The Golden Valley Rotary Club is thrilled to host the 8th Annual Taste and Tour of Golden Valley!
Thursday, July 25, 2024
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Join us on Thursday, July 25 for a lively, family-friendly event in downtown Golden Valley!
Fun activities & games
Music & mingling
Raffle & prize drawings
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. – Community Check-in to receive your passport. FREE to attendees and open to all. Passports distributed until 6:30 p.m. or until they're gone, whichever is first. 5:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. – Community members tour participating businesses, enjoying food and drinks or activities provided by the businesses. Validate your visit on your passport. 7:45 p.m. - Closing Reception with Raffle and Prize Drawings
Congratulations to Help At Your Door, the Golden Valley Rotary Club's 2023 Business of the Year!
Rotary Club President, Shep Harris (right) is pictured with Karen Cotch, Executive Director (left) and Chris Chambs, Board Chair (center).
On receiving the award, Cotch said, "On behalf of all the staff, board, and volunteers, I would like to thank the Golden Valley Rotary for selecting Help At Your Door as this year’s Business of the Year. It is only with support from the community and area volunteers are we able to help seniors maintain their independence in their homes. We appreciate your support."
Chambs also shared gratitude. “We are thrilled to have been recognized as 2023 Business of the Year by the Golden Valley Rotary," said Chambs. "The important work and services that Help At Your Door provide are critical for seniors in the local community. Additionally, we have been so fortunate for all the support from the Rotary along with organizations and local businesses throughout Golden Valley.”
Club President Harris added, “We are so fortunate to have an organization like Help At Your Door in Golden Valley. As Golden Valley Mayor, I can confidently say that this organization’s services offer seniors the ability to stay in their homes and maintain a high standard of living. Thank you to the leadership and staff of Help At Your Door. Your work is life-saving!”
Mary Timmons, Chair of the Club's Past Presidents, said, "Golden Valley is blessed to have many worthy organizations for which this honor could be given. Help At Your Door was chosen as a long standing nonprofit serving seniors and individuals with disabilities across Minnesota's seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area, based out of Golden Valley. Their organization has been vibrant for many years and it was time for Rotary to recognize all that they do."
The Golden Valley Rotary Club is thrilled to host the 7th Annual Taste and Tour of Golden Valley!
Thursday, July 27, 2023
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Join us on Thursday, July 27 from for a lively, family-friendly event in downtown Golden Valley!
Fun activities & games
Music & mingling
Raffle & prize drawings at 7:45 p.m.
5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. – Community Check-in to receive your passport. FREE to attendees and open to all. Passports distributed until 7:30 p.m. or until they're gone, whichever is first. 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. – Community members tour participating businesses, enjoying food and drinks or activities provided by the businesses. Validate your visit on your passport. 7:45 p.m. - Raffle and Prize Drawings
Thank you to our sponsors! Gold Sponsors: Bassett Creek Dental, Tonka Financial Services, Inc. Silver Sponsors: Culver's, Doolittles Woodfire Grill, Schullers Tavern Bronze Sponsors: Bergstrom Studio, Boger Dental, Forward Spine Center, JFCS Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis, PRISM Shop for Change Passport Sponsors: Advanced Medical of Twin Cities, Advances in Orthodontics, P.A., Back in Shape Chiropractic, Best Wishes Floral, Down in the Valley, Hindes, JJ's Clubhouse, Mainstream Boutique Shop, Rue 48 Salon, Triple D Espresso, Under Pressure Brewing and Blendery
It was a long, hard winter, and the housing market is still pretty hot. It’s enough to make any empty-nester still living in that big family home think about other housing options, especially if you have reached “senior citizen” status. This week’s speaker, Chuck Wagner -- highly experienced in many aspects of property management and currently a part-time consultant for Lifestyle communities -- explored various housing choices available to seniors.
The default choice is “aging in place.” You love your house. It’s filled with memories of raising your family. If your mortgage is mostly paid off or has a low interest rate, staying might make good economic sense. Plus, it isn’t just memories that fill your house. It’s all your stuff. The thought of moving is daunting. Many organizations offer services – yardwork, shopping, bringing in meals -- to enable seniors to stay in their homes. Still...it’s a balancing act. Looking ahead, your health might dictate another option. In Minnesota winters, the most dangerous action can be walking to your mailbox and slipping on ice. Isolation is another key factor to consider.
If you decide to sell, one option is simply to downsize and eliminate much of the cost and effort of maintaining a home. You rent an apartment or a townhouse or condo. For many people, this can be an excellent transition step before moving to a “senior living” arrangement.
If you’re older or experiencing health issues, a good choice might be a Continuing Care Retirement Community that allows you to move from independent living to assisted living and, perhaps, memory care as your needs change.
If you are still eager and able to live independently, a seniors coop can provide excellent amenities, a stable community, and freedom from the burdens of home maintenance. The economic model is based on each “member” owning a share of the coop than can be sold in the future. Residents also pay a monthly fee to cover ongoing expenses. Artessa is planning a community of this type adjacent to the Golden Valley Country Club.
Chuck Wagner, Cooperative Living Associate "Artessa Cooperative Living"
Welcome New Member, Karen Wojahn! Karen was raised in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin (a suburb of Milwaukee). She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin School of Business in Accounting. Karen worked in government and public accounting and actively volunteered with many non-profits. In her spare time, she enjoys embroidery, traveling, reading, golf, and cross-country skiing. In 2021, Karen and her husband, Dennis, moved to Plymouth, MN from Green Bay, WI; Dennis joined the Golden Valley Rotary Club. Unfortunately, Dennis passed away in September, 2022. They have two children and four grandchildren.
"Dennis is the reason for my involvement in Rotary," said Karen. "He joined the Menasha, Wisconsin Club in 1981. In 1986, we moved to Green Bay and he joined the Green Bay West Club. In 1983, we hosted the first of 11 Rotary Youth Exchange Students plus numerous adult exchange participants. Our son, Patrick, was a Rotary Exchange Student with the summer and year programs. Over the years, I have attended many Rotary meetings - local, district, and the 1992 International Conference in Orlando FL. I love Rotary because of its involvement in causes to make this world a better place."
Welcome, Karen! We are thrilled to have you as a member of the Rotary Club of Golden Valley!
Golden Vally Rotary kicked off 2023 with an inspiring presentation by Jaime Belden, President and Co-Founder of the non-profit Future Roots. Jaime updated us on a challenging and rewarding water project. The water project, installing low-cost water filters in homes in remote villages in Central America, is sponsored by 7 Rotary clubs in our area: Crystal – New Hope – Robbinsdale (primary club), Golden Valley, Minnetonka, Brooklyn Park, Maple Grove, St Louis Park, and Plymouth.
Congratulations to Bergstrom Studio, the Golden Valley Rotary Club's 2022 Business of the Year!
Rotary Club President, Mary Timmons (center) is pictured with Bob Zagaros, President/Owner (left) and Cindi Bergstrom Kranz, Buyer/Owner (right).
On receiving the award, Zagaros said, "We really enjoy being part of the Golden Valley community. We jumped right in and became part of the Taste & Tour in 2019 and was able to introduce ourselves to a lot of people. I was a member of [Rotary Club #9 Minneapolis] in downtown for years. Rotary is an extremely important organization in our community and in the world. To be recognized by this group is a huge honor! 'Service Above Self' is very important to us. We take care of our customers like they're family. And it pays off. That is why we'll be celebrating 100 years in business next year. Cindi is third generation of the Bergstrom family. Businesses have a hard time making it through to the third generation. Businesses rarely survive 100 years. So we think we've done something right. And we'll continue the traditions and the services that her father taught us; he was our mentor. All we are doing is our job, so for you to recognize that as 'Service Above Self', we appreciate that. So thank you very much!"
Jelan Heidelberg was originally welcomed into the Club during COVID times (remember all the Zoom?) and never had an in-person membership ceremony. So we did a re-do last week and celebrated Jelan's membership.
Before retirement, Jelan had a long and varied career with IBM. In the late 70's and throughout the 80's, she worked as a systems engineer, supporting companies large and small throughout the Twin Cities.
She then switched to working virtually long before it was popular and when the tools were much more primitive. She worked for IBM Rochester and then for headquarters. In her last dozen years at IBM, she managed several software products and had the opportunity to travel the world. She traveled just enough to whet her appetite for more -- more places and more time to meet the local people and learn. Since retirement, Jelan and her husband Jim have criss-crossed the globe. Their latest adventure took them to her 88th country, Rwanda. Jelan joined the Golden Valley Rotary Club in late 2020.
