva named the three recipients of a Paul Harris Fellowship as nominated by the Board of Directors. They were: Dan Dalquist, Sue Dana, and Don Kilpela. It is a singular honor for a Rotarian and each Fellow graciously accepted the award.












District 6220 Governor Maynard Bowers (Marquette Breakfast Club) gave the address which centered on the main district interest, The Etta Projects.

What is the Etta Projects? A short answer to this is: … Out of Hunger…On to Hope. Two teenage girls, Etta Turner and Sarah Houghton traveled to Bolivia as Rotary Youth Exchange students. From different parts of the country, both carried dreams of not only visiting other parts of the world, but also of making a contribution to their adopted community. Etta and Sarah were on a bus that plunged off a mountain cliff. Their story is filled with sadness and inspiration. Etta lost her life. Out of this tragedy, hope has sprung. Critically injured, Sarah spent the night in the canyon holding a Bolivian child. Together they survived the night. Sarah refused to leave the accident scene until Etta could also be taken out. After surgeries and rehab, Sarah returned to Bolivia to complete her RYE exchange. While there she assisted with the building of a living memorial to Etta called Comedor de Ninos Etta Turner. This program provides food, medical and educational support for over 200 of the most malnourished children in Montero, Bolivia. As sustained economic development it also provides their parents with vocational and nutritional education. It educates the mothers in skills necessary to Supporting their families. The Comedor de Ninos Etta Turner has been recognized as a model project for sustained economic development. This project provides yet another tangible element for the mothers of these children. Sewing is one of the vocational skills that the mothers learn. Etta Projects purchases from the mothers the items made by them and then places these items for sale. Some of them ar purses, computer bags, table runners, guitar cases, etc. Sales proceeeds go to further development of the project.

Governor Bowers set as his goal for the 2007-2008 fiscal year a $10 contribution from each Rotarian in the district by December 1, 2007. It seems that this is certainly a modest amount, the price of one luncheon, and doable. Let's all pitch in with our ten bucks!

(Most of the pictures in this blog were taken by Bill Fink of the Houghton Rotary Club. He has posted more pictures on the Houghton web site at www.houghtonrotary.org and click on "Gallery." Following are some pictures taken at the banquet)




(Left, the three presidents of our local clubs, Marie Buche, Eva, and Karin Van Dyke.)

Business Meeting: October 3, 2007

President Eva began the meeting by explaining that because Tom Liljigren has a special guest who will be delivering a presentation, she will hurry through the business portion of the meeting.

Attendance: 27 members (the most we have had in a long time) and 6 guests: Bob Thornblum, our speaker, Dave and Linda Grahek, Julie Jennerjohn from the Houghton Rotary, and Dave and Jan Palmazal.

Mainly, Eva announced that she hopes for a big turnout at the District Governor's Dinner in Houghton on October 15. In addition, Eva thanked the six people who cleaned the highway the Saturday before, Tom Scanlon, Richard, Don, Andy, Sandy, and Herself.

A stellar birthday song was rendered for the October birthdays. Richard Schaefer and Jim Lowell.


(Before Eva arrived, Don captured the mood of the participants, Richard, Tom Scanlon, Andy and Sandy, as they prepared to clean up the mess.)


After lunch, Tom Liljigren introduced Bob Thornblum who has served as a Christian missionary in the Congo most of his adult life. An engineer by profession, Bob is working to improve the infrastructure and thereby the economy of the northern Congo. Though the country is very wealthy with an abundance of extractive metals and minerals such as copper, gold, and diamonds, little government money reaches the that region. Therefore, almost all improvements are funded by the private sector. During his talk, Bob distributed many photographs for the improvements in bridges and roads which facilitate the movement of their produce to the market place. During his talk, he praised Rotary International for their Polio Plus program which is designed to rid the world of the virus. It was an interesting and informative program.

Lucy won the monbthly 50-50 drawing and then donated her winnings to Mr. Thornblum for his work.



(Bob Thornblum, center, talks with Kathy Johnson and Tom Liljigren after his presentation.)

Regular Meeting of September 26, 2007

(John Perala as Vince Lombardi giving first speech to his team.)

The meeting began with a wonderful monolog by John Perala who played a one man show that evening at the Calumet Theatre. Jim Lowell brought him to the meeting and John did two of the speeches from the play. Dressed and looking uncannily like Vince Lombardi, former coach of the Green Bay Packers, John did the speech that Lombardi gave to him players in their first meeting. Next, he did Lombardi's speech to his players when he retired. It was a real treat to hear this very good actor up close and personal. Both speeches were very moving.

Attendance was 18 members and 4 guests (including John). Guests were Dave and Linda Grahek and Julie Jenerjohn from the Houghton Club.

