Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary September 28, 2016
Our Greeter today was Helena Kilbride. Aaron Wicks served at the Check-In Desk.
Bill Klein opened the meeting with having all of us join in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
Bill Levin gave the Reflection of the Day. He shared quotes from Mark Twain, that Mark Twain really did not say!!
Scott Benson led us in our Opening Song. Last week, we sang the Iowa and the Minnesota fight songs. For all the small schools, we sang the St. Olaf fight song including the chorus “Um yah yah” with hand motions!
Chris Morris had our members introduced their guests. They included Mark Skipper, Past President and Konomi, our exchange student from Japan, whose English-speaking ability has greatly improved in 4 short weeks!
Announcements: Scott Benson reminded us about the Debate Tournament. Need judges. Vocational Committee meeting tomorrow Starting a Peer to Peer Roundtable tomorrow 7 – 8 a.m. at Dunn Bros. Carol Russel encouraged people to register for the Foundation dinner October 12 Brock Ray is hosting new member orientation Oct 6 and a happy hour follows Haiti Out Sat. Oct 1 - hosting their gala CES(Community Emergency Service) food packing is Oct 29 at 9:00 a.m. Nov. 5 – Rake, Rattle and Roll Jonathan Hobbs – reminded us of Sheridan Story – Friday afternoons for just one hour – put food in the backpacks of children so they have food to eat over the weekend Suzanne Obrien – need more people to join Rooters
Gary Stang led Happy Bucks. This was done in conjunction with the Minnesota/Iowa bet to raise money for Polio Plus, introduced by Kurt Nelson and Steve Olson Lots of great stories told – here are a few highlights: Keith Johnson told a story about Mark Skipper at the Rotary Convention in Japan. Jim Eaton, John Vandermide and Tom T. went to the Ryder Cup – had a great time Anna – reminded us to bring our exchange student with to social events
Kurt Nelson, who served as our Day Chair. Three questions Vocation – co. does behavioral consulting work – incentives, total rewards,… Rotary moment – 2 Guatamala trips, international conference – Outstallation! Something interesting – an interest in human motivation, … how irrational people are!
Kurt introduced our Speaker and topic for today. Topic: 125 Years of Memories Erika Rivers Director, Minnesota State Parks and Trails
Introduction of Erika: PhD in Conservation Biology from U of M Manages $250M and staff of 1200
1891 – Jacob Brower founded Minnesota’s first state park in Itasca. Not easy to do. The bill barely passed. 3rd state park established in the country
Late 1800’s - Mary Gibbs – Nation’s first female superintendent of a state park at age 24.
Established in 1895 – second state park – Interstate State Park – on the border of MN and WI. Has interesting
Other State Parks established: 1905- Minneopa State Pak
1911 - Fort Ridgely State Park
1915 – Jay Cooke State Park
1919 – Sibley State Park
1919 – Whitewater State Park
1937 – Gooseberry Falls State Park, most accessible State Park, renovations have been done
1945 - Nerstand State Park, has the rare Dwarf trout lily
1989 – Grand Portage State Park, has the highest waterfall in the state.
1993 – Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, is a mountain bike recreation center
2009 – Lake Vermillion- Saudan Underground Mine State Park – camping features being built, has 3 picnic shelters, working on the landscaping. Finishing hiking trails and signage.
Total: 75 State Parks and Recreation Areas 25 State Trails – the largest state trail system in the country
They are seeing an increase in visitation to our State Parks. They are working hard to accommodate new trends of activities people of different generations are interested in doing.
New – State Park and Trails license plate – can get into parks and trails free. Funds support the State Park system
Bill Klein closed the meeting by ringing the bell and inviting us all to “Have a great Rotary week!”
Respectfully submitted, Gayle Noakes, Reporter