"When our children were going through Hopkins Schools, particularly Meadowbrook Elementary, I volunteered as much as I was able," said Jelan. "I co-chaired the carnival, served as volunteer chair, and treasurer of the PTO. As our children got older, I shifted my volunteer work to Hopkins Education Foundation, where I served on the Board for 7 years, including 2 as Board President. I'm still on the Board as an emeritus member and help with the website and other marketing activities. I've always felt very connected through the schools but haven't felt strongly connected to Golden Valley as a community, especially because I worked remotely for so many years. That's why I joined Golden Valley Rotary...to become more connected to the community where my husband and I have lived since the mid 1970s. I want to get to know people outside our neighborhood and the school community. In terms of service, my strengths lie more in behind-the-scenes work; marketing, web management, and in organizing activities and events. And I hope my international experience and love of travel will somehow merge with some Rotary activities."
Welcome, Jelan! We are thrilled to have you as a member of the Rotary Club of Golden Valley!
Welcome to our newest member, Logan Hershey! Logan is a Golden Valley resident and grew up in Maple Grove, MN. He attended Saint John’s University in Collegeville, MN where he played baseball and earned a degree in Accounting & Finance. After college, he began his career in public accounting. Today, Logan works at RBC Wealth Management as a Financial Advisor where he focuses on planning to help clients feel confident that they are financially secure.
Outside of work, Logan serves as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters and volunteers at various organizations teaching financial literacy classes. For fun he enjoys dining at new restaurants with his fiancé, Sarah, fishing, golfing, and spending time at the lake.
“I joined Rotary because I wanted to get involved in the community where I live,” said Logan. “Rotary does great service work throughout the community and the members were incredibly welcoming and hospitable. I’m excited to be a part of the events and connecting with members of the community. With Rotary, I hope to make a positive impact in the lives of every person, organization, or group we interact with. I believe experiences are better when shared. I can’t wait to share my talents, expertise, and time serving members of this great community.”
Welcome, Logan! We are thrilled to have you as a member of the Rotary Club of Golden Valley!
The Golden Valley Rotary Club is thrilled to bring back the Taste and Tour of Golden Valley!
Thursday, September 15, 2022
4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. – Community Check-in to receive your passport. FREE to attendees and open to all. Passports distributed until 6:30 p.m. or until they're gone, whichever is first. 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. – Community members tour participating businesses, enjoying food and drinks or activities provided by the businesses. Validate your visit on your passport. 7:00 p.m. - Closing Reception (Music, Raffle Drawing, etc.)
On Tuesday, May 31, 2022, the Rotary Clubs of Golden Valley and Crystal-New Hope-Robbinsdale partnered to produce 100 Intake Packets for The Bridge for Youth. The packets consisted of a blanket, a zippered hoodie, a pair of sweatpants, a pair of socks, and a fidget toy. As homeless youth enter The Bridge, they will now have new items of their own. This project was also supported by a grant from Rotary District 5950. Rotarians are #PeopleOfAction!
We had every intention of hosting our Brookview Lawn Bowling Membership Recruitment Event on Wednesday, May 25, but Mother Nature had other plans. The rain caused the lawn bowling event to be cancelled so we took the party indoors. Rotarians were treated by a visit from new Golden Valley police chief, Virgil Green, at Brookview's Three One Six restaurant.
The Golden Valley Rotary Club started its 26th year of caring for our stretch of Highway 55 on Tuesday, May 17 with Highway Clean-Up. A great crew of Rotarians pitched in to clean the road and then enjoyed a nice dinner together at Doolittles. This fun and easy project is just one of the ways the Rotary Club of Golden Valley serves our community.
Welcome to our newest member, Dr. Tim Klesk! Dr. Klesk is from Forward Spine Center in Golden Valley. We welcome him back to the club after a few years away. Tim is a 2014 graduate of Northwestern Health Sciences University where he received his Doctorate of Chiropractic. Prior to graduating from Northwestern, he attended the University of North Dakota, earning his Bachelor’s of Science in Biology. Tim was raised in Champlin, MN and currently resides in Northeast Minneapolis with his wife, Dr. Madeline Klesk, who is also a chiropractor, their two children, and their dog. He enjoys staying active, being outdoors, and spending time with friends and family. He strives to give back to the profession and community as an active member of many local and national organizations. Tim is a former Golden Valley Rotarian. He was a member of the Club from 2015-2017. Welcome back, Tim; we are so pleased you have rejoined the Golden Valley Rotary Club!
We are excited to share that the Rotary Club PB&J Challenge collected 203 lbs. of peanut butter & jelly for PRISM! That is a lot of PB&J sandwiches for local kiddos. The numbers broke down like this:
Michelle Ness, Executive Director of PRISM, said, "This is very much needed. Our donations have been unusually low and inflation has increased the cost of peanut butter 18% since September. We are seeing lots of people using the food shelf for the first time."
Cheers to the Rotary #PeopleOfAction, their #ServiceAboveSelf attitude, and a strong drive to help our friends at PRISM!!
Pictured, left to right: Golden Valley Rotarians Peggy Leppik, Julie Peterson, Mary Timmons, Jelan Heidelberg, Brian Liedtke.
Golden Valley Rotary Club is happy to announce the Views of the Valley notecards! Selected winners from the Views of the Valley contest are now converted into notecards with 100% of the proceeds going back to the Golden Valley community through donations and scholarships.
These award winning images were all taken by Golden Valley photographers of Golden Valley scenes. The set of six cards is $15.00 and makes a great gift!
The cards will be available for purchase at the Market in the Valley Winter Market on December 12 at Brookview.
The Rotary Club of Golden Valley appreciates the generosity of these photographers who have donated their images for this non-profit fundraiser.
Welcome to our newest member, Dennis G. Wojahn! Dennis is a Retired CPA and Tax Attorney. He was first inducted into Rotary in 1981 in Menasha, WI. He was a member of the Green Bay Rotary Club from 1986-2021. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow in Green Bay in 1990-1991 and made an Honorary member of their Club in 2021. Dennis has served as Club Treasurer, President-Elect, Assistant District Governor, President-Nominee, and a Club Board member. His hobbies include golf and cross country skiing. Dennis is a member of Wisconsin Institute of CPAs; American Institute of CPAs; Wisc. Bar Assoc; Brown County Bar Assoc; and NE Wisc. Estate Planning Council. He and his wife, Karen, have two children, Laura and Patrick. They enjoy a vacation home in Fish Creek, WI. Welcome, Dennis; we are so pleased you have joined the Golden Valley Rotary Club!
Congratulations to J-HAP and Cornerstone Creek, the Golden Valley Rotary Club's 2021 Business of the Year!
On receiving the award, J-HAP and Cornerstone Creek said, "We are thrilled to be honored by the Golden Valley Rotary Club for the 2021 Golden Valley Business of the Year award. J-HAP at Cornerstone Creek, managed by Trellis, values our relationship with the City of Golden Valley over the past five years. We are proud to have increased the number of affordable housing units in the city. We have provided independent living for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in this innovative model, offering 24/7 front desk presence, social, educational and cultural experiences, as well as community workshops. We look forward to continuing a long and successful relationship with the community of Golden Valley."
The Golden Valley Rotary Club gathered with members of the community to celebrate all things Rotary during the 2020-2021 year. We presented the Citizen of the Year award to Peter Knaeble and the Rotarian of the Year award to Bryan Palmer. Our high school scholarship recipients (Jack Halverson, Kate Larrabee, Kobi Schear, Libby Tonn, Lilly Wright) were honored. Paul Harris Fellows were given for extraordinary service to Michelle Ness and Betsy Anderson. And Michelle Ness, Club President, passed the presidential gavel to Mary Timmons, President-Elect. A great celebratory event in the forty-eight year history of the Golden Valley Rotary Club!
We welcomed four fantastic new Rotarians during the Fall, 2020/Winter, 2021 months of COVID-19! We are meeting virtually and don't have the opportunity for our normal new member ceremony, so we created a virtual presentation.
Judy Halper is the Executive Director of Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis in Golden Valley
Jelan Heidelberg is retired from IBM and is an active volunteer with the Hopkins Education Foundation, loves to travel, and is a very proud grandmother many times over
Thomas Johannsen is a Mortgage Loan Officer and lives in Golden Valley with his young family
Ryan Larson is President & CFO of Golden Valley Supply
Welcome, Judy, Jelan, Thomas, and Ryan; we are so pleased you have joined the Golden Valley Rotary Club!
