President Bill Vermouth welcomed all to the April 18th meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion in Brattleboro. Members who participated in the last Seasonal Overflow Shelter meal of the season welcomed members and guests <ED NOTE: Enthusiasm was definitely lacking.> Jeremy Coleman offered the following meaningful invocation by quoting one of the most important figures in Jewish history, Hillel:
“That which is hateful unto you do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole of the Torah, The rest is commentary. Go forth and study.”
This was followed by the pledge of allegiance. Birthday greetings were extended to Jerry Theberge, Regina Stefanelli and Rich Carroll.
As a luncheon of pork, chicken, pasta salad, green beans, roasted potatoes, salad, rolls and blondies for dessert was being digested, the meeting continued.
GUESTS: Erin O’Connor, Olga Peters, Randy Holhut, Will Sudbay, and VT AG TJ Donovan (speaker)
TRIVIA QUESTION
How many Vermont Attorneys General have served since the office was established in 1790?
(Answer below.)
JOKE OF THE WEEK
For the joke of the week, Ana Saavedra told a version of the following:
Joe heard a rumor that his father, grandfather and great-grandfather had all walked on water on their 21st birthdays.
So, on his 21st birthday, Joe and his good friend Brian headed out to the lake. "If they did it, I can too!" he insisted.
When Joe and Brian arrived at the lake, they rented a boat and began paddling. When the got to the middle of the lake, Joe stepped off of the side of the boat... and damn near drowned.
Furious and somewhat shamed, he and Brian headed for home.
When Joe arrived back at the family farm, he asked his grandmother for an explanation. "Grandma, why can I not walk on water like my father, and his father, and his father before him?"
The feeble old grandmother took Joe by the hands, looked into his eyes, and explained, "That's because your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were born in January... you were born in July, dear."
At our April 25th meeting, Ron Stahley will tell a joke or lead us in song and Robin Sweetapple will offer a Rotary Minute.
NOTE: 2018-19 weekly assignments are posted on club website.
ROTARY MINUTE
For the Rotary Minute: Regina Stefanelli informed us of the history of Rotary’s 4-way Test. <ED NOTE: Excellent article in May, 2019 issue of The Rotarian, “The four-way test in a post-truth era.”
At our April 25th meeting, Ron Stahley will tell a joke or lead us in song and Robin Sweetapple will offer a Rotary Minute.
NOTE: 2018-19 weekly assignments are posted on club website.
06/13 – Sophia Howlett, Challenges of NE higher education
06/20 – Club Assembly
06/27 – Changeover Dinne
NOTE: 2018-19 weekly assignments are posted on club website.
REMINDERS
Bottles and cans can be brought to Putney Road redemption center to benefit Pure Water for the World. Please remember to inform the staff that the bottles and cans should be credited to the club.
If you like this newsletter, brag at next Club meeting.
So far, only TEN.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following Rotarians were recognized for their years of service:
25 years: Dave Twombly
15 years: Jeremy Coleman
Bill Bedard is convalescing at home and would appreciate calls and cards.
Art Greenbaum’s brother-in-law, Ned Kirsch, passed away.
The next VT Foodbank loading project is Saturday, May 11th. Four volunteers are needed. Contact Stan Nowakowski if you can help out.
If you are interested in working with Sunrise Rotary to make a Youth Exchange program happen (eg hosting a student), contact Ali Barry.
Board minutes are posted on the club’s website.
2019-2020 club dues notices have been issued and are due the end of May.
The Gift Giving Committee will meet next week after the regular club meeting.
Reminder – donate to Rotary Foundation so that the club will match your donation if you participated in a club activity.
FINES
NONE ;-(
BRAGS
Rhonda Calhoun – for Marcy Jones and Tom French being the first two members to pay their 2019-2020 dues.
Al Jerard – for the VT Foodbank team of Phil Steckler, Rob Szpila, Chris Szpila, and Al Jerard setting a new record of packing 5000 pounds of food. <ED NOTE: Al clearly was not paying attention to today's Rotary Minute.>
Phil Steckler – for being able to set a new record with frozen meat.
Carl Lynde - for the excellent article in May, 2019 issue of The Rotarian: “The good shepherd – there is pain, but also a kind of comfort in easing a beloved pet’s passing.”
Carl Lynde – for TD Bank donating $20K to VT Foodbank.
Carl Lynde – for TD Bank donating $20K for the enhancement of green spaces
Ana Saavedra - for the builders of Notre Dame.
Bill McKim – for his recent visit to the British Empire.
Marcy Jones – for his recent vacation to Venice, FL.
Marcy Jones – for his great-great-great uncle Marcellus Ephraim Jones who fired the first shot at Battle of Gettysburg.
PROGRAM
Dave Twombly presented VT Attorney General TJ Donovan who discussed a number of issues including his suit against opiate distributors, the need to address mental illness, and the state of Vermont infrastructure.
Rotary Cares - TV Show
Rotary Cares, Episode 16 – Rotary Youth Exchange Program
Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Club past president Kevin Yager discusses Rotary’s Youth Exchange program with Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary member Mona Williams who is the club contact to the youth exchange and Lucija Gacic, an exchange student from Croatia. Produced by Brattleboro Rotary Club past president Martin Cohn in the studio of Brattleboro Community Television.
Past President Martin Cohn who attempts to give a gist of the meeting respectfully submitted this bulletin. However, it is always better to attend. If you have any complaints about the contents of this bulletin...