Numerous happy dollars were contributed in the name of Tom Tikkanen who was just named Michigan Main Street's Executive Director of the Year, a signal honor for one of our own. Congratulations, Tom. (see Tom's biographical sketch below)

Linda Grahek discussed the refurbishing of the St. Anne Hertiage Center organ. It is a monumental task disassembling the pipes, cleaning them, and storing them until the organ is ready to be assembled. The work is mostly volunteers and financed through grants and fund-raising. If CLK Rotarians want to participate, they can donate $25 per pipe or 5 pipes for $100. This is a very worthy cause and all Rotarians are asked to help out either physically or with their donation.

Concerning the Governor's dinners, Eva again asked that we present a strong showing at the dinner on October 15 at 6 p.m. in the Spica Restaurant, Houghton. As an added incentive, President Eva will announce at that time the member or members who will be awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship. A signup sheet for the dinner was passed. If you missed it, please notify Eva ASAP.

Jim Lowell alerted us on the danger facing snowmobile access to the Copper Country. Private property owners are using the courts to block trails thereby effectively cutting off access. In short, the problem is real and it must be addressed.

Next week: Business Meeting. Bring your 50-50 tickets.



(John, again as Lombardi, delivers the speech we gave upon retiring from the Packers.)

Special Report - Tom Tikkanen

(We caught Tom in this candid shot listening to one of our speakers at a weekly meeting.)

Tom was born in Calumet on February 15, 1955. He was raised on the family farm which was settled by his grandfather and great grandfather. Unlike his father, grandfather and great grandfather, who worked in the Calumet area copper mines, Tom had other aspirations. Yet he is quick to point out that his grandfather was one of the first Finns to be promoted from "Trammer," the lowest job usually reserved for new immigrants from Sweden and Finland or Europe, to "Miner." It was a significant step leading the way to more and more immigrants being promoted.

In 1973, Tom graduated from Calumet High School and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served as an infantryman for three years. He is most proud of his service providing security for the diplomats at the village of Pan Mun Jom in the Korean Demilitarized Zone.

After returning to civilian life, Tom enrolled in Suomi College (now Finlandia University) and graduated with an Associates Degree two years later. After graduation, he trekked to Alaska where he carried on the family mining tradition by working in an Alaskan gold mine for two years.



(L to R: Tom, Ed and Dan, the CLK Rotary triathelon team: Tom swims, Ed runs, and Dan bicycles. They routinely challenge and beat any local Rotary club that enters the competition.)




Tom is married to the love of his life, Babette, who is also a CLK Rotarian. They presently have four children in college: The oldest, Joshua and his wife, Jennifer, both U.S.Navy veterans of the Gulf War (Tom is quick to say how proud he is of that), Rudy, Christina, and Rebecca. One stepson, Corey, attends Lake Linden High School.

Tom said, "My career as a real estate broker and certified general real estate appraiser with RE/MAX Douglas spans over 21 years," adding further that, "I am hopelessly head over heels in love with this fabulous Copper Country and all of her people and I am honored to serve as Executive Director of Main Street Calumet. In fact, the Main Street Program is honored to have Tom and have just expressed their admiration by honoring him as "Main Street Executive Director of the Year."

It should be noted that Tom is a hard-working Rotarian who unhesitatingly volunteers to help in most club projects.

Both Tom and Babette have been named Paul Harris Fellows, Babette in 2005, and Tom in 2002.



(On a cold and damp Fall morning, the road clean-up volunteers get ready to start working. Tom is on the far left followed by Babette, son Corey, Sandy, Kevin, Andy, and Chuck.)


Next: Steve Dlubala

Regular Meeting: September 12, 2007

(Bob has the same old enthusiasm he demonstrated for many years at WMPL and WZRK.)


Attendance: 19 members, 4 guests. Guests were Rick Knutu, Doug Opplinger, Darryl Pierce, and Bob Olson. Olson, when he was in the Copper Country a year ago, promised Fine Line Tire of Hancock that he would return to conduct radio interviews during a 2-hour promotion for the company. I am told that tens of people called in to reminisce about the past with Olson. Someone said, "It's like old times."


Next, Eva reminded members that last year the CLK Rotary was a major participant in the annual District Governor’s Dinner and she hoped that we would be an even larger presence this year. The dinner will be held on October 15 at 6 p.m. in Houghton at the Spica Restaurant atop the Best Western.

Highway pickup time: a sign-up sheet was passed to recruit members to help in the highway cleanup on Saturday.

The weekly program speakers were Doug Opplinger, the director of the K-16 Enterprise Program at MTU and Superintendent of CLK schools, Darryl Pierce. Their talk consisted of an explanation of what the K-16 Enterprise pPogram is. It is a co-op program between MTU and Calumet High School during which students from both schools work on a meaningful long-term, multi-year project from inception to completion. According to Doug, students start to feel like professionals and that they own their education. It is significant to note that CHS was one of only three high schools to be selected to participate in the 2007-08 pilot program (the other two are Cass Tech H.S. in Detroit, and Utica H.S in Utica). Students selected to join are from many disciplines and interests; in short, their chosen projects are developed from many points of view including design, production, marketing, etc.

An important ingredient for the high school students is the chance to work on an even footing with college students, itself a real-life learning experience. More informatiuon can be found at www.enterprise.mtu.edu.

