
Rotary Club of Saint Paul
May 13, 2025
History Theatre
President Shelly Rucks called the Rotation Day meeting to order at 12:14 pm. She thanked Rotarian Rob Thomas for hosting this meeting at the History . She also mentioned that Ken Crabb is looking for people to volunteer at the Science Museum this Friday from 10-2. Shelly also reminded people that we need hosts for the international youth who are traveling across the country on June 27-28.
Rob Thomas, Development Director of the History Theatre, described the mission and purpose of Theatre. The History Theatre creates informed stories and gives history a voice to those who have come before us. History Theatre entertains, educates, and engages through creating, developing, and producing new and existing works that explore Minnesota's past and the diverse American experience. Its work provides a unique lens which links our past to the present, explores our common heritage, and illuminates our understanding of what it means to be American. Rob said that Rotary aligns with this mission by building relationships and connections. There is also a connection of empathy and understanding.
Karen Mueller, Managing Director, reported that the History Theatre was founded in 1978 and is 47 years old. During that time, the Theatre has commissioned 130 new plays and musicals. This summer is the 10th Anniversary of the popular musical “Glensheen” about the Congdon family tragedy that took place at the Glensheen Mansion in Duluth. The theatre, designed by famous local architect Ralph Rapson, has 575 seats. Both well- known and lesser-known stories are performed on stage. They employ 110 artists and13 full-time staff. 70% of their income is from ticket sales. The Theatre faced challenges during covid, as did other theaters, but are coming back. They partner with community organizations like the Minnesota History Center and the Friends of the Boundary Waters depending the theme of the play. Their “Seats to Stage” program introduces high school students to the theater through school residencies. They also have a partnership with Vail Place to help adults with mental health issues through the theater.
Richard D. Thompson, Artistic Director, stated that the History Theatre preserves history by telling stories from the past. The arts are important because they tell who we are. Then he described the following 2025-2026 season of plays”
- “Don’t Miss Doris Hines”: This is the story of Doris’ career in show business. She is also the mother of Gary Hines, director of the world-renowned musical group, The Sounds of Blackness.
- “Rollicking! A Winter Carnival Musical”: Saint Paul city architect Clarence “Cap” Wigington designed the ice palace for the Winter Carnival and then goes on a magical adventure with his wife through both myth and history.
- “Whoosh!”: It’s a raucous, comical, emotionally gripping ghost story about two Irish immigrants who come to Minnesota and fight in the Civil War.
- “Hungry Like the Wolf”: This is a fast-paced, irrelevant comedy exploring the first bank strike and fight for women’s labor rights.
- “Courting Harry”: A story about Minnesota natives Supreme Court Justices Warren Burger and Harry Blackman who are lifelong friends.
THIS WEEK
- Science Museum of Minnesota
May 16, 2025, 10:00 am -2:00 pm - Education Day at Open World Learning
Open World Learning
May 16, 2025, 2:00 pm - “Anything Goes” at Lakeshore Players Theatre
May 18, 2025, 2:00 pm
NEXT WEEK
- Education Day at Farnsworth Aerospace
May 19, 20259:30 am -10:00 am - 5:01 Meeting
Pool & Yacht Club
May 20, 20255:01 pm – 6:15 pm
The meeting closed at 12:50 pm.
Lynne Beck Scribe
Please join us at the Pool and Yacht Club on May 6th as we hear from Shandyn Benson and James Iliff, principal and teacher respectively at Gordon Parks High School.
Shandyn and James will share where Gordon Parks has been and where they plan to go. Their focus has been around engaging students in career exploration and possibilities for their future. Students take a survey when they arrive so we can find out what they are interested in. From there they set up field trips, guest speakers, etc. The goal is to expand possibilities and engage more with those in the field.
Shandyn Benson is in her second year as Principal of Gordon Parks high school. Before that, she taught in SPPS for 20 years and has spent the last 4 years as an administrator. It was when she was teaching in an ALC that she was inspired to earn her Principal Licensure and now she is leading her district's largest ALC. She likes to spend her free time with her 2 daughter’s at sporting events or just hanging out at home. She is a marathon runner and is about to run her 15th marathon on Saturday.
James Iliff is a business and construction teacher at Gordon Parks high school. He has taught for over 20 years. Growing up, he did have a lot of exposure to careers. He is now passionate about helping students get connected to careers where they can use their talents and interests to continue improving the World, earn a substantial living, and lead the community.
Join Zoom Meeting
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Or, join by Phone: (312) 626-6799 or (346) 248-7799
At 12:15 on April 29, 2025, Pete Grayson called the meeting to order at Intercontinental Hotel and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr Grayson thanked the volunteers helping at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (“RYLA”) at this RYLA themed meeting:
- Greeters - John Chandler and Susan Rostkoski.
