MAY 3, 2016 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
Tom Swain & Lori Sturdevant
Club 10 went on the road to the Securian Center and was visited by co-authors Tom Swain, a Saint Paul leader for many years, and Lori Sturdevant from the Minneapolis StarTribune. They came to discuss the book they have written, Citizen Swain, reporting the exploits of Mr. Swain from the early 1950's to the present in leading the development of the political, cultural and athletic environments of this great City. Read on to learn more about one of Saint Paul's staunch supporters!
President Carla Hauge brought the meeting to order at 12:17 p.m. at the Securian Center River Room on a sunny, spring day in downtown Saint Paul. Past President and District Governor Joe Kovarik led the assembled Rotarians in singing When the Saints Go Marching In! accompanied by Jerry Falletti on the guitar. Nancy Brady provided today's invocation. Bo Aylin facilitated the introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests. Today's Greeters were Debbie Lee and Linda Mulhern.
President Carla invited Steve Gerber to the podium to give a final Camp RYLA report. He also proposed a fund-raising "Walk for Water" that he wants to organize. He put out a call for volunteers to discuss the concept. Please contact Steve if you are interested.
Jim Delamater presented Paul Harris Awards to Sarah Kolar (multiple award pin) and Dion Powers (first award). Rotarian birthdays were recognized for the months of April and May. Candy was distributed since the cake tradition has been ended. Bo Aylin collected Happy Dollars. David Laird gave a Happy Dollar (or more) in thanks for and recognition of the seven-years' leadership of the Feed My Starving Children project by Doug Hartford and Clyde Nelson.
Past President Howard Guthmann introduced today's speakers, Tom Swain and Lori Sturdevant, co-authors of the book, Citizen Swain. Ms. Sturdevant is a senior editorial writer for the Minneapolis StarTribune (celebrating her 40th anniversary at the StarTribune today). Mr. Swain served three stints at the University of Minnesota as an interim vice president. Mr. Swain is 94 years old and has held sixteen salaried jobs in his career. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1942. He was the Athletic Department's first Athletic Advisor (the only one at that time).
Mr. Swain became head of the Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce and Saint Paul Convention Bureau in 1951. Howard was involved in the Junior Chamber at that same time. In 1955, Mr. Swain was appointed to the Minnesota Centennial Commission (1958). He recounted several great stories involving Governor Orville Freeman, an appearance by Judy Garland at Statehood Day in 1958 and two gubernatorial campaigns that he managed for Elmer Andersen in the early '60's. For more details, you will need to read the book! After Elmer Andersen lost out to Karl Rolvaag in 1962 by ninety-one votes, Mr. Swain went to work for St. Paul Companies. While at St. Paul Companies, Mr. Swain and Howard Guthmann partnered on a political campaign to make Saint Paul public schools an independent school district (one of the last of the large cities to become independent). Mr. Swain was also instrumental in organizing a Saint Paul Minuteman event to bring the St. Louis Cardinals here to play the Philadelphia Eagles in a football exhibition game in the late '50's. The strong attendance by Minnesotans at this neutral site game was key to bringing the Vikings NFL franchise here.
President Carla thanked Lori Sturdevant and Tom Swain for their presentation and noted that a donation would be made in their names to the Saint Paul Public Library's "Reading Together" program. (Mr. Swain interjected that Saint Paul public libraries are open twice as many hours as Minneapolis public libraries.) President Carla then led those assembled in a recitation of the Four-Way Test ("Is it the Truth? Is it Fair to all concerned? Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships? Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?"). She then rang the bell to close the meeting at 1:20 p.m.
Chuck Standfuss, Scribe