Speaker Meetings
At 9:00 am on the first Sunday of every month, we meet at the Duluth Radisson Harborview. When you arrive, you will see several round tables set for about ten people each, a small buffet line, and a large coffee urn. You will also see a podium for a speaker and a projection screen for images and slides. There is a table with pre-printed name tags for those who attend regularly and some blank name tags. You can fill one out with your first name if you want to and you can sign up for our e-mail list on a clipboard if you want to. Or you can just grab a coffee and take any open seat. Soon enough, others will fill up the other seats and say, “Hello.” They will not try to talk you out of your religion or ask for money, they will talk about the weather, today’s speaker, and all the things that normal people normally talk about.
At about 9:30 am, Sue (our server) will have laid out the breakfast buffet and anyone who wants to can pay $12 to grab a plate and fill it with their selection of breakfast food and drink. About half the people will partake in this, but many people will just enjoy coffee and/or water. At 10:00, one of the members will serve as the convener by welcoming you, making a few announcements, and introducing that day’s speaker. Typically, there will be a brief reflection on some topic by a member followed by a presentation of about 40 minutes by the featured speaker. After that, at about 11:00 am, there will be a question and answer session in which you are invited to participate. By around 11:30 am the event will be over, and people will go home or wherever they are planning the rest of their day.
Social Dinners
At 5:30 pm on the third Wednesday of every month, a dozen or so members will gather at a restaurant in downtown Duluth. (Locations rotate, so please check the Calendar of Events to see where it is each month.) Sue Anderson hosts these events and will be delighted to welcome you there and introduce you to the others who are in attendance. This is a social event at which you can order dinner if you like, or just have some kind of beverage or dessert. Here you can expect to experience casual conservation and irreverent humor as people relax and spend some time with like-minded friends and neighbors. These events will wrap up by 7:30 pm, because some members will want to attend the next event that we will mention.
TED @ the Teatro
At 7:30 pm on the third Wednesday of every month except in the summer, Lake Superior Freethinkers co-hosts an event at the Teatro Zuccone, 222 East Superior Street. For a $5 suggested donation at the door, you will typically hear a local musician perform live, watch a TED talk on the screen, and hear another speaker respond to that live. This will be followed by a question and answer session in which you are invited to participate. Often, the TED talk and the speaker will present opposing views on an issue of philosophical or religious concern.
Happy Hours
From 4:00 to 6:00 pm on the first Thursday of every month, about a dozen members gather at Mexico Lindo (in the Fitger’s complex) for light snacks, affordable drinks, and quiet conversation. Parking in the Fitger’s garage is validated and a relaxed atmosphere lets everyone let loose and enjoy each other’s company.
LAKE SUPERIOR FREETHINKERS 