- Singing of the National Anthem – Led by Lauren Berg (Buffalo Rotary), Parker Carlson (Buffalo Rotary) and Kumail Akram, JC (Buffalo Rotary)
- Introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests - Ahnia Morgan, a RYLA participant.
- Introductions of RYLA team members - Pete Grayson -
- Inspirational Minute and 4-way test - Luca Greenig, a RYLA participant,.
- Tech team - Matt Magers and Andrew Vincelli
- Scribe – Ken Schaefer
The RYLA program was summarized by:
- John Leuer, Minnetonka High School (Excelsior Morning Rotary) – Yellow team
- Ryley Rydell, Elk River High School (Minnetonka Rotary) – Green team
- Lewis Doncavage, Irondale High School (New Brighton Mounds View) – Orange team
- Luca-Marie Ehlbeck, Rochester Mayo High School (Greater Rochester Rotary) – Blue team
- Alyssa Ducommun, Rice Lake Area School (Rice Lake Rotary) – Green tem
- Myles Castleberry, Osseo High School (Maple Grove/Osseo Rotary) – Orange team
The meeting ended at 12:55 pm.
Ken Schaefer, Scribe.
At 12:13 pm on April 22, 2025, Shelly Rucks, the St Paul Rotary President, called the meeting to order at the Intercontinental Hotel and noted today is Earth Day. President Rucks led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and thanked the volunteers helping at the meeting, Robert Cardinal and Scott Van, greeters, Joy McElroy, Inspirational Minute and the Four Way Test, Susan Rostkoski, introducing guests and happy dollars, our tech team of Jason DeKeuster and Matt Magers, Ken Schaefer, scribe, and our club administrator Amanda Mai. Joy McElory provided the Inspirational Minute and the Four Way Test. Susan Rostkoski introduced guests and visiting Rotarians.
The speaker was Micheal-jon Pease, a club member and Executive Director of the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy; Mr. Pease was introduced by Susan Rostkoski and provided an overview of Saint Paul Parks. He discussed the vision of and impact of the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy. Last, he summarized areas where Rotarians could assist The Conservancy.
Shelly’s announcements were:
- Nominations are open for the Spirt of Rotary award – Please submit to Heidi Fisher.
- RYLA is this weekend (Friday through Monday) with RYLA the program the next meeting. Members can visit the site.
- May 13 is Rotation Day at History Theatre. Register by May 9th.
- Anything Goes at Lakeshore Players Theatre
- Education days – May 2 through June 6. Volunteers needed.
- Parks and People starts Saturday , May 10th and continues on afternoons follow Rotary lunch programs.
- May 16 - Science Museum of Minnesota from 10 am to 2 pm
- May 27 (Tuesday) at 9:30 - Join the Student of the Month/Year recognition breakfast at Gordon Parks High School
- June 1 - Sell Wristbands at Grand Old Day.
- Party for the Parks on Wednesday June 25th at 5:30 pm at Como Park.
- June 28-29 – House youth exchange students while in the Metro.
- The club needs one more host for an International Exchange student.
Susan Rostkoski led Happy Dollars.
The meeting ended at 1:10 pm.
Rotary Club of Saint Paul
April 15, 2025
President Shelley Rucks called the hybrid meeting to order at 5:16 pm. The greeter was Beth Naughton. Lynne Beck was scribe. The A/V Teach Team was Matt Magers.
For the Inspirational Minute, Ken Shaefer read quotes from famous people about taxes since it is Income Tax Filing Day. He then led the club in the 4-WayTest.
Beth Naughton introduced guests: Ken Crabb’s wife Gwen and his cousin and her husband, Jim Delamater’s wife, and a Rotarian who moved from the Washington D.C. Rotary Club to Woodbury and wants to join the Saint Paul Rotary Club.
Ken Shaefer introduced the speaker, Dan Keyport who talked about what he learned from writing, publishing and selling his nonfiction book Extraordinary Popular Delusions of Our Times. Dan grew up in St. Paul, attending St. Thomas Academy, the College of St. Thomas, and the University of St. Thomas. Dan spent 25 years in consulting and information technology, and then in 2005, opened Dolce Vita Wine Shop in Chaska and joined the Chaska Rotary Club. After selling the business and retiring in 2022, Dan spent the next two years writing and publishing Extraordinary Popular Delusions of Our Times.
