President Carla Lineback welcomed all to the July 18th meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion in Brattleboro. <ED NOTE: This is the first meeting presided by President Carla who has to work on her bell ringing skillset.>. Lisa Mendelsund offered a meaningful invocation by quoting Dorothy Day:
“What we would like to do is change the world--make it a little simpler for people to feed, clothe, and shelter themselves as God intended them to do. And, by fighting for better conditions, by crying out unceasingly for the rights of the workers, the poor, of the destitute--the rights of the worthy and the unworthy poor, in other words--we can, to a certain extent, change the world; we can work for the oasis, the little cell of joy and peace in a harried world. We can throw our pebble in the pond and be confident that its everwidening circle will reach around the world. We repeat, there is nothing we can do but love, and, dear God, please enlarge our hearts to love each other, to love our neighbor, to love our enemy as our friend.”
This was followed by the pledge of allegiance. Birthday greetings were extended to Dave Twombly and Rob Szpila.
As a luncheon of chicken with bbq sauce, kielbasa, rice medley with shrimp and kielbasa, tofu, coleslaw, salad, bread and brownies for dessert was being digested, the meeting continued.
GUESTS: District Governor Nancy Russell, District Governor Nominee John Siemienowicz, and Visiting Rotarian Wayne Russell (White River Junction).
TRIVIA QUESTION
How much money did Carolyn Meub raise by jumping out of a plane for Pure Water for the World to mark her retirement from the organization?
(Answer below.)
JOKE OF THE WEEK
For today’s joke, Roger Allbee told a version of the following:
Florida woman stops alligator attack using a small Beretta pistol
This is a story of self-control and marksmanship by a brave, cool-headed woman with a small pistol against a fierce predator. What is the smallest caliber that you would trust to protect yourself? A Beretta Jetfire?
Here is her story in her own words:
'While out walking along the edge of a pond just outside my house in The Villages with my soon to be ex-husband discussing property settlement and other divorce issues, we were surprised by a huge 12-ft. alligator which suddenly emerged from the murky water and began charging us with its large jaws wide open. She must have been protecting her nest because she was extremely aggressive.
If I had not had my little Beretta Jetfire .25 caliber pistol with me, I would not be here today!'
'Just one shot to my estranged husband's knee cap was all it took. The 'gator got him easily and I was able to escape by just walking away at a brisk pace.
It's one of the best pistols in my collection, plus the amount I saved in lawyer's fees was really incredible.' 'His insurance was a big bonus.”
“I’m comfortable now!'
<ED NOTE: Phil Steckler, pictured above, really got a chuckle out of this joke.>
At our July 25th meeting, Jenifer Ambler will tell a joke or lead us in song and Bill Bedard will offer a Rotary Minute.
NOTE: 2019-20 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.
ROTARY MINUTE
For the Rotary Minute, District Governor Nancy Russell and President Carla Lineback Paul Harris Awards to Rhonda Calhoun and Jerry Theberge.
At our July 25th meeting, Jenifer Ambler will tell a joke or lead us in song and Bill Bedard will offer a Rotary Minute.
NOTE: 2019-20 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
07/25 – Karen Carroll, VT treatment courts
08/01 – Sally Struble, Restorative Justice
08/08 – Rep. Emilie Kornheiser, “New Youth-led Business Initiative”
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.
This is the second newsletter of the new year.
If you like this newsletter, please brag at next Club meeting.
So far, there has been 1 brag!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Please sign up to help on a club committee. A listing can be found on the club website.
If you can help staff the Welcome Center on Saturday, August 24th, contact Greg Worden
Rotarians for Rotarians: A card is being sent to Jeff Hagstrom as he recovers from his recent surgery. Sylvia Eaton is in Dartmouth Hitchcock.
The following members were acknowledged for their years of service: Roger Allbee (4), JerryTheberge (27) and Tom French (27)
FINES
NONE ;-(
BRAGS
Chris Hart – for Marty Cohn’s public relations counsel to Brattleboro Housing Partnerships resulting in a front page story in both the Reformer and Commons.
Chris Hart – for Marty Cohn’s excellent club bulletin each week.
Dart Everett – for Joy Everett’s photo in the Reformer.
Carla Lineback– for the club’s foundation giving being 71%.
Bill McKim - for his pet chickadee.
Dave Twombly – for not only surviving the blackout in NY but also visiting with his exchange student from over 20 years ago.
Rob Szpila – for the wonderful trip to South Dakota to visit Indian reservations with the Interfaith Youth Group.
Lisa Mendelsund – for Rob Szpila’s follow through.
Ana Saavedra – for the retirement of her longtime assistant, Sandy.
Regina Stefanelli – for her 17-year old cousin helping with her kids this summer.
Marty Cohn – for his first granddaughter, Talia Cohn Adams, born on 6/21, growing each day.
PROGRAM
District Governor Nancy Russell talked about this year’s theme “Rotary Connects the World” and encouraged Rotarians to go outside their comfort level. The District Conference will take place May 1-3, 2020 at Sable Oaks in Portland, ME. Visit the district’s website to learn more about upcoming meetings and events. She talked about how people create change and asked three questions: (1) Why not you? (2) Why not your club? And (3) Why not today?
Rotary Cares - TV Show
Rotary Cares, Episode 19 – Passing the Gavel
On episode 19 of the award-winning, monthly show, Rotary Cares, Brattleboro Rotary Club past president Marty Cohn discusses “passing the gavel”, a time when a club president steps down, with Brattleboro Rotary Club Past President Mara Willams and Brattleboro Sunrise Club Past President Sandy Shriver. 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
$100,000 was raised to save lives through safe water and sanitation education! To learn more about this incredible fundraiser, click here.
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