President Gina Pattison opened the meeting at our new lunch meeting site; Heart Rose Club in the former Shriner’s building, Gina welcomed all to the October 5, 2023 meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary www.brattlebororotaryclub.org
Invocation - Mara Williams gave an Invocation, with a prayer dedicated to her late mother, also a Rotarian.
Gina led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance .
25 Members and 4 guests attended the meeting.
Gina welcomed Nina as a new member and asked members to sign her membership book.
Gina mentioned that Maddy was a new member but was not in attendance
Andy’s name has been posted for membership
Guests:
Students were in attendance from Leland and Gray in Townshend and from Brattleboro and made remarks
Trevor a senior from Leland and Gray: Soccer is going well, and the school will be putting on the play Moon Girl in November
Addison a senior from BUHS: Homecoming has been going on. She is in a club for those interested in a healthcare career.
Meredith a junior from BUHS: x country team is doing well. Our theater is going to be doing the play Momma Mia.
Betsy mentioned that two more students from Hinsdale High School will be attending in the future.
ROTARY MINUTE
For the Rotary Minute -
George Weir remembered David Parker from Brookline who brought him into Rotary, and who had Rotary Flags from many places where he had attended.
Note for future presenters; The Rotary Minute could also have the speaker talk about their personal involvement in Rotary or personal background.
Years of Service in our Club for September:
Stay tuned.
On Behalf of our Club and all Rotarians, thank you for your Service Above Self
Ruben said no members had a birthday since the last meeting.
Meeting location - New Location – The Heart Rose Club – 11 Green Street in Brattleboro
Announcements
Rob thanks all who sponsored and Rotarians who worked at the Rotary Disc Gold event this last weekend. There was $13,000 in sponsorships and $3,000 in registrations. He noted that Trevor Hazelton, our student from Leland and Gray won for his age group.
Events coming up:
Stan provided a print out of all upcoming projects. It includes:
• Groundworks 10/11
• Groundworks 11/8
• Groundworks 12/6
ED NOTE: Weekly assignments for the invocation or motivational thought can be found on the club website.>
JOKE OF THE WEEK
For our joke or song of the week: Bill Vermouth gave a joke of two young brothers learning the difficulties in their pursuit of swearing.
ED NOTE: 2022-23 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Jim Haine announced:
• The next meeting will be a group discussion on fundraising options and ideas.
The week following will be Mike Meyer on green burials
• Nov 11 Steven Fox from BMH
NOTE: 2022-23 weekly assignments, are posted on the club website.
REMINDERS
Please bring your bottles and cans to the 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.
• Betsy said the Retreat Farm Orchard Aid event this last weekend raised $16,000 and over 500 were in attendance
• Ron bragged for all the work that Rob has done to make the disc gold event so successful
• Jennifer for the Dummerston Apple Pie event this coming weekend. Even though there is a shortage of apples, the event will take place.
• George for Rob and both our Club and the morning Club for making the disc gold event so successful
• Roger who indicated that the Heritage Festival in Newfane will be held this weekend and that Apple Pies and other food will be served.
PROGRAM
Guest Speaker:
PROGRAM
Speaker:
Program: Betsy Gentile introduced Kate Trzaskos, Ex Director of the Brattleboro Downtown Alliance. Kate said that the Alliance is one of twenty-four designated downtowns in Vermont’s Economic Development, Design, and Organization. It is the first time that State funding of $600 thousand is being provided among the twenty-four designated downtowns.
The Brattleboro Downtown Alliance has 1 and ½ employees and is a not-for-profit membership organization. The Gallery Walk is its signature event but has many events encouraging shopping in and visiting the downtown. She mentioned the flower program and holiday lights among several. Currently they are doing an economic development plan, and it is a data informed approach.
There were several questions from members and a thank you for Kate and the Alliance for their work. Gina thanked Kate for her presentation and for the work of the Alliance.
Scribe of the week Roger Allbee
Scribe of the Day: Regina Stefanelli
DISCLAIMER
Weekly changing scribes and questionable IT may have resulted in oversights and errors. We regret any mistakes.
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