Rotarians were out in force to volunteer at PRISM, helping to sort toys during their Fill The Van event! We ❤️ our partnership with PRISM and we love making a difference in the community! #ServiceAboveSelf #Rotary
On August 10th, widespread, destructive, straight-line winds blew across central Iowa. The most extreme winds, estimated to be at 110-140 miles-per-hour, destroyed or damaged numerous outbuildings, barns, grain bins, homes, mobile homes, apartment buildings, trees and power poles in parts of Benton, Linn, Jones, Cedar and Clinton Counties. The Cedar Rapids area was particularly hard hit. As #PeopleOfAction, we would like to do what we can to help our neighbors to the south.
The Golden Valley Rotary Club gathered virtually with members of the community to celebrate all things Rotary for the 2019-2020 year during the Twenty-First Annual Awards Ceremony on YouTube. We presented the Citizens of the Year award to Dawn Dresser and Sue Klaseus of Kid Pack. We presented the Rotarian of the Year award to Brian Liedtke. Our five high school scholarship recipients were honored. Paul Harris Fellows were given for extraordinary service. And Bryan Palmer, Club President for 19-20, passed the presidential gavel to Michelle Ness, Club President for 20-21. It was a great celebratory event in the forty-seven year history of the Golden Valley Rotary Club!
The Golden Valley Rotary Board of Directors met for a conference call on March 19, 2020 to make important decisions for the near future of the Golden Valley Rotary Club. We share a deep concern for you, your loved ones, the Golden Valley community, and the community at large.
Due to the spread of COVID-19, the federal government and the state of Minnesota strongly discourage meetings of more than 10 people. Rotary International has encouraged all Clubs to follow recommended guidelines. Therefore, the GV Rotary Board of Directors has decided that the Club will not meet in person through at least the end of April. Brookview Community Center has also suspended meetings and meal service until April 3, and we don’t know what their policy will be after that. As this is a fluid and rapidly evolving situation, we may decide to extend the timeline for resuming in-person meetings. We will keep you posted on future developments.
Welcome to our newest member, Ethan Meirovitz! Ethan is new to the Golden Valley Rotary Club but not new to Rotary; he was previously a member of the Rotary Club of Omaha Suburban in Nebraska. He's also not new to Golden Valley; Ethan grew up in our community and attended Hopkins Public Schools. He's now a full-time student, pursuing a degree in Business Administration. Rotary sparked Ethan's interest because of the avenues for community service and the ability to give back to others. He's looking forward to making new connections within the Club and the community. Welcome, Ethan; we are so pleased you have joined the Golden Valley Rotary Club!
Jewish Family & Children’s Service received the Business of the Year Award from Golden Valley Rotary Club. October is "Economic and Community Development Month" for the Rotary International calendar. The Golden Valley Rotary Club celebrates each year by naming a local Business of the Year to honor. The 2019 selection is Jewish Family and Children's Service (JFCS) in Golden Valley.
JFCS representatives accepting the award were Judy Halper, Executive Director; Lee Friedman, Chief Operating Officer; Lori Leavitt, Marketing and Communications Director; Dana Rubin, Development Director; Jeff Barin, Board Chair; and Jaye Snyder, Board Member. They are pictured with Bryan Palmer, Golden Valley Rotary Club President.
“We are honored to receive this recognition from the Rotary Club and proud to be a part of the Golden Valley community along with so many businesses and organizations working to make a positive impact,” JFCS Chief Executive Officer Judy Halper said. “JFCS provides essential services to people of all ages and backgrounds to sustain healthy relationships, ease suffering and offer support in times of need. We are also co-located with PRISM, and we are grateful for the opportunity to amplify one another’s work and improve service delivery to people in need. Just as the Rotary Club is dedicated to community service, at JFCS we are dedicated to serving our community, one person at a time, with boundless compassion.”
Welcome to our newest members, Kristen and Eric Seaburg! The Seaburgs both grew up in the Twin Cities and met during their first week of freshman year at the University of Minnesota. They got married in September, 2018 and purchased their first home in Golden Valley this past summer. Kristen is a medical sales rep for GN ReSound and Eric is a project manager at civil engineering firm Bolton and Menk. They are currently in the process of a DIY remodel of their house, but when they need a break, they enjoy traveling, biking, gardening, and trying new restaurants. Kristen and Eric are so excited to finally plant their roots in Golden Valley. They believe this community is super special and they want to be as involved as possible. The Seaburgs are happy that they found Rotary and are very grateful for how welcoming the group has been. They look forward to being active members for years to come! We are so pleased you have joined the Golden Valley Rotary Club, Kristen and Eric!
Our recent “Lunchtime Service Project” benefited The Bridge for Youth. With support from Culver's and Rotary District 5950, our Club assembled and delivered 48 "Got You Covered" packs (and an additional 79 pairs of wool socks) for youth in need. Each kit contained underwear, pajamas, and socks. #PeopleOfAction
Welcome to our newest member, Mary Timmons! Mary grew up as a farm girl in North Dakota and is very proud of her North Dakota roots. Before moving to Minneapolis, Mary was very active in the Fargo Moorhead community with Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, and other non-profits. Since living here, she's spent time in the hospitality industry, as an office manager, and most recently going out on her own to work with people as they prepare to move, assisting with purging, cleaning, and moving. Mary has two brothers and one sister. Her husband, David, was a member of our club; he passed away in July, 2018. We are so pleased you have joined the Golden Valley Rotary Club, Mary!
Our recent “Lunchtime Service Project” benefited The Bridge for Youth. We packed 34 school backpacks with supplies that youth will need in the coming months. The impact of our project was increased when our grant was matched by the Rotary District 5950. Rotarians are #PeopleOfAction
Lunchtime Service Project - Backpacks for The Bridge for Youth
The 5th Annual Taste and Tour was Thursday, August 1st from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Taste and Tour is a business “open house” where participants can “tour” local businesses while tasting samples of food and drinks. The event is FREE to attendees.
Rest in Peace, Chan Handberg Chan was a charter member of the Golden Valley Rotary Club. Channing Paul Handberg was born November 3, 1927. Channing was taken to heaven to be with our Lord July 19, 2019. He met the love of his life, Rachel and April 29, 1956 married. They celebrated over 60 years of Christian faith together. He was blessed to be President of Handberg Insurance Agency and a singing member of the Apollo Club of Minneapolis for over 60 years. He was preceded in death by wife, Rachel. Funeral service will be held on Monday, July 29, 2019, at King of Grace Lutheran Church. Read his full obituary here.
The Golden Valley Rotary Club presented a check for $1,000 to Jaime Belden & Future Roots Project / Raices del Futuro to support their sustainable educational initiatives in Central America. We are proud to be a multi-year donor along with several other Rotary Clubs in Minnesota.
The Future Roots Project is a collective founded in Minnesota that focuses on sustainable educational, artistic, and health initiatives in Central America. From teachers trainings to designing sustainable classroom materials, Future Roots brings educational and artistic opportunities to impoverished communities that improve literacy rates, creativity, self worth, health, & empowerment in children.
Golden Valley Rotary makes donation to Future Roots Project
Congratulations to Brian Liedtke on his recent Paul Harris Fellowship! Brian was recognized for his biggest contribution to the Club: grant writing. Brian successfully wrote a number of grants all aimed at bettering the lives of children and people in need. These grants had hands-on elements that allowed club members to work together on projects, leading to increased fellowship as members got to know one another in a different setting. Grants are how the monies we have contributed to The Rotary Foundation get returned to our community. We are grateful to Brian for helping us make a larger impact in the community AND for strengthening the bonds of service among our club members.
This month, the Golden Valley Business Council welcomed David Arbit, Director of Research and Economics from the Minneapolis Area Realtors. Arbit spoke on the topic of "Golden Valley Housing Market: Affordability and Trends." David is pictured here, center, with Rotarian Gary Aiken on the left and Shannon Full, President/CEO TwinWest Chamber, on the right.
David Arbit speaks at Golden Valley Business Council
The Golden Valley Rotary Club gathered with members of the community to celebrate all things Rotary during the 2018-2019 year. We presented the Citizen of the Year award to Amy Forbes and the Rotarian of the Year award to Colleen Haubner. Our high school scholarship recipients were honored. Paul Harris Fellows were given for extraordinary service, including a special posthumous award for Jim Nielsen. Members of Jim's family were on hand to receive his award. Julie Peterson passed the presidential gavel to Bryan Palmer, our new Club President. It was a great event, hosted at the Golden Valley Country Club, celebrating the forty-six year history of the Golden Valley Rotary Club! View all of the event's photos here.
