Regular Meeting, August 13, 2008

HE'S BACK!!! It took a while, but with your editor's new iMac up and operating, it is a simple task again.


Today's meeting had 15 members and 1 guest. Our guest was Mark Maggio, Executive Director of Phoenix House which recently moved to a new building behind the First Apostolic Church on Pine Street. Mark explained to the members that most clients come to the house because they are forced to by the law or their employer or family and not because they think, "I have a problem I want to solve." For the time they are in treatment, Mark's staff must try to get them to see that their problem is not someone's else problem, to see inward, to try to get them to realize that they can change their life to something productive rather than destructive. The move to the former church Elders home was a very good one inasmuch as they acquired about 13-14 new rooms to house clients. For the community, Mark announced that there will be an open house at the new facility on August 16 from 2 to 8 p.m. and hoped that everyone will take advantage of this opportunity to see what the Phoenix House is all about. At the conclusion of his presentation, President Kevin presented our coveted CLK Rotary mug to Mark.


(Below: Here is a picture I took a while back when our Rotary Youth Exchange student, Hannah, showed her slide show that she will display in Poland this summer.)



Tammies: This is the weekend for our Tammies production. It is hoped that we get a massive CLK Rotary turnout for this major fund-raiser by our club. Please don't miss it and a few extra dollars in the till will be much appreciated.

Also, on Saturday the 16th, Calumet will be celebrating "Heritage Day" with a start at 10 a.m. in Agassiz Park behind the Rotary clock.


HELP!!

We are still looking for housing for several of the student dancers. If you can take 2 or 4, please contact Dan Dalquist or Kevin Store immediately!

Meantime, have a great weekend celebrating the ethnic heritage of this diverse Copper Country.

Regular Meeting, June 25, 2008

With the ring of the Rotary Bell, Eva's reign was brought to a close and Kevin's reign began. (He is very excited to take on this responsibility and his only wish was that it was for two or more years.) Kevin announced that he would be looking for projects to undertake, long term, permanent projects which the CLK Rotary Club would always be identified. Please bring him your ideas. Moreover, for the board meeting next Tuesday, suggestions for the Paul Harris award will be appreciated.



There were lots of happy dollars and one fine self-imposed on your editor for having his name in the paper: it is worth it.

Dave Grahek said that the Chip Drop Contest is again upon us and he has the tickets. Big prizes and all for a good cause. See Dave next week.

On your calendar, please mark the Governor's Dinner on July 30 in Houghton. Details will be forthcoming shortly.

Thanks, all, folks. I am off to Detroit to watch the Tigers demolish the Colorado Rockies. See you next week.

There was 15 members and 4 guests at the meeting: Dave and Linda Grahek and granddaughter, back for the summer, and Capt. Ben Kilpela of Copper Harbor.

Business Meeting, June 4, 2008

(Elaine Lemler, from the Irish Times, who takes care of our culinary needs each week. I forgot to tell her to give us her usual smile.)


Birthday Boys and Girls this month: Sue and Sandy, Joe, Jim Lowrie, Tom Scanlan, and yours truly were sung to despite some were not present.

There were 16 members and one guest at the meeeting. Our guest was Bob Sharkey, District Assistant Governor, from Houghton.


Bob had two reminders: First, he reminded us that we are eligible to again provide a match to receive a 1 for 1 grant to assist us in a Christmas project for 2008. After due consideration, a motion to provide a $500 matching fund was passed unanimously thereby assuring someone a very merry Christmas. Note: to qualify for the grant, CLK members must not only provide the match but they must be directly involved in the execution of the grant.

Second, he reminded us that the District Governor's Dinner, tentatively set for Houghton, will be July 30. This event is great fun for all and a chance to reward members for their hard work. More details will follow anon.

President Elect Kevin spoke to the desire to not only acquire new members but to give equal emphasis to retaining present members. It is of little value to get new ones in the front door if you're losing them by the back door.

Attendance for May was announced at 54%. Nine of our club had 100% in May, and 5 at 75%. Now, one might ask, what is wrong with this picture? How do we end up with 54%. The food is great, the camaraderie beyond reproach, and our service to our towns is needed. Come on, folks, let's all participate to get that number up into the 70% range at least.

[Editor's Note: At this point in the meeting I got so engrossed in the discussion that I forgot to take notes. Sorry.]

Pastor Peter won the 50-50 and then Joel capped off the meeting with a short review of his annual mission to Mexico. His wife joined them this time and became intimately acquainted with the National Bug of Mexico.



(Joe, one of the birthday boys, leaving with Joel after the meeting.)

