JANUARY 31, 2012 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
Winter Carnival Royalty Visit

Club 10 Business Report

President Doug Bruce brought the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. on a very-unlike-winter Tuesday in downtown Saint Paul.  Past president Joe Kovarik led the assembled Rotarians in singing God Bless America, accompanied by  Bob Jones on the piano.  Jean Vukas Roberts provided today's invocation.  Past president and a former King Boreas (the 52nd) Dick Zehring facilitated  the introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests.  Today's Greeters were Paul Baillon and Heino Beckmann.  Trixie Golberg filled in as meeting manager for Sherry Howe today. 

President Doug reminded members that there is no Club 10 meeting in downtown Saint Paul on Tuesday, February 14.  That week, a joint meeting will be help with Minneapolis Club 9 on Friday, February 17. Details can be found in the HUB and at the Club 10 website.  As part of today's Winter Carnival festivities, President Doug read clue #10 for the Winter Carnival medallion hunt, trying to coax the location of the medallion out of the assembled Club 10 members.  Various suggestions were made (Lake Como, Hidden Falls, Lake Johanna).  Good luck to all treasure hunters!  Jim Kosmo collected Happy Dollars.

Jay Pfaender, a past Winter Carnival Prime Minister, recounted for Club 10 those Club members who have reigned as a past King Boreas, Prime Ministers, the Four Winds, Fire Kings, Lord High Chamberlain and other roles.  Jay then introduced today's program: introduction of the 2012 Winter Carnival Royal Court; brief comments from Steve Cortinez (a South Saint Paul Rotary Club member) King Boreas the 76th with Ashley Hayes, Aurora, Queen of the Snows; and, the knighting of President Doug and Rotary Exchange Student Veruzka Valdivia.  

Jay introduced past Winter Carnival Prime Minister and King Boreas the 72nd Bill Foussard for his remarks regarding the Winter Carnival being good for business.  Mr. Foussard is an east metro business owner and leader who believes that festivals like the Winter Carnival bring communities together and are good for business.  The Winter Carnival has an annual $3 milllion dollar impact on Saint Paul and the east metro.  Many stories appear in newspapers, national magazines and on television promoting the Winter Carnival and by extension Saint Paul and the east metro.  This exposure is inviting to folks who come to the Saintly City and build friendships with those who live here.  In addition, the Royal family is entirely supported by local businesses ("The House of...").  This fosters buying and working with companies and businesses that you know and trust.  Mr. Foussard also noted the extensive volunteering related to the festival including many school, nursing home and hospital visits that contribute to the feeling of community.  "You bet it is good for business" stated Mr. Foussard.