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Rotary in Review: Richard Coffey, Chief Program Officer, 180 Degrees

At 5:16 pm on June 3rd, Shelly Rucks, the St Paul Rotary President, called the meeting to order at the Pool and Yacht Club. Shelly thanked the volunteers helping at the meeting:

  • Greeter – Jason DeKeuster.
  • Inspirational Minute and the Four Way Test – Beth Naughton.
  • Introducing guests and Happy Dollars – Dave Dominick.
  • Technology – Matt Magers.
  • Scribe – Ken Schaefer.
  • Club administrator - Amanda Mai, who is out on vacation until June 16th.

Richard Coffey of 180 Degrees was the speaker. He discussed his background and 180 Degrees’ programs, including Brittany’s Place that supports young women. Shelly reviewed upcoming events. We plan to auction off one ticket to the Bachman, Turner Overdrive Concert at Treasure Island with the Marshall Tucker Band at the next meeting. Happy Dollars led by Dave Dominick that raised funds for Saint Paul Rotary Club Foundation. The next lunch Meeting is June 10, titled The Birth of American Democracy: How Brave Boston Leaders Changed the World – Presenter is Todd Otis.

The meeting ended at 6: 25 pm.

Ken Schaefer, Scribe.

Jim Hart did the Inspirational Minute inspired by his brother’s 71 birthday today. It was all about the importance of our siblings! We have known them the longest and they have known us the longest! Sherry introduced the guests, Visiting Rotarians and happy dollars. Beth Naughton introduced a new Rotarian for our club. Bob Sherman. Welcome Bob! Bob’s passion is International Service. So he will be a good addition to our club. He comes from Duluth and has 5 children and 3 grandchildren. His career was mainly in Energy Law for 44 years. He was a Dean at St. Scholastica. He has just come back from the Ukraine where he worked on getting medical supplies and equipment to the soldiers of the Ukraine.

Joe Spencer spoke to us today. He explained that he had worked for Mayor Coleman as the Director of Art and Culture for 12 years. Then he took over the newly created position of the Downtown Alliance. They started with St. Paul’s becoming a Clean and Safe City Program. The long term goal is to have 20,000 people living in Downtown. Now we have 10,000. Lower Town is less well developed but the area between Cedar and Jackson Street and around Rice Park are doing well and thriving. This is a strong and stable area for us. We have so much going on in downtown now! There are events scheduled in the downtown parks all summer. Especially after Covid restrictions were lifted. There was a question about the Mpls and St. Paul Chambers merging: St. Paul’s Chamber is very strong. It is a possibility. But both work together quite well. Another question arose that the City and the Government used to work very closely together: will they still? In the 70’s under Mayor Lattimer Business and government worked well together. His hope is that it will return to this partnership. Another question centered around the smell of Marijuana in the City! He hopes to work on that as well. The city is adding more rental units to St. Paul in hopes of attracting a younger cliental. Joe Sensor also mentioned the boarded up buildings in St. Paul. We have less that Minneapolis and in most cities. There was a beautification project that planted flowers, bushes etc in front of the boarded up building and it looked very nice from the pictures. He hopes to do more of that.

St Paul is the Capital City of Minnesota, the County Seat of Ramsey County and it is the location of the State Capital: so it has a lot going for it.

Laurie Murphy, Scribe

President Shelly Rucks called the 501 Meeting of the Saint Paul Rotary Club to order at 5:20 PM on Tuesday, May 20 at the Pool and Yacht Club.
 
President Shelly thanked our meeting support team of Michael-jon Pease, greeter; Dave Dominick, scribe; Rob and Matt the awesome tech team; Pete Grayson and Beth Naughton for introducing guests and Happy $$ and Karin Ciano for Inspirational Minute and 4-Way Test.
 
Karin read a poem "Monarch" and led the group in the Four-Way Test.
 
Beth Naughton introduced a potential new member Laura Hahn.
 
New Member induction of Alison Rempel Brown, CEO/President of the Science Museum of Minnesota.  
 
Susan Rostkoski introduced our speaker.   Ann Hobbie shared her presentation "All Hands On Deck To Conserve Monarch Butterflies".  She shared the status of the monarch butterfly, how monarchs become butterflies, the importance of milkweed and information about MJV (Monarch Joint Venture).  She also shared ways to get involved with MJV.  She is very passionate about this organization and the work with monarch butterflies.
 
