Northfield Rotary Club

Congratulations to Alan Alberg, our most recent recipient of the Paul Harris award.  A former member, Al joined our club in 1980 and fondly recalls when women were first allowed membership.  Al has always valued how Rotary brings community members together in friendship and service. His award was presented at the May 9th club meeting. You can learn more about the Paul Harris Fellow program at the Rotary International web site.

Today: Zach Pruitt, Healthy Community Initiative, Northfield Youth Bingo (Mayberry)

Birthdays: Russ Halverson 5/15

Next Week: Erin Mayberry Classification Talk (Puczko)

Last Week:

Tim Madigan, who we know best as Northfield City Administrator, took time off from city affairs to share his vast knowledge about the US/Dakota War of 1862. Tim, a native of Washington, PA, home to the Whisky Rebellion of 1862, has always enjoyed history.

As a former high school history teacher in Morton, MN, with its significant native Dakota population, Tim became interested in the detailed story of the Dakota War years ago. The perspective of history on the Dakota War has changed over time as the complexity of the issues and events is studied in more detail by more historians and descendents of both sides.

The actual war lasted only one month, during the middle of the Civil War, beginning on August 17, 1862, with the first killing of white settlers.  Well over 600 settlers and over 100 Dakota lost their lives in what was clearly a “total war” and not just a “conflict” since the targets were civilians as well as military on both sides.  Due to the war, thousands of settlers became refugees; many never returned to Minnesota.

The four major causes of the Dakota War were American expansion encroaching on native lands, broken treaties wherein promised payments to the Dakota were never made, starvation and mistreatment of the Dakota which was rampant, and negative effects of the “warrior lodge” mentality in Dakota male society, which led to violence.

The complexity of the war was compounded by competing interests of four major groups involved in the conflict.  The Dakota, who were often not unified in their views, the mixed blood French and English traders, the Yankee New Englanders and the newer immigrant German and Scandinavian settlers. Each had widely differing approaches to each other as lands were settled at a vey rapid pace.

The war culminated with the execution of 38 Dakota on Dec. 26, 1862 in Mankato and the complete forcible internment and ultimate removal of all native Dakota and other tribes from southern Minnesota by the following year.

Tim suggested that anyone interested in further study of the Dakota War read biographies of three of the major players, Chief Little Crow, Bishop Henry Whipple and Alexander Faribault.

Mini Classification: Neil Lutsky responded to a request he had received to present a “clarification” talk by doing just that.  Neil, a native of Allentown, PA, was drawn to Northfield by a job offer at Carleton College where he has been a professor in the Psychology Department for 39 yeas.  Neil appreciates the generosity, caring nature and dedication that prompts Rotarians to practice “Service Above Self.”

Paul Harris Award: Congratulations to Alan Alberg, our most recent recipient of the Paul Harris award.  A former member, Al joined our club in 1980 and fondly recalls when women were first allowed membership.  Al has always valued how Rotary brings community members together in friendship and service.

Last Week’s Guests: Laura Palmquist, St. Olaf student and applicant for a Rotary Peace Fellowship to study in Sweden, and our exchange students: Diatou, Adnan, Cindy and Rachel.

Scholarship Enhancement: Kurt Larson

Announcements:

Dale Ness is looking for both business and individual sponsors for the annual bike tour in September.

Youth at The Key are organizing a community fundraising all ages concert for July, and our Rotary club will partner with them to help with promotion, ticket sales, food and other tasks.   Look for more information soon.

On Thursday, June 6, from 6:00 pm o 8:00 pm please join club members and families for the exchange student graduation party at the Estenson Ranch.

Coming Up:

May 30 — Mike Downey, Training Consultant, Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance

June 6 — Lin Bruce, Tales of Biking Across the USA (Prowe)

Northfield Rotarian Richard Maus was recently honored with a Regional Service Award for a Polio-Free world at the District 5960 conference in St. Paul. Maus has been a tireless volunteer on behalf of Rotary’s efforts to eradicate Polio and has authored a book: The Lucky One: Making it Past Polio and Despair, a story about his childhood with the disease. Richard is one of only 10 Rotarians world-wide to receive this award in 2013.

You can read the Northfield News article on Maus’ honor here.

Today: Tim Madigan, City Administrator, History of US/Dakota War

Birthdays: Charlie Cogan (5/6), David Halsor and Ivan Imm (5/7)

Next Week: Zach Pruitt, Healthy Community Initiative

Last Week:

While China’s influence in Africa continues to grow, local observer Richard Bodman says it doesn’t mean the United States is being crowded off the continent. In fact, he said there are plenty of opportunities for cooperative ventures between China and the U.S.

