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The Northern Lakes Arts Association
Mar 22, 2023 12:00 PM
Our presenter this week is Ian Lah, Executive Director of the Northern Lakes Arts Association. He will speak about NLAA and the importance and impact of arts in our community. NLAA is a 37 year old arts non-profit organization located in Ely. The Association’s mission is to support and develop the visual, performing, and literary arts to enrich the quality of life in Ely and the surrounding area.
Ian grew up in Ely and graduated from Ely Memorial High School in 2012. He then graduated from Minnesota State University Mankato with a B.F.A. in Acting was awarded the Ted Paul Scholar, the program’s top scholar. Following graduation, he had the opportunity to dance with Danial Stark’s company at the Kennedy Center before moving to Memphis, where he was an associate company member at Playhouse on the Square. While there, he was a cast member in several Ostrander Nominated productions. He then worked as a company member at Thingamajig Theater Company, Crane River Theatre Company, The Barn Theatre School for Advanced Theatre Training, the Springer Opera House, and the Legacy Theater. He received two nominations for Broadway World Best Leading Actor, and Best Supporting Actor during this time. Ian and his husband Vladimir have recently relocated back to Ely and begun renovating their home.
Lah says, “With an NLAA, I intend not only to produce high-quality events, but also to produce events that engage and excite the community.” Lah believes “investing in the arts only creates a more vibrant community.” Through the arts, there is untapped potential in the area, and he intends to tap into that potential to help the art scene in Ely blossom.
What is most important to Lah, is ensuring the arts remain, vibrant and strong in this community. If it wasn’t for his parents, taking him to the NLAA production’s, the Greenstone arts camps, Prairie Fire Children’s Theatre, and the Concert Series, he would not have had the success and opportunity that he’s enjoyed. Ian’s goal is to uplift Northern Lakes Arts Association so that others are afforded these opportunities as well.
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Ely’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Mar 29, 2023 12:00 PM
Our presenter this week is our newest Rotary member, Joseph Hiller. Joe is the Executive Director of the Ely Housing & Redevelopment Authority.
He will be sharing the mission of the HRA and the important role they play providing housing in our community.
Joe grew up and graduated from high school in Becker, MN. He worked in the construction field for a number of years and married his spouse, Leah. Joe then served in the US Navy as a Sonar Technician Petty Officer second class. (Rank of E - 5). After the US Navy he and Leah moved to the Iron Range and Joe graduated from Vermilion Community College in 2008. He continued to attend VCC for another two years, taking higher level classes in math and science, which allowed him to transfer to the Civil Engineering program at UMD. Working part time, living in two places and going to classes took a toll. He pivoted, purchased a home in Ely, worked full time and took classes in the evenings, earning a BS Degree in Management and Accounting from DeVry University in 2014. That same year he accepted the position of Finance Manager and sales consultant at Mike Motors and worked there until it closed, six and a half years later. Other car dealers came calling and he and Leah turned down offers, deciding to stay in Ely.
In 2021, Joe became the Executive Director of the Ely HRA and he hopes to continue the legacy Irene Grahek started more than 30 years ago directing the HRA.
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Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in Orr, MN.
Apr 05, 2023 12:00 PM
Our presenter April 5th is Steph Horner. Steph is the Executive Director and President of the American Bear Association, which operates the Vince Schute Wildlife Sanctuary, in Orr, MN. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Biology from St. Cloud State University.
She sought out the wildlife field because she knew she wanted to work with bears. As a result, she started as an Intern at the Sanctuary in 2014. After her 3 1/2 month internship, she fell in love with the bears, the town of Orr, the likeminded people she worked with and the beautiful north woods! Then in 2015, she was named Interim Director and had yet to graduate from SCSU. She took on the role of President in June of 2022, in addition to continuing in her role as Executive Director.
She loves the new challenges and opportunities the role offers! She continues to be passionate about not just working with the bears that visit the Sanctuary, but also connecting people with bears. For Steph, there is nothing more fulfilling than teaching people that peaceful coexistence with bears and all wildlife is possible.
At the Vince Schute Wildlife Sanctuary the American Black Bears come and go as they please. The Sanctuary is the only open classroom in the world in which you can observe bears exhibiting behaviors only seen in the wild. They are dedicated to promoting a better understanding of black bears and all wildlife through education, observation and experience. Through education, they raise awareness about the needs of black bears and promote increased tolerance and appreciation for this often misunderstood species.