Dan Keyport, who writes under the penname of Daniel Martin, described the lessons he learned from writing and publishing and selling his book. He divided the book into five delusions: Financial (Bitcoin and Market Bubbles), Health (Alternative Medicine, Antivax), Religious (Cults and Crazies), Cultural (Conspiracy Theories), and Political (QAnon, Communism).
He hired Tim Campbell to proof read and edit the book. Before looking for a publisher, he had to submit queries to agents. After receiving rejections from several agents, he ended up self- publishing on Amazon. This required finding someone to design a cover, type setting the book, and uploading the content onto the website. Finally, he needed to market and sell the book through Reddit, Amazon, Facebook, bookstores, libraries, signing events and presentations. Dan then answered questions about the book and the process.
Beth Naughton introduced our newest member, Alison Rempel Brown, President and CEO of the Science Museum of Minnesota. We were encouraged to submit nominations for the Spirit of Rotary Award to Heidi Fisher by June 1. Beth asked for Happy Dollars. Susan Schuster is happy about RYLA. Linda Mulhern reported that we should contact her if we can host international students for 24 hours who are taking Amtrak from the West Coast on June 28, and leaving on June 29. Shelley said she will invite the students to a pool party at her cabin and pool in Western Wisconsin. Karin Ciano asked people to sign up for the volunteer opportunities.
Shelley Rucks made the following club announcements:
- April 22, 2025 Signature Lunch
12:15-1:15 pm InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront
St. Paul Parks Conservancy, Michael-jon Pease - April 29, 2025 Signature Lunch
12:15-1:15 pm InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront
RYLA Lunch, Pete Grayson as your host - May 6, 5:01, 2025
St. Paul Pool & Yacht Club or via zoom 5:01- 6:15 pm
Program TBD - May 13, 2025 Rotation Day
Rob Thomas, History Theatre
The meeting closed at 6:13 pm.
Lynne Beck
Scribe
Greeters: Susan Rostkoski and Bill Collins
Club President Shelly Rucks opened the meeting with news that former Club 10 Rotarian Carole Kralicek had passed away and she asked for a moment of silence to remember her.
- A new board position has been created, by the title of “Image Officer.”
- Past presidents of other Rotary Clubs may become eligible to become president of our club after serving one year on the Club 10 board.
- We will permit a range of directors from 8-to-10, rather than hold fast to a rule that we must have 10 directors at all times.
Submitted by Carolyn Will
Minutes of lunch 3/12
President Shelly kicked off the meeting at 12:14 with a large crowd, including nearly 50 guests of our speaker, Dean Wegner.
To welcome the extended crowd, we had Michael jon Pease, Susan Schuster, Jason DeKeuster, and John Chandler. Special shout out to Susan Rostkoski, Carolyn Will, and Amanda for assisting everyone with lunch payments and parking validations. It takes a village! Matt and Andrew coordinate the technology for the day. Bob Cardinal provided multiple quotes on the definition and value of love in our lives, followed by the 4-Way Test.
To allow time for our speaker, Shelly asked any visiting Rotarians to stand, both of whom were guests to hear Dean; additionally, she had all guests stand to be recognized and welcomed. She shared a quick introduction to Rotary with a thank you for District Governor Nominee Michael jon for his slides. She highlighted that our District, 5960 has just over 2,200 members in 57 Clubs; we donate $761,000, and impacted more than a million lives last year. Explaining that we are 120 year old organization in over 220 countries that has over 1.4M members, 46,000 Clubs; we have donated $357Million to improving lives, and have impacted over 2.5Billion lives with our Polio outreach. She invited all the guests to take information from the table and come back to join us for another meeting.
Our speaker, Dean Wegner is a Veteran and entrepreneur who once lived in Stillwater and now runs Authentically American living in Nashville. Being from Minnesota, hockey had an important part in his story, including his time at West Point. Dean shared how his experience in the Army along with the book, the Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann, helped set his path and created a desire to do for others. This included adopting a fourth child. His corporate experience at P&G and Mars helped him take a leap to create a manufacturing company to produce high quality clothing that is all made in America. Bringing in many of the audience guests in his story, he clearly illustrated the value of connections and friends in his world, and in the success of his work. He highlighted that he has a discounted price with lower profit for charitable organizations and a goal of replacing China for much of the clothing industry in the US. Due to a glitch in technology, the sound was not working in his presentation, so Shelly will be sending out the PowerPoint to guests, and will include in an email to Club members if you are interested.
Our first 5:01 at the Pool & Yacht Club will be Tuesday, and upcoming volunteer opportunities we highlighted as the clock showed we were running long. Shelly reminded us all that as Rotarians, we take action together to create change in our world and our community.