Regular Meeting, August 27, 2008

(Our speaker, Ole Van Goor, of Copper Harbor graciously accepts the coveted Rotary mug from Jim Lowell.)


There were 15 members and 4 guests in attendance at the meeting. Guests were Assistant District Governor Bob Sharkey (Houghton Rotary), Tom's wife Joy and her brother and wife, and our speaker, Ole Van Goor of the Dapple Gray Bed and Breakfast.

After a round of Happy Dollars (among them, Dan's car repair and your editor will be a great grandfather next March) lunch was served.

Bob Sharkey announced that the district was looking for small projects from its Rotary clubs to which the district will donate a matching grant. Come up with ideas, folks.

Following lunch, Ole Van Goor was introduced. His bed and breakfast, Dapple Gray, is located just outside of Copper Harbor across from the old Devil's Washtub. Those who have been to one of the Van Goor's open houses can attest to the splendid accommodations offered; in short, they are magnificent. They are open almost year round but mainly April through October. In addition to the bed and breakfast, the Van Goor's have a beautiful antique shop specializing in Victorian antiques with an emphasis on glass and ceramics. Books, dolls and souvenir spoons are also featured. At the conclusion of his talk, Ole passed out gift certificates to all members offering a 20% discount for reservations. He left several more for those members who were not there at the meeting but would like to take adv antage of their offer. See Don Kilpela.



(A picture in need of a caption. Anyone?)



Jim Lowell, who chaired the meeting in Kevin's absence, then reported on the Tammies: 495 tickets sold: 342 regular price with the rest at various group discounts. In total, we will probably clear over $1,7o00.00 which will be distributed to our local charities throughout the year. Thanks to all who helped. Jim also noted that if we had sold out the house, the rest of the money would be pure profit, something to think about next year.

See you next week.

Regular Meeting, August 20, 2008

Left: Kathy Flagstadt of the Michigan Rehabilitaion Service.

The meeting was attended by 15 members and 5 guests. Guests were Linda and Dave Grahek and their granddaughter, "Pete" Pietri of Houghton Rotary, and Kathy Flagstadt of Dept. Of Labor and Economic Growth, State of Michigan, who was our speaker.

After a round of Happy Dollars, Kevin said that the membership roster was being updated soon. You will have the option to remove your birth date from the roster if you wish. He also reported that the Tammies fund-raiser was successful again this year and the housing was excellent.

After lunch, Ms. Flagstadt was introduced. She explained that she works for the Michigan Rehabilitation Service as a Rehabilitation Counselor. Her primary duty is to determine what rehabilitation a disabled person needs to become part of the workforce or to school. That is her primary goal, to get disabled people back to work or to school. Disabilities serviced in 2006 included Physical, mental, learning, hearing loss, cognitive, drugs and alcohol, and visual disabilities. Her area is Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw counties, a wide geographic landscape that keeps her on the move. Presently she councels over 50 clients of which about 30% are in college. If anyone knows of someone needing this type of employment service, please call 800-605-6722 or e-mail MRS-CustomerAssistance@Mighigan.gov. There is also a website at www.michigan.gov/MRS.

Her presentation was followed by numerous questions and answers.

Before closing, Dan gave us a humorous account of his adventure with his new Suburu that broke down finally in Iowa. At this point, Dan is still driving a loaner and waiting for his car to be fixed. Update next week.



Jim Lowell reporting on preliminary results of the Tammies income.

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!