Steph will also share when the Sanctuary is open, events and programs offered as well as and most importantly, the types of bear behaviors seen.
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2018 Rotary Clean Water Project in the Dominican Republic.
Apr 12, 2023 12:00 PM
Our speaker this week is Tom Moore.
Tom will be presenting about a St. Cloud Rotary Clean Water Project in the Dominican Republic (DR). Tom participated in this project in 2018 along with a dozen other Rotarians from the St. Cloud area. The project serves seven rural villages of the El Corozo region in the Monte Plata Province, which is about 30 miles north of the DR Capitol of Santo Domingo. The Clean Water Project’s budget was $75,400. $15,173 of which came from four Rotary Clubs, $26,300 came from a District 5950 Grant and the remainder came from a Rotary International World Fund Grant of $33,925. The reason this project is being presented is because the Board of the Ely Rotary Club is considering whether to participate with the St. Cloud Club in a similar Clean Water project in a neighboring DR community, likely taking place in late 2023. The Ely Rotary Board would like to encourage Ely Club members to consider participating in this project by traveling to the DR at their own expense to do some hands on work, assisting in moving the project towards completion. Tom has participated in four different Clean Water projects in the DR, through the St. Cloud Club, spending a week on each trip.
Tom is a Paul Harris Fellow. He grew up on Lake Superior’s north shore, in Silver Bay, MN, and graduated from St. Cloud State University with a BS degree in Business Management. In his career, he worked in the areas of business and community development, industrial development and economic development for the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, St. Cloud Opportunities and the St. Cloud Area Economic Development Partnership. Tom and his wife Cindy Faye Johnson, are now retired and living on Eagle Nest Lake Three.
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“Breathing Out”, Haiku Poetry, Watercolors and Acrylics.
Apr 19, 2023 12:00 PM
Our presenter this week is Cecilia Rolando. Cecilia is an artist and in addition had worked for 27 years as the Executive Director of Ely’s Northern Lakes Arts Association. She retired from that position in 2014. (Ian Lah, our presenter on April 22nd is the new Exec. Dir. of NLAA, and Cecilia taught Ian in art classes when he was a child)
Rolando is an Ely native and was educated in the Ely schools, the Ely Junior College, UMD and Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA. Part of her education also included trips to Europe to see several of the famous museums and artworks of the world’s great artists. Her weekly column in the TimberJay is titled “Breathing Out”. She has been producing illustrations along with insightful Haiku poetry weekly for over 20 years. This weekly column’s art is often created on her smart phone, made possible by various art apps!
A prolific artist, she has recently had her art exhibited in Ely’s Historic State Theatre, the Miners Dry, the Front Porch Coffee Shop, Cook’s Northwood’s Friends of the Arts Gallery, and the Ely Folk School. She also teaches art at the later two venues, as well as to guests at Burnside Lodge.
Recently Cecilia began writing poetry and she and local poet DyAnne Korda will be reading their work at the Ely Folk School on Thursday April 20.
Cecilia’s website is: artRolando.com.
How does the creative process work for Cecilia, how important is an artistic, creative and welcoming environment for artists in Ely’s economy, and what can the community do to support the arts locally?
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Hill Annex Paleontology Project and Examination of Cretaceous Minnesota.
Apr 26, 2023 12:00 PM
Our presenter this week is John Westgaard, Paleontologist with MN Discovery Center. John is the co-founder and Director of the Hill Annex Paleontology Project. He graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities with a BA in Psychology and a Biology Minor, briefly studying animal behavior. As a 30+ year resident of Saint Paul, Minnesota he has strong ties to the community. He raised his family in Saint Paul. John brings more than 20 years of museum experience with service at the Bell Museum of Natural History, Science Museum of Minnesota, and currently at the Minnesota Discovery Center. He spent 12 years as a volunteer in the Science Museum of Minnesota Paleontology Laboratory. In 2021, the Hill Annex Paleontology Project officially moved to its new home at Minnesota Discovery Center with John starting as the first official paleontologist. An active outdoorsman and naturalist, he enjoys spending his free time, relaxing at the family, cabin, gaming, or hiking.