Annual Awards Luncheon celebrates all things Rotary during the 2018-2019 year
"We have the wild poliovirus cornered in the smallest geographic area in history, and now there are just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, that continue to report cases of the wild virus," said Michael K. McGovern, chair of Rotary's International PolioPlus Committee. "As we work with our partners to apply innovative new strategies to reach more children, and embrace lessons learned thus far, Rotary is doubling down on our commitment to end polio for good."
On June 6, Rotarian Betsy Anderson presented a scholarship to a graduating senior at Perpich Arts High School. The recipient for 2019 is Linda Xiong. The counseling staff and music faculty at Perpich Arts High School helped select the recipient for the Golden Valley Rotary Club Scholarship. The scholarship is a one year, $1,000 scholarship. The student exemplifies “Service Above Self” and lives in Golden Valley or attended a school in Golden Valley. The scholarship honors high achievement in music but need not be awarded to a student currently focusing on music at Perpich. The student should plan on either studying or continuing with their music in their post-secondary career. This scholarship rounds out our 2019 giving of $5,000 total. Two scholarships were given to Robbinsdale Armstrong seniors, two to Hopkins seniors, and one to a senior at Perpich Arts High School.
Perpich Arts High School Senior Receives Rotary Scholarship
Golden Valley Rotary and Culver's were out in force for the Golden Valley PRIDE Festival on Sunday, June 9 at Brookview Park. The Rotary Club was a Bronze sponsor of the festival. Volunteers served up frozen custard, root beer, and root beer floats. All proceeds from the event will go to The Bridge for Youth to support their LGBTQ homeless youth programming. Much gratitude to Culver's of Golden Valley for donating all the custard and root beer.
John Anton Yngve, age 94, passed away May 21, 2019, after a life of love for his family and for his community. He touched thousands of lives, bettering all who knew him through his good humor and his wisdom, and contributed immensely to the public good through his participation in eighteen public offices and commissions. He was a long time member of both the St. Louis Park Rotary and the Golden Valley Rotary. Read his full obituary here.
Bryan and Rachel Palmer are in Hamburg, Germany for the 110th Rotary International Convention! They had an experience away from the RI Convention with other Rotarians from District 5950. They took a bus about 85 miles north to Flensburg, which is just south of the Danish border. They met German Rotarians, toured Flensburg on foot, and visited the Danish Queen’s summer castle. Later in the day, they enjoyed dinner and live music hosted by Gitta & Yogi Reppmann. Dr. Joachim "Yogi" Reppmann was born in Flensburg, Germany, and first came to America in 1978 as a young college student with aspirations of learning everything he could about the country that had fascinated him since he'd read wild west novels as a child. He served as a professor of German at St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges in Northfield. With the Reppmanns, they learned about the Peace Pipe Letter Initiative, an opportunity advancing world peace.
The official start day of the convention was Sunday, June 2, when all of the speakers and breakout sessions began. Enjoy, Palmers!
This month's Spotlight Speaker for Golden Valley Business Council was Lori Ertl from Under Pressure Brewing. Located just one block off Highway 55 on 7th Avenue in Golden Valley, their taproom showcases award winning beers, an art studio available for rent, outdoor seating, games, a library of classic books, and the perfect atmosphere for friendly gatherings. They started searching for a building to call home in 2014; Golden Valley wrote an ordinance for them to be here. After four years and many location attempts, they finally found a building to house Under Pressure Brewing. The owners have known each other since they were fifteen. So far they have won 41 medals through Beer Judge Certification Program sanctioned competitions. Check them out!
Lori Ertl from Under Pressure Brewing speaks at Golden Valley Business Council
The $264,000 given by District 5950 members far surpasses the 2018-19 goal and boosts the district to #3 in the world for PolioPlus giving! With two months left in the Rotary year, we will grow that total. Last year's total was $215,463.56 which ranked #1 in our two zone pair (28-29). Congratulations to District Governor Irene Kelly and PolioPlus Chairman Tim Mulcrone (Chanhassen) for these stellar numbers!
On Wednesday May 15, Rotarians Gary Aiken, Shep Harris, and Betsy Anderson presented two scholarships to graduating seniors at Hopkins High School. The recipients for 2019 are Julieta Garcia-Cordova and Parker Stoddard. The counseling staff at Hopkins High School helps select the recipients for the Golden Valley Rotary Club Scholarship. Each scholarship is a one year, $1,000 scholarship. The students exemplify “Service Above Self” and live in Golden Valley or attended a school in Golden Valley. Sixty scholarships, valued at over $56,000, were awarded during the ceremony to well-deserving seniors.
Hopkins High School Seniors Receive Rotary Scholarships
Monies raised at our Winter Warm Up in February are being distributed in the community. One recipient is the New Hope YMCA. The $1,000 donation from Rotary will go toward offering scholarships for their summer camp programs. Rotary has supported this effort in previous years. President-Elect/Treasurer Bryan Palmer presented the contribution to Past-President Colleen Haubner, who is also executive director of the New Hope YMCA. Other community groups have been selected by the Board, and check presentations will be made in the coming weeks, prior to the end of this Rotary year on June 30.
Welcome to our newest member, Ben Toenies! Ben is married to his lovely wife, Annie. They have two children, Eva and Judah. Ben works with Northwestern Mutual as a Financial Advisor in Minnetonka, MN. Ben and Annie are passionate about their church community, spending time with family, and playing volleyball. Rotary sparked Ben's interest given the focus on community involvement and improvement. He wanted to find a way to meet more good people and build strong relationships. Ben believes the best way to do this is by working alongside others who have similar values and aspirations for benefiting our community. Welcome, Ben; we are so pleased you have joined the Golden Valley Rotary Club!
Rotarians chatted with community members during the Golden Valley Volunteer Fair. It was a great opportunity to talk about all the volunteering Rotarians do in the community, totaling thousands of hours. #PeopleOfAction
Did you know that Minnesota has more FIRST robotics teams than hockey teams? It's true! FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science & Technology) designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge, and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. Members from The Technocrats 2239, the Hopkins High School robotics team, visited to share their story. They are one of the longest sustaining robotics teams in the state, and have a vision to not only compete at a high level, but also to mentor and inspire students in the younger grades.
Technocrats 2239, the Hopkins High School robotics team
We are so happy to welcome Mike Phelan as our newest member of the Golden Valley Rotary Club!
Mike grew up in Omaha, Nebraska where he spent most of his time in sports, hanging out with friends, and with the high school youth group. During summer breaks he managed a city pool, taught swim lessons, and volunteered at the Omaha Reservation in Nebraska. After high school, he attended the University of St. Thomas were he studied Finance and Economics and met his wife, Katie. They currently live in St. Paul, but are starting to look for a new house in the Golden Valley/St. Louis Park area. Mike works at JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle IP, Inc.) as a commercial broker and specializes in Tenant Representation. He looks forward to meeting everyone in the Club and helping spread the word of Rotary throughout our community! Mike has volunteered to be our Club's liaison for the District 5950 Human Trafficking initiative. Welcome, Mike; we are so pleased you have joined the Golden Valley Rotary Club!
Fundraiser to benefit service organizations that impact lives in our community. Warm up with food/beverage, music, and fun activities. Food, Carnival Games, Live Music, Face Painting, 50/50 Raffle, Wine Wall, and Dine 'n Dash Gift Cards!
Kids are welcome! Kids age 12 years and under are FREE.
Sweet Potato Comfort Pie is not a project that falls under a major corporation or national organization. It is an authentic, grass roots vision that intentionally serves community. In response to racial unrest, Rose McGee of Golden Valley was called to the kitchen. McGee said, "When someone is in pain, as a neighbor, you do something." That something became Sweet Potato Comfort Pies. Since 2014, Rose has been spreading peace with pies; in Ferguson, MO, in Charleston, SC, in the Twin Cities, and beyond. The 5th Annual MLK Holiday of Service is right around the corner! This year, they will bake 90 pies to celebrate what would have been Dr. King's 90th birthday. To ensure your piece of the pie, register here.
