Meeting Recap - June 14, 2016

John Risdall opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Sue Ager offered the invocation.

 

Today's guests were:  Scott Tilton, owner of The Exchange restaurant; prospective member Michelle (Fettig) Caron; Harvey Smith, a Duluth Rotarian and brother of today's speaker and Roseville Rotarian John (whose last name I failed to catch). John was here to promote Roseville Rotary's "Taste of Rosefest" on June 24th from 5-8PM.

 

John Risdall reported that Paul had two more cardiac stents (for a total of six) and a pacemaker placed last Tuesday and is feeling the beneficial effects of the surgery. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Paul and Chrissy.

 

John also reported that Dana will be having back surgery this Thursday. Best wishes to you, Dana, for relief of your back pain.

 

D.D.'s restaurant will be closing June 30th and we are grateful for the wonderful catering service they have provided over the past several years. We are working out a new luncheon arrangement with The Exchange restaurant (across the street from C.U. Companies).

 

Next week's program will be new member Jason Slama, presenting his Classification Talk.

 

Mark Beisswenger is looking for volunteers to staff the NBMV Rotary Bingo Tent at Stockyard Days. Look for a sign-up sheet at future club meetings.

 

Don't forget to sign up for the party at Ordway's on Friday, July 8th, to raise funds for our Rotary Matching Grant to benefit Syrian refugees.  Chef George has agreed to donate gourmet appetizers and the Ordway's have graciously opened up their home to host the party.  Contact Linda LaFond (763-571-6937) to reserve your spot.

 

The quarterly meeting of the New Brighton Business Council is this Thursday, June 16, 7:30-9:00AM. The topic is an overview of Stockyard Days 2016 and the featured speaker will be Mayor Val Johnson. The meeting is free and will be held at Risdall Marketing Group, 550 Main Street, Suite 100, New Brighton.

 

John Marg-Patton has returned from his trip to Alaska and he has some fish stories to tell!

 

Seventy year-old Dave Hoel somehow managed to survive 150 miles over two grueling days on a bike, to benefit Multiple Sclerosis research, by riding in the MS 150. Seems to me that the Porsche would be the preferred vehicle, but that's just me.

 

Sue Ager reported that it has been nearly a year since her husband, Duane, was stricken with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. The disease had almost completely paralyzed him from the neck down but he is now walking at the parallel bars and will be going home soon.

 

John Marg-Patton introduced our speaker, Lynette Reini-Grandell. Lynette is a creative writer, radio host and English professor at Normandale College, but it's clear that her passion is writing poetry. Her passion has resulted in numerous awards, but she attributes her growth as a poet to hard work and learning everything she could from those whose work she admires. One way that she learns is by performing and observing at spoken word venues. Another is co-hosting KFAI's "Write on Radio" show, interviewing local and national writers about their work. She read some selections from her book, "Approaching the Gate: Poems", including "As We Drove", "Radio Girls" and "The Naturalist." Lynette admitted that it's hard to make a living writing poetry, but Minnesota is easier than most, especially since the Legacy Amendment provides grants for creative writing study opportunities. You can read more about Lynette on her website.  Lynette is shown below, flanked by her brother Harvey Smith, John Marg-Patton and John Risdall.