WELCOME

President Jeff Hagstrom welcomed all to the March 16^th meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion in Brattleboro. He reminded us that the Red Sox opening game is only 18 days away. Phil George offered a beautiful Irish blessing for an invocation. This was followed by the pledge of allegiance.

As a luncheon of corned beef and cabbage and gluten-free cupcakes for desert was being digested, the meeting continued.

Guests: Visiting Rotarian Amelia Farnum (Sunrise), Ricky Davidson, and Tamara Mount

TRIVIA QUESTION

What is the origin of corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick's Day?

(answer below)

JOKE / SONG OF THE WEEK

For our Rotary song, Fred Moriarty sang The Ballad of William Bloat and then led us in a rendition of When Irish Eyes are smiling

ROTARY MINUTE

For our Rotary Minute, Steve Gordon told us about the strategic plan of Rotary. To read the plan, click here.

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At our March 23^rd meeting, Dart Everett will tell a joke or lead us in song, while Jeff Hagstrom delivers a Rotary Minute.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

03/23 – Road Show to Latchis Theater for concert benefitting Senior Meals.
03/30 – Presented by Andy Rome: Paul Paradis, “Update on Vermont Yankee”
04/06 – Presented by Sandy Rouse: Lissa Weinman, 118 Elliot Street
04/13 – Club Assembly – International Committee Update
04/20 – Presented by Bill McKim: Elsie Smith, NECCA
04/27 – Presented by Ana Saavedra: TBA
05/04 – Presented by Ron Stahley: TBA
05/11 – Presented by Marcy Jones: Lt. Anthony French & Trooper James Matthews, State Police Update

NOTE: Weekly assignments (program, joke, and Rotary minute) are posted on club’s website.

FINES

NONE ;-(

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Wendy Harrison was inducted as club’s newest member.
George Ruhe read off the names of 14 members who did not sign his book.
Second posting for Ricky Davidson (again).
Art Greenbaum is recovering from quadruple bypass surgery. A get-well card was distributed.
Road show to benefit senior meals will take place on March 23 at Latchis. See Bill McKim for details.
Overflow shelter project all set for 3/23.
District Assembly will take place on 4/1 in Keene. See George Weir for details.
Brewfest is looking for volunteers. See Mike Mandracchia for details.
Reminder… if you are buying something from Amazon, please go to smile.amazon.com so that Gateway Foundation gets a small percentage of the sale. But, buy local first!

BRAGS

Stan Nowakoski – for the club’s response for volunteers at the 3/23 Overflow Shelter.

Stan Nowakoski – for Barbara and Milt Gilmore’s work on the new club banners banner.

Jeff Hagstrom – for Dave Twombly and Stan Nowakowski efforts to make mixer a success.

Milt Gilmore - for the Dummerston and Putney Fire Departments efforts to salvage his sugar house.

Al Jerard – for his mother-in-law’s 103^rd birthday.

Al Jerard – for his daughter obtaining her bachelor’s degree.

Fred Moriarty – for his grandson being named to the Marble Valley All Stars Nordic Team

Dane Rank – for his son’s photo being featured on the May calendar of Hilltop Montessori school.

Cheri Ann Brodhurst – for his son making honor roll.

Sandy Rouse – for Barbara and Milt Gilmore’s work on the new club banners banner.

George Weir – for Jeff Hagstrom’s encouragement to attend PETS.

George Weir – for the Rotary Clubs of Brattleboro maintaining consistent membership totals.

Jerry Theberge – for his son providing free facial cleft surgery and medical assistance in Bangladesh.

Bill McKim - for Marty Cohn’s publicity efforts for the club.

PROGRAM:

Dane Rank presented Tamara Mount and Amelia Farnum who discussed Hilltop Montessori School. For more info, click here.

REMINDERS

Bottles and cans can be brought to Putney Road redemption center to benefit Pure Water for the World. Please see Mara Williams.
“Like” the club’s Facebook page.
If you like this newsletter, brag at next Club meeting. Update, to date there have been no brags. Either you do not like this newsletter or you are aren't reading it.

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....

ANSWER TO TRIVIA QUESTION

Before immigrating to the United States, the Irish mostly ate pork for meat. In Ireland, beef was very expensive, and the Irish used cows for their strength and milk rather than as a regular meat source. The Irish favored smoked pork loin, similar to modern Canadian bacon. However, in the United States, pork was prohibitively expensive. Additionally, Irish immigrants often lived in poor areas with other immigrants that also faced persecution, including Jewish immigrants. Irish-Americans gradually started to buy meat from Jewish butchers, including corned beef on special occasions.

As Irish-Americans transformed St. Patrick's Day from a religious feast day into a celebration of their heritage, they used the occasion to spend their money on corned beef from local Jewish stores. Irish-Americans combined corned beef with traditional potatoes and the cheapest vegetable available, which was cabbage.

The popularity of corned beef and cabbage never reached Ireland itself, where most people still eat pork or lamb on St. Patrick's Day. In fact, many American St. Patrick's Day traditions did not reach Ireland until the late 20th century. Irish laws even prohibited Irish pubs from opening on St. Patrick's Day until 1970.