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Darel Leipold's 90th Birthday

Our Program on June 21^st was a celebration of Darel Leipold’s 90^th Birthday along with a new member and a large donation. Darel acted as Opening Marshall and lead the

group in Amazing Grace and our traditional opening items. During Announcements President Lou Graber received a unani

mous vote to make Scott McGinnis a new member of the Rotary Club of Excelsior. Scott is a Historian and his sponsor is Darel Leipold. Scott is a lifelong member of the community and his family goes back into the mid 1800’s. Lou’s second major announcement was to award a $10,000 check to Tim Litfin for the MCE’s Playground Fund which will have its dedication ceremony on July 12^th at 9:30. Finally Lou announced an idea for a fundraiser during Steve Frazier term with the title being “Booze, Blues and BBQ’s.”

We kicked-off the program by singing “Happy Birthday” to Darel Leipold on his 90^th Birthday. Darel then gave us a pictorial account of his life. Darel wowed us with his recall of names, dates and places delivered flawlessly. He started with his Dad (Louis Leipold) being Superintendent in New Prague, MN in the 1920’s and how this influenced his life in education. He showed his parent (Louis and Gladys) in 1923 and that they then moved to Minneapolis in 1936 and his dad took a teaching position at Keewadin School on 30^th Ave. south. Then he jumped to 1946 when he bought his first car which was a 1910 Model T Ford with a photo of his family sitting in it. Darel still has his beloved “T” today and it works! In 1951 he graduated from Washburn H.S. and joined the Army. Darel went on to his family of two brothers and one sister and the course of their lives. Darel met LaVerna while he was interning in 1967 with the help of her father who was the school board chair and it was love at the first sight!

Darel spoke fondly about his work running the Apple Day celebration in Excelsior for many years and the walking tours downtown and giving the history of the city and it merchants. In 1953 his 1910 Model T was on display at the Ford Plan for its 100^th Anniversary. In 1973 he took a teaching position at North H.S. in Minneapolis and bought his current home on Stubbs Bay in Orono on Lake Minnetonka. He smiled and said he bought it for $17,500 and now it is worth $800,000! He spoke lovingly about his family and trips to Germany and the legacy of the Leipold family. Darel and LaVerna then bought two properties in Excelsior at 239 & 240 Water Street in 1976 and the famous Leipold’s Variety Store was born. When asked when he is going to retire he says, “I retired 50 years ago when I bought my store!” So it is Laddy his dog, Boots his cat, and Laverna his bride of 54 years and they all go to work every day! Darel is also proud of being a member of the Rotary Club for 40 year with 100% attendance.

Dr. Dennis Peterson

Our Speaker on Tuesday, June 7^th was Dr. Dennis Peterson the retiring Superintendent of Minnetonaka Schools. Dr. Peterson gave us a delightfu

l history of his career as a Superintendent and all the steps along the way. He started by saying “There is no place like Minnetonka” and praised the communities that make up the District 276 for their support of Minnetonka Public Schools. Dr. Peterson began his career as a teacher in Clark County (NV). He accepted his first superintendence position in 1967 in Bison, South Dakota. His career of service includes Boulder Valley School District and Mounds View School District (MN) in assistant superintendent roles. He served as the superintendent in Southland School District (MN), Mitchell School District (SD), Laramie County School District (WY), Rockwood School District (MO) and Princeton City School District (OH). Dr. Peterson earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion and earned his Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Colorado at Boulder and completed doctoral work at Stanford University. Dr. Peterson joked that he lived in 29 different homes on his journey as teacher and various administrative roles on his way to Minnetonka.

Dr. Peterson has served as Minnetonka’s Superintendent for 21 years and retires as of July 1, 2022 when David Ross takes over as our new superintendent. Along the way Dr. Peterson has gained many honors including: American Association of School Administrators (AASA) President’s Award for Vision and Leadership in Technology (2005), eSchoolNews Tech Savvy Superintendent Award (2006), ERDI Excellence in Educational Leadership Award (2007), Minnesota Superintendent of the Year (2009), Minnesota Excellence in Communications Leadership Award (2014) and "Builder of Legacy Impact" Hall of Fame Award, given by Humanex Ventures. The District has also earned a National School Boards Association (NSBA) Magna Award for Marketing School Choice, an Apple Distinguished Program Award for the iPad Project and three NSBA educational technology recognitions (2007, 2008, and 2014).