Hundreds of hygiene kits were assembled by members of Golden Valley Rotary Club and General Mills to benefit PRISM Golden Valley, MN. The 600 kits were funded by grants from Golden Valley Rotary Club, Spirit of Hope UMC, and Rotary District 5950. #PeopleOfAction
Tennant Company of Golden Valley received the Business of the Year award from Golden Valley Rotary Club. October is "Economic and Community Development Month" for the Rotary International calendar. The Golden Valley Rotary Club celebrates by naming a local Business of the Year to honor. The 2018 selection is Tennant Company of Golden Valley.
Days for Girls volunteers and enterprises have reached more than ONE MILLION women and girls around the world who now have more days of opportunity, dignity, and health thanks to Days for Girls menstrual health solutions and education— making sure that every single day of her life counts. When we mobilize girls and women through health and education opportunities, their communities and our world grow stronger. Pads are a simple thing that helps girls go to school and women go to work. The project provides a washable/reusable product for use during menstrual cycles, enabling girls and women to attend school/work during menstruation when they otherwise could not.
Welcome to our newest Rotary member, Wendy Wier-Connelly! Wendy has known about Rotary for a long time as her parents were Rotarians and her husband, Tim, is a past president of the Rochester Club. West Coast natives, Wendy and Tim relocated to Minnesota in 1999. After many years in Rochester, MN, they moved to the Twin Cities and now live in the Victory Neighborhood of Minneapolis. Wendy is the human resources director for Bigos Management, a property management company based in Golden Valley. Wendy and Tim have three adult children: Carina, Anna, and Riley, who all also live in Minneapolis. Welcome, Wendy!
The Golden Valley Taste & Tour took place on Thursday, July 26. Gray skies and intermittent rain couldn't keep away the fun with 482 attendees (up 80 from last year!) enjoying hospitality from 16 local businesses: Mort's Deli, Amy Lea 'n Me LLC, Triple D Espresso, Calvary Center Cooperative, Best Wishes Floral, New Bohemia, Liquor Barrel Golden Valley, Doolittles Woodfire Grill, Rue 48 Salon-Aveda Golden Valley, Pilgrim Dry Cleaners, Mainstream Boutique of Golden Valley, Bassett Creek Dental, Culver's, Davanni's Pizza and Hot Hoagies, Fix My Busted Computer, and Cedar Lake Wine Company! This year's event was co-sponsored by LIVE - Living In the Valley Events and the Golden Valley Rotary Club.
Fundraiser to benefit PRISM, New Hope YMCA, and other community needs. Warm up with Surly brews, music, and fun activities that are sure to warm you during the long, cold winter. Food, Games, Live Music, Face Painting, 50/50 Raffle, Wine Wall
Kids are welcome!
Register by January 1 and get your first pint drink (beer or pop) FREE!
Kids aged 12 years and under are FREE.
$25 online, $30 at the door, $45 includes Brewery Tour
Special thanks to Kent Garbers and Kym Betts from Frankie's! During the several weeks that we were without a permanent home, we were well taken care of at Frankie's. From accommodating our audio/visual needs to serving our large group efficiently and with a smile, the "wandering weeks" flew by in comfort. Thank you, Kent and Kym!
Diane Schnell from the New Hope YMCA accepted a $1,000 check from treasurer Bryan Palmer in support of their Funding the Future event. The event raised $20,800 which will fund 100 full scholarships to YMCA summer camps. We are proud to be donors for the YMCA and support their ongoing efforts to help youth in our community.
Wayne Gjerde from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency spoke about plastics and how recycling supports Minnesota jobs. Plastic lumber products are surging and many are made in Minnesota, such as By the Yard outdoor furniture. A new product, Harbor Pier, made in Worthington, will soon be installed in the Duluth harbor. It won't deteriorate and will flex if hit. About 18,000 jobs in Minnesota are related to recycling.
Wayne Gjerde from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Hopkins Superintendent Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed joined members of the Golden Valley Business Council for a conversation about public education and about Hopkins Public Schools. With her are Gary Aiken (Tonka Financial), Becky Bakken (Discover St. Louis Park), and Tim Cruikshank (City Manager, Golden Valley.) Over 90% of children in America attend public schools, so their success is pivotal for the future of our country. The Hopkins Public Schools serve seven municipalities with just under 7,000 students attending one of nine schools. Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed hopes to move Hopkins from "great" to "world class." More than 20 school districts are seeking a referendum this Election Day, including Hopkins with three questions on the ballot.
Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed speaks with Golden Valley Business Council
Rotary's positive impact on Schaper Park continues! A few weeks ago, Rotarians Julie Peterson, Colleen Haubner, Brian Liedtke, and Paul Mork gathered at the new playground to add mulch to newly planted trees, which the Golden Valley Rotary purchased. In all, the Rotary funded sixteen trees at Schaper Park! The all-inclusive play structure and no-barriers playground have received lots of good press since opening in the summer. The new park is a result of partnerships between the City of Golden Valley, Three Rivers Park District, MN/WI Playground, Paul’s Pals, Golden Valley Rotary Club, and the Golden Valley Community Foundation.
Rotary's positive impact on Schaper Park continues!
There are more people in poverty in the suburbs than in Minneapolis, with senior citizens as the largest growing group of food shelf users. Realities like this are why PRISM exists to serve Golden Valley, Plymouth, Crystal, New Hope, and Robbinsdale with food, clothing, and housing assistance. Executive Director Michelle Ness told PRISM's story at last week's Rotary meeting. Programs include: Marketplace Food Shelf, Homelessness Prevention, Rapid Rehousing, Shop for Change Thrift Shop, & Children's Programs. There are 750 families coming through the food shelf per month. In March 2018, they will relocate alongside Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Minneapolis to create an impactful new space for social services. This is not a merger, but rather a complement of services, hoping to offer a more holistic approach to helping people UP and OUT of poverty.
The Golden Valley Rotary Club celebrates Vocational month by naming a local Business of the Year to honor. The 2017 selection is the Animal Humane Society of Golden Valley. Animal Humane Society of Golden Valley annually cares for more than 23,000 animals in need and helps thousands more through programs for people and pets. Because of their commitment to giving back and serving the community, the Rotary Club of Golden Valley presented Animal Humane Society of Golden Valley with its annual Business of the Year Award on Oct. 17, 2017. The award recognizes service above self, Rotary International's motto. “We at Animal Humane Society are honored to be chosen as the ‘Business of the Year’ by the Golden Valley Rotary Club,” says Breanna Willman, Corporate Philanthropy Advisor. “We very much appreciate the recognition for the work we are doing in the community to advance animal welfare and create a more humane world for animals throughout Minnesota.”
Animal Humane Society of Golden Valley receives annual Business of the Year Award
Under rainy skies and the guidance of Hennepin County Forester Jen Kullgren, ten Rotarians revamped a busy corridor in Golden Valley with 45 new trees. They were replacing ash trees that formerly lined Winnetka Avenue. The invasive species, Emerald Ash Borer, has forced many cities to look at a more diverse tree environment. Eight different types of trees were planted on Saturday: Boulevard Linden, Discovery Elm, Ginkgo, Honeylocust, Kentucky Coffeetree, New Horizon Elm, Oak-leaf Mountain Ash, Snowbird Hawthorn. With Rotary International President Ian Riseley challenging clubs to plant a tree for each member in Rotary, the Golden Valley Club is going above and beyond that goal. Facing the elements and "digging" in were: Jim Nielsen, Colleen Haubner, Paul Mork, Reed Robinson, Peggy Leppik, Brian Liedtke, John Peterson, Julie Peterson, Chad Boger, Edward Lief.
Rotary Update from Future Roots Project: Our first month flew by in the blink of eye and thanks to support we received from Rotary for our vocational training program, we had our most successful month ever, training over 100 teachers in three different communities and distributing over 150 books so far. We attended a dinner with the Jinotepe Rotary Club, the in-country host club of our project. The District Governor, Manuel Antonio Sequeira, was visiting from Costa Rica and they hosted a special event for him that also showcased the work we do in their schools. Next week, Terry Johnson, president of the Crystal, New Hope, Robbinsdale Club, will be joining us for her second visit to Nicaragua this year! We are very excited to host her and to have her help at the next teacher training.
Rotary supports Golden Valley Historical Society! David Kuball from Golden Valley Historical Society received a $500 donation from the Golden Valley Rotary. The Historical Society has undergone major renovations in the past couple of years, adding a new part of the building which will tell the story of Golden Valley. A grand opening is scheduled for Spring, 2018.
