President Heiman welcomed those at the Grand Ely Lodge and via Zoom. We reviewed the following items:
- We were shown the photo from the Pontoon Social.
- Ward Nelson presented Joe Owens with his Paul Harris Pin X6. Congratulations and thanks to Joe (and Caroline).
- The Social Committee reminded us of the proposed Twins game on 9/11/2022, with a cost of $150 per person for the bus ride down or $98 per person. We still need more to commit.
- Board meeting items: reviewed a draft budget from Angela, donated $500 to the Historic State Theater, agreed to move forward with the Rose Sale in conjunction with the Duluth club, and welcomed Lindsay Przybylski to the Board.
- Keep selling your Raffle tickets and get them back to Pat Warner. We will have a PR campaign for them by the end of this week.
Presenter Today: Francis (Fitz) Fitzgerald
We heard much of his life story today, but more about how he came to write his recently published book - "Combat to Conservation". He told us of his life growing up in and around Rochester, both urban and farm life, and then enlisting in the US Marine Corps, to serve in Viet Nam and become seriously wounded. After earning his degree he worked in other careers, including for the Nature Conservancy but never achieved his dream of becoming a Game Warden.
The journey to write this book has been both therapeutic and cathartic for him as he continues to deal with all that has happened in his life. He knew he had the book within him, but it took decades for him to sit down and write it, first longhand, and then to his laptop. He also told us of his pursuit of a publisher who might be willing to take a risk on a neophyte such as him.
He found Kohler Publishing and connected through a retired Lieutenant Colonel who advocated for his book. It is currently available in the mass market but won't be in the big box stores, at least for a while.
We learned a lot about Fitz and his life, but also of his love for wilderness and the outdoors and the healing properties. Thanks to Heather for bringing him to present to us today.