Dennis is very proud of the programs he has initiated and supported including the International Baccalaureate Program, Chinese and Spanish Language Immersion, Minnetonka Research, the Navigator Program, VANTAGE, Tonka Online, Tonka Codes, MOMENTUM, personalized learning, intensive interventions, personal pathways for learning and improved rigor at all levels. This year, the District launched a K-12 online school and the Students Achieving Independent Life (S.A.I.L.) program, which serves young adults with special needs, ages 18-21. Most of all he is proud of the Open Enrollment and the Language Immersion K-12 Programs that have brought hundreds of millions of dollars into the school district and sees great potential as the district embarks on it new Trades Programs in building, transportation, and aviation.

Thank you Dr. Peterson for your great leadership over the last 21 years and your great career in education and enjoy your much earned retirement!

Ann Woodbeck - Excelsior Bay Books

Our Program on Tuesday, May 17^th was Ann Woodbeck – owner of Excelsior Bay Book Store at 36 Water Street in Excelsior. Randy Schumacher introduced Ann by saying he has known her for years as she sang in his choir (a very good singer) at St. Luke’s and noted a quote, “Literacy is a bridge between misery and hope!”

Ann started by saying she and her husband Dale have lived in the community for 38 years and their kids attended school here and love this community. Fi

fteen years ago Ann was invited by the previous owners Ann Nye and Ellie Temple, who opened and then ran the bookstore together for nearly 24 years, to come work with them and then several years ago inquired if Ann would like to buy their book store. Ann and Dale were not sure if they wanted to buy but then took the leap. It was difficult to make it through the Covid years but they re-invented themselves by becoming innovative in serving their very supportive local residents. The national media emphasis on buying local and supporting local businesses was very helpful. They devised methods to sell their books by numbering them and their front display window and customers could choose and transact business without going inside and even delivering books bought on-line. Their business boomed and they were ordering books daily during the pandemic and like other businesses they had to deal with supply chain issues.

Ann, Dale and their wonderful part-time staff have had a great time serving this community and even getting support now from a much wider community due to the quaint small town (and dog friendly) atmosphere in Excelsior. She noted that “It is a lot of work but a great experience!” They have gone to a new four season ordering system that allows local book store owners to personalize their selection to meet the needs and demands of their community. Ann smiles and says, “It’s a ball in the summertime with all the people out walking downtown in our vital community and to get to know people by name. It’s great!” In the Q&A Ann noted that William Kruger is very popular (selling over 200 of his books) and they will have a special signing event this fall for him at Excelsior Bay Books.

STRIVE Luncheon & Scholarship Awards

Our Program on May 3, 2022 was the Annual STRIVE Luncheon and Scholarship Awards with STRIVE Coordinator Dick Glover. In the introduction of the program Dick explained that STRIVE is the acronym for Students Taking a Renewed Interest in the Value of Education. The STRIVE Program meets biweekly throughout the year in 12 sessions to help senior students to improve their achievement level and motivate them to realize their potential in school and life. He also explained that the Rotary Club of Excelsior also awards $7,000 in scholarships to the five STRIVE students that have made the greatest academic improvement in that year.

Steve Frazier then presented a Power Point of the 12 sessions and each of the Mentor Presenters explained to the parent guests and club members the goals of each of the sessions. The sessions were: Attitudes I & II, Habits, Goals, Confidence, College, Service Abov

e Self, Choices, Finance, Life Values and Evaluation of the STRIVE Program.

Dick then distributed STRIVE Letters of Introduction to each of the STRIVE students to use in the coming years at their post-secondary institutions and also for job applications. Then came the Ceremony of the Scholarship Awards. First Dick presented $1000 scholarships to Dylan Erickson, Jake Lane and Evan Jones. The $1,500 scholarship was awarded to Alejandra Anderson-Barrera. The $2,500 scholarship was presented to Andrea Portillo for the greatest academic improvement in the year and it was noted that she ended up with all A’s. Unfortunately two of the scholarship winners were not able to attend the luncheon and will be presented their scholarships at the MHS Scholarship Awards Program later the month at the high school.

This marks the end of the STRIVE Program for 2021-2022 and the club expresses its thanks to the STRIVE Mentors for their commitment to these students throughout the year and all of the presenters that helped motivate these students to realize their potential and improve their academics.

Sojourner Project with Becca Welna

Our Speaker on April 19, 2022 was Becca Welna speaking on the Sojourner Project

Their mission is to Advocate for victim safety; supports the transition from victim to survivor; and educate for the prevention and elimination of domestic violence.

