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Rotary Bingo 2022
3M Golf - fundraiser
Hindu Temple Visit
Dresser Build
Feed My Starving Children food pack
PAR tour
Planting pollinator garden
Pollinator Garden
STRIVE Scholarships
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Home Page Stories
Report From Our Exchange Student - June
Posted on Jul. 05, 2025
Oliver Gamson writes "This will be my final update of the year. I am flying home on July 11th and am now spending my final full week at a music camp in the mountains.
 
June was definitely full of many goodbyes, and a lot of reflecting on the past 11 months of my life. The exchange students have begun to fly home, including some very close friends of mine, and I have also said goodbye to my friends at school. Despite all the melancholic feelings, there were also some exciting events throughout the month. The exchange students took a part in the Rotary District Conferences, where we made a skit and gave a speech, thanking the two Austrian Rotary districts for hosting us. That same weekend was also the final get-together for us inbounds, where we celebrated our year together — our successes, what we have learned, the friendships we built, and the challenges we all overcame. It was, needless to say, very emotional to say goodbye, but I think we all realized how lucky we were to be part of this beautiful experience. 
 
Just last week I was also able to visit Leonard, who just came back from Minnesota from his exchange. It was very fun to spend some time with him and talk about stories from Minnesota. His home in Austria is very beautiful!
 
I get back from my music camp on July 5th, and I’ll spend the next 6 days continuing to explore Vienna and spending some time with my family and friends. I want to thank you all once More for making this year possible for me. It is hard to describe the amount of beauty I’ve had the chance to experience here, and I know this exchange year will continue to inspire me well into the future."
 
Austrian inbounds 2024-2025.
 
Leonard and I eating ice cream on the lake near his house.
Report From Our Exchange Student - May
Oliver Gamson writes "At the beginning of May I was still traveling through Europe with the group of Rotary Exchange students. Between May 1st and May 11st we were in Italy and Slovenia, and it was beautiful. When we came back to Austria, I returned to the flow of my daily life here and focused on soaking in all the wonder and beauty I’m surrounded by. I went to the Opera again, and to two more balls, and I’ve continued to spend my time in museums and around Vienna. As I realize more and more that my time here is coming to its end, it is changing my perspective, and I’m noticing new things that I’ve never thought of before. As I am preparing for my final month, I am planning some final events with my families and friends to say goodbye. Until then, I will keep trying to make the most out of my time here!"
 
A ball in Vienna’s city hall.
 
The applause at Staatsoper after seeing Wagner’s “Tannhäuser”.
 
Austria’s famous “Wachau” region.
Jun 24 - Club Meeting
Posted by Peggy Strom on Jun. 24, 2025
Jun 24 - Club Meeting
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June 10 - Club Meeting
Posted by Peggy Strom on Jun. 17, 2025
June 10 - Club Meeting
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May 20 - Club Meeting
Posted by Peggy Strom on May 25, 2025
May 20 - Club Meeting
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Report from Our Exchange Student - April
Posted by Charlie Oltman on May 23, 2025
Report from Our Exchange Student - April
Oliver Gamson reports "I switched host families at the end of March, so at the beginning of April I spent a lot of time getting to know my new family. I have 4 host siblings, and we live out in a small village north of Vienna. My host father is a farmer, and my host mother is a veterinarian. We get along really well and speaking with my siblings helps me learn a lot of German. They also have a beautiful house in the Alps, where we spent a few days skiing. 
Earlier in the year I was asked by Rotary to give a speech to the future outbound students, who are doing an exchange next year. This speech took place close to the beginning of April, where I spoke for 10 minutes about how my exchange has been, and what they should expect on their year abroad. It was a big milestone for me in my German-speaking. I hope to really focus in on developing my German for the next 2 months, before I come home.
A few days before I left on the Eurotour, I celebrated Easter and got to meet my extended host family. There were a lot of pretty decorations and delicious Austrian food, which was another special thing to be a part of. It’s always really interesting to see how holidays are celebrated here compared to in the US.
Right after Easter, I, along with the other exchange students here in Austria, left on our trip through Europe. This is a huge trip that is always highly anticipated by the students studying abroad in Europe. We drove from Salzburg to Strasbourg, France, and then to Belgium, where we spent time in Brussels and Bruges. From Belgium we traveled through France, staying in Paris, Dijon, Avignon, and Nice. By this point of the trip everyone was very happy to be at the Mediterranean Sea, and for many it was their first time seeing a sea/ocean. Monaco was also a highly anticipated destination, especially for the many exchange students who love cars and F1 racing. After Monaco we entered Italy and stayed in Viareggio. We hiked the Cinque Terre, which is a very beautiful and well-known part of Italy, including 5 cities where one can hike to. The whole hike was along the coastline where we could see over the Mediterranean, which was gorgeous. From Viareggio we traveled to Pisa, Florence, Rome, Verona and eventually to Venice. These were all very beautiful cities. Finally, on our last day, we were in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Even after almost a year with these students, I still feel like I learned so much more from them and about them through the many experiences we’ve shared during the last 3 weeks. The final night of the trip yesterday included a summary of everything we did, and the funny moments. As we stood together listening, I think it hit everyone, that our time here is coming to an end. It was emotional for everyone, but it was also an honor to have experienced everything we did. Traveling for so long really changes one’s view on their everyday surroundings, and I look forward to the final 2 months of my year abroad, and what it will bring for me."
 