Rotary supports Kid Pack! Dawn Dresser from Kid Pack received a $300 donation from the Golden Valley Rotary. Each week, Good Samaritan and Calvary churches partner to deliver 170 Kid Pack bags to Robbinsdale's Neill Elementary School. Each Kid Pack includes food that students take home over the weekends, when school food is not available. The Rotary will support 150 Kid Packs with this donation.
Check out "Mr. Golden Valley" Don Anderson, proud Rotarian, in the Star Tribune!
"You can research your family history there. You can peruse old newspapers, browse shelves of yearbooks, even get married in one of them. Historical societies in the west metro area long have served as go-to places to learn about a city’s past and connect with local resources. Now several are taking steps to get more exposure and attract greater audiences.
Many historical societies in the United States were formed in the early-to mid-1970s, inspired in part by the nation’s bicentennial. Such was the case with the Golden Valley group, created in 1973. Operating out of a 135-year-old church that will soon host its 200th wedding, the Golden Valley society is opening a museum wing next spring. The room soon will feature displays and collections now in storage, said board member Don Anderson." Read the article here.
See you later, Tim Klesk! Dr. Tim Klesk will be joining the chiropractic practice of his mentor in Maple Grove, therefore having to leave the Golden Valley Rotary Club. He couldn't pass up this opportunity; Tim plans on buying into the practice over the next few years and having his wife, Madeline, also join him. Dr. Madeline Klesk is also a chiropractor. Tim commented that he's grown over the years with Rotary and has learned a lot about himself in the process. We are certainly going to miss Tim and all the energy he brought to Rotary. We hope to see him again soon and wish him the best of luck in this new venture!
Dr. Timothy Magee, with Health Care for All Minnesota, spoke about the current state of health care in our nation. The United States is the most expensive place to be sick out of all developed countries and we currently rank 37th in quality of care. Prescription drugs in the US are nearly double the cost vs. in Canada. The big problem? Health care has become BIG business. And the more money you have, the longer you live.
Bravo, Golden Valley Rotary! Highway 55 is looking much better after a crew of Rotarians took to the road and cleaned up wrappers, cans, plastics, etc. A dedicated crew gathered on October 3rd in the parking lot of the Golden Valley Commons. The Golden Valley Rotary Club cleans up this section of highway twice a year as part of the Adopt A Highway program.
Rotarian Edward Lief stitched together a story about São Miguel, Rotary, and the luxury brand, Coach. The common thread? Victor Luis. Born on São Miguel, an impoverished island in Portugal’s Azores archipelago, Victor's U.S. family would send care packages of clothing and Wrigley’s gum. His family immigrated to the U.S. in 1973, when Victor was 7, settling in East Providence, R.I. His parents made ends meet with manufacturing jobs. Victor earned a scholarship to college, then studied international economics on a Rotary fellowship in Britain. “Because of our blue-collar background, luxury was the furthest thing from my mind,” he says. But luxury found Luis. After an impressive and varied career, he is now the CEO of Coach. An investment from Rotary can open endless possibilities.
Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed, Superintendent, and Katie Williams, Director of Community Education, both represented Hopkins Public Schools at Rotary. It is an exciting time at Hopkins, with the new superintendent starting this past July, and three big questions for the voters on this November's ballot. Dr. Mhiripiri-Reed is native to Minnesota, having graduated from Bloomington Public Schools. She's been across the country, learning and working in public education for over 15 years. She spoke about the almost 7,000 students in the nine Hopkins schools. Around 42% are students of color and 46 languages are spoken. This fall, voters have an opportunity to vote on three ballot questions posed by the school district: a bond, a capital projects levy, and an operating levy. Details about the referendum can be found here.
Dr. Rhoda Mhiripiri-Reed & Hopkins referendum 2017
Tune in for Rotary's fifth annual World Polio Day event on October 24, this year co-hosted with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Watch it live at 5:30 p.m. EDT or anytime after the event at endpolio.org.
Bonus Pearl: Stan: Any news about the guy who fell into the upholstery machine? Jan: Yes. He's now fully recovered.
The Golden Valley Business Council welcomed Perpich Center for Arts Education Executive Director Curt Tryggestad to the September meeting. Tryggestad just joined Perpich this summer, and now leads a team of 70 which includes agency employees, professional development staff, and certified teachers & administrators. On the heels of the 2017 Legislative Session & Legislative Auditors' Report, Perpich has five strategies going forward: Culture and Climate; Advocacy; Marketing and Communication; Information and Technology; and Finances. Their priorities are to increase enrollment, stabilize finances, seek bonding dollars, develop a 3-5 year technology plan, seek partnerships outstate, and re-establish and/or strengthen relationships with arts organizations statewide.
Curt Tryggestad, Perpich Center for Arts Education
Rotary International partners with the “Shelter Box” organization to provide support for families displaced by hurricanes and floods. “Shelter in a Shelter” tents provide privacy and comfort to evacuees, private spaces for healthcare, lactation stations, places of worship, AA meetings, etc. They also distribute blankets, solar lights, groundsheets, and school kits. A woman whose mobile home near the San Jacinto River was flooded by hurricane Harvey said about her Shelter in a Shelter tent, “It’s the best house we’ve ever had.”
From Minnesota Public Radio: With Puerto Rico devastated by Hurricane Maria, shutting down all power and most communication, many Puerto Ricans in Minnesota are still awaiting word from friends and family on the island. There are an estimated 13,000 Puerto Ricans living in Minnesota, including DFL State Sen. Melisa Franzen of Edina, who was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Minnesota in 2001. She joined several local politicians and leaders in urging Minnesotans and Minnesota companies to do what they can to help. "The situation is dire, there are 3.5 million U.S. citizens on the island of Puerto Rico, which is a U.S. Commonwealth," she said. She urged donations, but said people should research where they are donating relief funds. She vouched for El Fondo Boricua, or the Boricua Fund for Hurricane Relief, a fund that is being operated by the St. Paul Foundation and can be donated to at givemn.org.
Dr. Chad Boger is a past president of Golden Valley Rotary. Boger Dental is a participating dentist in the Smiles for Life whitening campaign. Since 1998, Smiles for Life has raised over $38 million, benefiting hundreds of children’s charities. Boger Dental has raised around $260,000 over their 12 years of participating. For the past few years, they have made a donation to PRISM as part of their community outreach. This past year they donated $4,400 to PRISM! In addition to the monetary support, they also donated about $3,000 in toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste this past year. Said PRISM Executive Director Michelle Ness, "The donation makes a significant impact ensuring that the Food Shelf has adequate and stable perishables such as milk, eggs, butter, and meat for the 700 families we serve each month."
Last Tuesday was our Club Assembly at new location, Frankie's Chicago Style Bar & Restaurant. Treasurer Bryan Palmer provided a financial update including our recent move to QuickBooks. Tim Klesk, Contributions Chair, spoke about the group's efforts to build standard operating procedures year to year. Chad Boger with Membership shared the new application process in ClubRunner, ongoing work to revise job descriptions, and the goal of matching up new members to veteran Rotarians. Secretary Dan Korsman's report included the move to ClubRunner with updated attendance. He's also working on getting our service hours recorded. A suggestion from President Colleen Haubner? Download the ClubRunner app on your phone! It has great resources on the go. Finally was a report from the One Rotary Summit and District 5950's goal of increasing our female membership by 1000 women (15 women per club, 5 new members over 3 years.)
Rotarians Paul Mork, Peggy Leppik, Edward Lief, and Betsy Anderson attended the Rotary One Summit with 200+ Rotarians from across District 5950. The focus of the summit was the addition of women to Rotary. We exchanged ideas for future growth that involved programs, leadership, public image, etc. All ideas will be gathered by the facilitators and be available on the District 5950 website at a future date. With a goal of 50.3% women in Rotary (the same percentage of women in MN), that means 1000 new women to Rotary! Breaking that down, it means fifteen women per club, adding five over the next three years.
Marshall Tanick shared the history of Brookview Community Center. The Walker family (Walker Art Center) opened it in the 1920s as "Superior Golf Course." It was later purchased and became Brookview, a Jewish Country Club. This was in response to a wave of anti-semitism across Minnesota at the time. Brookview was a hub for weddings, anniversaries, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, mah jong card clubs, etc. With a swimming pool and ballroom, the amenities were well used. In 1968, after years of membership decline, the City of Golden Valley passed a bond referendum to purchase Brookview for $1.6 million, converting it to public facilities.
