As always, Patrick “Packy” Mader is enthused to present Minnesota’s rich sports history at the Olympics to Blaine-Ham Lake Rotary Club members. His books, Minnesota Gold and More Minnesota Gold, highlight the stories, lives, challenges, perseverance, and achievements of more than 100 remarkable living Minnesota athletes who competed at the international level–including people from a cross section of sports from 1948 – present.

Packy will be highlighting Olympians with connections to the northwest metro area–including retired Blaine math teacher and Olympic ski jumper Jay Martin (pictured below, on right, with his fellow Olympian and brother, Jerry)–as he shares the positive experience throughout his research, interviews, writing, and editing in an engaging and entertaining style. Athletes from the nearby area will be featured: wrestlers Jim and Dave Hazewinkel of Coon Rapids; bronze medalist wrestler Jim Martinez of Osseo; silver medalists speedskater Randy Bartz of Mounds View and bicyclist Kelly Catlin; and Shoreview resident Buzz Schneider, a member of the 1980 Miracle on Ice hockey team;. Other notable people highlighted will be former governor Wendy Anderson, hockey; Amy Peterson, flag bearer and five-time Olympian, speedskating (pictured below); and runners Carrie Tollefson, Bob Kempainen, and Mark Lutz. The Olympians were approachable, intelligent, articulate, and modest–demonstrating Olympian character and qualities.

Come discover Minnesota Gold!