Regular Meeting, May 28, 2008

After a 4-month hiatus, your editor is back on the job. I thought of ending this blog but was talked out of it by Mr. Schaefer. So if you have problems with that, talk to him.

Our meeting consisted on 18 members and one guest, Justin Rabel of Edward Jones in Eagle River, Wisconsin, pictured here with his host, Dan Dalquist).




Despite some (ahem) member's attempts to raise the ante, all tables contained at least a man and a woman. Boys, we'll have to keep our eyes open unless you want to pay the till.

Road Pickup on Saturday, May 31

(l to r: Kevin, Patricia, Jim Lowell, Tom liljegren, Peter, Andy, Frank, and yours truly.) Many hands made easy work and we were having coffee at Shelly's on a little over an hour. Andy and Peter fast at work on a cool, damp , unpleasant day.)


















Lots of activities this summer, enough to keep everyone busy.

PastyFest in July. We need fund-raising ideas.

In August, the Copperman race in the Harbor. We are looking for someone to assume the running position for the team. Tom Tikkanen is swimming, Dan (or is it Peter?) is riding, and Ed is no longer with the club. We need a runner so that the winning tradition will continue.


Two weeks later, the Tammies are in town and we'll be looking for members to house about 35 dancers. Also, we need everyone to get at the sale of tickets and advertising.

Almost concurrently, the Great Deer Chase will be held and they will need some monitors to direct traffic both at the beginning and end of the race in downtown Calumet.

Well, for what it is, there it is. It's great to be back!







(Terry, the new owner of the the Irish Times. The great food tradition continues. Thanks Terry.)

Regular Meeting, March 5, 2008

(Joel Touriniemi, coach, shows off the Steele City Trophy to the club members.)



Wednesday's meeting was one of those times when we members get to meet the players of our sponsored hockey team up close and personal. The CLK Rotary Bantam AA hockey team, The "Keweenaw Storm," won the Steel City International Hockey Tournament of the Sault Hockey Association. Thirteen team members were treated to a nice luncheon and afterward each of them got up to thank members for their support. These 7th and 8th graders faced some of the toughest teams in the tourney but the prevailed through to the semi-finals. In the semi-finals, they beat the Sudbury Wolverines 2-1 and then won the tournament by defeating the Soo Lakers Check & Cash, 2-1. What is more significant is that it is the first time a UP team has won the tournament. We'll undoubtedly hear more of these boys as they pass into the Midget level or high school hockey. Congratulations to Joel for giving of his time and talent (he too was a very successful hockey player for Calumet HS) to train these boys. Both Bantam and Midget levels are the time when boys have to decide if they want the bruising schedules and tougher play to continue in playing serious hockey.


(Andy was right at home talking hockey with the young men.)

Up next is our annual Community Spaghetti Dinner held in conjunction with the Great Bear Chase. Let's have a great and profitable turnout. Wish I could be there to help and enjoy the friendships. Unfortunately, I'll just have to sit here and bake. Just kidding because I don't sit in the sun and though our rented condo is on the Atlantic Ocean beach, I haven't yet walked down there to look at it.




(Here are some more of the CLK Rotary team, the Keweenaw Storm.)






Cheers Everyone!

Regular Meeting, February 27, 2008

(Hello all. Greetings from sunny Florida. Betty Kilpela enjoys breakfast at a small outside cafe in Manalapan.)



At the outset, I want to thank Kathy Johnson for supplying me with details of the meeting so that I can continue writing this blog thereby providing a sort of historical memoir of the CLK Rotary for future generations. Unfortunately I haven't yet received any photos but if I should get some, I will simply add them at a later time.

Since this blog is not only an historical account but something concrete for those who may have missed the meeting thereby keeping them informed of upcoming events, needs, etc.

Kathy reports that there was a good turnout at the meeting at the Irish Times. As many of you know, because of an increase in Cormac's duties at MTU both he and Lisa have decided to sell the "Times." Unfortunately, that is about all I know of the situation. If and as they share more of the details with me, I will pass them on to you. I feel sad about this because I have come to love the joint (and especially our luncheons) but Betty and I understand about commitments.

The first order of business was the announcement that the annual rowing competition begins on March 8. I trust that Phil will provide all the details for the next blog.

Next, I was asked to provide members with a description of the Rotary Shares project. Here it is:

As many are aware, the theme of Rotary Year 2007-08 is "Rotary Shares."