Sojourners provide emergency shelter, support, and legal advocacy services to those victimized by domestic violence and other forms of interpersonal violence. To that end, they provide services to victims of dating violence and sexual assault. Becca says that their ultimate goal encourages the change from crisis to stability and the transition from victim to survivor. In order to build safer communities, Sojourner conducts outreach activities and specifically designed presentations to heighten public awareness and engage groups and individuals in educational opportunities to prevent future victims and abusers. All Sojourner services are confidential and free of charge.

The Guiding Principle of Sojourner is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in its programs and services and endeavors to be inclusive as possible in all areas of diversity including but not limited to race, gender, religion, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, sexual orientation, or disability. They respect the unique cultural identities, experiences, and circumstances of every client and recognize that cultural competency is critical to understanding families and providing services and supports that are meaningful and relevant.

Their Goals are to: 1) Increased victim safety is Sojourner’s key service priority. 2) Sojourner advocates work with victims at any stage of their experience with domestic violence. 3) All people are entitled to live free from threats and violence in their homes. 4) Healthy relationships do not involve violent, abusive, or coercive behavior. 5) They respect the right of individuals to self-determination and encourage self- determination and informed-decision making. 6) All staff and volunteers are required to demonstrate a high level of professionalism and work in an honest and ethical manner. 7) They recognize the right of clients to privacy and confidentiality and make every effort to assure that shared information remains confidential.

Becca explained that the Sojourner Project works tirelessly to combat domestic violence, sexual assault and dating violence. Domestic Violence is a crime. It is a pattern of abusive behavior intended to exert power and control over another person, usually a spouse or intimate partner. Abusive behaviors may include: physical, verbal, mental, or sexual abuse, hurting pets or destroying property, financial control, and other behaviors directed towards intimidating and controlling an intimate partner or family member. Sexual assault is any forced or unwanted sexual activity where physical force, threats, or intimidation were used to exert power and control over the victim. Rape and sexual assault are crimes. Dating violence is when one person purposely hurts, scares or intimidates someone they are dating. It often starts with emotional abuse that isolates you from friends and family and works to undermine your self-confidence and self-esteem. Without intervention, these abusive behaviors can lead to more serious abuse.

After Q&A President Lou applauded the valuable work of the Sojourner Project and said he would approach the Board of Directors at its May meeting to make a donation.

Mari Pokomowski - East Side Learning Center

Our Program for Tuesday, April 5^th was Guest Speaker Mari Pokolowski from the East Side Learning Center and was introduced by Don Draayer. He explained that her charity would be the recipient of 700 of the 2,000 books that will be collected and sorted in May by our Club.

Mari Pokomowski is the Executive Director of the East Side Learning Center in St. Paul. She has 7 sons and was an English Teacher and now running her nonprofit while working on her Master’s Degree in Education and Divinity focused on family dynamics. Mari noted that learning center came about through the East Side Business Community and recognized what was happening in the achievement and education of children in their community and took action. The East Side Leaning Center is a product of their 20 year’s effort to focus on the importance of children’s education. The center is non-secular but holds on to the principals of those founding Catholic Sisters. The structure of the East Side Learning Center (ESLC) is volunteers mostly from AARP and Mari cord that are whites and working with children of color. These volunteers work to tutor and mentor these children and their parents and especially males in those children’s lives that may be their fathers or relatives, friends and/or neighbors. Their purpose is to make a difference in children’s literacy both in their community and the state.

The volunteers tutor children four times a week for 30 minute sessions. Language acquisition and reading skill development is specifically addressed for each child and each child is also diagnostically evaluated. Seven of the staff are reading specialists working with children, volunteers and parents. Mari emphasizes the importance of parents, grandparents and neighbors in sitting down and reading books to the children, especially the male members. So, ESLC is a training community and they understand that poor language acquisition and lack of reading literacy will result in 50/50 chance of those children ending up in prison in the future. The ESLC targets their efforts to African American men to take these 700 books and read to these children. Each book has a guide insert of what to do and how to encourage children to read.

So what’s Rotary’s role in all of this? Mari thanked the club and President Graber for the $500 donation to the ESLC and noted that individual members can make donations to the East Side Learning Center at East Side Learning Center, PO Box 6703
St. Paul, MN 55106 or online at www//:eastsidelearningcenter.org. She then invited our Rotarians to become volunteers to mentor and tutor children. She noted that she would help setup a leaning center in Excelsior if a need exists. She concluded by challenging us to be part of closing the literacy gap in our community and the state and to work to better understand racism in our own community.

In the Q&A she pointed out that the parents and community can do a lot to help schools improve children’s literacy and encouraging parents in this effort is the key to success. What a fantastic program and day at Rotary!