banner
Steve Klaers and Josh Callahan
Joining the FCH Rotary breakfast meetings on Zoom: open the link below and click on Open Zoom Meetings and follow the prompts.
With masks mandated for our in-person breakfast (when not eating or speaking to the group), a supply is available at the meeting, free to attendees.
The Minnesota Department of Health requires that persons receiving a positive test result for COVID-19 notify their recent contacts. For our club, notify Secretary Bob Tholkes at rjtholkes@gmail.com.
February 17, 2021
 
PROGRAM
 
20 members, including 6 on Zoom, and guests Ryan George and Maddison Zikmund of Fridley Public Safety heard Pinch Hitters Deluxe Gordon Backlund, Scott Lund, and Dick Harris substitute for Andy Risvold of Forgotten Star Brewing, located at the old FMC Northern site in Fridley, who was scheduled to speak but was a no-show. The trio instead reminisced about the site, at one time the largest manufacturing site in the Twin Cities and the massive amounts of time and money required to eliminate the extensive ground pollution (a process not yet completed) resulting from its years as a producer of gun turrets for the U.S. Navy.
 
Scott was able to inform the group that Forgotten Star has an outdoor ice rink at its site, which will host a curling tournament this coming weekend, beginning Friday at noon. The brewery has also been active in local fundraising projects.
 
INDUCTION
 
Sponsor Steve Klaers introduced new member Josh Callahan of Fridley to the club and presented him with his pin, badge, and certificate. Welcome Josh!
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Mark Grotewold announced that SACA in Columbia Heights is losing its lease on its building adjacent to the City of Columbia Heights’ Public Works building, and is commencing fundraising to enable it to build a new structure. Mark and Rotarian Craig Malm are both on the effort’s steering committee. More news to come.
 
REMINDERS
 
Members may sign up to deliver groceries for SACA on any Saturday in February at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040548a8ab29Ona7f49-saca2. If you will be driving, provide your insurance card and driver’s license for SACA to copy for its records.
 
The club will meet only on the first and third Wednesdays of the months from December through March.
 
Programs coordinator Gordon Backlund has asked for suggestions for meeting programs for June.
 
The Refuge golf course has been reserved for the next Golf Classic, on July 19, 2021. Save the date and line up your foursome!
 
Speaker on March 3: Christopher Stein of the Monarch Joint Venture will speak about its effort to protect the butterfly’s annual migration.