Bodman, a retired St. Olaf College professor of Chinese and a life-long student of China, said China needs Africa’s oil, gas, minerals and labor to continue its strong economic growth and avoid frustrating a growing middle class at home. China is moving high-value manufacturing off-shore. The emerging independent African states, who identify with China and view it as a successful model for developing countries, have welcomed China’s interest.

The U.S. still buys more oil from Africa than China does, and we provide more economic aid, but China’s cultural and economic footprint continues to grow. There are now one million Chinese living and working in Africa. It has 20 news bureaus and 29 Confucian Institutes on the continent and invites 4,000 to 5,000 African students to study in China each year.

Bodman said China has been successful packaging economic aid with loans to African countries and investing in the countries’ infrastructure, a contrast to Western investment which is largely geared to extract resources. Moreover, African countries appreciate China’s lack of interference in their internal affairs.  China doesn’t lecture the African nations about human and democratic rights.

China is often viewed as a threat, Bodman said, but the Chinese are looking for business partnerships in Africa. He also sees opportunities for the U.S. to cooperate on health and peace-keeping initiatives. But for this to be a fruitful meeting of the minds, we need to be more cognizant of how the Chinese perceive U.S. geo-political moves, Bodman said.

Mini Classification:

Bob Flaten is still Bob Flaten. Nothing has changed since his last mini-classification.

Farewell Mizuki

Last week was Mizuki Oeda’s’s last meeting with us. She thanked us for her experience here. She was a good sport, literally. She participated in cross country and basketball during the year, and she was a good ambassador for her home country of Japan. She made friends easily, evidenced by her selection as the Snow Queen at Northfield High School last February.

Lynne Young honored

Lynne Young is retiring as director of the Northfield Public Library after 28 years of service, and we couldn’t let that go unnoticed. John Ophaug presented her with his latest literary turn, “Fifty Shades of Rotary,” a real page-turner, as they say. Lynne accepted it in the spirit in which it was offered.

And now, the rest of the story….

When we last left our story, there was a lot of backyard, over the fence speculation about Charlie Cogan inviting Richard Maus to the to the district Rotary conference in St. Paul. Only later, at the conference, was Charlie’s motivation unmasked. No scandal here. Richard was receiving a Regional Service Award for a Polio-Free World.

This award recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions to Rotary’s efforts to eradicate the crippling disease polio. Richard is one of only 10 Rotarians world-wide to receive this award in 2013.

Nice going, Richard. Much deserved.

Guests: Brynnie Rowberg and Sharon Trebenaker (Flaten); Jim Young (Young); Katie St. Clair and Adrienne Falcon (Fenton); and Mizuki, Rachel, Adnan, Cindy and Diatou.

Scholarship Enhancement: Bob Craig

Announcements:

— Adrienne Falcon, director of Academic Civic Engagement at Carleton College, and Katie St. Clair, a Carleton statistics professor,  are looking for community-based projects that revolve around collection and analysis of data. They have a three-year grant to provide this local service.  If you have a need, please contact them at: afalcon@carleton.edu or kstclair@carleton.edu

— Brad Frago, our Youth Protection Officer, reminds us that all members who have significant interaction with youth need to be certified volunteers. Everyone needs to be recertified every three years. The process is quick and easy. Go to http://www.rotary5960.org/ryp/index.cfm and get that taken care of.

Coming Up:

May 23 — Lin Bruce, Tales of Biking Across the USA (Prowe)

May 30 –

June 6 — Exchange Student Graduation Party, Estenson Event Center

Today: Dick Bodman, Retired St. Olaf Professor, China in Africa (Flaten)

Birthdays: Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin (4/28), Geralyn Sheehan (5/2) and Rick Estenson (5/4).

Next Week: Tim Madigan, City Administrator, History of US/Dakota War (Reppmann)

Last Week: 
Adnan Mansjur is usually where the action is.

During his exchange year in Northfield, he has bought into our winter immersion program. He’s been ice fishing, snowmobiling, skiing and even spent a night in an Arctic bed and breakfast.

On his trip to New York City with the high school band, he wound up with some face time at the Today Show. And when he returns to Indonesia, he will get back to doing what all 16-year olds boys yearn to do — race cars.

Adnan’s home country, Indonesia, is a cultural mosaic, comprised of 17,000 islands and 500 different ethnic groups. “Unity in diversity” is the national slogan. Sumatra, Java and Bali are among the largest islands in the archipelago. Indonesia is included in the Pacific’s “rim of fire.” It has the largest number of active volcanoes in the world.

Indonesia offers beautiful beaches, rugged jungles and majestic mountains. It is a country with rich traditions and one that provides a window to our understanding of prehistoric man. The Java man, a pivotal anthropologic find, was discovered there in 1891. Indonesia was also once home to President Barack Obama during part of his childhood.

Our fair city has been a dramatic departure from the packed cities Adnan knows back home. He traded traffic gridlock and frequent flooding for snow and cold, although a bucolic snow and cold.

