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