The exchange students, on our final night of Eurotour. We were on the rooftop dancing and talking together.
 
The exchange students in front of the Eiffel Tower.
May 13 - Club Meeting
Posted by Peggy Strom on May 17, 2025
May 13 - Club Meeting
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Dresser Build at Bridging
On February 13, 2025, 8 Rotarians joined 19 Mounds View High School's Volunteer Club Students to build 15 Dressers for Bridging. Bridging services 120 clients a week helping them come out of homelessness with furnishings and household goods, including a dresser.  
 
New Member Opens a New Business
New Member Opens a New Business
On January 8, 2025, there was a ribbon cutting at Kyle Sorenson's new business, Chiroway Chiropractic in Arden Hills. Club members Brenda Holden, Matt Rossetter, and Glenn Bowers were in attendance to show Rotary's support for this new addition to our community.
Christmas Stockings for Solid Ground

The Christmas holiday is now in the rear mirror, but it did not pass without our Club members joining together to make it brighter for those less fortunate in our community. Thanks to 16 of our Club members - and some of the spouses - 57 children of 22 families at Solid Ground woke up to a brighter Christmas morning.  Our effort this year was aided by students from the Mounds View High School Volunteer Club which stuffed 6 stockings for the children at Solid Ground. The stockings were stuffed with great care and creativity by all, certainly bringing great joy to children who would otherwise not experience the magical moments and giving spirit of Christmas. One member, as in previous years, donated a huge box of Mrs. Field’s cookies for the Solid Ground staff and families to enjoy. Without a doubt your stocking stuffers brightened the holiday season for the children and their parents who are struggling to escape homelessness and build of a new life of self-sufficiency.  In addition, you are truly modeling for them the true spirit of service above self.

Naturalization Ceremony
Posted on Dec. 08, 2024
The club provided water and American flags to individuals becoming US citizens at a recent naturalization ceremony in Shoreview.
 
Diversity
Posted on Dec. 07, 2024
Diversity
Kyle Sorenson, our newest member (27 years old and 6'7") for the first time meets Michael Anuta, our oldest member (99 years old and 5'5).
Camp Enterprise Students 2024-25
Posted on Nov. 14, 2024
Thanishka Shetty, Fatma Rashed, and Hanz Kevin Espinas reported on their experience at Camp Enterprise.
 
2024 Winter Coat Drive for Solid Ground
2024 Winter Coat Drive for Solid Ground
Once again, thanks to the generosity of our members, families and especially, the children will be much warmer this winter. One hundred and nineteen coats and a wide assortment of hats, gloves, jackets and sweaters were donated. Although hard to estimate, the value of all those coats and assorted other winter wear amounted to about $1,300. In addition, members donated $325 directly to Solid Ground to use for purchasing additional winter coats.
 
