WELCOME

President Bill Vermouth welcomed all to the February 21^st meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion in Brattleboro. Members who participated in the Food Bank Project welcomed members and guests to the meeting <ED NOTE: in perfect unison>. George Weir offered a meaningful invocation:

Today we pray that we may receive Your special blessing because we are committed to be a real service organization to help humankind. May each of us in our daily routine come to know the joy of caring and sharing with others not as fortunate as we are. May our motto that includes serving, caring and sharing be for us life service as well as lip service. Amen

This was followed by the pledge of allegiance.

As a luncheon of Shrimp Gumbo, Shrimp/Sausage Gumbo, white rice, black bean / rice medley, salad, rolls and bread pudding for dessert was being digested, the meeting continued.

GUESTS: Visiting Rotarians Fred Hammond and Ed Demunda (Long Island, NY)

JOKE

For the joke of the week, Marty Cohn told the following:

Seems there was a treasure ship on its way back to port. About halfway there, it was approached by a pirate, skull and crossbones waving in the breeze!

"Captain, captain, what do we do?" asked the first mate.

"First mate," said the captain, "go to my cabin, open my sea chest, and bring me my red shirt." The first mate did so.

Wearing his bright red shirt, the captain exhorted his crew to fight. So inspiring was he, in fact, that the pirate ship was repelled without casualties.

A few days later, the ship was again approached, this time by two pirate sloops!

"Captain, captain, what should we do?"

"First mate, bring me my red shirt!"

The crew, emboldened by their fearless captain, fought heroically, and managed to defeat both boarding parties, though they took many casualties. That night, the survivors had a great celebration. The first mate asked the captain the secret of his bright red shirt.

"It's simple, first mate. If I am wounded, the blood does not show, and the crew continues to fight without fear."

A week passed, and they were nearing their home port, when suddenly the lookout cried that ten ships of the enemy's armada were approaching!

"Captain, captain, we're in terrible trouble, what do we do?" The first mate looked expectantly at the miracle worker.

Pale with fear, the captain commanded, "First mate.... bring me my brown pants!"

ROTARY MINUTE

NONE ;-(

At our February 28th meeting, Stan Nowakowski will tell a joke or lead us in song and Dane Rackl will offer a Rotary Minute.

NOTE: 2018-19 weekly assignments are posted on club website.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

02/28 – Stephanie Bonin, Downtown Brattleboro Alliance
03/07 – Rob Szpila, Students traveling to South Dakota
03/14 – TBD
03/21 – Club Assembly
03/28 – Kevin Quigley, Marlboro College
04/04 – Vermont Attorney General Thomas J. Donovan

NOTE: 2018-19 weekly assignments are posted on club website.

REMINDERS

Bottles and cans can be brought to 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.
“Like” the club’s Facebook page

If you like this newsletter, brag at next Club meeting.
So far, TEN.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Jim Haine was recognized with his 3^rd Paul Harris Award.
Board minutes are posted on our club website each month.
“Sugar on Snow” served 242 people and raised $700 for Winter Carnival.
TWO more volunteers are needed for the Food Bank Project on 3/9. Please contact Stan Nowakowski
Save the dates:
1. Rotary Bowling Night on Friday, March 15. For more info, please contact Dave Twombly
2. Brattleboro Rotary Golf Tournament is June 6.
3. Brattleboro on Wheels is June 29
The club received a beautiful STAR quilt from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation LAKOTA SUN DANCE FESTIVAL. The Sun Dance is the most important ceremony practiced by the Lakota (Sioux) and nearly all Plains Indians. It is a time of renewal for the tribe, people and earth. Most importantly, it is a festival that promotes community. To raise money for the Reservation Food Delivery Program, the quilt will be raffled. There are only 27 tickets left out of 50 and each ticket is $10. The tickets will be on sale at Brattleboro Rotary Club and Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Club meetings. For more info, contact Marty Cohn

FINES

NONE ;-(

BRAGS

Liz Harrison – for George Weir being an expert forester.
Joe Little – for George Weir being an expert forester.
Phil Steckler – for his trip to Spain with Marcia.
Jeff Hagstrom – for Milt Gilmore’s leadership for Sugar on Snow Project for 63 years.
Regina Stefanelli – for Carla Lineback making last week’s speaker feel welcomed.
Milt Gilmore – for being a marker at Harris Hill Ski Jump for 52 years.
George Weir – for Liz Harrison and Joe Little being committed to managing the environment.

PROGRAM

For the club assembly, Marty Cohn gave an overview of the club’s website and President Bill Vermouth reviewed the club’s financials.

ED NOTE: If you forgot your password, contact Marty Cohn.

This is the photo that appears for each member
who has not uploaded a personal photo on the club’s website.

Rotary Cares - TV Show or Podcast

Rotary Cares, Episode 14 – Assistant District Governor

Brattleboro Rotary Club past president Marty Cohn talks with Sheriff Keith Clark about what it means to be Rotary District 7870 Assistant Governor. Produced in the studio of Brattleboro Community Television.

To view the show, click here.

To listen to the podcast, click here.

DISCLAIMER

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 TRIVIA QUESTION

Rotary established the Paul Harris 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. To learn more , click here.