President Carla Lineback welcomed all to the October 31sth meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion in Brattleboro. For today’s invocation, Gina Pattison offered the following:
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 abandon 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.
This was followed by the pledge of allegiance. Birthday greetings were extended to Andy Rome, Cathy Coonan, and Meg Donahue.
Guests: Kurt White (speaker)
As a luncheon of baked chicken, pulled pork, mac & cheese, rice, green beans, salad, rolls, and apple cake for dessert was being digested, the meeting continued.
TRIVIA QUESTION
What is the most popular candy in Vermont for Halloween this year?
(Answer below.)
JOKE OF THE WEEK
For today’s joke, Tom French told a version of the following:
An Englishman, a Frenchman, a Spaniard and a German are all standing watching an American street performer do some juggling. The juggler notices the four gentleman have a very poor view, so he stands up on a wooden crate and calls out, "Can you all see me now?"
"Yes"
"Oui"
"Sí"
"Ja"
At our November 7th meeting, Betsy Gentile will tell a joke or lead us in song and Milt Gilmore will offer a Rotary Minute.
NOTE: 2019-20 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.
ROTARY MINUTE
For today’s Rotary minute, Rob Szpila reminded us of the Rotary mission statement: The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. He also read from the Rotary.org website: Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers that come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad.
At our November 7th meeting, Betsy Gentile will tell a joke or lead us in song and Milt Gilmore will offer a Rotary Minute.
NOTE: 2019-20 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
11/07 – Interfaith Youth Group: Trip to South Dakota Indian Reservations
12/05 – Club Assembly – Senior Gift Wrapping Project
12/12 – Gary Goodemote, TBA
12/19 – Steve Gordon, TBA
12/26 – DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS – NO MEETING
NOTE: 2019-20 weekly assignments are posted on the 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.
“Pie It Forward” orders are due today. [ED NOTE: the deadline has been extended to 11/7 and order forms are available on the club’s website.]
Roger Allbee’s wife, Ann, has broken her ankle.
The Senior Gifts Committee will be meeting after today’s club meeting.
Holiday Lights will be strung on Main Street on December 17th. Contact Greg Worden.
Xmas tree sales will take place Dec. 7-15. Signups will begin in two weeks.
On Nov. 2, there will be a “Walk the Disc Golf Course” to honor John Kohler. You're invited to walk the 2.2-mile disc golf course at Living Memorial Park this Saturday, November 2 from 10:00 - 11:30 A.M. with Naturalist, Lynn Levine. The walk will begin with a dedication to John Kohler. The dedication will end by 10:15 A.M., if you'd like to come just to remember John. Lynn will be pointing out the various natural features in the park, including tree identification. Lynn will call attention to the new interpretive nature signs and the 16 tree identification signs posted on the trail along the disc golf course. Lynn authored the 18 interpretive nature texts and identified the tree species. The interpretive nature signs are incorporated into the disc golf fairway maps at each tee (see attached tee sign example). The signs will be dedicated to John Kohler on Saturday with a moment of silence and reflection on John's love for nature and our community. John sketched the map of each fairway including every tree. John was a master at these sketches. Disc golfers benefit from his maps, as they help players plan their approach to each fairway. John exemplified service above self and it is a pleasure to remember him in this way. The nature walk will begin at Tee 1, which is across the driveway from the Nelson Withington Skating Rink. The walk will begin with the dedication to John Kohler. So if you'd like to come just for the dedication, you can come at 10:00 A.M. and expect that to conclude by 10:15 A.M. The hike will proceed immediately after the dedication and should last about 90 minutes. Hiking shoes are recommended. The forecast is for sun - in the upper 40s to low 50s.
FINES
NONE ;-(
BRAGS / Happy dollars
Rob Szpila – for Carla Lineback’s leadership in donating money to Hurricane Dorian relief.
Mara Williams – for the nature walk with Lynn Levine.
Liz Harrison – for her husband, Ian, passing his US citizenship test.
Dart Everett – for “Make A Wish” that provided a special train ride for his grandson and a visit by Santa and reindeer.
Phil Steckler – for the upcoming dedication to the memory of John Kohler.
Phil Steckler – for the Washington Nationals winning the World Series
Phil Steckler – for Marcia, his wife, saying yes doing their 50th-anniversary wedding renewal vows.
Tom French – for his granddaughter, Olivia, receiving an award from the Canadian Rugby Association.
Bill McKim – for his daughter, Jenifer B. McKim, winning the national Edward R. Murrow Award for investigative reporting on sex trafficking.
Bill McKim – for his neighbor Lynn Levine.
Sandy Rouse - for her daughter scoring tickets to the 7th game of the World Series.
Cheri Ann Brodhurst – for Sophia Howlett letting her inner witch out.
Mara Williams – for Marty Cohn getting a page one story in the Reformer on Rotary's efforts to eradicate polio.
[ED NOTE: Had time not run out, Marty Cohn would have bragged for his granddaughter, Talia, first Halloween.]
PROGRAM
Rob Szpila introduced Kurt White, the director of ambulatory services at the Brattleboro Retreat, who told us about the work of the Windham County Consortium on Substance Use. To learn more, click here.
Rotary Cares - TV Show
In episode 21 of the award-winning, monthly show, Rotary Cares, Brattleboro Rotary Club past president Marty Cohn talks to Brattleboro Sunrise Club Past President Michelle Pong and Rotary District 7870 Past District Governor Rick Manganello about a focus area of Rotary International – Eradicating Polio. Directed by Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Club past president Kevin Yager in the studio of Brattleboro Community Television.
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
M&M’s. To see the 2019 Top Halloween Candy by State, click here.
