The next regular meeting will be Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017. Former FBI agent Eileen Rice will be the program speaker at that first Rotary Club of Edina meeting of the New Year. Rice, now an investigator with WayPoint Inc., will speak about "Causes of Wrongful Convictions," and her work with the Innocence Project. She sits on the board of directors of the Innocence Project of Minnesota, a non-profit organization which seeks to free the wrongfully convicted.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We'll see you Jan. 5!

 

 

Rotary Club of Edina members will be ringing the bell at the Salvation Army red kettle at Jerry's Foods in Edina this week. Volunteers were there Monday and Tuesday, and will continue ringing Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 21–23. Stop by and support the volunteers as they brave the cold and last-minute holiday food shoppers! 

 

Rotary ringers will be at Jerry's Foods from 2 to 8 p.m. today, Wednesday, Dec. 21, for "Ring for Joel Day," in honor of longtime Rotary Club of Edina member Joel Jennings. Joel rang the bell at the red kettle with Rotary many times over the years. We'll honor Joel by ringing in his name, and all the donations received in the red kettle that day from 2 to 8 p.m. will be matched. Thursday, Dec. 22, Rotary ringers will be at Jerry's from 2 to 8 p.m., and Friday, Dec. 23, Rotary volunteers will ring from 2 to 6 p.m.

 

Thanks to all the Rotarians, Interact members and others who volunteered to take part in this Rotary tradition. Special appreciation goes to Dan Hallberg and Wayne Harmon for once again coordinating this year's volunteers, and providing support each day at the red kettle. Stop by and toss in some change and support your fellow Rotarians and friends as they ring for a great cause! 

 

 

It is almost 2017 and I thought I would review some of the highlights of the first six months of this Rotary year. I think you'll agree that we've been busy! If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me!

 

 

A donation is made each week in the speaker’s name to Edina Give and Go, a non-profit that ensures that all Edina students are able to participate in activities that they may not be able to afford.

I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season and I look forward to working with you next year to ensure that we continue to “Do Good in the World!”

 

 

Rotarians and guests gathered at the Edina Country Club Thursday, Dec. 15, for the annual Rotary Club of Edina Holiday Party. More than 120 people enjoyed food, drink and warm conversation by the fire as they celebrated the holidays. Many holiday-themed ties and sweaters were worn, as well as one amazing suit that was the very definition of holiday spirit! Christmas cheer was evident and a good time was had by all.

 

Thanks to party chairs Marty Kupper and Steve Slyce for once again organizing such a wonderful evening. 

 

Merry Christmas Rotarians! We'll see you in 2017!

 

Several members of the Rotary Club of Edina were honored at the Dec. 8 meeting as multiple Paul Harris Fellows, having donated multiple gifts of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. TRF Director for our club, Sue Spalding, handed out the PHF pins to members, with the help of David Clynes. It was also announced at the meeting that David will be the 2016–2017 TRF director for our club.

 

The following members were honored:

 

Congratulations to these members! There will be several PHF recognition ceremonies at meetings during the Rotary year.

 

 

Incoming Rotary District 5950 Governor Bob Halagan is encouraging all Rotarians to take the District 5950 Membership Survey! If you have not done so, please fill out your survey. Survey results and analysis will be shared with the membership as soon as it becomes available. The deadline for completing the survey is now Dec. 29, so click on this link and share your opinions on Rotary and District 5950.
 
You can also find the survey link on the District 5950 home page. The survey will only take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete. 
 
Thank you!

Periodically we feature a newer member of the Rotary Club of Edina in The Barker. The Rotary Club of Edina welcomed Andrea Thompson Miller as a member in June 2016. Andrea's sponsor to the club was Josh Sprague. Read on to get to know more about Andrea...

 

Name: Andrea Thompson Miller

 

Classification: Employer Consulting; PEO Business Consultant for Doherty/Oasis in Edina. I also am a custom jeweler making diamond and colored stone jewelry in my free time. 

I wanted to say a huge "thank you" to the members of the Edina Rotary Club for the incredibly generous contribution of gifts for Cornerstone's Holiday Shop event! We are so grateful and appreciate your partnership as we work to make the holidays brighter for the families we serve.

 

 

Thank you so much for the lovely flowering plant, received during my shoulder surgery recovery. It was true day-brightener to be remembered in this way. The plant is absolutely lovely, and we will enjoy it for a long time to come. It's been a slow recovery process and it will continue to bring light. You guys are the best! I am blessed to be part of this wonderful club, and am thankful for your caring, thoughtful gesture.

 

Blessings for a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!