Kid in Need Foundation
Posted by Dennis Erno

Our Club’s August service project centered on the Kids In Need Foundation in Roseville.  On August 28 eleven of our members helped the Foundation fulfill its mission by assembling school supplies for children in need and by stocking a school supply center for under-resourced teachers.

 Over a two hour span our entourage began by packing backpacks with school supplies, and then shifted to creating several hundred individual packets of different colored magic markers for the teacher supply room.  Our shift ended by making up large individual packets of pencils for the teacher supply center.

 The Kids in Need Foundation strives to empower under-resource strapped teachers and students by providing them with the school supplies they need to succeed in the classroom.  This, in turn, helps create an equitable learning environment in more impoverished communities.

 The Foundation is the only national nonprofit focusing on the nation’s most under-resourced schools: those where 70 percent or more of the enrolled students are eligible for free or reduced-cost meals.

Read more...
Taste of the Hops and Vines 2024
Taste of the Hops and Vines 2024
With fantastic weather, participants were able to enjoy beer, wine and food at the 2024 Taste of the Hops and Vines. Thanks to the beer, wine, soft drink and food vendors for providing their wares. Ticket sales, sponsorships, and the auction resulted in our raising about $10,000. These funds will be used to fund community service projects, scholarships, and international projects.
 
Taste of Shoreview 2024
Taste of Shoreview 2024
We sponsored and operated the 14th Taste of Shoreview at the Shoreview Community Center on April 23, 2024. This event was a fundraiser for the free Slice of Shoreview community festival that will be held at the Island Lake Park on July 26 - 28. Over 270 people enjoyed the evening, sampling food and beverages and participating in the various fundraising activities. Over $15,000 was raised.
 
 
Rotary License Plate
Posted by Glenn Bowers on Mar. 08, 2024
Rotary Districts 5580, 5950, and 5960 are working together to get a Rotary International license plate in Minnesota. In the House, the bill (HF120) is written by Representative Heather Edelsen, a member of the Rotary Club of Edina. On February 29, PDG Tom Gump (District 5950) and DGN Glenn Bowers (District 5960) testified to the House's Transportation Finance and Policy committee. Pictured (L to R) are Tom Gump. PDG Lloyd Campbell (District 5950), Representative Edelsen, and Glenn Bowers.
 
Rotary Day at the Capital
Posted by Glenn Bowers on Mar. 03, 2024
Rotary Day at the Capital
Rotarians and Youth Exchange Students from Districts 5580, 5950, and 5960 participated in events at the Minnesota State Capital on February 19, 2024. The purpose of this visit was to create awareness of Rotary amongst our representatives and to promote the creation of a Rotary license plate.
 
The 2028 International Convention is awarded to Minneapolis-St Paul
The 2028 International Convention is awarded to Minneapolis-St Paul
On Monday, February 5, Rotary International announced that Minneapolis will host the organization's annual international convention. We can expect to host more than 15,000 Rotarians from around the world. The event will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Our own Jim DeMay and Mark Stange attended the announcement event. Last year, Glenn Bowers participated in the events with the convention site selection committee. 
Read more...
STRIVE Scholarships Awarded

Reginald Smith Jr. and Anthony Willier, two seniors from Mounds View High School, received STRIVE scholarships from the Shoreview-Arden Hills Rotary Club. Mounds View Principal Rob Reetz, who was the invited speaker at the Rotary meeting, presented the awards to the two students.

STRIVE, which stands for “Students Taking Renewed Interest in the Value of Education,” is a program where the Rotary Club works annually with a high school to motivate junior and senior year students to strive for higher education. These scholarships are awarded to students who may not have excelled academically earlier but have shown marked improvement in their school performance during their junior and senior years. The scholarship money is intended to reimburse them for higher education expenses, which may be used for trade school or two-year or four-year college program.

Pollinator/Rain Garden Grand Opening
Pollinator/Rain Garden Grand Opening
The City of Shoreview held an event on September 16 to highlight the new Pollinator and Rain Garden at McCullough Park. The garden is the result of a collaboration between the Rotary Club of Arden Hills/Shoreview, Shoreview Parks and Recreation, the Rice Creek Watershed, and the Shoreview Community Foundation. The goal of the event was to bring awareness of this new garden. This project was supported with a District Grant.
 
