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FCH Rotary not meeting at ShortStop Grill today.
 
April 15, 2020
 
INVOCATION
Norma Jean Falink: As Rotarians and Citizens of the World let us remember to live by this quote from John Wesley: "Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can."  Be well and take care of others.  Amen
 
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Vern Hoium: "I have noticed that even people who claim everything is predetermined and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the street." 
 
HAPPY FINES:
Craig Malm: For Easter, as a family we were able to use Zoom for the first time, connecting with my 4 kids, 4 grandchildren across 4 different states.  Not the same as seeing everyone in person, but fun just the same!
 
Gordon Backlund: On Easter Sunday we with our extended family organized a family dinner via Zoom, locations: Fridley, New Brighton, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Carmel. We food ready, but ended up talking to each other as we could see all, the parents, the children, and the grandchildren. Great time.
 
VIRTUAL SPOTLIGHT:
Bob Olsen: Here's a brief snowbird update - actually a used-to-be snowbird update.  Laurie and I returned to Minnesota last week, about three weeks early.  With the evolving situation with Covid-19,  we thought it would be better to get back to Minnesota while we knew we could rather than take a chance on being forced to stay in Florida late into the summer.
We'd had a great winter.  The weather was warmer than normal, lots of sunshine, no problems with red tide this year, and lots of activities.  I played golf, Laurie directed the church's bell choir, we boated with the boat club about once a week, and we ate out regularly in the Venice restaurants.  We enjoyed sunset on the beach, the annual Venice Rotary art fair, the concerts in Centennial Park, and the Venice Chalk Festival.  While Mark and Liz Grotewold used our home in late February with friends and family, Laurie and I traveled across Florida to visit my family in Ocala and Titusville, and camped for a few nights in Disney World.
Then, as in the rest of the country, everything stopped in March.  We had tickets for a St. Pat's Day concert and for Guys & Dolls at the Venice Theater.  Both cancelled.  The beaches in Sarasota county were all closed to discourage the spring breakers from gathering.  The boat club added restrictions and then closed altogether.  All restaurants were closed, allowing only take out or delivery.  All festivals were cancelled along with spring training.  Venice got very quiet, although it was nice for biking and walking the dog.
So, we're back in Minnesota.  Still quiet, still not getting together with anyone, but pleasantly surprised by the snow and cold, and happy to be home.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The club sent a baby gift to new father Steve Drost on behalf of the members. Congrats to Steve and Marissa, and welcome to Calvin James!
 
From District 5960: Hello District Rotarians and Rotaractors! We are excited to present a special District event, "A Special Night of Connecting!" This will be held virtually through Zoom so everyone can participate. The date is May 1 and the night will feature two speakers that we had lined up to be our keynote speakers for the District Conference of Clubs. Rotary International General Secretary and CEO John Hewko will be our keynote speaker, and Rotary Geek Tiffany Ervin will be our special guest and opening speaker. Register in advance for this meeting:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/uJYqd-Cupj4tPFdnb7TlDJN1GjSC8B3cKw 
 After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
 
REMINDERS:
The club’s next social event, a mystery evening scheduled for today has been postponed, and will be rescheduled.
 
The Bikes for Kids bike giveaway scheduled to take place on Saturday morning, April 25 at Stevenson Elementary School, 6080 E. River Road in Fridley has been postponed indefinitely. It will serve as the next club service project, with volunteers responsible for helmet-fitting.
 
The District 5960 Conference of Clubs will take place April 30-May 1 at the Mystic Lake Event Center, Prior Lake, has been cancelled.
 
The district Awards Team needs Rotarians to help determine which clubs should be the winners of our annual District Club Awards. This task is completed by email. It offers a glimpse into the activities of other clubs in our area. Contact Mitch Popple, District Awards Team Leader at (calmar.popple@gmail.com) if you will help. The process has been postponed until mid-May.
 
2020-21 District Governor Ed Marek of the St. Paul Sunrise Club will be installed on Tuesday evening, June 23 at the Wilder Foundation, 451 Lexington Pkwy, St. Paul.
 
The event website, fchgolfclassic.com, is up for the 2020 Classic is scheduled for Monday, July 20, at The Refuge Golf Club in Oak Grove, last year’s site.