| Posted by Roger Jorgensen |
STEVE ELLIOT - MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY Steve Elliot became a Rotarian in New York. He is a Paul Harris Fellow and carries the 4 way test in his wallet. In 1849 Minnesota became a territory. The fifth thing the new territorial legislature did was to establish the Historical Society. The motto of the Minnesota Historical Society is “History Matters”. Minnesota’s historical society is unique in its formation. At the time historical societies were gentlemen’s clubs but in Minnesota it was intertwined with government, culture and all aspects of Minnesota life. The Minnesota Historical Society published its first book in 1859 which was a Dakotah dictionary partnered with the Smithsonian Institute. |
Every newspaper has given a copy of their daily issues to the historical society. One television station has given every news broadcast for 50 years. The Historical Society has over 300,000 photographs, ½ million books, and even several forts. But it is not just the collection of “stuff” but it is the organization and communication of that stuff that is applied to our lives today. There has been a transition from traditional audiences to newer audiences that don’t look like traditional Minnesotans.
Things happening this year:
- The Margaret Cargill foundation gave a second donation of a half million dollars over 3 years to provide a Native American Artist Residency Program.
- State Capital reopening – 10 million dollar renovation
- Pneumbra Theatre – 40th Anniversary of one of three African American companies in America.
- World War I America opens on April 8th . Cenntenial anniversary of entering the war.
- In December the 50th Anniversary of the 1968 exhibit
- National Historic Oliver Kelly farm will reopen on May 6th in Elk River
- Getting Fort Snelling ready for it’s tri-centinnial celebration in 2020.
Steve ended his presentation with the following, “History imparts a sense of one’s place in time and it can give us a sense of personal attention and agency. It provides context for communities. It frames tomorrow.” Announcements - EPHS Career Speakers program
- EP Reads –Mar. 20th Racial Bias in MN Panel at City Ctr
- Board Meeting March21 st
- Meals on Wheels week of March 27th
- Maria Friedman – RYE Alum update. Leaves April 20th for a 16 week internship with 8 weeks in Columbia and 8 weeks in Argentina
- Ale Pena Gonzalez: Opportunities to connect
- District Assembly – April 8th at Crown College
- Park Clean Up – April 22nd at Flying Cloud
- District Conference – April 28th - early bird rates
- EP Gives – April 29th 6:30-11 at Oak Ridge Conf. Center
Spotlight on Jay Simpson  Jay Simpson is known to some as the largest, longest-surviving stomach tumor alive today. Initially diagnosed as a stomach tumor, Jay was born and raised in Austin MN. He attended St. Olaf College and Drake Law School and began practicing law in the Twin Cities in 1985. Jay worked as an in-house attorney for 15 years for both public and privately held companies before starting his solo practice in 2000. Jay is a transaction attorney helping private clients buy and sell businesses; selecting and forming corporations and LLC’s; negotiating, drafting and advising clients regarding leasing, licensing, employment and independent contractor agreements. Jay is married to his wife Cathy (27+ years and ongoing) and they have 2 adult children; i) daughter Taylor with a Master’s degree in Medical Illustration from Augusta University and working in San Jose CA for a medical device company and ii) son AJ with an undergraduate degree from the U of M Carlson School of Business in Finance and Marketing and working for wealth management and financial planning company (AYCO) in Chicago. Jay noted how Rotary is one of his main connections to the local Community and that he greatly values his relationship with Rotary (specifically the STRIVE Program) and the personal relationships developed over the years that he has with each of the members of our club.” New Member Induction  We at Eden Prairie AM Rotary proudly inducted into our club Bill Gaddis, sponsored by Irene Kelley, and Greg Olson, sponsored by Frank Sherwood. Happy Fines - Jane McGinty – New job with Donaldson Corporation.
- Dan O’Brien – Week of childcare for grandchildren. Several memorable events.
Visitors Maria Friedman - Past Rotary Youth Exchange Student Ale Pena Gonzalez - Exchange Student Stella Lindbergh and Carter Mason- Student Interns |
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