Speaker:
Mike Mandracchia introduced . . . himself! Today is “Interactive Backstory,” telling the story of how you came to Rotary. He started us off, then we drew numbers and the 5s, 1s and 2s took turns telling theirs:
Mike’s been in our Club almost 28 years in. He was working on Wall Street, too hard, not enough time with the kids, so bought a 2nd home in VT. Came up on weekends and found they scowled at each other Sunday night when it was time to drive back to North Jersey. He connected with Tim O’Connor who got him a job in VT. He said, you’ve got to join Rotary.
Tom Franks – Ran Building a Better Brattleboro. Joined Sunrise, shifted to Noon. Loves opportunities to do service without having to find or manage those opportunities.
Frank LaGrande – He’s been a member for 2 years, and in hotels since late 90s. Knew Carla Lineback and she invited him to join after he sponsored the Golf Tournament. He didn’t join then, but rather joined when Rhonda Calhoun asked again. Being asked twice convinced him and he joined.
Liz Harrison – Moved to VT from TX, became Chamber member, and Betsy Gentile invited her. Never looked back!
Mark Anderson – Working for the Sheriff’s office, under Keith Clarke, who was a Rotarian. Keith asked Mark to do a program at the Bellows Falls Club. When Keith asked Mark what he wanted for his future, Mark said I want your job! Keith trained him (after Mark promised wouldn’t run against him). Keith said don’t join the Brattleboro Rotary, they all know you already. It was true. So Mark reached out to the BF Club but never got a call back. Four years later, he contacted us and Rob returned his call! Mark loves the larger size of our Club, the people, and the service.
Bill McKim – taught piano at Putney School for 4 years, until 1979, and joined the Lions Club in Putney for the service opportunities. He moved to Brattleboro, so switched to Brattleboro Rotary. When he first joined, it was a smoke-filled room with only men. He does not miss that!
Ruben Garza – Joined during the pandemic and everyone was on Zoom. He knew Rob Szpila. Ruben was raising money for downtown businesses, to help them weather the COVID storm. Rob said join Rotary - what better way to get to know those business people.
Theresa Glabach – Was a student Rotarian as an awkward junior and (less awkward) senior. Went to UVM, got involved in all 50 service clubs there. Upon graduation realized she had to make money, so focused on work for a while. Then Theresa got involved in Girls on the Run. Betsy Gentile invited her to join. She loves it – service for so many organizations instead of just one, and she sees our smiling faces every week. (She works at home.)
Jim Haines – Like Mike, he and his wife bought a home up here and bought the Whetstone Store in West B. “It was a big hole you throw money into.” Phil Turner invited him to join. Jim has an amazing 54 years of perfect attendance.
Rick Manson – Rick joined in 1990. He had just moved back from Missouri, and started a job with Richards, Gates, Hoffman, and Clay. Rick rented a house to Bruce Campbell, former Brattleboro Police Chief and then Town Manager, and a Rotarian, who suggested Rick join the Club. Ricky was our President in 1995 when we had 110 members.
Cheri Ann Broadhurst – Came to Brattleboro planning to stay one year but stayed at her OB/Gyn MD job for 40 years. She never felt like she fit in in Brattleboro but one day, her good friend Jim Haines asked “How come you’re not in Rotary?” He asked her to join. Cheri Ann says our Club “is the only place I feel like I fit.” And here she is “thanked for being who I am.” All she’s ever wanted to do is help people and, now that she’s retired, she can continue to do that through the Club.
Cathy Coonan – born in Brattleboro. In 1978 she became the office manager for a local real estate company which was bought out by The Richards Group. As an insurance producer, Richards encouraged her to do community work. She served in multiple roles. When Tom Fegley came to town (Tom and Sally’s Chocolates), she wrote his insurance, and he asked her to join the Club, in 1991. Cathy got on Golf Committee right away and has been on it ever since!
Tom Franks bragged for Mike’s idea of Interactive Backstory!
Scribe: Cindy Jerome
.png)