Severe rainfall caused historic flooding along the Texas coast, including in Houston, the fourth largest city by population in the United States. About 6.8 million people have been affected by the hurricane. Meanwhile, Hurricane Irma is descending on Florida and the Atlantic coast of the United States. Already, the storm has directly affected 1.2 million people and millions more are in its path. Two Rotary Foundation donor advised funds have been set up to accept donations for disaster relief and recovery in response to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Hurricane Harvey Account name: Gulf Coast Disaster Relief Fund Account number: 608 Hurricane Irma Account name: Hurricane Emergency Relief Fund Account number: 296 Learn how you can contribute here. If you have questions about how you can help, contact relief@rotary.org
The Rotary Club was well represented at Schaper Park's grand opening. Julie Peterson, co-lead on the District Grant, shared Rotary's happiness at the partnerships and final product. Mayor Shep Harris was emcee for the proceedings and highlighted the Rotary's good work in the community. And stakes around the park designated the future trees that will be there, thanks to the Rotary's efforts. There were eleven Rotarians in attendance, along with some Rotary children who thoroughly enjoyed the new playground.
The Rotary Club was out in force for the grand opening of Minnesota’s first outdoor fitness challenge course at Golden Valley’s Schaper Park. It was a beautiful day to celebrate the new all-inclusive play structure. The new park is a result of partnerships between the City of Golden Valley, Three Rivers Park District, MN/WI Playground, Paul’s Pals, Golden Valley Rotary Club, and the Golden Valley Community Foundation.
Minnesota’s first outdoor fitness challenge course
The Center of the American Experiment is a Minnesota-based think tank that advocates for conservative and free-market principles. John Phelan, an economist at American Experiment, shared a report on Minnesota's economy and how mediocre performance threatens the state's future. On several data points, the state is above or equal to the national average. But there are data points in Phelan's presentation that also shows Minnesota lagging the national average.
Dwight's Weekly Pearl: The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service
High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
The Rotary Foundation and clubs along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana are collecting emergency relief funds to help flood victims of Hurricane Harvey, which slammed into southeast Texas. With an estimated damage of $190 billion, Hurricane Harvey could be the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Want to contribute to the Gulf Coast Disaster Relief Donor Advised Fund? By check payable to: The Rotary Foundation DAF Memo line: Gulf Coast Disaster Relief Fund #608 Mail to: Rotary DAF, c/o NRS, 12 Gill Street, Suite 2600, Woburn, MA, 01801 By credit card: Click Here Account name: Gulf Coast Disaster Relief Fund Account number: 608 If you have questions about how you can help, contact relief@rotary.org
Minnesota’s first outdoor fitness challenge course is coming to Golden Valley’s Schaper Park, along with a new all-inclusive play structure. You're invited to the grand opening Saturday, Sept 9, 11:30 am-1 pm. Schaper Park is located at 631 Ottawa Ave N, Golden Valley. The event will include free lunch (hot dogs, chips, cookies, & beverages), activities from Three Rivers Park District, and opportunities to try the challenge course and accessible play structure. The new park is a result of partnerships between the City of Golden Valley, Three Rivers Park District, MN/WI Playground, Paul’s Pals, Golden Valley Rotary Club, and the Golden Valley Community Foundation.
John Doyle, local foodie blogger, took us on a journey to burger land. We learned about the pub style vs. diner-smashed debate. He discussed national trends like fast casual, chef driven, healthy-non-meat options, ethnic ingredients, natural-artisan-in-house, and burgers for brunch. John talked about the hugely successful In-N-Out Burger which is still a privately held, family owned business. Future trend to watch? Clean meat, which is animal free. Bill Gates and Richard Branson have invested heavily in clean meat, with Cargill recently joining. His top picks for MN? Lions Tap and Murray's. And top picks for Golden Valley? Mort's, Good Day Café, and Schullers Tavern. John started his website to give burger-loving folks insight to anything that is happening in the world of burgers.
Millions in Texas are experiencing epic flooding as state and national guard service members are activated in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. The storm's slow movement means more rain and flooding will likely make matters worse. ShelterBox USA is in continuous contact with FEMA to discuss potential shelter options to help families displaced by flooding or storm surge. ShelterBox Operations will continue to monitor the storm and activate an immediate response if needed. The ShelterBox USA-based Response Team members, several of whom live in Texas, are standing by to assist in the delivery of aid to impacted areas.
Rotarians received a "behind the scenes" tour of the new Brookview, opening this winter. Rick Birno and Ben Disch guided us through the public and private spaces, including a few places to choose where the Rotary will meet for their weekly gatherings when the building opens to the public in December. While inside it is still very much a construction zone, (and the workers were patient with us traipsing around) the outside views are spectacular and will surely be a main attraction for the area. We are excited to get in there permanently!
In a few weeks, Brookview Community Center will close its doors to the public and begin the next phase of construction: demolishing the original building from 1918. Ben Disch and Rick Birno spoke on the construction project that started on October 3, 2016. The Rotary has had a front row seat of the new building, and Ben and Rick took us "inside" with artist renderings of the finished product. Fun fact: new conference tables will be made from downed Golden Valley trees. The location is sure to be a hot spot in town, and already has interested parties for Super Bowl 52. Brookview's Grand Opening is scheduled for December 1, 2017.
From the Golden Valley City Council Meeting on 8-15-17 as the Council approves a resolution accepting donations from the Golden Valley Rotary Club for bleachers and trees and Floyd & Sue Anderson for a new play structure bench at Schaper Park. Representing the Rotary is Betsy Anderson. Credit to Northwest Suburbs Cable Communications Commission for video.
Golden Valley City Council approves donations at Schaper Park
The Golden Valley Rotary had a great time "paving the way to Nicaragua" for Future Roots Project/Raices del Futuro at local brewery Wicked Wort Brewing Co. With the Rotarians are Future Roots Project founders Liz Dahl and Jaime Belden. #PeopleOfAction
Future Roots Project fundraiser at Wicked Wort Brewing
The Golden Valley City Council approved a resolution on Tuesday night, accepting the donations from the Golden Valley Rotary Club to benefit Schaper Park. Parks & Rec. Director, Rick Birno, shared how grateful they were to the Rotary for the ability to "add back" some features that didn't fit into the budget. Mayor Shep Harris, along with other members of the Council, were very appreciative for the Rotary's help and for the Rotary's presence in the community. A video of the exchange is also available.
Golden Valley City Council approves Schaper Park donation
We were pleased to welcome Area 5 Assistant Governor, Guy Marzano. Guy is a member of the Minnetonka Rotary Club. As Area 5 Assistant Governor, Guy brings together the leadership of the five Area 5 Clubs: Golden Valley, Hopkins, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park Morning, & St. Louis Park Noon. Assistant Governors serve as the connection between clubs and the district. They are encouraged to visit regularly, monitoring the club's progress and keeping the governor informed.
Trina Deiss and Rebekah Meyers, both from United1Front, believe in the Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI) method for addressing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.) The Masgutova Foundation is a nonprofit that raises funds for scholarships, research, and programs to help those individuals and families living with neurological challenges throughout the world. People with PTSD are in constant survival mode. With MNRI, individuals can address the physical symptoms along with the mental/emotional.
Dwight's Weekly Pearl: Lammot du Pont II, American Industrialist, 1880-1952 People may change their minds as often as their coats, and a new set of rules of conduct may be written every week, but the fact remains that human nature has not changed and does not change, that inherent human beliefs stay the same: that fundamental rules of human conduct continue to hold.
Bravo, Rotary! PRISM collected over 3,700 pounds of food from National Night Out and several Rotarians from the Golden Valley Club helped to sort through all of it. Thank you: Dwight Townes, Julie & John Peterson, Chad, Shayla, Eleanor, & Ansel Boger, Jim Nielsen, Larry Cramer, Brian Liedtke, Reed Robinson, and Paul Mork. Our ongoing partnership with PRISM is one of our favorite projects. We appreciate the opportunity to allow for dignity for our neighbors.
So fun to see our friend Bryan Rossi, in town from Rochester, MN. Bryan accepted the role of Executive Director at Rochester STEM Academy a few years ago. The position keeps him in Rochester during the week, thus missing our Tuesday meetings. Rochester STEM Academy is currently on summer break, and summer school let out recently. This allowed Bryan to be in town and visit the Rotary. Great to see you, Bryan, and hope to have your amazing students visit us again this coming school year.
