SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
Katie Daily
This was the meeting where a visiting Rotarian named every country in the world with a Rotary Club, Chuck Whitaker offered members free cases of beer, and Katie Daily, President of Woodbury Rotary, shared her Friendship Exchange experience in Romania. That's what you missed at St. Paul Rotary!
David Laird led the club in a special version of My Wild Irish Rose (in honor of the rose sale!), with Dennis Boom on the piano.
Bill Collins offered a Farmer’s Prayer.
Michael-jon Pease served as scribe in place of Chuck Standfuss.
Shelly Rucks introduced visiting Rotarians and guests. The first visiting Rotarian from India led us on a, shall we say, amazing litany of every country touched by Rotary International! Fortunately, there were no other visiting Rotarians.
Thanks to today’s greeters Dick Nicholson and Heidi Fisher.
Don’t forget to sign up for the John Guthmann Roast/Toast on Sept. 29 at Park Square Theatre.
Chuck Whitaker is giving away free cases of beer! (To every Rotarian who brings in a new member. Your recruit also gets a free case!)
Scott Van encouraged members to get their Rotary Rose Sale orders in by Thursday. He offered to read off the Latin name of every rose variety in the world, but members said that wasn’t necessary.
Blake Davis let members know that the Dictionary Project will be off and running on October 1 and 9 when volunteers (could it be you?) will be putting labels in the dictionaries during the Thursday morning Fellowship Breakfast time at the Boy Scout office.
Jay Pfaender noted a few Rotarians in the local news and promoted next week’s program, the CEO of MPR.
Jay Pfaender kept the microphone to offer the first happy dollar in memory of the infamous Kent State student shootings. Other happy dollars came from Doug Hartford in thanksgiving for golf with fellow Rotarians; Dick Nicholson offered $10 in honor of the wedding of his oldest son’s wedding; Chad Roberts in honor of Ramsey County Historical Society’s event at CHS Field in honor of the Minnesota Civil Rights.
Mindee Kastelic introduced our speaker, Katie Daily (President of the Woodbury Rotary Club), to speak about her Rotary Friendship Exchange in Romania. This was Katie’s first Friendship Exchange trip and one of her best travel experiences ever. She chose to travel as a “blank sheet of paper” without doing any research ahead of time. The country is mountainous through the middle, including the Transylvanian Alps. The group traveled across the Northern part of or Romania, staying in Timisoara, Taugu Secuiesc, Iasi (pronounced “Yash”). The first host moved out of his two-bedroom apartment to stay with friends next door so that he could host two visiting couples. Meeting and enjoying meals with host families is part of the purpose of the exchange program. There was a great deal of food and drink throughout the visit – sausage, bread, cabbage, cheese,yogurt, potato salad, excellent rich coffee, goulash and fried donuts with frosting. Katie enjoyed her first ever wine tasting of Romanian wines in historic buildings.
Katie kept an online travel journal and shared some of her beautiful photos of historic cities, ancient monasteries and 14th century castles, complete with torture chambers. She even got to visit Dracula’s castle. The interior is actually not scary, except of the chair made of nails (remember Vlad the Impaler?). The castle is for sale in case you’re looking for a vacation home. The military fortress of Stefan the Great was a highlight for Katie since she’d seen a movie about him as a young girl in China.
Part of the local culture Katie experienced was the nationwide competition for marching bands, as well as brining home hand painted eggs as souvenirs.
Major cities were had very modern amenities, but in rural areas, farmers and gypsies still use horse-drawn wagons for transportation.
The visiting team (which included Jingle, the former District administrator), got to participate in local Rotary Service projects, such as work in orphanages and shelters, as well as a few meetings. Being a Rotarian in Romania is a distinct privilege, since Rotary was banned under the former Communist regime.
The trip did build real friendships among the visiting team and with the host Rotarians, especially during her first horseback riding experience!
The Romanian team is visiting Minnesota now. Upcoming outbound trips include India in January 2016. Please considering hosting visiting team members for an upcoming inbound team. The commitment is only for a few days and driving your guests to the drop off point for carpools. More information is available on the Rotary 5960 website.
During the Q&A Roger Nielsen spoke about his Friendship Exchange experiences and encouraged club members to try it. The only cost is your airfare - the host club provides meals and transport.
Carla Hauge led the club in the Four Way Test to adjourn the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael-jon Pease