There were lots of happy dollars being shared by all.  
President Shelly ended the meeting sharing upcoming events, meeting dates and opportunities to give back to our Club.
 
Dave Dominick, Scribe.

Rotary Club of Saint Paul

May 13, 2025

History Theatre

President Shelly Rucks called the Rotation Day meeting to order at 12:14 pm. She thanked Rotarian Rob Thomas for hosting this meeting at the History . She also mentioned that Ken Crabb is looking for people to volunteer at the Science Museum this Friday from 10-2. Shelly also reminded people that we need hosts for the international youth who are traveling across the country on June 27-28.

Rob Thomas, Development Director of the History Theatre, described the mission and purpose of Theatre. The History Theatre creates informed stories and gives history a voice to those who have come before us. History Theatre entertains, educates, and engages through creating, developing, and producing new and existing works that explore Minnesota's past and the diverse American experience. Its work provides a unique lens which links our past to the present, explores our common heritage, and illuminates our understanding of what it means to be American. Rob said that Rotary aligns with this mission by building relationships and connections. There is also a connection of empathy and understanding.

Karen Mueller, Managing Director, reported that the History Theatre was founded in 1978 and is 47 years old. During that time, the Theatre has commissioned 130 new plays and musicals. This summer is the 10th Anniversary of the popular musical “Glensheen” about the Congdon family tragedy that took place at the Glensheen Mansion in Duluth. The theatre, designed by famous local architect Ralph Rapson, has 575 seats. Both well- known and lesser-known stories are performed on stage. They employ 110 artists and13 full-time staff. 70% of their income is from ticket sales. The Theatre faced challenges during covid, as did other theaters, but are coming back. They partner with community organizations like the Minnesota History Center and the Friends of the Boundary Waters depending the theme of the play. Their “Seats to Stage” program introduces high school students to the theater through school residencies. They also have a partnership with Vail Place to help adults with mental health issues through the theater.

Richard D. Thompson, Artistic Director, stated that the History Theatre preserves history by telling stories from the past. The arts are important because they tell who we are. Then he described the following 2025-2026 season of plays”

  • “Don’t Miss Doris Hines”: This is the story of Doris’ career in show business. She is also the mother of Gary Hines, director of the world-renowned musical group, The Sounds of Blackness.
  • “Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical”: Saint Paul city architect Clarence “Cap” Wigington designed the ice palace for the Winter Carnival and then goes on a magical adventure with his wife through both myth and history.
  • “Whoosh!”: It’s a raucous, comical, emotionally gripping ghost story about two Irish immigrants who come to Minnesota and fight in the Civil War.
  • “Hungry Like the Wolf”: This is a fast-paced, irrelevant comedy exploring the first bank strike and fight for women’s labor rights.
  • “Courting Harry”: A story about Minnesota natives Supreme Court Justices Warren Burger and Harry Blackman who are lifelong friends.

THIS WEEK

  • Science Museum of Minnesota
    May 16, 2025, 10:00 am -2:00 pm
  • Education Day at Open World Learning
    Open World Learning
    May 16, 2025, 2:00 pm
  • “Anything Goes” at Lakeshore Players Theatre
    May 18, 2025, 2:00 pm

NEXT WEEK

  • Education Day at Farnsworth Aerospace
    May 19, 20259:30 am -10:00 am
  • 5:01 Meeting
    Pool & Yacht Club
    May 20, 20255:01 pm – 6:15 pm

The meeting closed at 12:50 pm.

Lynne Beck Scribe

Please join us at the Pool and Yacht Club on May 6th as we hear from Shandyn Benson and James Iliff, principal and teacher respectively at Gordon Parks High School.  

Shandyn and James will share where Gordon Parks has been and where they plan to go. Their focus has been around engaging students in career exploration and possibilities for their future. Students take a survey when they arrive so we can find out what they are interested in. From there they set up field trips, guest speakers, etc. The goal is to expand  possibilities and engage more with those in the field.

