#0005 - Tim Thelin - Part I

What if your favorite restaurant was more than just a place to eat? Tim Thelin, the heart and soul behind Pelican's Restaurant, shares with us his remarkable journey of transforming a dining spot into a community hub. Despite a technical hiccup with our initial recording, Tim’s passion for hospitality and community engagement shines through as he recounts the challenges and triumphs of running a beloved local establishment. As a committed member of the Midwest City Rotary Club, Tim views his restaurant as a platform for nurturing relationships and supporting local charities. His dedication to quality and community service is a testament to his leadership and vision.

In our conversation, the spotlight also turns to the impactful efforts of Ken and Sally Newey with the Interact and Rotaract programs. These initiatives are empowering young people to step up as leaders and active contributors to their communities. Tim's insights into using technology and social media to engage younger generations in civic organizations open up an exciting dialogue about the future of community involvement. While we may have missed the original recording, we invite you to tune in and be inspired by Tim’s story and his unwavering commitment to making a difference. Stay with us as we plan to bring Tim back for a special episode to capture the essence of our initial discussion.

Transcript

Brian Triger: 0:25

Welcome back to the Rotary Spark podcast. I'm your host Brian Triger and I'm excited to share an inspiring episode with you today, even though we faced a little hiccup with our recording. Unfortunately, the interview with Tim Theilin, the owner of Pelican's Restaurant, didn't save. But I'm here to give you a recap of our conversation and highlight the incredible insights Tim shared about his journey in the restaurant industry and his commitment to community service, before inviting him back on the show. Tim is not just a successful restaurant owner. He's a passionate advocate for community engagement. He has built Pelican's into a beloved local spot, known for its quality service and delicious food. One of the key themes from our conversation was Tim's unwavering commitment to hospitality. He believes that every customer should feel valued and welcomed, which is reflected in the warm atmosphere of his restaurant. Tim emphasized the importance of community connections. As a dedicated member of the Midwest City Rotary Club, he sees the restaurant not just as a business but as a hub for fostering relationships. He frequently hosts events to support local charities and encourages his staff to get involved as well. The spirit of giving back sets Pelicans apart from other establishments. I also want to highlight the incredible work that Ken Newey and Sally Newey from the Midwest City Rotary Club are doing with the kids in the Interact and Rotaract programs, as well as their Wings of Rotary project. We touched on this several times throughout the conversation. These initiatives are vital for empowering young people and teaching them about service leadership and the importance of giving back to the community. Tim really admires their efforts and believes these programs are key to fostering the next generation of community leaders. Tim also shared some personal anecdotes about challenges he's faced along the way.

Brian Triger: 2:22

Running a restaurant can be tough. There are long hours, high expectations and the ever-changing landscape of the food industry, but Tim's passion for food and his commitment to quality have always guided him. He talked about the importance of adapting and staying true to one's values, which I personally found inspiring. As we wrapped up our conversation, tim shared some exciting plans for the future. He's looking to expand Pelican's offerings, including new menu items that highlight local ingredients and collaborations with local vendors that he's already working with. He's also eager to continue strengthening his ties with the community and exploring new ways to give back to the community. So, while we might not have the original recording, I hope this summary captures the essence of what Tim Thielen embodies a true leader in the restaurant industry who cares deeply for his community. If you're in the Midwest City area, be sure to stop by Pelican's Restaurant and experience Tim's hospitality firsthand.

Brian Triger: 3:24

We also talked about the difficulty of civic organizations engaging with younger members who have different priorities and modes of communication. Tim sees this challenge as an opportunity for technology, as a powerful tool that can be used to bridge the gap. Social media and digital platforms give younger people a chance to connect, collaborate and share their ideas in ways that resonate with them. This not only helps organizations like Rotary reach new audiences, but also empowers young people to thrive in their communities.

Brian Triger: 4:06

This is an important topic that I plan on exploring with Tim and other Rotarians as well, and I really appreciate all of our listeners, your flexibility and understanding in a new project, and I look forward to inviting Tim back for a special day, since we're booked up until maybe. I think it's February 14th right now and I want to have him back a little bit earlier, but we're definitely going to find some time for Tim and I to have another special episode, to relive the authentic nature of that recording, and I want to take this time to thank the Almonte Library and IT Spark, Rotary District 5750, rotary International and all of our listeners out there that are supporting this project and all of the other projects that are going on in the world.