Kris Howland, Public Relations Director for the renowned Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, spoke to the club Tuesday. Kris discussed the history of the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, one of six professional dinner theatres in the United States. It is privately owned and has produced 240 shows in its existence. Every show is 100% Minnesota-made, according to Howland. She highlighted the many current and upcoming productions on their multiple stages, including the main stage hit "Sister Act", and a number of upcoming Christmas productions. She donated 2 dinner/show tickets to see Sister Act as part of our weekly drawing and encouraged all of us to come and check it out.A graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, Kris holds degrees in music and communications with an emphasis in public relations and advertising, and has a theater minor. Kris began working for the dinner theatres, while still in college. Now some 38 years later, she is still working at the place where she was originally “bit by the theater bug.” In 1977 she started working in the ticket office and then moved into managing the box office and group sales teams. Since 1989 she has served as the PR Director working and coordinating all media and guest relations.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- November 30th is the EP AM Rotary’s grant application deadline
- Fall membership drive - don’t forget to bring a potential member to Rotary and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card.
- November is Rotary Foundation Month - pledge forms have been mailed out - get your pledge form in! 100% participation is our goal. Rotary Direct online giving is easy option.
- Bell ringing on Saturday, Nov. 21, was a success. $787 collected and Gary Bergren will match what was raised! Way to go, Gary!
- Family Holiday Breakfast Biaggi’s Dec 08, 2015 , 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM. Sign up by Dec. 1.
- Swallowship Happy Hour, Host Irene Kelly Biaggi’s Dec 09, 2015, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- December Board Meeting Dec 15, 2015, 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
- Meals on Wheels Week Pick up meals at Pax Christi, Dec 28, 2015 11:00 AM – Jan 01, 2016 12:00 PM
- Large print books - Going forward, we will donate a large print book in the name of every Rotary speaker. When bringing the raffle prize, members will provide an additional $10 to fund it.
- We are still looking for host families for our exchange student.
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION
Adam Seidel, sponsored by Jan Eian, was inducted by membership director, Elaine Larabee on Tuesday.Adam is a new school board member and a fresh energetic addition to the club. Welcome, Adam!
SPOTLIGHT ON FRANK SHERWOOD
Frank was born in Georgia, the oldest of three children, of both English and Italian heritage.He moved around a lot because his Dad was in the Military. At one point they lived in a house in Philadelphia that was part of the neighborhood where Sylvester Stallone lived.
Frank speaks 5 languages. He used to be an engineer with Eaton Corporation before switching to commercial real estate with CBRE. He and Mary Jo have been married for 36 years.
HAPPY FINES
- Roger Jorgensen had a fun experience while bell ringing last Saturday. He met an elderly man who was waiting for a Metro Mobility van outside of the store. The man told him he was a former rotary member from New York and actually met JC Penney. Waiting for the ramp to go down on the van, he told Roger “God Bless you for being in Rotary.”
- Irene Kelly enjoyed bell ringing as well as the cookies.
- Pat Jensen was happy to be back in the U.S. after an incredible trip to Egypt and Israel.
- George Esbensen reminded everyone that between Thanksgiving and New Years, more people die from structural fires than any time of the year. Check all of your smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, furnaces and water heaters!
- Dick Hemingway and wife were happy to be traveling to Washington DC to visit their daughter and their new twin grandkids!
- Dan O’Brien was happy that they will be spending Thanksgiving with a house full of family: 23 adults, 10 kids, 3 babies.
- John Crudele almost died from carbon monoxide 8 years ago, so he was thankful that George gave us a reminder to check those carbon monoxide detectors. John said he spoke with kids at a church the prior Saturday and heard a 10th grade girl talk about how when she was conceived, she heard her dad wanted to have an abortion, but her mother refused and she was thankful for that.
- Jeanne Zetah took Rotary exchange student Art to the MN History Center where they explored the Hmong exhibit and much more. She encouraged everyone to think of some fun things to do with Art as he's a great kid and would love to go to sporting events or to try skiing, skating, etc.
VISITORS:
Prospective Members: 3rd visit - Nick Eyvindsson
Students: Jake Leibold and Alex Modeas
Prospective Members: 3rd visit - Nick Eyvindsson
Students: Jake Leibold and Alex Modeas