Shandyn Benson is in her second year as Principal of Gordon Parks high school. Before that, she taught in SPPS for 20 years and has spent the last 4 years as an administrator. It was when she was teaching in an ALC that she was inspired to earn her Principal Licensure and now she is leading her district's largest ALC. She likes to spend her free time with her 2 daughter’s at sporting events or just hanging out at home. She is a marathon runner and is about to run her 15th marathon on Saturday.

James Iliff is a business and construction teacher at Gordon Parks high school. He has taught for over 20 years. Growing up, he did have a lot of exposure to careers. He is now passionate about helping students get connected to careers where they can use their talents and interests to continue improving the World, earn a substantial living, and lead the community.

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At 12:15 on April 29, 2025, Pete Grayson called the meeting to order at Intercontinental Hotel and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr Grayson thanked the volunteers helping at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (“RYLA”) at this RYLA themed meeting:

  • Greeters - John Chandler and Susan Rostkoski.
  • Singing of the National Anthem – Led by Lauren Berg (Buffalo Rotary), Parker Carlson (Buffalo Rotary) and Kumail Akram, JC (Buffalo Rotary)
  • Introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests - Ahnia Morgan, a RYLA participant.
  • Introductions of RYLA team members - Pete Grayson -
  • Inspirational Minute and 4-way test - Luca Greenig, a RYLA participant,.
  • Tech team - Matt Magers and Andrew Vincelli
  • Scribe – Ken Schaefer

The RYLA program was summarized by:

  • John Leuer, Minnetonka High School (Excelsior Morning Rotary) – Yellow team
  • Ryley Rydell, Elk River High School (Minnetonka Rotary) – Green team
  • Lewis Doncavage, Irondale High School (New Brighton Mounds View) – Orange team
  • Luca-Marie Ehlbeck, Rochester Mayo High School (Greater Rochester Rotary) – Blue team
  • Alyssa Ducommun, Rice Lake Area School (Rice Lake Rotary) – Green tem
  • Myles Castleberry, Osseo High School (Maple Grove/Osseo Rotary) – Orange team

The meeting ended at 12:55 pm.

Ken Schaefer, Scribe.

At 5:15 pm on May 6, Shelly Rucks, the President, called the meeting to order at the Pool and Yacht Club. Shelly thanked the volunteers helping at the meeting, Susan Rostkoski, was the greeter, Dave Dominick for his introduction of guests and Happy Dollars, Shelly Rucks for the Inspirational Minute and Four Way Test which included a video of her recent trip to Guatemala, showing the international reach of Rotary, our amazing IT tech, Matt Majors, and the scribe Linda Mulhern.
Susan introduced our two speakers from Gordon Parks High School in St Paul, James Iliff and Shandyn Benson, the principal at the school. Shandyn pointed out that since she last spoke with the club membership, her goal was to get to know the students, create community partnerships, push students to earn credits and advise students on their career and college options once they graduated from high school. The new defined vision this year is to expose students to colleges and pathways to lasting career options, while giving students opportunities to earn credits quickly. Currently within the St Paul school district, 65% of all students have not earned a degree or certificate within 7 years of graduating high school. The school district is looking at steps to articulate to students how to get a degree or at least plan pathways to a career of their choice. At Gordon Parks, many students are interested in the medical and construction fields. They recently brought in a rep from the bricklayers’ union to talk about the steps needed to become a bricklayer and go the distance needed to pursue that career. The high school also provides driver education courses, so students pursuing a career in the trades can drive themselves to a construction site around the Twin Cities once they are hired.
The school is looking to build career connections, mentorship opportunities, job shadowing, career exploration events, professional attire donations, career coaching, networking opportunities, mock interviews and resume writing to help students with their decisions on college and career choices.
Shelly gave certificates of appreciation to both James and Shandyn for their time at the meeting. She also noted that on Tuesday, 5/27 at 9:30 am there will be “Student of the Month” celebration at the school and to please consider attending to meet the students.
Heidi Fisher is still looking for Spirit of Rotary nominations which are due by 6/1.
Rotation Day will be next Tuesday, 5/13 at the History Theatre hosted by Rob Thomas. Please sign up for the event by May 9th, because lunches do need to be ordered.
Upcoming meetings include the 5:01 meeting on 5/20 to hear from Ann Hobbie of Monarch Joint Venture. The 5/27 meeting will have Joe Spencer talk about the Downtown Alliance. On 6/3, the 5:01 meeting will have “180 degrees” speaking about community development, on 6/17, the outbound Rotary exchange students to Brazil and Spain will talk about themselves prior to going abroad, as well as a former exchange student, Lani Vue as she talks about life after exchange. The Changing of the Guard will take place on 7/8.
Volunteer opportunities include Education Day at various St Paul Schools to give recognition to students that have overcome obstacles to become successful. On Wednesday, 5/14, we will be planting flowers at the Cleveland Gardens in downtown St Paul and on 5/16, you can help at the Science Museum. Please contact Andrew Vincelli, Dave Dominick or Karin Ciano if you can help.
There were a number of Happy Dollars given by Rotary members including Ruth, Susan, Dan, Todd, Doug B (with a bad pun), Matt and Doug H.
Hopefully on Wednesday, 5/14 we will have permission from the city to install the old Rotary wheel at the Cleveland Gardens and have it refashioned to be strong enough to prevent any damage.
Shelly closed the meeting at 6:06 pm.
Linda Mulhern

