12 members and prospective member Eric Wasser of Maple Grove, who works near our meeting site, heard a new member Classification Talk: Rev. Cassandra (Cassie) Nault of Crossroads Parish of New Brighton serves Lutheran Synod congregations at Atonement Lutheran in New Brighton and Cross of Glory Lutheran in Mounds View. She reviewed her upbringing in Forest Lake and the Milwaukee area, her education at the University of Minnesota and Luther Seminary, her career path prior to her calling to the ministry, her family (three boys now ages 10-15), and her interests in their sports, travel, and in classic cars.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS: April 22- Joe Rolstad, TPC Twin Cities. April 29- meeting cancelled due to Gangster Tour evening social (see below). May 6- club visit at the normal meeting time at Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, 2522 Marshall Avenue, Minneapolis. Breakfast provided.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Operation Pollination group met virtually yesterday morning, with members Sarie Cudahy, Kristen Stuenkel, and Bob Tholkes joined by Michelle Spangler of the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization and Melissa Trent of Columbia Heights High School. The club’s visit to MWMO on May 6, which replaces the normal meeting, was discussed. Trent reported that prelim work on the high school’s pollinator garden is beginning.
President Paul Nealy recounted his recent meeting with leaders at our neighboring clubs. Prominent among other upcoming cooperative possibilities is the Special Olympics, in June at National Sports Center in Blaine.
Social- We take the St. Paul Gangster Tour on Wednesday evening April 29 in St. Paul. Cost is $40 per person and can be billed to members’ Rotary accounts. The bus tour leaves from the Wabasha Street caves, 215 Wabasha Street, at 6 p.m. A signup sheet is provided. Please email fridleychrotary@gmail com if you expect to attend and will not have a chance to sign up personally. Guests welcome!
OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES: help staff an informational table or assist at club functions:
Thursday-Friday April 29-30- Columbia Heights Public Schools invites Rotarians to spend a half day at Columbia Academy supporting Junior Achievement as it helps students feel prepared and inspired to succeed as they study Financial Education. Materials provided. Sessions are from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Saturday May 2nd – Environmental Fun Fair @ Springbrook Nature Center 11-2.
Thursday evening May 7- Columbia Heights High School Auditorium: Scholarship Nite,
7 p.m.
Wednesday evening May 13- Fridley High School Auditorium: Scholarship nite, 6 pm
Wednesday, June 17- Columbia Heights Arts and Info Fair, 4-7 pm, Huset Park.
Thursday-Saturday, July 16-18 – Fridley 49er Days.
Thursday, July 23 - The Columbia Heights Monarch Festival, Kordiak Park, 1845 49th Ave NE, Columbia Heights.
REMINDERS
The last STRIVE field trip for the year, to Hennepin Tech, is upcoming. Contact Steve Klaers at 612-599-8103 about participating. Additional mentors for Fridley STRIVE students are sought.
The annual Golf Classic fundraiser is scheduled for Thursday, July 30, at The Refuge, 21250 Yellow Pine St NW, Oak Grove.
The Rotary billing invoices for the quarter ending March 31 was issued last week. Treasurer Rottler is available by phone for online dues payments. Contact him at 763-670-4259. Payments can also be turned in at meetings or mailed to FCH Rotary, 3966 Reservoir Blvd., Columbia Heights 55421.
Rotary International announced that the May 27-28, 2028 (changed from 2029) RI convention will be held in Minneapolis. It will be organized cooperatively by Districts 5580, 5950, 5960, and 6250.
