President Chris opened the meeting at the meeting site: Holiday Inn Express of Brattleboro, VT. Chris welcomed all to the April 30, 2026 meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club, www.brattlebororotaryclub.org

Invocation:

Cheri Ann Brodhurst gave a short inspirational invocation to open the meeting

President Chris the club with the Pledge of Allegiance

Rob Szpila led the club with the Rotary motto and Four Way Test.

Rotary Motto: Service Above Self

Four Way Test -

Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

26 Members, 0 Student Rotarians and 1 guest attended the meeting.

Guests:

Al Jerard

JOKE OF THE WEEK - For our joke or song of the week:

President Chris
How does Darth Vader like his toast?
Answer - On the dark side

EDITOR NOTE: 2025-26 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.

Rotarians for Rotarians:

New Members:

ROTARY MINUTE

The Rotary Minute was given by Frank Rucker – A semi-annual report of the health of the Rotary International Organization was presented.
The organization has shown significant growth in the past year.
The number program is still to eradicate polio worldwide in combination with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Note for future presenters; The Rotary Minute could also have the speaker talk about their personal involvement in Rotary or personal background.

Years of Service in our Club

Liz H. 23 years; President Chris 14 years; Dave T. 32 years.

On Behalf of our Club and all Rotarians, thank you for your Service Above Self

Student Rotarian updates:

Birthday greetings -

BIRTHDAY ANNOUNCEMENTS Cindy-

Stay tuned

Announcements

Saturday May 2, 2026, is Vermont Green Up Day – Meet downtown in front of the library at 9:00 Am
Saturday May 2, 2026 – opening Ceremony for the new pickleball courts at Memorial Park at 11:00 am
Bill Vermouth reminded members that he is still looking for donations for the Golf Tournament raffle
June 18th the change over dinner will take place at Saxton’s River Distillery around 5 pm
Next week’s Rotary meeting will be a road trip at Saxton’s River Distillery. A good meeting to invite prospective members or guests.

Happy Dollars and Brags and Fines

Cyndi Ferrante – will have a painting displayed at the Crowell Gallery in Newfane. The opening is Saturday May 2nd and the reception is May 16th.
Stephen Stearns – He has an outreach for sponsorships for New England Youth Theater. He recognized Rotary for their past help in this wonderful organization. NEYT is working towards developing an endowment for the organization.

ED NOTE: Weekly assignments for the invocation or motivational thought can be found on the club website.>

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Jim announced the upcoming programs as follows:

5/7 Saxton’s (River) Distillery. If you can walk, park on the road and leave closer spots for those with mobility needs.

May 14th, the speaker will be Kurt White, and he will speak on opioids.

REMINDERS

Please bring your bottles and cans to the Putney Road redemption center to benefit APPN. Pure Water for the World is no longer operating in the USA; it continues in Honduras as APPN.
Maria Inestroza, the PWW country director for Honduras is continuing the work in that country under the name APPM, acronym for Agua Pura para El Mundo, or Pure Water for the World in Spanish Pure Water for the World. Please remember to inform the staff that the bottles and cans should be credited to the club.
“Like” the club’s Facebook page

PROGRAM

Ron Stahley introduced Mark Anderson of the Windham County Sheriff's Department. Mark presented the history of the current building followed by a tour of the facility. Mark was instrumental in moving the Sheriff’s office from Newfane to Brattleboro. The previous Newfane building needed approximately a million dollars in renovations, Mark was able to purchase the new building in Brattleboro for half that cost saving tax payers.

Scribe: Jerry Theberge

DISCLAIMER

Weekly changing scribes and questionable IT may have resulted in oversights and errors. We regret any mistakes.