About Rotary Club of Chaska
We are part of Rotary International, a secular, non-political, global network of 1.4 million committed individuals who volunteer their skills and resources to solve pressing issues and address community needs.
 
We meet each Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. at the Crown of Glory Lutheran Church, 1141 Cardinal Street, Chaska. We'd love you to join us!
 
 
Notes from Our Most Recent Meeting
 Presentation: Miracle League Field and Playground, Matt Podhradsky
 

Needing no introduction nor computer projector, Matt Podhradsky focused his presentation on our fund-raising for the Chaska Miracle League Field and Playground (link).  The land acquisition and feature design are nearing completion. Construction will start in 2026, with an anticipated cost of $1.75 M. One million dollars is needed from non-city sources. 

The Rotary Foundation will hopefully provide $300 thousand, as will the Chaska Lions Club.  The Chaska Cares Golf Days has generated about $100 thousand, and the Minnesota Twins Foundation has donated $20 thousand. Without even using Artificial Intelligence for the calculation, that leaves about $300 thousand to come from sponsors and contributors. 

That’s where Matt would like our help. Matt has developed a list of businesses that might be approached for sponsorship, partnering or establishing advertising at the field. Donation commitments can be spread over several years, and Rotarians can specify this project and direct their Rotary Foundation contributions. Dan Keyport, Kevin Hegland, Vic Benetti and Greg Anderson will work on our Foundation grant application.

Before Feb. 6, please contact Matt and let him know which businesses you will approach, so we avoid multiple requests of the same potential source.  A four-page brochure was distributed, and we can direct inquiries to the Chaska city website. Additionally, our website also provides information and instructions on how to donate. 

Matt’s contact information: phone 952-227-7523, matt@chaskamn.com

Announcements

·  On Saturday, February 8, School District 112 will host Hooked on Books and the Arts Too at Chanhassen High School, 9:00 AM to noon. Every year our club donates funds to purchase books that are given free to attending children with their parents. It is a fun event with diverse activities provided for and by your neighbors.

· On March 13 we will be announcing the George C. Klein Award for 2023.  A breakfast will be served. Past recipients will be invited.

· Pat Wittrock has been renewing her acquaintence with our Rotary Club these past weeks and is submitting her membership application.

·  Susana DeLeon is the Assistant Principal at Chaska High School, and is sharing membership with Jim Bach, the school’s principal.

· Kevin Hegland asked for temporary substitute sergeants to set up our welcome table and manage visitors, badges and raffle tickets. His awesome tasks will be handled by our two interns – Corporals Madison and Summer.  Thank you both!

 
 
Congratulations, Peter!
Peter Ivy will be celebrating his retirement from the Carver County Attorney’s Office after 37 years of serving this community. On March 14, a 3:00 PM gathering will occur at the Emergency Operations Room in the Justice Center (604 E. Fourth St.)  Then, we are invited to a private reception at the Schram Haus Brewery at 4:30 PM
 
Exchange Student: Marcos Alonsos
Marcos is receiving lots of memory experiences with Ken Hiller and family. This past week he played pickleball, went lake skating on clear ice, completed his required viewing to enable him to join the Ted Lasso Fan Club, and is officially a MN Visitor now that he’s seen Minnehaha Falls in the winter.
 
International Moment
Ken Hiller pinned up our latest international Rotary flag – from Pula, Croatia. The inspiring Exchange Student and swimmer Simon Milankovic brought it with him in 2015. Ken showed photos of this wild-hair kid who has become a physician and family man. Ken also shared photos of his trip to visit Simon in his home country. Becoming a host for a student is continually affirmed as a positive life-changing experience. 
Host Greg Anderson took this photo of the torture Simon endured when living with the Anderson family.  
Invocation Schedule
Feb 6, 2025 - Greg Anderson
Feb 13, 2025 - Ken Hiller
Feb 20, 2025 - John Roebke
Feb 27, 2025 - Kevin Hegland
Mar 6, 2025 - Celi Haga
Mar 13, 2025 - Dave Pokorney
Mar 20, 2025 - Gary Hardel
Mar 27, 2025 - Phil Solseng
April 3, 2025 - Robin Nesburg
April 10, 2025 - Matt Podhradsky
April 17, 2025 - Ryan Seibert
April 24, 2025 - Jim Bach
 
Speakers
Marcos Juan Alonso
Feb 13, 2025 7:30 AM
Exchange Student - Country of Spain
Mike Huang
Feb 20, 2025 7:30 AM
Carver County Local News
West Creek Apartments
Feb 27, 2025 7:30 AM
West Creek Apartments
Club Executives & Directors
President
Co-President
Treasurer
Membership
Immediate Past President
Vice President
Executive Secretary / Director