Hill Annex Paleontology Project
Hill Annex Paleontology Project is a volunteer-initiated science research program examining the fossil evidence focused within the Late Crustaceous deposits of the Minnesota region. Founded in 2014 by Science Museum of Minnesota Paleontology volunteers under the direction of Science Museum of Minnesota Fitzpatrick Chair of Paleontology Bruce Erickson, in 2021, saw the culmination of a growing relationship with Minnesota Discovery Center. That year, the Project and it’s growing fossil collection officially moved to the new Iron Range home. Volunteer efforts still compromise the largest percentage of field work hours. Hill Annex Paleontology Project research programs argument their effort with considerable time spent on Outreach and Engagement programming through a variety of community channels.
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May 03, 2023 - Jun 07, 2023
“Of all flowers, methinks a rose is best.” – William Shakespeare
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Dates, Deals, Details and Deadlines for The Ely Rose Sale.
May 03, 2023 12:00 PM
Our presenter this week is Ely Rotary Club member, Terri Olson. |
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The Community Wellness Fund.
May 10, 2023 12:00 PM
Our presenter this week will be Heidi Favet. Heidi is the Hub Director for Pathways to Wellness in the Ely area, and facilitates a network of area professionals to identify and find solutions for gaps in our continuum of care. Pathways to Wellness is one of those solutions, offering education and care facilitation to connect individuals and families to services and supports that meet their health and wellness goals and needs. Heidi will share about Pathways to Wellness and another strategy, the community wellness fund that is important in addressing barriers to success.
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May 11, 2023 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Spring Highway Clean-Up. Meet at the North American Bear Center Parking Lot at 4:00. We'll carpool down the road to our Rotary location. Club Social to follow at the Boat House second floor. Dress Comfortably for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, gloves and a hat. A reflective vest, trash bags and a limited number of pickers will be suplied. |
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Craig Loughery Will Keynote the Induction of Eight New Members.
May 17, 2023 12:00 PM
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What’s Going On At Well Being Development: How Can We Help?
May 24, 2023 12:00 PM
Greetings, Our presenter this week is Kap Wilkes, ED of Well Being Development.
Kap Wilkes has been bringing people together for positive change for over 20 years. She has worked in over 40 states, and with more than 200 rural leaders, providing expertise in thinking strategically, engaging stakeholders, developing sustained networks, retaining staff, and managing change.
Kap is the Executive Director with Well Being Development and a rural health consultant. She is an adjunct faculty for the College Of Saint Scholastcia teaching within the Rural Healthcare MBA program, both Organization Development and Performance Improvement courses.
Well Being Development is a nonprofit community agency serving the Ely area providing person-centered behavioral health education and resources. With a staff of seven, WBD helps people impacted by mental health and substance-use challenges live their best lives through values of respect, compassion, collaboration, community, and impact.
WBD’s mission is to help people impacted by mental health and substance-use challenges live their best lives. Find out how Well Being Development is making a difference through our programming and our partners. Kap Wilkes, Executive Director, will be talking with us about how we can help WBD fulfill its mission; bringing both social and economic value to the Ely community.
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NOTE: Time Change to 5 pm at The GEL. Rose Sale Update. (NO 12:00 NOON MEETING!)
May 31, 2023 5:00 PM
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Astro-Tourism: An Economic Opportunity For Ely!
Jun 07, 2023 12:00 PM
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Review of Two Ely Rotary Club Budgets For 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Jun 14, 2023 12:00 PM
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My Family’s Immigration Story and the Finnish Emphasis on the COMMON GOOD.
Jun 21, 2023 12:00 PM
Our presenter this Wednesday is Valerie Myntti. The Topic of her program is: “My Family’s Immigration Story and the Finnish Emphasis on the COMMON GOOD.”
Valerie Myntti was born in Duluth, Minnesota, thereafter living in various iron range mining towns until the sixth grade, at which time her family left Minnesota. She has a BS & MS degrees from the University of Utah, as well as a law degree from Rutgers University (NJ). Her career included the practice of law and leading an independent college prep school (Nursery through Grade 12) as Head of School in New York. Valerie and her husband, Frank Sherman, retired to their family cabin on Eagles Nest Lake 3 in 2018. They have one daughter, a filmmaker, in New York City. Valerie runs, travels, reads, and is engaged in progressive democratic politics and campaigns. Most importantly, she is a proud Finnish-American with deep roots on the Iron Range.
