Events

Off Site Meeting at Rotary Park

Family and friends are invited to attend an open-house Celebration of Life for Mary Ramsay, wife of Rich Ramsay, on Sunday, October 11 from 5–8 PM at 7 Vines Vineyard in Dellwood, MN (101 Co Rd 96). A short remembrance will be held at 6:30 PM. Heavy appetizers will be served with live background music.

Ken Baltzer Classification

Longtime White Bear Lake Rotarian Dick Galena died Sept. 11. Services to honor his life are Oct. 16 at St. Mary of the Lake Church in White Bear Lake. Here is a link to Dick’s obituary (see below). A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 4741 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake, on Friday, October 16, at 11:00 a.m. The Funeral will be preceded by a Visitation at 10:00 a.m.

Jan 18, 1949 — Sep 11, 2026

Richard Galena was born and raised in Fergus Falls, Minnesota and attended St. John’s Preparatory School, Class of 1967. He graduated from Creighton University and Creighton University Law School. He began his legal career in St. Paul before moving to White Bear Lake where he started the Galena Law Firm.

Mr. Galena was very active in community affairs and professional associations. He served as Director of the White Bear Lake Economic Development Corporation, the White Bear Lake Conservation District, and chaired the 4th of July Fire Works Committee for the Chamber of Commerce for thirty years. He was a Rotarian and a member of the St. Paul Winter Carnival Royal Guard.

Dick lived on White Bear Lake and loved boating and activities involving sailing and sailboat races. He cherished his friendships with the White Bear Lake area community.

Dick became an accomplished landscape painter and he had made many paintings around White Bear Lake and Otter Tail Lake where he grew up and had a family cottage.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Anne (Noonan) Galena. He is survived by his cousins, Teresa Licari of North Carolina, and Thomas McCarthy of Hawaii, and his many friends in the Twin Cities area.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, 4741 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake, on Friday, October 16, at 11:00 a.m. The Funeral will be preceded by a Visitation at 10:00 a.m.

Strive Scholarship race for 2026

Run For The Apples, Saturday October 17, 2026, 

9:00 a.m. 5 Mile Run/Walk Start time.

Dynamic Leadership & Coaching: A New Handbook

 Phil Brook

The Rotary Foundation Celebration, District 5960
Friday, October 23, 2026, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Delta Hotels Minneapolis Northeast, 1330 Industrial Boulevard NE, Minneapolis

You helped write these stories. Now come celebrate them.

Every day, Rotarians turn generosity into action through The Rotary Foundation, funding projects that strengthen our communities, build peace, fight disease, and create opportunities worldwide. Behind every project is a story, and behind every story is someone who chose to give.

Join Rotarians and friends from across District 5960 for inspiring stories, Foundation recognition, dinner, fellowship, and a little fun.

Keynote speaker: Vicki Puliz, Vice Chair, The Rotary Foundation Trustees, 2026-27. Hear her perspective on the Foundation's reach and how Rotarians' generosity changes lives around the world.

We're coming together for something BIG — a bold, unified step toward a polio-free world.  We are calling on 36,620 Rotarians and 964 Rotaractors across 11 states and 2 countries to take part in the World’s Largest Polio Walk — a powerful, visible demonstration of our commitment to ending polio forever.

Doors Open 7:30 a.m., Program 8:00 a.m.

Register here https://portal.clubrunner.ca/50084/events/world-s-largest-polio-walk-in-district-5950-at-moa

This is more than a walk. It’s a movement.

Every step taken helps raise awareness and support our collective goal of raising $1 million to end polio. Together, we are “This Close” to eradication—and this is our moment to push across the finish line.

How Clubs Can Participate:

• Invite members, families, friends, and community partners
• Wear your Rotary or End Polio Now gear
• Capture photos and videos to share on social media
• Use your voice to educate your community about Rotary’s fight to end polio

Gathering 9 a.m. Oct. 24 at the Caribou Coffee in downtown White Bear Lake. All are welcome, including guests, potential members and friends. Questions? See Carol Nelson.

Our club received this email from a representative of the Rotary Club of North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale: 

Last October, seven East Metro and Western Wisconsin Rotary clubs teamed up for Polio's Last Mile, walking across the Stillwater Lift Bridge and raising money for Polio Plus. It was a blast, so we're doing it again in 2026 — this time as part of the World's Largest Polio Walk, a national event that also includes indoor walkers at Mall of America and participants across zones 25 and 29B.

Save the Date: Saturday, October 24, 9:30 a.m., at the foot of the Lift Bridge on the Stillwater, MN side. A short presentation starts at 9:45 a.m., followed by a one-mile walk across the bridge and back, plus opportunities to learn more about Polio and Rotary's journey to End Polio Now.

Our goals this year: 150 participants from 10 Rotary clubs, and $7,500 raised for polio vaccination. To keep costs low while covering permits and supplies, we're asking each participating club to contribute $200. Any unused funds will go to Polio Plus.

Checks can be mailed to:
Stillwater Rotary Club
c/o Keith Komo
PO Box 81
Stillwater, MN 55082

Rotary Blood Drive,

Oct 27 10:00 to 4:00 p.m.

New location

Best Western Plus White Bear Country Inn

4940 Highway 61, White Bear Lake

For an appointment, please visit RedCroosBlood.org

or Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

District Governor Peter Grayson

Wishes and More

 Boy Scouts Troop 494

Rylee Baltzer & Scouts

Gazebo Lighting

Downtown White Bear Lake

4th and Washington Square

The Annual Gazebo Lighting takes place on Wednesday, November 18, at 5pm. In its 3rd year, this annual Holiday Event is quickly becoming an iconic made-for-TV Holiday event in White Bear Lake.

On Feb. 5 & 6, is the Annual BEARly Open Golf on Ice and Community Dance Party. This event celebrates its 20th year this winter! We have a great committee working on this event, but can really use volunteers for the event activities on the 5th & 6th.