President Bill Vermouth welcomed all to the August 9th meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion in Brattleboro. He introduced members of the “Pie it Forward” Committee <ED NOTE: “Pie it Forward” will be a new club fundraiser in which we will sell pumpkin pies for Thanksgiving.> who welcomed everyone in near unison. (ED NOTE: President Bill still needs to work on his bell ringing skills by not being afraid to hit the bell). Roger Allbee offered a meaningful invocation by quoting Margaret Mead:
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
As a luncheon of delicious baked chicken, pork loin, fried tofu, cucumber/beet salad, quinoa salad, mashed potatoes, salad, bread, and chocolate chip cookies for dessert was being digested, the meeting continued.
GUEST: Meg Donohue, Serenity Wolf, and Clyde Johnson. <ED NOTE: Clyde joined Brattleboro Rotary Club in October of 1963 and served as club president 1968-1969.>
TRIVIA QUESTION
The first Rotary Club was established in Chicago in 1905. Where and when was the second club established?
(answer below)
JOKE OF THE WEEK
For our Rotary joke, Betsy Gentile told a version of the following:
On their way to get married, a young Catholic couple is involved in a fatal car accident.
The couple find themselves sitting outside the Pearly Gates waiting for St. Peter to process them into Heaven. While waiting, they begin to wonder: Could they possibly get married in Heaven? When St. Peter showed up, they asked him.
St. Peter said, "I don't know. This is the first time anyone has asked. Let me go find out."
The couple sat and waited, and waited. Two months passed and the couple are still waiting. While waiting, they began to wonder what would happen if it didn't work out; could you get a divorce in heaven. After yet another month, St. Peter finally returns, looking somewhat bedraggled.
"Yes," he informs the couple. "You can get married in Heaven!"
"Great! But we were just wondering, what if things don't work out? Could we also get a divorce in Heaven?"
St. Peter, red-faced with anger, slammed his clipboard onto the ground.
"What's wrong?" asked the frightened couple.
"OH, COME ON!", St. Peter shouted, "It took me three months to find a priest up here! Do you have any idea how long it'll take me to find a lawyer?"
ROTARY MINUTE
For our Rotary minute, Gary Goodemote told us about the Rotary Club of Detroit. To learn more, click here.
At our August 16th meeting, Phil George will tell a joke or lead us in song and Steve Gordon will offer a Rotary Minute.
NOTE: 2018-19 weekly assignments are posted on club website.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
08/16 – Rob Szpila, Cheyenne River Indian Reservation
08/23 – Jerry Carbone, Genealogy
08/30 – William Edelglass, Brattleboro Word Project
09/06 – Scott Sharland, Groundworks, Empty Bowls
09/13 – Gateway Foundation Annual Meeting
09/20 – Donna Hawes, River Gallery School
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 see Mara Williams.
If you like this newsletter, brag at next Club meeting.
So far, only ONE.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Bill presented Cathy Coonan with her third Paul Harris Fellow recognition. “The presentation of Paul Harris Fellow recognition is The Rotary Foundation's way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs. It is named for our founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905. We move closer to a world of peace and good will today as Cathy becomes a Paul Harris Fellow. Her gift to The Rotary Foundation's educational and humanitarian programs is a commitment to peace and to a better life for people across the world that they may never meet. This is a truly selfless action. Cathy, it is because of gifts like yours that The Rotary Foundation is able to carry out an array of programs that achieve beneficial changes in our world: improved living conditions, increased food production, better education, wider availability of treatment and rehabilitation for the sick and disabled, new channels for the flow of international understanding, and brighter hopes for peace. In becoming a Paul Harris Fellow, Cathy joins a remarkable company of persons throughout the world, all recognized for their devotion to the ideal of good will, peace and understanding. It is the goal of Rotarians the world over, and one that Cathy clearly shares. It gives me great pleasure, Cathy, to present you with your third Paul Harris Fellow pin. We congratulate you and we thank you for your commitment to the programs of The Rotary Foundation.”
Sophia Howlett was not present to read off the “walk of shame” list. Therefore, members who have not yet introduced themselves to her have one more week.
Linda Dierks, Wendy Harrison, and Irma Robertson have left the club.
Lisa Mendelson, George Weir and Marty & Yael Cohn have signed up for our upcoming August 11th packing boxes project at the Vermont Food Bank.
So far, Roger Allbee has signed up for September 8th packing boxes project at the Vermont Food Bank. We need three more volunteers. If interested, contact Stan Nowakowski.
The next Gateway Foundation board meeting will take place on 8/16 following regular club meeting.
Gateway Foundation annual meeting will take place on 9/13 at club assembly.
Thank you notes were received from students who participated in trip to Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. <ED NOTE: These students will be presenting at our 8/16 club meeting.>
If you are interested in playing at the District 7870 Trophy Golf Event on 8/17 at Bretwood Golf Club in Keene, contact President Bill Vermouth. <>
If you would like to advertise on the club's website, please contact Marty Cohn.
Ad that appears on the club bulletin only…$25/year
Ad that rotates on the homepage only …$40/year
Ad that appears on all secondary pages … $60/year
Ad that does it all — rotates on homepage, appears on all secondary pages, and appears on the club bulletin … $100/year
FINES
NONE ;-(
BRAGS
Clyde Johnson – for the 50th anniversary of his club presidency.
Stan Nowakowski – for Lisa Mendelson, George Weir, and Marty & Yael Cohn signing up for our upcoming August 11th packing boxes project at the Vermont Food Bank.
Tom French – for the Rugby prowess of his two granddaughters, Olivia and Aubrey Rose.
John Kohler– for Tom French consistently bragging for his Olympic-bound granddaughters.
Dave Neumeister – for Marty Cohn not only producing the club bulletin but keeping the club in the newspapers.
Cindy Jerome – for Clyde Johnson being an excellent role model as Dummerston Town Moderator.
Cindy Jerome – for her son Ben backpacking across Europe.
Cindy Jerome – for all the residents she’s met in Windham-4.
Bill Vermouth – for Cathy Coonan getting the club’s mail for decades. <ED NOTE: the second po box key is missing.>
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PROGRAM
John Mabie presented Dane Rank who told us about the changes to Medicare, as well as the history of the Thompson Trust.
Thomas Thompson
Rotary Cares - TV Show or Podcast
We are getting ready for season 2. To view season 1 shows, click here. To listen to the podcast, click here.
DISCLAIMER
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...