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How Does The Habitat For Humanity Model Work and Where Are We Building in 2023?
Jun 28, 2023 12:00 PM
Our speaker this Wednesday is Nathan Thompson, Executive Director, North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity. Nathan will speak about how the Habitat for Humanity model works and where they are building in 2023.
Nathan Thompson joined North St. Louis County Habitat for Humanity as its first Executive Director in 2003 through a capacity building grant with Habitat International. The affiliate had built 11 homes since its founding in 1995 with an all-volunteer effort. From 2003 to 2006 the affiliate reached and continued to maintain its capacity goal of serving at least five families each year with home ownership opportunities. From 2010 to 2016 the affiliate added three more staff to sustain its capacity to serve the community with affordable homeownership opportunities. Habitat homes have been built in 15 rural communities in the affiliates 4800 mi.² service area. The 2023 building season will see the 116th Habitat home buyer in North St. Louis County, Minnesota!
Nathan will also discuss how a person can apply to the program, what we look for in applicants, how the community can support what we do and how Habitat is meeting today’s challenges.
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A Lifetime of Observing Nature and Capturing the Outdoors in Photographs.
Jul 12, 2023 12:00 PM
Our speaker this Wednesday is outdoor photographer, Rich Floyd.
Rich grew up on the Iron Range, spending his pre-teen years through early 20’s just outside of Ely. After graduating from college, he was appointed to the Commissioned Corps of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or N0AA. He spent his entire Commissioned Corps career on the east coast, mostly in the Washington, DC area. When he retired from NOAA, he and his wife, Toni, moved to their current home on Eagles Nest Lake 3. Rich has always had an interest in the outdoors, encouraged partly by his father and partly by the surroundings in which he grew up. He also dabbled in photography over the years. Since his move back to Minnesota, he has had more opportunity to pursue what has become one of his primary interests: outdoor photography.
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The Northwoods Young Writers Camp on Rainy Lake.
Jul 19, 2023 12:00 PM
Our Rotary speaker this week is Aaron Soderberg Downing, Author.
Erin will begin with a quick background on her career as a writer by introducing a few of her books, and their Minnesota significance, then she will spend the majority of the time sharing photos and stories, and a few of the most powerful and inspiring moments from this summer’s Northwoods Young Writers Camp on Rainy Lake that has hosted a number of Ely teens over the past four years.
NOTE: The Rotary Club of Ely donated $1,000 to the Northwoods Young Writers Camp on Rainy Lake in 2023.
Erin Soderberg Downing grew up exploring the forests, lakes, and trails of northern Minnesota, and to this day, her best ideas for stories often come to her deep in the woods, where she can find plenty of creative space to explore and imagine. She has written more than 75 books, including “Controlled Burn”, (a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection), “The Great Peach Experiment” series (also a JLG Selection), and the “Puppy Pirates” chapter book series. Her next novel, “Just Keep Walking” (February 2024), was partially inspired by and researched during a 100 mile hike along the Superior Hiking Trail with her teenage son. Erin lives in Minneapolis with her husband, three adventure-loving kids, and two very fluffy dogs.
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Rules, regulations and laws relating to cannabis business in the state of Minnesota.
Jul 26, 2023 12:00 PM
Greetings, Our presenter this week will be an entrepreneur in the Cannabis business, John Chaulklin, Jr.
John’s is a native of Wisconsin and moved to Minnesota when he was 12 years old. After graduating from Bigfork High School, he moved back to Wisconsin to earn his Marketing degree from Madison Area Technical College.
His family includes wife Heather, daughter Ivy who attends Bemidji State University and son, Levi who is a Sophomore at Northwoods High School.
John began his career as a loan officer in the mortgage industry, then moved to Appleton, WI, and became a Branch Manager.
Deciding to become his own boss, John and his brother Jeff opened their own mortgage company, Great Northern Lending. They were successful and opened five branches and had nearly 30 employees. Then the 2008 financial meltdown occurred and John got out of the mortgage business.
Maintaining his entrepreneurial spirit, John began an e-commerce business, selling products inside of Amazon. It quickly grew into a full-time successful business venture, with various wholesalers and brand owners. Sales grew year over year and sales volume has reached over 8,000 pieces per month.
