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Spiritual Listening with Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer
Our program on the 9th was a talk by Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer who is the director of City House.                                            
 
City House provides listeners for people who appear to be ignored by others; usually, their clients are homeless or suffering from disorientation from the normal. Their volunteers spend their time listening and talking with people at various shelters in the area. Usually, they are one on one. They don’t offer counselling, but just listen and help give their client a feeling of self-worth.                
 
They work with a number of agencies in the downtown Minneapolis area, and cooperate with other agencies that provide food, clothing and shelter for the needy. Their website is www.city-house.org.
 
STRIVE Started it 2018-19 year on Thursday, October 11th with dick Glover give the STRIVE Program Overview and introductions of Mentors.   We had 13 students in attendance of the 21 potential possible.  The Mentors in attendance were Dick Glover, Don Draayer, Michelle Seets, Lou Graber and Steve Frazier.  The kids were very attentive and applauded for each of the Mentors after they spoke.  We look forward to another great year with our STRIVE Students.  Our next meeting is on Thursday, October 25th on Attitudes with Tim Litfin presenting.
Highway Clean-up was today (Oct. 16th) but the team of Molly Swenson and Jenny Janson got out early and did there prior to last week’s cancellation of the clean-up due to rain.  Stay tuned for this week’s report from Karen Frazier
Using DNA to Solve Violent Crimes with Harley Feldman
Posted on Oct 02, 2018
Our program on the 2nd was a talk by Harley Feldman. Harley is a Shorewood resident, and is active in many local organizations, including the New Year’s Day Swim in Lake Minnetonka. He and his family live on Christmas Lake. Four years ago, his daughter was brutally murdered in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she lived.
 
The crime would still be unsolved if Harley hadn’t intervened. Because of his efforts, the Scottsdale Police were able to use DNA found on the scene to trace the killer. There are family traits shown by DNA, and although there was no record of the DNA found at the scene, the police were able to search for similar DNA, and use that method to find suspects to consider. A close match was found, and it turned out to be the brother of the murderer.
 
Using this type of search with DNA is not legal in all states, but it is in Arizona, and it solved the crime.
 
STRIVE Program:  The STRIVE Program for Minnetonka Seniors stars this Thursday, October 11th at 9:04 in the Writing Center with Dick Glover doing the Welcome, Introductions of Rotarians and presenting Expectations – “What we want for you”.  The STRIVE Parent-Student meeting was held last Wednesday at the MHS Port-Media Center to outline the STRIVE Program and to answer parent and students questions.  STRIVE will basically meet bi-weekly and will continue until April 4, 2019.  We are excited to start another year with these students and to be an inspiration to them.
District Governor Irene Kelly Visits Excelsior Rotary
Posted on Sep 25, 2018
Our program on the 25th was the annual visit of the District Governor to our club.
 
This year the DG is Irene Kelly, a transplant from New Jersey who talks like a Minnesotan and is a member of the Eden Prairie Morning Club. Her experience with Rotary started when her late husband joined the EP Club, and after he died, she decided to join.
 
Her talk included many of her goals for the year, and included anti-trafficking action, finish polio Plus, add members and increase the number of women in our district.
 
She also gave special recognition to three of our club members: Steve and Karen Frazier for their work with the district on the emergency tent program, and to Don Draayer for his work on childrens’ literacy.
Golf - Auction Fundraiser Update 2018
Posted on Sep 18, 2018
Our Program on September 18th was a report on the recent fundraiser golf event. It was given by Michelle Seets.                               
She gave a very detailed report on the event, having broken down the day into the various profit centers. She commented on some of the portions of the day where the monetary return was low for the amount of effort necessary. One fact she reported was that almost all of the money raised was given by Rotarians.   The committee will meet and evaluate all of the data, and perhaps next year’s event will be “streamlined” a bit.       
                                     