Bryan Rossi, Executive Director, Rochester STEM Academy
Beth Pfeifer (Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB)) and Bert Jackson (Loppet Foundation) spoke about The Trailhead: Theodore Wirth Park’s New Adventure and Welcome Center. A partnership between the two entities, The Loppet Foundation will build and donate the building to MPRB and then lease it from MPRB and operate the building. It will be a new home for outdoor adventurewith 14,000 sq. ft. as a jumping-off point for year round activities. The Rotary hopes to schedule a tour after its completion in January, 2018.
The Trailhead: Theodore Wirth Park’s New Adventure and Welcome Center
Paige Novak, Professor of Environmental Engineering, spoke on the importance of estrogen in wastewater and its effect on ecology. Humans create pollutants in wastewater and our treatment plants have not kept up, having been designed over 100 years ago. Estrogen removal is particularly difficult, stemming from Deet, fragrances, medications, etc. that end up in water. The estrogen has serious biological effects on the ecosystem. Novak says the removal of estrogen is a huge challenge without an easy fix. Her research is seeking a bacterial solution, but the issue is complicated and cannot guarantee success.
The District 3 Rotary Clubs (Maple Grove, Rogers, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Crystal/New Hope/Robbinsdale) celebrated the 100 years of the Rotary Foundation on July 29th with music, food, and a 5 layered cake that was served to all in attendance. The Rotary Foundation has spent more than $3 billion on projects that promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, support education, save mothers and children, and grow local economies. Many projects were on display like bed building for CROSS, providing shelter with Shelter Box for those people who have lost their homes due to natural disasters, and Days for Girls hygiene kits for girls to let them continue to attend school.
Scholarship recipient says "Thank you!" We received this note from Jared Mowery. Six scholarships were given, three to Hopkinsstudents and three to Robbinsdale Armstrong students; each scholarship is a one year, $1,000 scholarship. The parameters for the scholarship selection process are: The student exemplifies “Service Above Self”; The student lives in Golden Valley or attended a Golden Valley school in the past; The student plans on attending a two or four-year post-secondary school; Special consideration for a student with a connection to Rotary. Our 2017 recipients: Jared Mowery, Maeve O'Meara, Antonia Young, Dorothy Anderson, Angela Crelly, and Elliot Olson.
A new era for the Golden Valley Rotary Club: our first meeting using ClubRunner to take attendance! So fancy! ClubRunner will provide a lot of upgrade options for our Club. Our new website is up and running and improving all the time. Dan Korsman is working on updating our online member directory. And the beautiful thing: ClubRunner is created to be used by people with no technical expertise! Phew!
Golden Valley was out in droves for the annual Taste & Tour of Golden Valley on Thursday, July 27. Hundreds of passports were distributed for attendees to enjoy the fare and wares of fifteen local businesses that add style and taste to Golden Valley. One young participant (pictured) got to eat a yummy sandwich, dive into delicious Culver's custard, and try his hand at archery with the Boy Scouts. It was a great evening out in Golden Valley!
Ilo Leppik, MD, Neurology Professor from the University of MN spoke on Minnesota Medical Cannabis. This is not marijuana to be smoked, and it is certainly not for recreational use. In fact, medical cannabis in Minnesota is quite restrictive. There are only a handful of dispensaries around the state, and users need a prescription to gain access. Medical cannabis is made in factories so that the plant can be purified and certified as pharmaceutical grade. It is taken in pill form, liquid, or oil.
For Peggy, life evolves, it doesn't change. She keeps busy with Rotary, League of Women Voters, tutoring for Adult Basic Education, Superior Trail hiking, advising at the Humphrey Institute, and gardening. Ilo, her husband, will be helping more in the garden. The Leppiks just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and have a family trip soon to witness the solar eclipse in August. Peggy has the distinction of being appointed by the Governor to the Campaign Finance Board more than anyone else; unfortunately that is because the Legislature has failed to confirm her appointment all these times. The Rotary knows she's a winner, though! Thanks for sharing your What's New, Peggy!
Edward became the newest member of the Golden Valley Rotary Club on July 18, 2017. New to Rotary International, Edward shared that he is studying and learning about Rotary and he's excited to jump in. He gave special thanks to his proposer, Julie Peterson, for being a "wonderful ambassador for the Club." Julie and Edward first met and spoke about Rotary at the Golden Valley Pride Festival in June. His classification is Law - Nonprofit Corporations. He is a legal and financial advisor to nonprofit corporations.Welcome, Edward! We are excited to have your energy and enthusiasm in the Golden Valley Rotary Club!
We welcomed Monique Drier, Julia Ross, Miamon Queeglay, and Camryn Krause Ferris to speak about the Joint Community Police Program (JCPP). The JCPP is a collaborative effort of the cities of Saint Louis Park, Richfield, Hopkins, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, and Brooklyn Center, Hennepin County, and Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council. Their mission is to enhance communication and understanding between law enforcement and multicultural residents of these cities. By building trust and communication between the police and community members, they strive to ultimately improve the safety and livability of our communities.
Music has been an important part of leading an ordinary life for students at the Music School for Children With Disabilities in Honor of Paul Harris in Lublin, Poland. Founded by Rotary members, the school serves 20 students with various disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, and visual impairments. The Rotary Club of Lublin-Centrum-Maria Curie-Sklodowska has provided funding with help from Rotary Foundation Matching Grants and the Henryk Wieniawski Musical Society, which houses the school.
After their son Mateusz was born with underdeveloped eyes, Mariusz and Joanna Kania looked for ways to help him be active. When he showed an aptitude for music, they looked for a teacher and were thrilled to find the Paul Harris music school.
For years, Angalia Bianca had slept in abandoned buildings throughout Chicago. She stole. She did drugs. She spent time in and out of jail for forgery, theft, trespassing, and possession of narcotics. But after she landed in prison for the seventh time, something changed -- Bianca knew she wanted a better life. She just didn’t know how to make it happen.
After serving her time, Bianca sought help from a local homeless organization, A Safe Haven, and moved to its shelter in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Bianca followed the program closely -- she attended all the required meetings, passed drug tests, and volunteered at every opportunity.
What is it like taking a large team to Africa? It has probably been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. In mid February, I began leading Rotary members from all over the East Coast of the United States through Ghana. I’ve tried to give the team a warm Ghanaian welcome like I’ve received on my earlier trips. A large trip is a real blessing because each person sees Ghana and our work in a different way.
A highlight for the team was greeting the chief of Sagadugu. The team got excited about buying goats and food for children in the villages where I support eight churches. It was good to see the pastors of most of the eight churches, and I had to explain that we were just passing through on our way to Bolgatanga.
Throughout India and around the world, Rotary clubs are celebrating a major milestone: India has gone three years without a new case of polio. The last reported case was a two-year-old girl in West Bengal on 13 January 2011. To mark this historic triumph, Rotary clubs illuminated landmarks and iconic structures throughout the country with four simple but powerful words, "India is polio free."
The three-year achievement sets the stage for polio-free certification of the entire Southeast Asia region by the World Health Organization. The Indian government also plans to convene a polio summit in February to commemorate this victory in the global effort to eradicate polio.
Golden Vally Rotary kicked off 2023 with an inspiring presentation by Jaime Belden, President and Co-Founder of the non-profit 
Congratulations to Bergstrom Studio, the Golden Valley Rotary Club's 2022 Business of the Year!
We had every intention of hosting our Brookview Lawn Bowling Membership Recruitment Event on Wednesday, May 25, but Mother Nature had other plans. The rain caused the lawn bowling event to be cancelled so we took the party indoors. Rotarians were treated by a visit from new Golden Valley police chief, Virgil Green, at Brookview's Three One Six restaurant.
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For years, Angalia Bianca had slept in abandoned buildings throughout Chicago. She stole. She did drugs. She spent time in and out of jail for forgery, theft, trespassing, and possession of narcotics. But after she landed in prison for the seventh time, something changed -- Bianca knew she wanted a better life. She just didn’t know how to make it happen.
What is it like taking a large team to Africa? It has probably been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. In mid February, I began leading Rotary members from all over the East Coast of the United States through Ghana. I’ve tried to give the team a warm Ghanaian welcome like I’ve received on my earlier trips. A large trip is a real blessing because each person sees Ghana and our work in a different way.
Throughout India and around the world, Rotary clubs are celebrating a major milestone: India has gone three years without a new case of polio. The last reported case was a two-year-old girl in West Bengal on 13 January 2011. To mark this historic triumph, Rotary clubs illuminated landmarks and iconic structures throughout the country with four simple but powerful words, "India is polio free."