DEC 13, 2011 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
The Pillsburys of Minnesota
Saint Paul Rotarians received a good history lesson from two distinguished Minnesotans.
President Doug Bruce called Saint Paul Rotary to order at 12:30 PM noting proudly that we are #10 of a family of thousands of Rotaries around the globe… Allyson Hartle (a brand new member) and Tom Skalitzky warmly greeted members and guests….. Joe Kovarik and Bob Jones led us in spirited singing of GOD BLESS AMERICA…Tom Brinsko delivered a thoughtful invocation on the real meaning of Christmas.
Nancy McKillips welcomed guests including my own, Tariq Rauf, a Sri Lankan entrepreneur residing here in Saint Paul and potential member, and two more potential members – Marc Perion (guest of Jim Miller) and Peter Favilla (guest of David Laird).
Bo Aylin early in the meeting and in the Happy Dollars segment reported on the highly successful bell-ringing assistance to the Salvation Army Christmas program. We received $2,685 in donations, twice as much as last year. All who participated were acknowledged especially Darrell Butterwick and Chris Budzius who each volunteered for three ringing sessions.
We all said goodbye to Mike Fuller (center) who has sold his dental practice here and will move to Oregon. Our best wishes go with this outstanding Rotarian.
Vicki Gee-Treft introduced Dan Narr, Executive Director of Mano a Mano for the past five years, as a new member. Welcome Dan.
Al Uniacke noted that we need one more home for a visiting foreign student,
Also in Happy Dollars was Peter Pearson’s wonderful announcement that the Saint Paul Public Library had received two outstanding gifts - $100,000 from the McKnight Foundation and $468,000 from the Bremer Foundation, great acknowledgements of the value of the Library to the community.
John Guthman introduced Lori Sturtevant, editorial writer and columnist for the Star-Tribune, and George Pillsbury, scion of one of Minnesota’s most distinguished families. (Scribe’s note: I have had the honor of knowing both George and Lori for many years and look on them both as powerful champions of the best in our great state.) Their discussion took us through their writing (Lori wrote; George added personal reflections) of THE PILLSBURYS OF MINNESOTA. The constant theme running through the book was the union of public service with private business success. Take John S. Pillsbury who in addition to serving the Pillsbury Company and helping make it the largest Flour Company in the world, also became President of the University of Minnesota and Governor of the State. And this sense of noblesse oblige continued on through the generations with Pillsburys serving in the Armed Forces, the Legislature, philanthropy, Board of Regents of the University, and civic leadership.
And they came at the right time – 1855 – when John S. Pillsbury arrived in Minnesota, then the most rapidly growing state in the nation. Members of the family quickly followed him and the tradition was underway.
The heart of it was not just to amass wealth but to serve society, to recognize that the various needs of the community must be met generously and unpretentiously. Lori stated that she still considers Minnesota a fresh, creative society with much to contribute to our nation.
While not related to the book, I asked George if he still championed a unicameral legislature and what Lori’s next book might be. He answered that he thought it still a good idea that won’t be realized soon. However, he sees IRV (Instant
Run-Off Voting) as an improvement. He stated he was supporting Governor Romney for the Presidency. Lori said she wasn’t sure just now but was gathering information on the greatly respected Rosalie Wahl, Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, as a likely next literary undertaking.