At 12:13 pm on April 22, 2025, Shelly Rucks, the St Paul Rotary President, called the meeting to order at the Intercontinental Hotel and noted today is Earth Day. President Rucks led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and thanked the volunteers helping at the meeting, Robert Cardinal and Scott Van, greeters, Joy McElroy, Inspirational Minute and the Four Way Test, Susan Rostkoski, introducing guests and happy dollars, our tech team of Jason DeKeuster and Matt Magers, Ken Schaefer, scribe, and our club administrator Amanda Mai. Joy McElory provided the Inspirational Minute and the Four Way Test. Susan Rostkoski introduced guests and visiting Rotarians.

The speaker was Micheal-jon Pease, a club member and Executive Director of the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy; Mr. Pease was introduced by Susan Rostkoski and provided an overview of Saint Paul Parks. He discussed the vision of and impact of the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy. Last, he summarized areas where Rotarians could assist The Conservancy.

Shelly’s announcements were:

  • Nominations are open for the Spirt of Rotary award – Please submit to Heidi Fisher.
  • RYLA is this weekend (Friday through Monday) with RYLA the program the next meeting. Members can visit the site.
  • May 13 is Rotation Day at History Theatre. Register by May 9th.
  • Anything Goes at Lakeshore Players Theatre
  • Education days – May 2 through June 6. Volunteers needed.
  • Parks and People starts Saturday , May 10th and continues on afternoons follow Rotary lunch programs.
  • May 16 - Science Museum of Minnesota from 10 am to 2 pm
  • May 27 (Tuesday) at 9:30 - Join the Student of the Month/Year recognition breakfast at Gordon Parks High School
  • June 1 - Sell Wristbands at Grand Old Day.
  • Party for the Parks on Wednesday June 25th at 5:30 pm at Como Park.
  • June 28-29 – House youth exchange students while in the Metro.
  • The club needs one more host for an International Exchange student.

Susan Rostkoski led Happy Dollars.

The meeting ended at 1:10 pm.

Rotary Club of Saint Paul

April 15, 2025

President Shelley Rucks called the hybrid meeting to order at 5:16 pm. The greeter was Beth Naughton. Lynne Beck was scribe. The A/V Teach Team was Matt Magers.

For the Inspirational Minute, Ken Shaefer read quotes from famous people about taxes since it is Income Tax Filing Day. He then led the club in the 4-WayTest.

Beth Naughton introduced guests: Ken Crabb’s wife Gwen and his cousin and her husband, Jim Delamater’s wife, and a Rotarian who moved from the Washington D.C. Rotary Club to Woodbury and wants to join the Saint Paul Rotary Club.

Ken Shaefer introduced the speaker, Dan Keyport who talked about what he learned from writing, publishing and selling his nonfiction book Extraordinary Popular Delusions of Our Times. Dan grew up in St. Paul, attending St. Thomas Academy, the College of St. Thomas, and the University of St. Thomas. Dan spent 25 years in consulting and information technology, and then in 2005, opened Dolce Vita Wine Shop in Chaska and joined the Chaska Rotary Club. After selling the business and retiring in 2022, Dan spent the next two years writing and publishing Extraordinary Popular Delusions of Our Times.

