President Jeff Hagstrom welcomed all to the January 19th meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion in Brattleboro. Rob Szpila offered a meaningful invocation by reciting an excerpt from Elizabeth Alexander’s poem “Praise Song for the Day.”This was followed by the pledge of allegiance.
As a luncheon of pork, beef, salad, potatoes, carrots, chick peas and cookies for desert was being digested, the meeting continued.
Guests: George Ruhe, members of Dr. Janet Zinter’s dental practice, Steve Fortier, Stacy Garciadealba, and Bethany Ranquist
TRIVIA QUESTION
When did Holstein cows come to America?
(answer below)
JOKE / SONG OF THE WEEK
For our Rotary joke, Carl Lynde told a version of the following:
A philosophical horse walks into a bar. The bartender asks the horse if it's an alcoholic considering all the bars he frequents, to which the horse replies "I don't think I am." ... But to explain the concept aforehand would be putting Descartes before the horse.
ROTARY MINUTE
For our Rotary Minute, Jeff Hagstrom read from Rotary International President John Germ's message as it appeared in the February, 2017 issue of Rotarian Magazine: "...The world needs Rotary more than ever. It needs our courage, our optimism, and our idealism. It needs the voice of tolerance, cooperation, and hope that we can offer. It needs our example of an organization that has proven that the citizens of all countries can work together successfully, gladly and in friendship."
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At our January 26th meeting, Rich Carroll will tell a joke or lead us in song, while Dart Everett delivers a Rotary Minute.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
01/26 – Presented by Fred Moriarty, a panel discussion on how the Holstein addition came to be
02/02 – Presented by Bill McKim, Jim Anderson with sing show tunes
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
No fines. ;-(
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chris Wocell was inducted as club’s newest member. Remember to introduce yourself and sign Chris’ book.
Second posting of George Ruhe as a member.
Nick Keizer is doing well following his heart attack
Overflow Shelter is need of drivers to take folks to Bellows Falls and Springfield. For more info, contact George Anthes.
Next Overflow Shelter date is 2/7 and needs mashed potatoes, salad, milk and cider. See Stan Nowakowski for more info.
Sugar on Snow is on 2/18. See Milt Gilmore for more info.
BAJC is collecting socks for the homeless at the Brattleboro Food Coop.
Thank you notes received from Bradley House for senior gifts.
Thank you note received from Gathering Place for recent club donation.
Gateway Foundation board meeting will take place on 1/26 following club meeting.
Presentation of 2016 Kuebler 4-Way Test Award to Brooke Finnellby Cindy Jerome and Jerry Theberge: I am very pleased to have the honor of presenting the winner of this year’s Norman Kuebler Four-Way Test award. This is the fifth time we are honoring Norm who was the President of our Club in the 2008-2009 year. Norm died suddenly in April 2010 of a heart attack. During his funeral, his family spoke about how important Rotary was to him. In 1934 Rotary International adopted its code of ethics, which we know as the Four-Way Test. Norm kept a copy on his desk as constant reminder. Norm strived to live his life and conduct his business according to its principles: Of the things we think, say or do- Is it the truth? - Is it fair to all concerned? - Will it build goodwill and better friendships - Will it be beneficial to all concerned? It was in the spirit of honoring him and his passion for Rotary that the annual “Four-Way Test” was born. Each year our Club recognizes a local business or person who best exemplifies these values. A committee takes nominations from members and, as is typical each year, a number of very worthwhile recipients were considered. Nominated by Jerry Theberge, this year’s award goes to a local person who would be a stellar member in any Rotary Club! She volunteers widely, using her professional expertise for the benefit of people in our community, and internationally. In the past, like many of us, she has volunteered her time to help people in our local homeless shelter. She is on the Concord, NH – based Board called Epilogos. She is the volunteer coordinator of this Board which organizes trips to a small village called San Jose Villanueva, located in El Salvador in Central America. She has organized medical, dental, and work missions to benefit the families of this very poor country. She has gone to Central America about 15 times in the last 17 years and, on many of these trips, she provided marathon dental care for people who may have never seen a dentist in their life.In the village of San Jose Villanueva, she has provided scholarship funding for two young children to attend school all the way through to completion of their high school years. She has recently begun to fund a third student. These gestures show how much she cares about others. She realizes that, in order for the young people in this community to improve their lives, they need to be allowed to get a good education. Her contributions are a huge step in the right direction for the youth of El Salvador. Locally, she has been a volunteer as a dental assistant, as well as providing dental hygiene services for the Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic for the past 16 years. The Walk-In Clinic provides free dental care services for those in need within our local community. She is also one of the people who helps organize and recruit volunteers for the United Way Free Dental Care Day held in Brattleboro in the Spring. Although this event utilizes many volunteers, the amount of time and dedication she puts into this event contributes greatly to its success. Another program that grew out of the Free Dental Care Day is the United Way Denture Program. This program provides low cost dentures to those in need. She helped to organize this committee and serves on the local screening committee. She has worked in Dr. Janet Zinter’s office for more than thrity years. There, she develops personal relationships with her patients, and has recruited a number of them to be hygienists themselves! Recently, she started working an additional job with Early Education services, where she is in charge of the well-baby dental clinic, and provides care to children aged 1 – 3 years. Our behalf of the Club, and in Norm’s memory, it is my honor to present the 2016 4-Way Test Award to Brooke Finnell!
BRAGS
Carl Lynde – for building a bird house from scrap wood.
Bill McKim – for playing a piano in London.
Roger Miller – for the 25th anniversary of his son’s wedding.
Roger Miller – for the 25th anniversary of his heart attack and being saved by his son and new nurse daughter-in-law
Roger Miller – for visiting Indian Dr. Patell for saving his life with an experimental drug.
Roger Miller – for the work of the Rotary Foundation.
PROGRAM:
Roger Miller presented Stacy Garciadealba and Bethany Ranquist who told us about the good work of Meeting Waters YMCA. 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.
If you like this newsletter, brag at next Club meeting.
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
Winthrop Chenery, a Massachusetts breeder, purchased a Holland cow from a Dutch sailing master who had landed cargo at Boston in 1852.