His father is a dentist, who had his own exchange experience in Minnesota 40 years ago. His mother is a housewife. He has two sisters and a younger brother.

When Adnan looks ahead to future action, he sees himself pursuing a medical degree and continuing his racing.

Mini Classification:
 Mark Quinnell does not quite qualify for “townie” status. He moved to Northfield as a two-month old with parents Hunts and Betty Quinnell. Timing is everything.

A graduate of both Northfield High School and St. Olaf College, he moved away for a brief couple of years and then returned to Northfield to become a fixture in the business community as a State Farm insurance agent.

Mark and his wife, Sue, have two children. Emily, 25, is now working as a child protection worker in Madison, Wis. Evan, 21, is a junior at St. Olaf College. He sings in the St. Olaf Choir and with the Limestones.

Brett Reese and Mike Allen were Mark’s Rotary sponsors, and dMark is grateful for being asked to be part of this club.

And now, the rest of the story….
When we last left our story, there was a lot of backyard, over the fence speculation about Charlie Cogan inviting Donna Maus to the to the district Rotary conference in St. Paul. Only later, at the conference, was Charlie’s motivation unmasked. No scandal here. Richard was receiving a Regional Service Award for a Polio-Free World.

This award recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions to Rotary’s efforts to eradicate the crippling disease polio. Richard is one of only 10 Rotarians world-wide to receive this award in 2013. Nice going, Richard. Much deserved.

Visiting Rotarian: Lynn Thoraldson, Lakeville Rotary Club. Taste of Lakeville is May 16. For more information, go to http://www.lakevillerotary.org/

Guests: Marlin Paschall-Zimbel and Matt Irwin (Covey), Ivy Ainsworth (Blaha) and Adnan’s gallery: Henry Jokela, Wes Braker, Annika Fredrickson, Maria Olson, Elise Hanson, Zoe Webb, Mark and Teresa Duschene, Dan and Juliana Sayner, Susan Quinnell and Susie Beaumaster.

Scholarship Enhancement: Keith Covey

Announcements:

John Ophaug noted the passing of Jean Perman, an honorary Paul Fellow Harris. Her husband, Orv Perman, was a member of Rotary for 50 years, a Paul Harris Fellow and a past president. Jean’s funeral was last Saturday.

Betsy Spethmann, a member of the Literacy Committee, requested help sorting and distributing books for the Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) literacy project. Five hundred have been re-circulated, but there are another 1,000 to go.

Be sure to reserve the evening of Thursday, June 6, for an exchange student graduation party at the Estenson Ranch.

Brad Frago, our Youth Protection Officer, reminds us that all members who have significant interaction with youth need to be certified volunteers. Everyone needs to be recertified every three years. The process is quick and easy. Go to http://www.rotary5960.org/ryp/index.cfm and get that taken care of.

Neil Lutsky is looking for a member to volunteer to be the Club Archivist. Lynne Young is retiring from serving in this capacity for many years – thanks Lynne.

Coming Up:

May 16 — Zach Pruitt, Healthy Community Initiative
May 23 — Lin Bruce, Tales of Biking Across the USA (Prowe)

Today: Adnan, Youth Exchange Presentation (Quinnell)

Birthdays: Richard Maus 4/24.

Next Week: Dick Bodman, Retired St. Olaf Professor, China in Africa (Flaten)

Last Week: 

With the snowy weather of late our speaker, Paul Mooty, could have easily sold us some of his Faribault Woolen Mills Company blankets, but we were content just to hear the amazing story of how this historic company has been given new life.

Paul Mooty, past President of the Edina Rotary Club, and his cousin, Chuck Mooty, purchased Faribault Woolen Mills in 2011, two years after the previous owners had closed the business and abandoned the plant. Both Paul and Chuck have extensive legal and business experience and welcomed the challenge to breathe new life into the oldest manufacturing company in Minnesota.

Carl Klemer, an immigrant from Germany, began the company in 1865 with a carding machine to process raw wool, and by 1877 he was manufacturing blankets. In 1882 the original building of the existing complex along the river was completed.  Water power from the adjoining dam powered the mill until the 1930′s.

Faribault Woolen Mills continued to grow and became the industry leader in the USA. One hundred thousand blankets were produced for WWI soldiers and 250,000 for WWII soldiers. In 1949 stadium blankets were introduced, followed by moth-proof and washable blankets in the late 1950s.

Previous owners closed the mill in 2009, leaving without even cleaning off desks.  Paul and Chuck took a risk and purchased the business just before much of the specialized equipment was to be sold and shipped to Pakistan. After major upgrades to electrical, plumbing, heating and other building systems in the 175,000 square foot facility in 2011, the 145 year-old mill once again manufactures high quality blankets all the way from receiving the raw wool to shipping the finished product.  The mill facility is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  Four new looms have been installed to increase capacity. Several former mill employees were rehired and employment currently totals approximately 50.