 
Hotel worker recognized for rescuing sex traffic victim
On May 30, 2023, we presented a Paul Harris Fellow to Eve Tao for her quick thinking and bravery. While working at the front desk of the Confort Inn and Suites in Vadnais Heights, a young women passed her a note. The note said that the man she was with was sex trafficking her. Once Eve got over the shock, she called law enforcement. When they arrived, they rescued the young woman and arrested the man, who later plead guilty to one count and was sentenced to 41 months in prison. Eve took action to help others, fitting our motto of 'Service Above Self'.
Helping To Alleviate Food Insecurity
Second Harvest Food Pack
Club members and friends helped pack 186 boxes of fruit snacks, or 2,232 pounds of food.
Feed My Starving Children Food Packing
Packing snack-packs for students with food insecurity at Ralph Reader Food Shelf
What is Rotary?
 
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision.
 
For more than 110 years, Rotary's people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.
 
In 1943, Rotary adopted a simple 24-word code of ethics as a guiding principle.
 
 
PRIOR EVENTS
End Human Trafficking: A Community Forum for Al
On April 15, 2021 the Arden Hills/Shorview and New Brighton/Mounds View Rotary Clubs held a community forum to raise awareness about human trafficking.  This is not a border problem or an east/west coast problem, this is a problem within our communities that brings tragic consequences to the victims. 
 
Angela Davis from MPR News moderated the virtual event that included a panel of four subject matter experts.  The forum was recorded in its entirety and can be viewed by clicking the box below. 
Forum Video
You can learn more about human trafficking, available support and resources, or find help through a Safe Harbor Navigator.  Click here to access the East Metro Safe Harbor Navigator web page.  Click here to email Mary McRoy, the East Metro Navigator. 
If you want to learn more
about our club, click the logo below.
 
 - Learn how to become a member
 - Contact a member of our leadership team
 - Receive information about meetings or events
 
         
 
More Information
Rotary International is the world’s largest service organization, the only non-governmental organization with a seat at the UN.  Our Arden Hills-Shoreview Rotary Club, one of some 30,000 clubs worldwide, is an active, enthusiastic group which meets weekly for fellowship and an informative presentation.  We work on local and international projects with a primary emphasis on projects benefiting youth.  It’s a great group of local leaders who put “Service Above Self,” Rotary’s motto.
Upcoming Events
  • Rotary Club Meeting
    Incarnation Lutheran Church
    Jul. 08, 2025
    7:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
  • Floral Park Gardening Project
    Floral Park
    Jul. 08, 2025
    4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  • Floral Park Gardening Project
    Floral Park
    Jul. 12, 2025
    10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Rotary Club Meeting
    Shore 96 Restaurant
    Jul. 15, 2025
    11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  • Floral Park Gardening Project
    Floral Park
    Jul. 15, 2025
    4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  • Floral Park Gardening Project
    Floral Park
    Jul. 19, 2025
    10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  • Rotary Club Meeting
    Jul. 22, 2025
    7:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
  • Floral Park Gardening Project
    Floral Park
    Jul. 22, 2025
    4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  • Rotary Super Bingo
    Jul. 25, 2025 – Jul. 27, 2025
  • Slice of Shoreview - BINGO
    Island Lake Park
    Jul. 25, 2025 - Jul. 27, 2025
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District 5960
Human Trafficking Forum Video
Club Officers and Directors
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Matt Rossetter
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President Elect
Mike Spellman
President Elect - Nominee
Don Martin
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Paul Bartyzal
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Jerry Peterson
Club Service Director
Kay Baker
Community Service Director
Jim Zappia
International Service Director
Don Martin
Youth Services Director
Miriam Zachary
Bulletin Editor
Paul Bartyzal
CICO/Website
Glenn Bowers
Program Chair
Mike Spellman
Rotary Foundation Officer
Peggy Strom
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