Learn about upcoming speakers, events, last meeting's presentation, and other club updates.
Upcoming Speakers
June
1 - Tawanna Black, Center for Economic Inclusion
8 - Scholarship Awards Ceremony & Jon Schoen, Trunk Drop 15 - Stephanie Koehne, We Are A Light 22 - Jessica Bartholomew, ACT United
Upcoming Events
Saturday, June 3, 10:00 AM at Community Park to help plant trees!
Club Announcements
Invocation: Nate Bostrom
Mike Wentzel thanked the Highway 41 clean-up group that dodged traffic, fought mosquitos, and stuffed roadside refuse into bags. Matt Podhradsky auctioned off a drug pipe that probably won’t be used, even after Aug. 1. Michelle Kraus also deserved thanks for setting up the social gathering at Schram Haus Brewery following the road-gang labor. Pictured, left to right: Bob Lindall, Phil Solseng, Michelle Kraus, Gary Hardel, Mike Wentzel, Neil Wingert, Matt Podhradsky, Pat Schaffran, Dave Pokorney, Sarah Carlson, and Greg Anderson.
Dave Christian and Floyd Ingersoll joined us for breakfast and some fun. They belong to the Rogers MN Rotary, and they invited us to join them at a Golf Scramble on June 13 at the Fox Hollow Golf Course (www.RogersRotary.com). We also were offered raffle tickets that will benefit the club’s efforts to support and expand technical welding training at their high school. Smiles and dollars followed Dave’s auctioneer skills as a home-made pillow made of Crown Royal bags made its way into Greg and Cindy Anderson’s home.
Another reason prompted the visit by Dave and Floyd – they presented Dan Keyport with $1,000 for our tree-planting project and helped enable our receipt of a Rotary Foundation grant. The Chaska Lions are also a major (5-year) partner in this project, so they will join us on Saturday, June 3 at Community Park to plant the trees. The city of Chaska will dig the holes and position the trees, and all we have to do is place the saplings and rake the mulch! Please bring your shovel, rake, and gloves at 10:00 AM. We will follow up the planting with refreshments at Athletic Park.
Put River City Days on your calendar and get prepared to help at our Wine Tent July 21 - 23. Cindy Anderson will be managing our involvement, so please talk with her and offer your help!
FINEMASTER
Vic Benetti picked out folks for various reasons, but time was limited, so the total pain wasn’t too bad! Paying: Dave Pokorney, John Roebke, Cindy Anderson and Dan Keyport.
ROTARY EXCHANGE STUDENT - Natasha Palmelund
Natasha celebrated the end of Track activities, running in the 100 and 400-yard events. She went to the high school Prom and is going to visit Kansas City with her host family.
Jodi Hesse introduced Evan Ramstad, the Business columnist for the Star Tribune. Evan has worked as a reporter for the Wall Street Journal and Associated Press, and as Section Editor for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He came to Minnesota after years spent in Hong Kong and Korea. His columns for the Star Tribune are published on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Evan called attention to the lack of available workers to fill the needs of Minnesota businesses. Contributing factors include retirement by “baby boomers” and less immigration. Historically, our state has lagged behind population growth in other regions, and it is levelling off now. Although the government controls legal immigration, businesses themselves lead growth and expansion.
Evan noted the recent debate over the effect of the state’s social legislation and changes in government spending and taxing, fees and licensing. He told us that it isn’t clear what the ultimate benefit or detriment of the changes will be, but the Gross Domestic Product data might be a quantitative indicator.
ant. The Chaska Lions are also a major (5-year) partner in this project, so they will join us on Saturday, June 3 at Community Park to plant the trees. The city of Chaska will dig the holes and position the trees, and all we have to do is place the saplings and rake the mulch! Please bring your shovel, rake, and gloves at 10:00 AM. We will follow up the planting with refreshments at Athletic Park.
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