Paul Harris Award:  President Nick Wegleitner presented Scott Zerby with his five sapphire Paul Harris Fellow Award.  Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognition is given in appreciation to anyone who contributes, outright or cumulatively - or in whose name is contributed - a gift of US$1,000 or more to the Annual Programs Fund, PolioPlus, or the Humanitarian Grants program. The recognition consists of a certificate, pin, and an optional medallion.  Paul Harris Fellow recognition can only be presented to individuals.  A Certificate of Appreciation is given to a business or organization.                                                                                                                          
 
Next Week:  “Amputate It” - Chris Egert a news anchor for KSTP-TV - will talk about overcoming adversity by removing what's causing you pain. He made the agonizing decision in December of 2017 to have his left foot amputated after years of surgeries due to athletic injuries. His message will resonate with anyone suffering from physical or emotional pain.
September 4th and 11th Meetings
Posted on Sep 04, 2018
Our program on September 4th was a presentation by Alison Edwards. Alison is a professional actress, and she, and two partners, have started a nonprofit called Prime Productions.                                             
 
Their group noted that all of the roles for women over the age of fifty were very limited in number, and they were basically stereotypes. It is their mission to convince theater producers and authors to increase the number of roles available, and to make the roles have substance. They have a website (primeprod.org) that tells the whole story. Starting October 6th, they will have a production on stage at the Guthrie entitled “Two Degrees” which will highlight their cause.
 
Our Program on September 11th was a Club Outing at the Whirlyball Court in Maple Grove. Lovingly called the Whirlyball Senior Classics of the Red and Yellow teams going head to head (or cart to cart) in bumper cars trying to score goals with whiffle balls.  The competition was intense and rough with the Yellow Team being the victors and tim Litfin and Don Draayer being the high scorers.  The event was followed with Pizza and beer and joy from all 12 members that were able to participate.                                                                                                                              
It's Time for Whirlyball!
Posted on Sep 06, 2018
Dear Rotary Club Members:
 
Here is the plan for our early fall Rotary gathering on Tuesday evening Sept. 11. Remember – NO noon mtg. this day. Great fun is promised for all at Whirlyball…looking forward to it. Our Whirlyball session begins @ 5:00 pm sharp @ Whirlyball in Maple Grove. The court is rented from 5-6:00 pm. Please arrive by 4:45 pm for directions and safety information. Consider carpooling with a friend, also consider bringing a perspective Rotary member like Dr. Don Draayer did at our bowling outing this past winter.
 
Please RSVP to tim.litfin@minnetonkaschools.org and tell me the following:
1.Are you coming to Whirlyball?
2.Your name?
3.Will you be able to join us for dinner @ Broadway Pizza – two blocks away – after Whirlyball?
4.Both the Whirlyball fee and the Broadway Pizza buffet are on the club. You are responsible for driving and your beverages.
 
Driving Directions and Location are per this link  -  http://www.whirlyballtwincities.com/location/
 
WhirlyBall Twin Cities – your turn by turn directions if you can’t or do not want to go to the website:
1.Take 494 north towards Maple Grove
2.Angle west on 94, at the 94 & 494 Split in Maple Grove
3.Go a short distance to Weaver Lake Road exit ramp
4.At Weaver Lake Road (At the Maple Grove Cycling Store) Turn Right on Weaver Lake Road
5.Proceed two blocks to Elm Creek Boulevard / same as Co. Rd. #130 – Turn right
6.Continue two blocks on Elm Creek Boulevard / Co. Rd. #130 to 80th Circle North
7.Turn right on 80th Circle North
8.Proceed straight ahead and turn right at the third driveway
9.That driveway leads to the Whirlyball bldg.
10.Whirlyball phone number if you need it…763-657-1555
 
Thank you. Please get back to me by Thursday Sept. 6 with your answers to the questions above. Please arrive by 4:45 and allow for traffic as it will be rush hour. Have a great day.
 
Tim Litfin
 

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