President Jerry Faletti called the meeting to order at 12:15 pm. Jerry Faletti, guitar; Ed Coleman, drums; Joe Kovarik, ukulete; and Doug Hartford, piano led the singing of Go Make a Difference. John Andrews gave the inspirational minute about the value of summer camp. Nancy McKillips introduced visiting Rotarians and guests. The greeters were Deb Katzmark and Dick Nicholson; the scribe was Lynne Beck.
Jerry announced that Segundo Velasquez will be Thursday’s Fellowship speaker. He will speak about the partnerships between Mano a Mano and Rotary Clubs, as Rotary responds to the needs of resources for poor people in Bolivia in the areas of Health Education and Economic Development. He reported that there will be a joint St. Paul Rotary and Rotaract mixer at Summit Brewery on July 26. It will be a chance for members to get to know each other. Last week Jerry neglected to mention that Kristin Montpetit will be a returning board member.
Ed Coleman announced that there will be a Rotary event on August 22, a Lynx game and Happy Hour at Wild Tymes.
Jay Pfaender said that next week’s speakers will be Jason Bradshaw and Jason DeKuester. They will talk about the Winter Carnival and its impact on St. Paul. Jason DeKuester may even reveal the location of the 2018 ice palace.
Nancy McKillips collected Happy Dollars, including from Linda Mulhern who spent two weeks in Sweden with her Rotary host family and relatives. Carla Hauge mentioned that there will be a roast for Chuck Whitaker in August. Anyone who wants to help, let her know. Todd Nicholson, Sargent-at-Arms, asked people to sign up for jobs online. During the upcoming week, he will match $2 for anyone who signs up for the first time, $1 for those who have done it before. Jim Kosmo said that some of our Rotary scholars will be here next week.
John Guthmann introduced the speaker, retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Hon. Paul Anderson. A Minnesota native, Justice Anderson was raised on a dairy farm, attended Macalester College and the University of Minnesota Law School. He was a VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) volunteer attorney; Special Assistant Attorney General, State of Minnesota; Attorney, LeVander, Gillen & Miller; Chief Judge, Minnesota Court of Appeals; and Associate Justice, Minnesota Supreme Court. Justice Anderson is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Macalester College Distinguished Citizen Award, the first ever MSBA Citizen Lawyer Award in 2009; and the Toastmasters 2010 Communication and Leadership Award. He has lectured in El Salvador, China, the Philippines and Russia.
Justice Anderson’s topic was the Newly Restored Capitol Building. He explained why St. Paul was chosen as the capitol of Minnesota. The Territorial Act of 1849 declared it the capitol of the state. Some people wanted St. Peter or another town to be the capitol. The case even went to court but St. Paul backers won and it stayed in St. Paul, “the place to be” at the time. The first capitol building was built in the mid 1850s. It burned down so the second one opened in 1881. The coal heater created toxic fumes so it was destroyed. The third capital is a magnificent structure, designed by acclaimed St. Paul architect Cass Gilbert. He was one of the best architects in the country. He designed the Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. for $4.5 M to honor the veterans of the Civil War. Built in the American Renaissance style, the Minnesota Capitol has an unsupported marble dome.
The Minnesota Capitol has 148 artworks: paintings, sculptures, murals. Justice Anderson showed slides of some of the famous works of art in the Capitol. For example, a painting in the Governor’s Reception area depicts a Civil War battle. Our Capitol celebrates who we are as a democratic society.
Vice President Jerry Faletti led Rotary members in the Four Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 pm.
Lynne Beck
Scribe