Next Week Program Chair: Phil Smythe

(Doug Opplinger, Director of K-16 Enterprise Program at MTU.)

Special Report: Andy Murtaugh

This is the second of our biographical sketches of our members. They are being published in the order that a member joined the CLK Rotary Club.

Andy Murtaugh

Andy was born in Timmins, Ontario in Canada, on March 23, 1930. Schooled in Ontario, he graduated from Grade XIII in 1949 and subsequently enrolled at Michigan College of Mining & Technology in Houghton. During his time in Houghton, he met the love of his life Marilyn Marie Hakala who graduated from Hancock Central High. “I made the smartest move of my life when I married Marilyn,” Andy said, adding that, ”after we moved to East Lansing in 1954 when I transferred to Michigan State University, our daughter Aundrea was born (in 1955) followed by Mary Jane (in 1959). My daughters have been a constant source of joy and happiness to Marilyn and me ever since.”

He graduated from MSU in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in Police Administration and was promptly employed by the MSU Department of Public Safety. He left MSU in 1958 with the rank of Sergeant supervising the normal line of functions of nine police officers.

in May, 1958, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Forcer (RCAF) as a Pilot Officer (2nd Lieutenant) in the Security Branch, later became a Flying Officer and ended his military career in 1980 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His last billet was Senior Security Officer of the RCAF out of HQ Winnipeg. During his time in the service, Marilyn managed to squeeze in 14 years of teaching grades 4 through 9 all the while raising their daughters and managing the household “at peak efficiency.”

During his career in the RCAF, Andy held numerous and varied interesting positions in France, England, and Canada. most all of which related in one way or another to the security of the country and the RCAF. Some highlights of his 23 years service career were being selected as the Provost Marshall of the RCAF 1 Air Force Division, Metz, France, where he researched, organized and directed the first military police sentry dog program who were trained to guard nuclear weapons. In addition, at Metz, he trained 85 Airmen to protect Division HQ against possible attack using German-built (in 1800s) underground fortifications. Back in Ottawa, he directed a staff of 235 personnel, some abroad, in counter-intelligence measures and provided investigative support in complex criminal service offenses. A most interesting assignment was undertaking a one year study on the feasibility of using guard dogs within prisons. During his study, he visited every medium and maximum prison in Canada and the oldest one in Engalnd. Birmingham [ED: Can’t say that I know where this is.], His personal conclusion at the end of his study was “they do not keep nice people in prisons.”

After the Air Force, Andy and Marilyn built their present home on Lake Superior at Rabbit Bay and still reside there. Not to be idle, however, Andy obtained a license to sell and install security alarm systems and formed Customized Security and later received another private investigator license and founded Customized Investigations.

(Andy and Joe receiving their Paul Harris Fellowships in 2006 from President Dan and District 6220 governor.)

Throughout the years, Andy has been involved in the boy scouts in Metz, France, the Military Police Fund for Blind Children, United Way Campaign, Bootjack Fire Department, and other posts and activities both private and public.

After Dale White introduced Andy to Rotary, he joined the CLK Rotary Club on August 1, 1964.

(Andy's name nearly always appears near the top of any list that is passed to sign up members for a Rotary function.)

Business Meeting, September 5, 2007

Attendance: 22 members and 7 guests, another good turnout.

Guests were Mike Hauswirth, Linda Lowell, Ernie and Edith Neiderer, Dave and Linda Grahek, and Ass't. District Governor (from the Houghton club) Bob Sharkey.

The treasurer's report was accepted and the minutes from the previous meeting were approved.

Eva reported that a total of 520 Tamburitzan tickets were sold of which 229 were by the club members. Dan took top honors by selling 78 tickets and thereby won two tickets to the Calumet Theatre. So our goal for next year should be at least 520 and it is hoped a good deal more.

Eva then announced that she has formed two committees. The first, "Fund Raising Ideas,"
is chaired by Lucy and Jim. The second, "Budget Overhaul," is chaired by Patsy, Eva, and Kevin. Anyone wishing to serve on one or both of these important committees will be welcomed with open arms.

A lusty birthday song for Lucy (9/12) and Peter (9/28) was rendered.

After a round of Happy Dollars, the most spectacular of which was Tom Scanlon's donation of 31 happy dollars to mark his enjoyment of having such good friends in the CLK Rotary.

(At right, Tom S. preparing to make his Happy Dollar donation.)

The fifty-fifty drawing of $85 was won by Ethan.

Governor Bob Sharkey announced that our 4-club group (CLK, Hancock, Ontonagon, and Houghton) is looking for an international project and it will probably be involved with a club in Bolivia. Additionally, he reminded members that the 4-club District Governor's dinner will be held the the Spica Restaurant in Houghton on October 15 at 6 p.m. Among other things, there will be Paul Harris Fellowships awarded at that time. Last year, the CLK had a great turnout for the dinner and it is hoped we can do even better this time.

Upcoming Programs Chairs:

September 12, Heather Store
September 19, Phil Smythe

See you next week.