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Following President Ann Platt calling the meeting to order, Wooj Byun gave us some very thoughtful words related to “What is giving?" The Pledge of Allegiance was followed by the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test.
Jim Roberts helped at the front desk. You were greeted by Alan Mogck and Terry Moore.
Kris Maser introduced 10 visitors and one visiting Rotarian (from the Uptown Rotary Club).
President Ann, in the spirit of the holidays, then recognized the seven members of the Edina Country Club wait staff, along with both Club accountant Patti Ellingson-Solheim and Club administrator Jennifer Garske. Patti and Jen were given very festive floral arrangements!
Steve Slyce followed with the reminder of the Rotary Holiday Party being held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at the ECC. You can count on good food and conversation at this event! (Registration has now closed, but contact Steve or Marty Kupper if you would still like to attend.)
Our Past President, Jennifer Bennerotte, next reviewed the Nominating Committee’s various board nominations for the 2017–2018 Rotary year:
Club Board
- Sam Thompson, Officer
- Joe Arends, Community Service—Local Projects
- Renee Harberts, Social
- Dan Hennen, Public Image
- Marty Kupper, Club Service
- Shelly Loberg, International Service
- Kip Peterson, Youth Service
- Jim Ryman, Community Service—Local Funding
Edina Rotary Foundation Board
- Jennifer Bennerotte, At-large Director
- Steve Slyce, At-large Director
Sam Thompson next introduced Claire Swift, an outbound Youth Exchange student last school year, 2015–2016. Claire outlined her 2015–2016 experience living in a small town close to Milan, Italy. Claire showed off her host families, many new friends and reviewed her travels all over Italy, along with the fun time she had during "Carnival."
Finally, our Club's The Rotary Foundation Director Sue Spalding spoke to the fundraising success of the club currently reaching almost 50 percent of the goal for donations to The Rotary Foundation in the 2016–2017 Rotary year. Also, Sue spoke of the latest Paul Harris Fellows. Eleven members were recognized, many being multiple Paul Harris Fellows (PHF). They were:
- David Clynes
- Sam Cote
- Steve Slyce
- Wayne Harmon
- Rick Carlson
- Mark Jessen
- Gary Pedersen
- Scott Neal
- Sam Thompson
- Rick Burrock
- Kaylin Eidsness
Interestingly, Sue shared that our club has 80 Paul Harris Fellows.
After Jennifer Bennerotte’s speaker introduction, our two speakers, Andrew Lutaya and Kate Meredith each did an admirable job of educating us on the upcoming Highway 169 Improvement Project. Mr. Lutaya is the West Area Engineer with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Ms. Meredith is with the 494 Corridor Commission.
We learned that the project extends from Highway 62 in Edina to Highway 55 in Plymouth. The anticipated duration is nine months—Jan. 10 through October 2017.
Andrew itemized the four Highway 169 improvements that will be addressed during this nine-month project:
- Replacement of the Nine Mile Creek Bridge (between Bren Road and 7th Street). This will include a pedestrian tunnel.
- Repair the pavement from Highway 62 to Highway 55, and the noise walls. There could be noticeable lane closures during this process.
- Lengthen the acceleration/deceleration lanes to/from Cedar Lake Road.
- Close the 16th Street ramp (southbound). There have been many crashes and traffic interruptions in this area.
 Our other speaker, Kate Meredith represented the Commuter Services Outreach Program of the 494 Corridor Commission. This commission deals with commuter parking, coordinating van and car pools, ride matching, bike rack availability, etc. Kate reviewed the many local companies that have been very cooperative in working with this Improvement Program, including Best Buy, Mall of America, Normandale Lake Office Park, Normandale Community College, Starkey Labs, Cargill, and more.
For additional information on this project, the speakers recommended that we go to: http://www.mndot.gov/metro/projects/hwy169hopkins
The speakers were thanked by Axel Steuer and the meeting was adjourned by President Ann at 1:30 p.m.
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There is no regular Rotary Club of Edina meeting this Thursday, Dec. 15. Instead, we will celebrate with the annual Rotary Holiday Party from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Edina Country Club that evening. 
This Thursday, Dec. 15, is the annual Rotary Holiday Party from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Edina Country Club. Join your fellow Rotarians for a chance to celebrate the holidays with a variety of hearty appetizers and a cash bar. There will be lots of room to sit and relax in the living room to catch up with old and new friends in Rotary..jpg)
Rotary Club of Edina members will be ringing the bell at the Salvation Army red kettle at Jerry's Foods in Edina Monday through Friday, Dec. 19–23. Stop by and support the volunteers as they brave the cold and last-minute holiday food shoppers! 
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The Rotary Holiday Party is at 5:30 p.m. this Thursday, Dec. 15, at Edina Country Club. There is no regular meeting this Thursday, Dec. 15, or Dec. 22 or 29. The next regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Edina is Jan. 5, 2017. Happy holidays!