Landing a good contract with J.C. Penney Co. and working diligently to encourage internet buying, Faribault Woolen Mills once again sells excellent quality blankets that last and last.  What an upbeat success story – thanks to Paul Mooty for a great presentation.

Mini Classification: Devon Barnes has accepted a new job in Owatonna and unfortunately will be resigning from the club.  He will continue to live in Northfield with his wife Kimberly and their two children and promises to stay in touch.   Best wishes to Devon.

Visiting Rotarian: Ryan Heinritz, Director, Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault

Guests: Nate Carlson (Conway), Ron McDonald (Taylor), exchange students: Diatou, Adnan, Mizuki, Cindy and Rachel.

Scholarship Enhancement: Linda Wilgohs (again?)

Announcements:

Kurt Larsen will soon be offering Rotary clothing for sale at Larsen Printing – stay tuned for further details and perhaps a style show.

Be sure to reserve the evening of Thursday, June 6, for an exchange student graduation party at the Estenson Ranch.

Check out the website for Lakeville Rotary Club’s “Taste of Lakeville” fundraising event scheduled for Thursday, May 16, from 5 – 9 pm at the Lakeville Area Arts Center:  http://www.lakevillerotary.org/

Neil Lutsky is looking for a member to volunteer to be the Club Archivist.  Lynne Young is retiring from serving in this capacity for many years – thanks Lynne.

Coming Up:

May 9 — Tim Madigan, City Administrator, History of US/Dakota War (Reppmann)

May 16 — Zach Pruitt, Healthy Community Initiative

May 23 — Lin Bruce, Tales of Biking Across the USA (Prowe)

Today: Paul Mooty: The Faribault Woolen Mill (Barnes)

Birthdays: Wayne Abdella (4/17), John Fossum (4/19)

Next Week: Adnan, Youth Exchange Presentation (Quinnell)

Last Week:

When and how should the “international community” intervene in the affairs of a sovereign state is a tough, tough question. It invites us to revisit a medieval world order where absolute despots treated their subjects like chattel. Unfortunately, that model persists in some corners of the world.

Former ambassador Robert Flaten challenged us to consider whether sovereignty belongs to the individual or the state. A 2005 United National General Assembly Resolution proclaims a right of the international community to intervene militarily in sovereign states to protect people. Critics have viewed this as a neo-colonial effort to reassert the influence of western countries. They see it as a double standard when the United States is not held accountable for its treatment of Native Americans or Russia or China for their treatment of Muslims.

“Is it a valid concept,” Robert asks, “to take nation states out of the center put people in their place?”

It’s an ongoing dilemma because intervention does not always succeed. Failure is as bad as doing nothing at all, he said. “By intervening, do we do more harm than good?” he asks.

Intervention worked in Kenya and recently in Libya, but Somalia was a disaster. Bob said there is still no consensus in the international community about how to handle Syria.

Other observations from the former ambassador:

— Egypt will be resolved eventually, but it will be messy.
— North Korea saber-rattling could be only for internal purposes.
— The U.S. military has assumed far too many diplomatic functions. That needs to be reversed.

Mini-Classification:

Robert Flaten is a true Northfield product. His grandfather and father were both professors at St. Olaf College. Bob grew up here and, no surprise here, graduated from St. Olaf College. After a stint in the Air Force, he earned a graduate degree from George Washington University and then spent 32 years in the United States Foreign Service. He served in France, Pakistan, Washington D.C., Israel and ended his career as Ambassador to Rwanda.

Member Induction: Victoria Langer, a teacher on leave from the Northfield School District, was formally inducted into the club. Her sponsor is Laurie Williams, a longtime friend.

Guests: Susan Hatfield (Taylor), a clean-shaven Steve Wlimot (Fenton), Tim Willgohs (L. Willgohs), James Rehwaldt (Yogi) and our exchange students: Mizuki, Rachel, Diatou, Adnan and Cindy, some of whom are enjoying winter’s long embrace.

Scholarship Enhancement: David Wolf

Announcements:

— Dave Brown reminded members of the half-price sale for Paul Harris Fellowships. A $500 donation will be matched by the club’s credits with the foundation to qualify you for the award. The promotion is open to new and repeat fellows.

— Rotary will host a graduation party Thursday, June 6, for our graduating inbound students, our returning outbound students and for our new outbounds. More to come.

— Rotary will be partnering with The Key to produce a concert in July to raise funds for the youth center. If you have anything to contribute to this effort, contact Missi Arens.

— Peg Prowe reported that the Minnesota House has $1.7 million earmarked for the Mill Towns Trail, part from Legacy funding, part from bonding. This still needs approval from both the Senate and the Governor.