Dan Keyport, who writes under the penname of Daniel Martin, described the lessons he learned from writing and publishing and selling his book. He divided the book into five delusions: Financial (Bitcoin and Market Bubbles), Health (Alternative Medicine, Antivax), Religious (Cults and Crazies), Cultural (Conspiracy Theories), and Political (QAnon, Communism).

He hired Tim Campbell to proof read and edit the book. Before looking for a publisher, he had to submit queries to agents. After receiving rejections from several agents, he ended up self- publishing on Amazon. This required finding someone to design a cover, type setting the book, and uploading the content onto the website. Finally, he needed to market and sell the book through Reddit, Amazon, Facebook, bookstores, libraries, signing events and presentations. Dan then answered questions about the book and the process.

Beth Naughton introduced our newest member, Alison Rempel Brown, President and CEO of the Science Museum of Minnesota. We were encouraged to submit nominations for the Spirit of Rotary Award to Heidi Fisher by June 1. Beth asked for Happy Dollars. Susan Schuster is happy about RYLA. Linda Mulhern reported that we should contact her if we can host international students for 24 hours who are taking Amtrak from the West Coast on June 28, and leaving on June 29. Shelley said she will invite the students to a pool party at her cabin and pool in Western Wisconsin. Karin Ciano asked people to sign up for the volunteer opportunities.

Shelley Rucks made the following club announcements:

  • April 22, 2025 Signature Lunch
    12:15-1:15 pm InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront
    St. Paul Parks Conservancy, Michael-jon Pease
  • April 29, 2025 Signature Lunch
    12:15-1:15 pm InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront
    RYLA Lunch, Pete Grayson as your host
  • May 6, 5:01, 2025
    St. Paul Pool & Yacht Club or via zoom 5:01- 6:15 pm
    Program TBD
  • May 13, 2025 Rotation Day
    Rob Thomas, History Theatre

The meeting closed at 6:13 pm.

Lynne Beck

Scribe

Rotary Club Signature Lunch Minutes for April 8, 2025

Greeters: Susan Rostkoski and Bill Collins
Inspirational Minute: Michael-jon Pease
Tech Team: Andrew Vincelli and Rob Thomas

Club President Shelly Rucks opened the meeting with news that former Club 10 Rotarian Carole Kralicek had passed away and she asked for a moment of silence to remember her.
We had one visitor who is considering membership, the new general manager of Saint Paul Town & Country Club, Carl Grandberg. Welcome!
President Rucks delivered a summary of the changes made to our Club 10 By-laws:
  • A new board position has been created, by the title of “Image Officer.”
  • Past presidents of other Rotary Clubs may become eligible to become president of our club after serving one year on the Club 10 board.
  • We will permit a range of directors from 8-to-10, rather than hold fast to a rule that we must have 10 directors at all times.
President Rucks thanked Past President Heidi Fisher and Karin Ciano for their work on updating the bylaws. And the revisions to the Club By-laws passed unanimously with a vote of 29 members.
 
Susan Rostkoski introduced the featured speaker, Dan Tranter, from the Department of Minnesota Health, Indoor Health division. Mr. Tranter spoke on two gasses and one fungi that are commonly found in our homes and can be hazardous to our health: radon, mold, and carbon monoxide.
Radon is the leading cause of cancer in non-smokers in the U.S. Last year, 600 Minnesotans died from radon-related cancer. Primary cause of radon? Uranium in the soil seeps into homes and we breath in the gas. At high levels, it can cause cancer.
Mr. Tranter advised everyone purchase a radon testing kit and test every 5-8 years.
Mold is not as deadly as radon, but it can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, as well as eye and skin irritations. Rather than testing for mold, Mr. Tranter advised conducting a top-to-bottom inspection of your house with a moisture detector.
Carbon monoxide was the third household hazard Mr. Tranter discussed. He advises everyone have CO detectors in our homes located near our bedrooms. Ideally you should have one CO detector placed within 10 feet of each bedroom. He said CO detectors are not expensive and readily available online and in hardware stores.
Questions? Call him at 651-201-4601 or https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/air/index.html
 
Lastly, Linda Mulhern said she is looking for two host families for our inbound student from Nagasaki for the 2025/26 school year. Call her if you are interested at 651-698-4488.

Submitted by Carolyn Will