President George Weir welcomed all to the July 6th meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion in Brattleboro; the first of the new year. ED NOTE: President George needs to work on his bell ringing skills.Liz Harrison offered a meaningful invocation. This was followed by the pledge of allegiance. Birthday greetings were extended to Ted Kramer.
As a luncheon of meatloaf, lasagna, mac & cheese, green beans, mashed potatoes, salad, rolls and cookies (chocolate + chocolate chip) for dessert was being digested, the meeting continued.
Guests: District Governor John Springer and his wife, Mary, Assistant District Governor Bill Stevens, and Student Rotarian / Gateway Scholarship recipient Francesca Carasi-Schwartz of Brattleboro, who will attend University of Vermont.
TRIVIA QUESTION
Which president officially designated “The Star Spangled Banner” as the national anthem?
(answer below)
JOKE / SONG OF THE WEEK
For our Rotary joke, Marty Cohn told the following:
A nun, badly needing to use the restroom, walked into a local Hooters restaurant.
The place was hopping with music and loud conversation and every once in a while the lights would turn off. Each time the lights would go out, the place would erupt into cheers. However, when the revelers saw the nun, the room went dead silent. She walked up to the bartender, and asked, "May I please use the restroom?"
The bartender replied, "OK, but I should warn you that there is a statue of a naked man in there wearing only a fig leaf."
"Well, in that case, I'll just look the other way," said the nun.
So, the bartender showed the nun to the back of the restaurant. After a few minutes, she came back out, and the whole place stopped just long enough to give the nun a loud round of applause. She went to the bartender and said, "Sir, I don't understand. Why did they applaud for me just because I went to the restroom?"
"Well, now they know you're one of us," said the bartender. "Would you like a drink?"
"But, I still don't understand," said the puzzled nun.
"You see," laughed the bartender, "every time someone lifts the fig leaf on the statue, the lights go out.”
ROTARY MINUTE
For our Rotary minute, Carla Lineback reminded us of the history of women in Rotary. It wasn’t until 1989 that women were officially recognized in Rotary. In 1990 there were 20,000 female members; in 2010, there were 200,000. Women currently account for 22% of international Rotary membership.
At our July 13th meeting, Ted Kramer will tell a joke or lead us in song, while Joe Little delivers a Rotary Minute.
NOTE: Weekly assignments are posted on club website.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
07/13 – Bill Vermouth presents: Milt Eaton “A World Oil Perspective”
07/20 – Club Assembly
07/27 – Chris Wocell presents: Jim Verzino, Windham Grows
08/03 – Mara Williams presents: Drew Hazelton, Rescue Diving and Searching
08/10 – Roadshow to NECCA
NOTE: 2017-18 Weekly assignments (program, joke, and Rotary minute) are posted on club’s website.
FINES
Jeremy Coleman fessed up to not having his badge today.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Gateway Foundation Board will be meeting on July 13th, following regular club meeting.
Gateway Scholarship recipients have been invited to July 13th club meeting.
American Legion servers, Maureen and Ginny, were presented with a gift from the club.
Brattleboro on Wheels will take place on August 26. Please help get the word out. For more info, see Mike Mandraccha.
BRAGS
Ron Stahley – for Ted Kramer being the clubs staunch Yankee fan. (Ron presented Ted with a NY Yankee cap & mug).
Ron Stahley – for his retirement after 41 years in the school system.
Linda Dierks – for Phil George getting a master’s degree because he wanted one.
Frank Rucker – for Ron Stahley service to Windham County education.
Chris Wocell – for BMH and the care he received following his bike accident.
George Weir – for his wife Joan’s coordination of all the home repairs.
PROGRAM:
District Governor Jon Springer talked about the 2017-18 theme: “Rotary Makes a Difference”. He noted that our club raised over $60,000 last year; with 430+ volunteer hours.
Some dates to remember:
August 18, 2017 – District Golf Tournament to benefit Pure Water for the World
October 27, 2017 – Polio Plus Day (he would like to see full page ads in papers throughout the district)
June 1-3, 2018 – District Conference, Burlington, VT
District Governor Jon presented Immediate Past President Jeff Hagstrom
100 Paul Harris Points on behalf of 2016-17 District Governor, Dennis McMann.
District Governor Jon Springer presented this year’s district banner to President George Weir.
REMINDERS
Bottles and cans can be brought to Putney Road redemption center to benefit Pure Water for the World.Please see Mara Williams.
It's a new year... If you like this newsletter, brag at next Club meeting.
This bulletin was respectfully submitted by Past President Martin Cohn who attempts to give a gist of the meeting. However, it is always better to attend. If you have any complaints about the contents of this bulletin....