In the spring of 2022 he and his family opened a Smoke Shop in Cook, MN and got into the Cannabis business. They also looked at opening a cannabis business in Ely and at this point have decided not to. John has started his business on the “ground floor” of the cannabis business and has stayed current on new rules, regulations and laws governing this new industry in the state of Minnesota. The cannabis industry in MN changes significantly on August 1, 2023. Do you have questions about cannabis?
Join other Rotarians at the best place to be on Wednesday at noon in Ely!
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Jul 27, 2023 4:00 PM - Jul 30, 2023 6:00 PM
A fabulious opportunity to outreach, recuit and fundraise all at the same time. Members can sign up for there time slots throughout the weekend to share stories and sell. The booth must be maned with at least one person and open ready for business hours Friday and Saturday 9:00am - 6:00pm, Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm. No vehicles are allowed in the park after 7:00pm Thursday until 4:00pm Sunday (after park is announced closed by Ely Chamber of Commerce Staff). |
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Instead - Special Social Event - Thursday, Aug. 3rd, 5 pm @ The GEL
Aug 02, 2023 12:00 PM
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Social Event - Partners Invited - Optional Dinner and Drink - Follows Lake Tour
Aug 03, 2023 5:00 PM
Greetings: SPECIAL NOTE, There will be NO Ely Rotary meeting on Wednesday, August 2nd.
INSTEAD, we will have an Ely Rotary Social on Thursday, August 3rd on-board brand new Grand Ely Lodge pontoon boats.
The plan is to meet Thursday, at 5 pm in the lobby at the GEL. Rotary member Partners are invited and welcome to join in the fun! There is no cost for the pontoon ride.
RSVP’s are requested by 12 noon on Wednesday, August 2nd to Lindsay, at: events@grandelylodge.com or 218-365-6565 ext 603. We have limited room for 20 people on two pontoon boats. (10 people on each boat)
Consider taking along: Your favorite beverage, a hat, sunglasses, light jacket, and a snack.
Following the Shagawa Lake tour, we will return to the lobby of the GEL where dinner and/or drink is an option, ordering off the menu.
RSVP’s are requested because of the on-board boat limits and, in the event of inclement weather we will contact you to cancel the lake tour portion of the evening. The optional dinner at the GEL will remain available.
We hope you are available to join us!
Thank You!
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A Rotary Club of Ely - Club Assembly Conversation.
Aug 09, 2023 12:00 PM
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Learning Experiences Involved in Participating in the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy - RYLA.
Aug 16, 2023 12:00 PM
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Proposed Community Clean Water Project in the Dominican Republic - Consider Participating!
Aug 30, 2023 12:00 PM
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Sep 08, 2023 8:30 AM - Sep 10, 2023 4:30 PM
Ely Rotarians, You are encouraged to help out at the Harvest Moon Festival! R U Planning to attend? To help the Club meet its budgeted revenue amount, each member is encouraged to sell a minimum of ten tickets. To assist you in that process, experience has shown us that many people attending the Festival are interested in purchasing an Ely Rotary Raffle ticket to support our community service project efforts! U R Guaranteed to have a delightful experience!
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Indiana Jones and the Secret Serum, a Polio Eradication Adventure.
Sep 13, 2023 12:00 PM
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Attend Tomorrow Evening’s Special Social Event - Dinner and Presentation.
Sep 20, 2023 12:00 PM
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Who Killed JFK? - Nov. 22, 1963.
Sep 21, 2023 5:00 PM
This is a Special Social Event at Grand Ely Lodge beginning at 5 pm with beverages and dinner. The Event, depending on the number of questions, is expected to last until approximately 7:30 pm. Partners, friends, neighbors and colleagues are invited and welcome to join us. The GEL with provide us with five dinner options, at your expense, which need to be pre-ordered by 12 noon on Thursday September 21. MENU OPTIONS: Five Cheese Tortellini - $17.95. Champagne Chicken - $18.95. Walleye Dinner - $25.95, with choice of baked potato or vegetable of the day. Shrimp and Parmesan Topped Serloin - $22.95, with choice of baked potato or vegetable of the day. events@grandelylodge.com or 218-365-6565 ext 603. |