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WELCOME

President Carla Lineback welcomed all to the December 12th meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion in Brattleboro.  For today’s invocation, Tom French offered the following meaningful invocation:
We are thankful for this day that you have given us, for its blessings, its opportunities, its challenges. May we appreciate and use each day that comes to us. We stay focused on the objectives we have for the world: Peace. Tranquility. A true Brotherhood of Man. Freedom from hunger, from oppression, from sickness. The freedom to choose our own destinies. We reaffirm our commitment to our simple Rotary Four-Way Test for all we do and support: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? We reaffirm our commitment to high ethics in all we do. And we give thanks for all the blessings, opportunities and responsibilities that befall us as Rotarians. We continue in this new millennium with optimism, renewed energy, and a commitment to service to you and our fellow men and women. Amen.
 
This was followed by the pledge of allegiance. Birthday greetings were extended to Phil Steckler.
 
Guests: Jake Dixon, Kevin Kilelee, and Johanna Staveley (speaker).
[ED NOTE: Jake told us about the Bill Koch Nordic Ski Project. For more info, click here.
 
As a luncheon of beef stew, noodles, mashed potatoes, tofu, green beans, salad, rolls and brownies for dessert was being digested, the meeting continued.
 

TRIVIA QUESTION

In 1911, where were the first Rotary clubs outside North America established?

 (Answer below.)
 
JOKE OF THE WEEK
 
For this week’s joke, Gina Pattison told the following:
It was a sunny Saturday morning, a little before 8 a.m., a man was on the first hole at The Oaks of St. George Golf Club and beginning his pre-shot routine, when a piercing voice came over the clubhouse loudspeaker:
“Would the gentleman on the woman’s tee back up to the men’s tee please!”
The man could feel every eye on the course looking at him. He was still deep in his routine, seemingly impervious to the interruption.
Again the announcement: “Would the man on the woman’s tee kindly back up to the men’s tee.”
The man simply ignored the guy and kept concentrating, when once more, the voice yelled, “Would the man on the woman’s tee back up to the men’s tee.
please?!?!”
The man finally stopped, turned around, cupped his hands and shouted back: “Would the jerk with the microphone please keep quiet and let me play my second shot!”
 
At our December 19th meeting, Jeff Hagstrom will tell a joke or lead us in song and someone will offer a Rotary Minute. NOTE: 2019-20 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.
 
ROTARY MINUTE
  
For the Rotary Minute, Jim Haine told us about the Rotary Community Corps. For more info, click here.
 
At our December 19th meeting, Jeff Hagstrom will tell a joke or lead us in song and someone will offer a Rotary Minute. NOTE: 2019-20 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.
 
 
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
 
  • 12/19 – Stephanie Bonin, Downtown Brattleboro Alliance
  • 12/26 – DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS – NO MEETING
  • 01/02 – Roger Allbee, Kenya
  • 01/09 – TBD
  • 01/16 – District Governor Nancy Russell
  • 0123 – Dr. Jessica Biggie, Nutrition Education Resources
 
 
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.
  • “Like” the club’s Facebook page
 
This is the 24th newsletter of the new year. 
If you like this newsletter, please brag at next Club meeting. 
So far, there has been only 1 brag! 
Does this mean you are not reading this newsletter????
 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  1. The following members were acknowledged for their years of service: Milt Eaton (20), Jim Haine (39 with perfect attendance), and Phil Steckler (45)
                                                        
  2. The club inducted Kevin Kilelee as its newest member. [ED NOTE: club members are required to introduce themselves to Kevin and sign his book. Otherwise, prepare for the “walk of shame” fundraiser.]
  3. WRCC is conducting a fundraiser to send personalized letters from Santa. If interested, call 802-451-3930.
  4. We are about halfway through our Christmas tree sales. It looks like we will have to sell trees next week.
  5. Holton Home / Bradley House is in need of furniture for its respite care room. For more info, contact Jerry Theberge.
  6. The club’s annual festive attire contest will take place next week. [ED NOTE: Can anyone top Cheri Ann Brodhurst?]
                                                      
  7. There are only 16 “Pie It Forward” pumpkin pies left. If you would like to buy a pie to eat or “pie it forward” to Overflow Shelter, contact Marty Cohn.  [ED NOTE: Cheri Ann Brodhurst is having 4 pies delivered to the club meeting next week. Delivery charge waived if you pick up your holiday pies at the club meeting.]
FINES
  • Dart Everett was fined for forgetting to recognize Phil Steckler’s birthday.
  • Greg Worden was not fined for his care of the club’s Christmas tree banners.

BRAGS / Happy dollars

  1. Ron Stahley – for his picture being in this week’s Commons with a gubernatorial candidate.
  2. Dave Twombly – for Brattleboro Outing Club getting its new hut occupancy permit.
  3. Dave Twombly – for Jake Dixon’s years of service on the board of BOC.
  4. Betsy Gentile – for Ted Kramer’s clean up skills at the Seasonal Overflow Shelter.
  5. Bill McKim – for his s.o. Cheryl Wilfong winning the book of the year award.
  6. Bill McKim – for his daughter Jenifer McKim appearing on national media regarding her investigate reporting.
  7. Bill McKim – for his granddaughter joining the BU Women’s A Cappella Group.
  8. Bill McKim – for being fortunate to surround himself with talented women.
  9. Gina Pattison – for Betsy Gentile cooking her bean casserole for the Seasonal Overflow Shelter.
  10. Greg Worden – for Bill Vermouth’s enthusiasm for this year’s Christmas tree sales.
  11. Stan Nowakowski – for Liz Harrison, Ian Harrison, Rob Szpila, and Mona Williams volunteering for this week’s Foodbank Sort-A-Thon.
  12. Rich Carroll – for Dr. Elizabeth McLarney giving him a new shoulder.
  13. George Weir – for Rick Manson’s help in shoveling the snow around the Christmas trees.
  14. George Weir – for the speed in which he shoveled snow to clear the Christmas trees.
  15. George Anthes – for the BMH LGBTQ+ Leadership Council providing lanyards for medical staff and creating a welcoming environment.
  16. Liz Harrison – for the important work of the BMH LGBTQ+ Leadership Council.
[ED NOTE: Time ran out before Marty Cohn could brag for his granddaughter.]
                                                         
 
 
PROGRAM
 
         
   
Gina Pattison introduced Johanna Staveley who told us about the BMH LGBTQ+ Leadership Council. For more info, click here.
 
Rotary Cares - TV Show 
 
 
Rotary Cares, Episode 22 – Community Service
 
In episode 22 of the award-winning, monthly show, Rotary Cares, Brattleboro Rotary Club past president Marty Cohn talks to Rotary Club of the Deerfield Valley President Angel Balch and Rotary Club of Keene Elm City Community Chair Dan Smith about local community service projects. Directed by Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Club past president Kevin Yager 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

In 1911, the first Rotary clubs outside North America were established in Dublin and Belfast, Ireland, organized by the same Stuart Morrow who was a member of the San Francisco club.
 
 
Russell Hampton
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