President Phil George welcomed all to the November 4, 2021meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion in Brattleboro. <ED NOTE: 29 members + 3 student Rotarians + 1 guest = 33 attended.>. President Phil offered the following invocation:
The paths of our lives are filled with peaks and valleys. When we are on the top of our peaks, we become so self-satisfied that we tend to ignore the things of importance. When we are in a valley, we feel a sense of abandonment and again can focus only on what is directly ahead. Remind us, as You do in nature, that above the tree line the mountain-tops are barren, and only in the valleys can we find the opportunity for true growth. Amen.
ED NOTE: Weekly assignments for the invocation or motivational thought can be found on the club website.>
Who is the only US President to have been named a Paul Harris Fellow?
(Answer below)
JOKE OF THE WEEK
For the Joke of the Week, Greg Worden told a version of the following:
A politician visited a village after a storm. He met there with the leadership of the village and asked what their needs were. “We have just two needs, sir,” replied the head of the village. “First, we have a hospital, but there’s no doctor.” Hearing this, the politician took his phone, and after speaking for a while he told them that the doctor would be there the next day. Then he asked, “What’s the second problem?” “There is no phone coverage anywhere in the village, sir.
ED NOTE: 2021-22 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.
ROTARY MINUTE
For the Rotary Minute, Jenifer Amber provided memories of Christmas Tree Sales of the past.
ED NOTE: 2021-22 weekly assignments, are posted on the club website.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
11/11 – “Salute to Veterans”
11/18 – Liz Harrison, "What we should eat"
11/25 – No meeting. HAPPY THANKSGIVING
12/2 – Senior Gift Wrapping
12/9 - Sheriff Mark Anderson
NOTE: 2021-22 weekly assignments, are posted on the club website.
REMINDERS
Please bring your bottles and cans to the 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.
This is the 11thnewsletter of the 2021-2022 club year. The editor would like to thank the 3 people who bragged so far this year. Readers, don't be shy. I will be writing only one more newsletter so BRAG!
FINES
No fines this week ;-(
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following members were acknowledged for their years of service: George Weir (15), Roger Miller (60) and Milt Gilmore (60)
Andy Rome is recovering from his bicycle accident.
Bill Bedard would welcome phone calls.
Cathy Coonan’s nephew, Josh Druke, passed away as a result of a farming equipment accident. May his memory be a blessing.
As a result of the luncheon fee from last week’s meeting, as well as additional contributions this week, $338 will be given to Project Feed the Thousands.
A meal train is being organized for Sunrise Rotarian Debra Rosenzweig. If you can help, click here.
The annual Christmas Tree Sale will begin on November 27. To sign up, contact Carl Lynde
Marty Cohn was presented with his third Paul Harris Fellow Award in recognition of his contributions to Rotary and our club. <ED NOTE: Marty’s last meeting as a member of the Brattleboro Rotary Club will be November 11.>
BRAGS / HAPPY DOLLARS
<ED NOTE: Yes, we are keeping track of these happy dollars and brags.
Unless noted, happy dollars and brags are $1>
Phil George – for the 45th wedding anniversary of Ron Stahley.
Ron Stahley – for Phil George acknowledging his 45th wedding anniversary.
Carl Lynde ($20) – Cheri Ann Brodhurst and Ana Saavedra for providing the transportation for this year’s Christmas trees.
Rhonda Calhoun – for Marty Cohn transporting Leland & Gray student Peter Boussard to the meeting.
Marty Cohn ($5) – for the incredible accomplishments of student Rotarian Peter Boussard.
Marty Cohn – for the upcoming publication of his letter in the December issue of Rotarian Magazine about the creation of Brattleboro Rotary Club Speaker Series during COVID.
Bill Vermouth – for selling the remaining bottles of maple syrup from the Golf Tournament.
Regina Stefanelli – for her son doing a backflip at NECCA
Regina Stefanelli – for getting a vaccine appointment for her children.
Regina Stefanelli – for Marty Cohn’s newsletters and emails.
Bill McKim – for getting his vaccine booster.
PROGRAM
Hinsdale Student Rotarians Connor Sengaloun and Kailyn Fleury, as well as Leland & Gray Student Rotarian Peter Broussard gave their reports on what’s happening at their respective schools.
The 35th Annual Gateway Foundation meeting was conducted. Treasurer Bill Vermouth reported close to $400,000 in assets. The following board members were acknowledged for their service this past year: George Anthes, Marty Cohn, John Meyer, Gina Pattison, Bill Vermouth, John Mabie, Scholarship Chair, Carl Lynde, Club President, Carla Lineback, Club Immediate Past President. The following members were elected to the board: George Anthes, John Meyer, Gina Pattison, Tami Purcell, Bill Vermouth, John Mabie, Scholarship Chair, Phil George, Club President, and Carl Lynde, Club Immediate Past President. Outgoing President Marty Cohn gave his report:
The Brattleboro Gateway Foundation was founded by our club in 1986 to create a local fund to award scholarships to deserving, area students pursuing higher education. Historically, the Gateway Foundation has been supported through club fundraisers, such as Christmas Tree Sales, as well as individual donations from dedicated Rotary members. For the past two years, we received a donation from the Golf Committee.
Every Brattleboro Rotary Club member is a member of the Gateway Foundation. Many of us on the board have served multiple terms. While the workload is light, the oversight of the foundation is vital. Please consider serving on this important arm of the club.
Gateway gave the Scholarship Committee $19,000 this year. In addition to six students from area high schools, we presented the seventh recipient of a $2,500 scholarship to a Community College of Vermont student pursuing a career in early childhood education. This award was created to honor Jesse Corum, a dear Rotarian who recognized the need for education.
The Gateway Foundation has given out over $500,000. While this is a fantastic accomplishment, our award amount is not enough to fund even one year of college for one student.
Gateway’s endowment increases through our annual Christmas tree sales, annual golf tournament, and contributions from individuals.
Our goal continues to be to increase the number of members contributing to the Foundation. This money will allow us to sustain our endowment and award more scholarships to more deserving students. You can help us reach this goal! Please send your donation to: Gateway Foundation, PO Box 6433, Brattleboro, VT 05302-6433. Thank you for your consideration.
For the past eight years, I have had the pleasure and honor of serving as President of Gateway. As I step down from the board, I remain confident that the goal of the organization will continue.
Yours in Rotary, Marty Cohn, President, Gateway Foundation
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...
Answer to the trivia question
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Rotary established the Paul Harris Fellow recognition in 1957 to encourage and show appreciation for substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships. While many notable figures have been named Paul Harris Fellows, the only U.S. President to receive this honor is Jimmy Carter.