The 2007-08 theme Rotary Shares acts as a daily reminder of what ordinary people can accomplish through the extraordinary work of Rotary, said RI President-elect Wilfrid J. Wilkinson. "What makes Rotary great is our expressing the love in our hearts through the work of our hands and our minds," said Wilkinson. "As Rotarians, we don't just sit back and talk about loving other human beings. As Rotarians, we demonstrate that love, and we share that love, through helping each other." And Rotarians don't need to do this alone. They know that when the need for service in their community can't be met by one club alone, they call on Rotarians from around the world to help. More than a theme, Rotary Shares is a call to action. Sharing Rotary ensures that Rotary continues a second century of service. Rotary Shares means inviting people to join their local Rotary clubs. "Rotary will only be able to continue sharing if it continues to grow," said Wilkinson. To help Rotary grow, Wilkinson requested that all district governors ask their club presidents to bring in one new club member during their year in office. "Without new members, nothing else matters," he said. Without our youth and new members, "it will only take a few decades for Rotary to disappear, and we've already seen that happen in other service clubs." In addition to the crucial job of welcoming new club members, the president-elect said Rotarians should not forget their past. He asked them to reach out to former club members, including club members' widows and widowers. "I ask you all, this year, to share Rotary freely and fully. Work hard, and work with love. And remember that everything you do in service to others is part of the magic of Rotary, the magic that allows ordinary people, like you and me, do absolutely amazing things."

Reading President Wilkinson's statements and challenges reminds me of the time that Postal Savings (we older members remember that organization) simply ceased to exist because they did not adapt to the changing times and did not try in any way to solicit new members. Within a short time, poof, they were out of business. It is up to all of us to make sure that the CLK Rotary doesn't follow the same path.

Members were reminded that the 6220 District Conference will be in Marquette, our Governor's home base, on May 16 - 18. It is a very exciting conference every year and we would expect the have a great turnout from Houghton, Hancock, Ontonagon, and the CLK. Being that it is so close should make the expense somewhat less for those of us up here. Let's hope the snow is gone by then.

A Group Study Exchange (GSE) from Brazil will be visiting this area starting on May 12. There is a need for housing for members of the group. I remember our last group from Argentina. If I recall, we gave them, a sunset cruise ride in Copper Harbor and I am willing to do that again if asked.

The spaghetti dinner fund-raiser will be held on March 8 from 4-8 p.m. I hope everyone takes a part in this and helps to make it the best ever. Moreover, we need to sign up to supply desserts as well. Posters were distributed; please get them up as soon as possible.

The program for the day was given my Richard Dana on the trolly that operated throughout the Copper Country from 1902 - 1932. To supplement Dan's program, here is a web site witrh some very interesting pictures and facts. Simply double click on it and it should open. If not, copy it and paste it in your browser.

http://www.pasty.com/copperrange/traction.htm (Traction Company web site)


That's it until next week and I'll see you at the first May meeting, if not before.

Regular Meeting, January 23, 2008

Meeting attendance was 18 members and 3 guests who were Amy Roberts, "Pete" Pietri (of the Houghton Club) and Assistant District Governor, Bob Sharkey.

After lunch, our speaker, Jim Lowrie, gave an interesting talk about the art of the Chapunga Sculpture Park in Zimbabwe. Jim first learned of them when the arboretum in Salt Lake City, of which Jim is on the board, held an exhibit of their work. During the exhibit, a brief demonstration of the sculpture technique was given. Those interested in pursuing the art were given a large piece of Offal Stone from Zimbabwe and some tools with the direction, "start carving." That was it. Jim did just that and has been doing it ever since. In the process, after acquiring many more tools he has produced several sculptures, two of which is brought to the meeting.

It was a very interesting program which elicited lots of questions and curiosity and, frankly, admiration for the work. Thank you Jim.





(Left: a Lowrie sculpted piece of offal stone from Zimbabwe embedded in his fireplace chimney in Eagle River. Below: two pieces that Jim displayed at the meeting.)


























Upcoming Event: Don't forget the fund-raising dinner held this Saturday a 6 p.m. at Little Brothers in Hancock. Proceeds to help defray some costs for our two RYE students from the Copper Country. See last week's blog for complete details.

Next Week's Program Host: Sandy Huuki


Breaking News: I received the following note from Tom Tikkanen about Babette's diving feat.

Don,

Babette and approximately 60 others took their turns jumping through the ice.

With her typical trooper attitude, she charged out and without hesitation hurled herself in. She bobbed to the surface, sprang out of the water, and ran (as if all the hounds of hell were nipping at her heels) straight back to the sauna.

There were fewer jumpers than other years, indicative of the minus 20 degree wind-chill, I'm sure.

My photos did not turn out, but I expect some from my father-in-law. I'll forward one to you.

Tom


(Our Program Host and Sculptor, Jim Lowrie)