President Jeff Hagstrom welcomed all to the February 2nd meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion in Brattleboro. Greg Worden provided a meaningful Lakota Sioux innovation. This was followed by the pledge of allegiance.
As a luncheon of chicken, chickpea vegetable medley, salad, and brownies for desert was being digested, the meeting continued.
Guests: Ricki Davidson, George Ruhe, and Jim Anderson.
TRIVIA QUESTION
How many Rotarians are there worldwide?
(answer below)
JOKE / SONG OF THE WEEK
For our Rotary joke, Cheri Ann Brodhurst told versions of the following:
God asks Obama first: “What do you believe?” He thinks long and hard, looks God in the eye, and says, “I believe in hard work, and in staying true to family and friends. I believe in giving. I was lucky, but I always tried to do right by my countrymen”. God can’t help but see the essential goodness of Obama , and offers him a seat to his left. Then God turns to Hillary and says, “What do you believe?” Hillary says, “I believe passion, discipline, courage and honor are the fundamentals of life. Like Obama I believe in hard work. I, too, have been lucky, but win or lose, I’ve always tried to be a true patriot and a loyal American.” God is greatly moved by Hillary’s high-pitched eloquence, and he offers her a seat to his right. Finally, God turns to Trump and says, “And you, Donald, what do you believe?” Trump replies, “I believe you’re in my seat.”
The new Priest was so nervous at his first mass that he could hardly speak. Before the second week in the pulpit he asked the bishop how he could relax. The Bishop said, "Next week, put some vodka in the water pitcher. After a few sips, everything should run smoothly." The next Sunday, the new priest put the suggestion into practice and was able to talk up a storm and felt just great. Upon returning to the rectory, however, he found a note from the Bishop... Next time sip, rather than gulp and next week there is a taffy pulling contest at St. Peters, not a Peter pulling contest at St. Taffy.
One day the local old-age home brought in a hypnotist to entertain the elderly. He pulled out an old family heirloom pocket watch and waved it back and forth, slowly, repeating 'watch the watch' in a calm, soothing voice. Back and forth it went, 'watch the watch, watch the watch' until the whole room was entranced. Suddenly, the watch's chain slipped out of the hypnotist's hand and the watch fell to the ground and smashed into a thousand pieces. "Crap!" said the hypnotist. It took 3 days to clean up the mess.
ROTARY MINUTE
For our Rotary Minute, Mara Williams presented a minute on behalf of Cyndi Ferrante. The topic was supposed to be about why folks should join Rotary. However, Mara told us about why Cyndi joined…. because she wanted to be part of something bigger.
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At our February 9th meeting, Jeremy Coleman will tell a joke or lead us in song, while Tom French delivers a Rotary Minute.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
02/09 – Presented by Phil Steckler, Kevin Quigley, president of Marlboro College
NOTE: Weekly assignments (program, joke, and Rotary minute) are posted on club’s website.
FINES
Phil Steckler was fined for inviting a guest and not being present to welcome him.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Third posting of George Ruhe as a member (although it was actually fourth).
Nick Keizer continues to do well following his heart attack
As you think about charitable donations, please remember Gateway Foundation.
Next Overflow Shelter date is 2/7. See Stan Nowakowski for more info.
Club mixer with Sunrise on March 9 at Brattleboro Country Club. See Dave Twombly for more info.
Sugar on Snow is on 2/18. If you can help, see Milt Gilmore.
Student Rotarian presentations from Leland & Grey, Hinsdale, Career Center and Boys & Girls Club.
Club recognized the following for their years of service: Rick Manson, Marcy Jones, Frank Rucker and Irma Robertson.
BRAGS
Katja Matthews – for having a German connection with George Ruhe.
George Ruhe – for his father being a concentration camp liberator.
John Mabie – for the good work of the Gateway Foundation.
George Anthes – for Winston Churchill.
PROGRAM:
Bill McKim presented Jim Anderson who entertained us by singing “The Music of the Night” from Phantom of the Opera and “My Boy Bill Soliloguy” from Carousel.
REMINDERS
Bottles and cans can be brought to Putney Road redemption center to benefit Pure Water for the World. Please see Mara Williams.
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
There are more than 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide.
