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HAPPY NEW YEAR!
!!JAN 8 PROSPECTIVE MEMBER DAY!!
Member Guests - Free Lunch
Speaker: Kay King, NAMI Commuity Educator
 
Stories
Jan 8 Speaker:  Kay King, NAMI MN Executive Director
Hear first-hand how the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota's work directly affects the lives of children and adults living with mental illnesses and their families. Learn about the education and support programs and what they are doing to advocate for good mental health policies. A few mental health basics, volunteer opportunities and resources will be included. Kay King is a Community Educator and Older Adults Program Coordinator at NAMI Minnesota (the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Minnesota).
Read more...
2025 Holiday Gift Giving's Heartwarming Impact
The true pleasure of the holiday season is in giving to those in need through the auction of Faribault Mill items donated by Paul and Jean Mooty and cash donations.  Thanks to the generosity of members of the Rotary Club of Edina donating money, gift cards, toys, gifts, and clothing, our club was able to donate boxes of clothing, gifts, and toys to Simpson Housing’s Cedarview transitional housing, 100 gift cards to 66 West youth residents who are exiting homelessness, and $1,300 to Good in the Hood for their holiday giving program.  Thank you for expressing your warm hearts and bringing joy to so many at a time that can be very challenging both financially and emotionally. 
 
This community outreach effort is chaired by Jean Morrison (aka Candy Cane and Mrs. Claus) with the help of David Clynes and Paul Mooty.
 
Results of 2025 Red Kettle Campaign
Congratulations to everyone who participated in a terrific effort for the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign in 2025. Family and friends participation including seasoned and new Edina Rotarians. During our 5 day ringing schedule from Dec 17-23, we captured a total of $4,471.42 in contributions to the Red Kettle at Jerry’s Foods in Edina. Great job by everyone. Let’s do it again in 2026.  Click Read More for recognition of those who participated.
Read more...
Rotary Happy Hour Reboot a Success
 
Mark your social calendar for Rotary Happy Hours held the first Monday of each month. Join us at "The Mezz" from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. This month Rotary Noon member, Feroza Mehta, spoke (her short bio is below). The size of the gathering was impressive and everyone appreciated the opportunity to reconnect after the holidays.
 
This gathering is a casual, vocational and business network opportunity centered on featuring an Edina Noon or Edina Morningside Rotary member's career story. Guests are welcome. Future speakers will be featured here and on our club webpage. "The Mezz" at Lunds & Byerlys is located at 7171 France Ave, Edina. Personal food and beverage choices are available to order and purchase. 
Read more...
Jan 31 Pickleball Social
Join your fellow Rotarians and their pickleball guests for new to pickleball instructions (aka how NOT to get hurt) and a friendly game or two of pickleball. Equipment provided. Registration required HERE.
 
WHEN: Saturday, Jan 31, 2026
WHERE: Lifetime Fitness Southdale
TIME: 3:00 TO 5:00 Pickleball
SOCIAL HOUR: 5:00 TO 7:00
COST: $20 per perosn
 
PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED!  SIGN UP TODAY!
Bridging Dresser Build-Volunteering Event
Bridging empowers people to thrive in their homes by providing quality furniture and household goods for those pursuing housing stability, Tuesday, Feb. 3. When and where? Register HERE

Date: Tuesday, February 3rd
Time: 3PM-6PM
Volunteers: 10-25
 
 
Location: Bridging- Bloomington 201 W. 87th St. Bloomington, MN 55420
**Family & Friends welcome!  Must be 14 years old to participate.
 
What will we be doing?
  • Assembling 10 dressers in teams
  • We will take a brief tour of the facility, hear more about the organization and how they serve their clients
What to bring:
  • You should dress comfortably and in clothing that can get dusty.
  • Comfortable, close-toed shoes (required).
  • Donations: Bring a bag, box, or a carload (optional)! Look here for items we accept.
Additional information about Bridging is available on our https://www.bridging.org/. Thank you for supporting this mission with your incredible gift of time and talents! Please let Nikki Ahlgren know if you have any questions or requests for accommodation.
Upcoming Events
Jan 8, 2026 -- Speaker: Kay King, NAMI MN Executive Director
Jan 15, 2026 -- Speaker: Jennifer Mayerlye, WCCO Reporter
Jan 22, 2026 -- Speaker: Ren Bin Lee Dixon, AI Policy Research Fellow
Jan 29, 2026 -- Speaker: Brian Ryks, Metro Airports Commission
Jan 31, 2026 -- Pickleball Social @ Lifetime Southdale
Feb 3, 2026 -- VOLUNTEER - Bridging Build a Dresser
Mail Bag
From the Family of Frank Cardarelle
 
With gratitude and sincere appreciation, the Cardarelle family sends our thanks for the beautiful flowers we received in memory of Frank. They are truly a reflection of service above self. Frank always looked forward to meeting and greeting his Rotary family on Thursdays. God bless you all. -- Lois Cardarelle
 
From Cornerstone-Thanksgiving Baskets
 
Thank you so much for your generous donation of Thanksgiving meals and winter gear. We are so grateful for your ongoing partnership in our work to keep families and communities safe. Have a happy, healthy holiday season and start to 2026. -- Cornerstone
A Wonderful Evening -- Holiday Party 2025
Rotarians and guests gathered at the Edina Country Club Thursday, Dec. 18, for the annual Rotary Club of Edina Holiday Party. About 100 people enjoyed food, drink and warm conversation as they celebrated the holidays. Holiday cheer was evident and a good time was had by all.
Thanks to party chair Julie Westbrock for organizing such a wonderful evening. And now onward to an exciting new year!
 
Read more...
Quarterly Invoices Sent via Email
It's a new year and a new Rotary quarterly invoice for you! Invoices were sent out to your email on record January 4, 2026.  A special thanks to those who are taking advantage of the ACH easy pay method. See Becci for sign up details and the form to fill out. 
Meeting Duties
Front Desk or Greeter
Cook, Tom
 
Greeter & Invocation
Kern, Jody
 
Speaker Intro/Thank the Speaker
Platt, Ann
 
Photographer
Brucker, Hannelore
 
Rotary Birthdays
Member Birthdays
Jeremiah Steele
January 3
 
Lauren Fink
January 11
 
André Brewer
January 16
 
Ted Yoch
January 16
 
Luther Amundson
January 18
 
Rick Carlson
January 22
 
Toshie Metzger
January 22
 
Steve Slyce
January 23
 
Catherine Gump
January 24
 
Sam Cote
January 24
 
Kris Maser
January 26
 
Bob Gubrud
January 27
 
Charlie Barer
January 28
 
Shelly Loberg
January 30
 
 
NEXT REGULAR MEETING MEETING - Thurs., Jan. 8, 2026
PROSPECTIVE MEMBER DAY-Guest Lunch Free
Speaker: Kay King, NAMI Minnesota 
Doors Open at Noon, Program at 12:30
 
Lunch Options:  Southwest Salad w/chicken or Pork Tenderloin w/mushroom cream sauce 
 
DEADLINE for newsletter story and event submission is Monday at 5 pm. RCE Administrator, Becci Michalski, works part time (T-W-Th) and will respond to your inquiries as quickly as possible. Contact her at rmichalski@EdinaRotary.org.