Erin Kerber continued to motivate our selling raffle tickets. She asked for us to put a completed book of ticket stubs, along with the proceeds in an envelope and turn it in to her. We need to record the date of a Venmo purchase on the ticket stub that we retain. Raffle ticket buyers must be 18+ years old. She will track our revenue on a thermometer chart.
Our incoming Exchange Student arrives on Friday Aug. 15. Her first name is Ane – pronounced like awn-a. Initially, she will be staying in the Clover Ridge development.
Vic Benetti will have knee surgery this week and recovery will keep him away from our meetings for several weeks.
HAPPY DOLLARS
Happy, or at least hopeful people this morning included: Vic Benetti, Dan Keyport, Gretchen Oppriecht, and Ryan Seibert.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
Dan Keyport referred to his recent Carver County Local News article that described the adventures of Chaska Rotarians as they travelled across Asia on the Trans-Siberian railway in 2016. Link to the article. They were able to visit Danill Koralev our 2013-14 Youth Exchange Student.
Lindsey Hagen introduced Todd Duesing, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Hennepin Arts since July 2023. Todd has been in the career of event and music management since 2000 and came to our part of the world after many years in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has led the transition from the Hennepin Theatre Trust to its present role in the cultural and economic revitalization of downtown Minneapolis.
Todd described the strategy of Hennepin Arts in purchasing four theaters from the city of Minneapolis to combine their venues, attributes and experience to form a cohesive and stronger presence of the performing arts in the Twin Cities. He hopes to establish a metropolitan theater district on blocks 5 -10 on Hennepin Avenue. Renovation of empty shops and offices, coordination with local businesses, and enhanced public safety efforts are included in his vision.
With Bank of America sponsoring the 2025-26 Broadway on Hennepin series Link, Todd is expecting 600,000 visitors and $68,000,000 economic impact. Purple Rain, the stage adaptation of Prince’s film and album, is scheduled for production this fall - Oct. 16 to Nov. 16 at the State Theater. Link
The other scheduled performances:
Community engagement and developing youth talent in the arts are integral parts of the Hennepin Arts mission. Todd told us that 14 local students are currently working with theaters in New York. He also offered us tickets that could be awarded as part of our fundraising for the Miracle Field and Playground.
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.
