 If one had to characterize today’s speaker, the phrase positive
attitude comes to mind instantly. Tom Ebinger, member of the
Leadership Team and Manager of the Coater and Shipping
Department at Potlatch, is not displaying the gloom and doom one
would normally associate with the closing of a major industry in
the town of Brainerd. Everyone knows the details behind this
issue which is going to affect everyone in the community.
Potlatch could not compete in the major markets for coated high
line free sheet paper and was forced to sell the “business” to a
South African company called South Africa Pulp and Paper that is
one of four major producers left in the world. These four
companies produce 87% of these special papers. That sale will
put about 615 people out of a job if the plant remains closed
after the mid-May targeted date. That is the bad news. The good
news is the sale of the business meant only the loss of the
machinery to make coated paper. What is left is a facility that
has aroused much interest in the paper manufacturing world. Two
excellent paper machines, a talented work force, and state of
the art waste treatment means that with an short term shut down
for retooling, the plant could rehire at least half of its
present work force and maybe more to manufacture other kinds of
paper such as the brown that is used in paper bags. Tom
commented during the question and answer period, “I believe the
chances of someone coming and buying the plant are excellent”. A
consulting firm has been hired that specializes in selling this
kind of business and getting people back to work. Part of Tom’s
positive attitude stems from the confidence he has in Potlatch
and their willingness to work at selling the facility so that
the plant can be reopened In the meantime everything is at full
production since the inventory will be purchased as part of the
deal. The Union is continuing to deal with issues such as
severance, retirement, and vacation issues. Our own member, Curt
Olson, who is a process engineer at Potlatch, closed the
presentation with a positive emphasis also when he said, “The
management team is working very very hard and we appreciate all
of their efforts to find a solution.” Overall, this seems to be
a worldwide search for a business that would work well in the
Brainerd area and utilize this excellent facility even if it not
in making paper. |
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| Announcements |
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April 9-21 - Johnson Candy Setup at Armory 8:00 a.m. Take
Down at 4:00 p.m. on April 10. Mike Howard gave an excellent
demonstration of how easy it is to get involved in Pipe and Drape.
The busy Sertomans have to move to the Civic Center at 5:00 p.m. to
start setting up for the big one MMBA. Everyone is needed. Partial
Takedown for cleaning is on Sunday April 14th . April 17th is the
Commerce and Industry show and takedown for that one is the 21st.
Say goodbye to your spouses or bring them along with the kids to
help. |
| April 10 - Tom Rosenberger and his team will be the
featured speakers. Fas 829-7761 Milo Johnson Come to the noon
meeting to hear their project report. |
| May 4 - Walkathon for HART. Kathy Bittner
Lee has posters and pledge sheets for anyone who is interested. |
| May 9 - Spring Ditch Pick |
| A special thank-you to Karla Nelson and
Brenda Meech for sharing their Elvis photos for the webpage. |
Dear Sertoma Members,
I would like to thank you for the special Service to Mankind
Award presented to me on March 13. I was so surprised to have been
chosen for the award that I wasn’t prepared to properly thank you.
It was an honor to be recognized by your organization and the
business community. Fas 829-7761 Richard Mileski I would like to
thank the people who wrote nomination letters on my behalf. I was
born and raised in the Baxter/Brainerd area and feel proud to be
recognized for my efforts. I enjoy volunteering in the community I
grew up in. The message of the American Diabetes Association is to
prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of people
affected by it. Having lived with diabetes for 30 years, I’ve tried
to reach people with education and support at our Brainerd Lakes
Area Chapter meetings. I hope to continue supporting research to
find a cure for this disease that affects 16 million Americans.
Thank you so much for this award and for recognizing my volunteer
efforts. Mary Paine. |
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FAS Corner: Brian Skogen was a winner today, Rita
Johnson was not. |
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| Ticket
Winner |
| Big Mike Boen |
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| Pot-O-Gold
Winner |
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Cassie Gylland |
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| Attendance
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| Greeter
Schedule |
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Remember: Be there
by 11:45 and call somebody if you can't. Call Jeff Birks @
820-5544 if you can't make it.
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| April 10 |
Randy Phllps, Jim Potvin,
Mary Aakhus Olson |
| April 17 |
David Pundt, Steve Rose,
Jeff Kozitza |
| April 24 |
David Pundt, Steve Rose,
Jolene Jensen |
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Sertoman of the Day
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| Notes |
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Humor |
Humor in the House
Income Tax time approaches.....
Did you ever notice: When you put the two words
"The" and "IRS" together it spells
"THEIRS"? |
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Acts 2:38
An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening of
church services when she was startled by an intruder. She caught
the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables and
yelled, "Stop! Acts 2:38!"(Repent and be baptized, in the name of
Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven.) The burglar
stopped in his tracks. The woman calmly called the police and
explained what she had done. As the officer cuffed the man to take
him in, he asked the burglar, "Why did you just stand there? All
the old lady did was yell a scripture to you." "Scripture?"
replied the burglar. "She said she had an axe and two 38's!" |
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Find a Sawbuck Corner:
The FAS Program was designed to encourage people to read the newsletter. Even those who attend the meeting can benefit from reviewing the announcements etc. If you find the letters FAS followed by your name, you must call the number provided and just leave a message that you called and attend the next meeting to collect your money. Simple--however 90% of the people never respond. |
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Photos Photos Everywhere New photos go up almost every week on our new MSN Community homepage. This community is for the club, easy to join and gives you the opportunity to add edit or delete any photos that are posted as well as leave messages for fellow Sertomans. It is a good way to thank someone for doing a good job or give them some positive feedback for a big event in their life. If you wish to view the current photographs or check out the new online directory go to:
http://communities.msn.com/BrainerdNoonSertoma/_whatsnew.msnw
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Pipe and Drape |
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2002 Pipe and Drape Schedule |
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