In review

One of the last summer Rotary lunches, Thursday’s was a warm and humid one with temperatures in the high 20s—28C to be exact (82F).  

Dan Hennen, Brandon Azbill, Royce Pavelka and Kevin Strandberg greeted at the door and Royce enthusiastically handed out Edina Rotary Foundation Fundraiser & Gala Silent Auction donation forms to all people as they entered.

Past President Jeff Ohe helped out at the front desk, and Michael Opitz and Marty Kupper handed out raffle tickets for the Fundraiser & Gala to each member as we walked in. (Talk to Mike or Marty if you didn't yet receive your tickets to sell!)

Our esteemed President Ann Platt opened the meeting at 12:36 p.m. and the Invocation was read by Jon Barnett, who shared a powerful reading with our group about the value of a smile, and also conducted the Pledge of Allegiance, along with the Rotary Four-Way Test.

Steven Veker introduced our guests. Mike Kallas, a member of the Youth Exchange Committee, introduced the new Youth Exchange students to Edina High School—Claudio Huerta from Chile and Justine Onana from Belgium. They are sponsored by both our club and the Edina Morningside Rotary Club. Mike encouraged members to meet the students, and invite them to events, gatherings and even just over for dinner. 

 

David Clynes introduced Mike Lehman as his guest at the meeting. Brandon Azbill introduced his father and wife, who were there to see him be officially inducted into the club at the meeting. Brad Beard, Sutton McGraw, Bill Milota and Mary Younggren also had guests at the meeting.

Ann Platt reminded us of the Oct. 1 Fundraiser & Gala, with the theme "New York State of Mind." Ann even had “two celebrities flown in” to pitch the Gala to the crowd—Billy Joel and Elton John in full costume flew in and gave us their best plug of why we all need to be there Oct. 1.

 

Marty Kupper and Michael Opitz also gave a brief shout out from the podium about the importance of selling Fundraiser raffle tickets and a Q&A about raffle ticket fun facts. 

Ann announced the induction of two new members and asked one of our past presidents, Steve Slyce, to come up and formally induct the new members—Brandon Azbill, sponsored by Wooj Byun, and Jim Platt, sponsored by Ann Platt.

Ann then welcomed Brad Beard to the podium, who introduced our speaker—Dr. Michael Howell. Dr. Howell gave us the highly interesting presentation “Sleep & Performance,” where he taught us how sleep helps us become healthier and more successful in all areas of our life.

Colleen Simpson thanked our speaker and told Dr. Howell about the donation in his honor to Edina Give & Go.

Ann Platt also thanked the speaker, warmly welcomed the new members and reminded the group of the raffle tickets as she closed the meeting at 1:34 p.m.

Next week’s speaker is Richard Schulze, founder of Best Buy, so we should surely expect a full house on Aug. 25.