Learn about upcoming speakers, events, last meeting's presentation, and other club updates.
Upcoming Speakers
Meetings will be at Crown of Glory church
January 2025
Jan 16 – School District 112, Dr. Erin Rathke (Celi Haga)
Jan 23 – Officer Martin Godinez, Crime Prevention (Ryan Seibert)
Jan 30 – Miracle Field, Strategic Planning (Matt Podhradsky)
February 2025
Feb 6 – Intellectual Property, Martha Engel (Pat Schaffran)
Feb 13 – Exchange Student Marcos Alonsos (Erin Kerber)
Feb 20 – Carver County Local News, Mike Huang (Robin Nesburg)
Feb 27 – West Creek Apartments
March 2025
March 6 –A Bike Trip, Katy Holub + Scott Freitag (Mike Wentzell)
March 13 – To be announced
March 20 - Rotary Committee Meetings – Kerber + Heyduck
March 27 – To be announced (Cindy Anderson)
Upcoming Events
Jan 20 – Dr Martin Luther King Jr celebration, Chaska Human Rights Commission
Invocation: John Roebke
Club Announcements
Gretchen Oppriecht called our attention to the Rotary International Conference in Calgary, Canada June 21-25. Link. She recommended attendance so we could better envision the conference to be held in Minneapolis/St. Paul in 2028, 27-31 May.
Robin Nesburg provided information about the Rotary Club flag from Ringe, Denmark. He described the club’s projects. The origin of the donation was not known. Our recent (’22-‘23) Exchange student Natasha Palmelunde was from Brande, Denmark. Flag photo will be in the next Futura.
Celi Haga is not only a proud Rotarian but the proud director of the Chaska High School One Act Play program. Their one and only public performance of the year is coming up Thursday, January 16, as part of the District 112 One Act Showcase held at Chanhassen High School. Chaska’s performance of The 146 Point Flame – a dramatic portrayal of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911 – will take the stage at 7:00 p.m., followed by Chanhassen High School’s performance of Blithe Spirit at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are available for $10 at the door.
Bob Chinnock passed along an announcement from Crown of Glory Church, Latino VOICES, and His House Foundation: “We invite you to a community forum dedicated to supporting and empowering our immigrant community. This event will feature a brief presentation by Minneapolis immigration attorney Ernest Wiafe, who will provide valuable insights. Followed by an open Q&A session. Saturday, January 18, 10:00 AM, Crown of Glory Lutheran Church, 141 Cardinal St., Chaska.”
Exchange Student: Marcos Alonsos
Marcos showed photos of his diverse activities over the school holiday. WOW! With Ken Hiller and family as his hosts, he visited Minneapolis and enjoyed churros pastries, a 1,000-piece jigsaw, his cooking creation of the great Spanish rice dish paella, his affection for boxed mac + cheese (he must be preparing for college!), sledding, bowling, binge-watching the television series Ted Lasso, and experiencing Cincinnati “chili”. Many thanks to Ken Hiller for documenting these smiling events!
PRESENTATION:Marshall Grange – Chaska Parks and Recreation Projects
Bob Moeller introduced Marshall Grange, the Director of Chaska Parks and Recreation. Through a plethora of slides, Marshall explained his department’s organization and responsibilities and the important collaborations with other Chaska groups such as Public Works. The focus on the city’s vision “To create lifelong memories and a healthier community for ALL to enjoy” drives his team throughout the multiple activities, programs and facilities.
Highlights of the presentation included details of the success of the Curling Center, the Master Plan for the Community Center, and the expansion and improvements to the Trails within Chaska. Input from the community and trends in recreational choices are reflected in improvements and plans for facilities and outdoor activities. Rotary’s efforts to build a Miracle League baseball field and an adjacent inclusive playground also were part of Marshall’s thorough summary of future projects.
Note from John Roebke: Invocations can be a faith traditional prayer, or a meditation, or inspirational verse or quote. Brief 20 – 30 seconds. Light-hearted is okay. Option: focus on our Mission of Service Above Self. Need an idea – Google Rotary Invocations. Not a personal talent? Don't wait, tell me NOW, 612-790-7067, john.roebke@live.com. I will be glad to name another. If I forgot that you told me not a talent, please forgive me. Remind me. If not a good DATE, trade with a mate.
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