President Carla Lineback welcomed all to the February 13th meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion. Rob Szpila offered the following meaningful invocation by quoting President John F. Kennedy:
So let us not be blind to our differences, but let us also direct attention to our common interests and the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s futures. And we are all mortal.
This was followed by the pledge of allegiance. Birthday greetings were extended to Jeremy Coleman and Ron Stahley.
Guests: None ;-(.
As a luncheon of chicken legs, ham, tofu, squash, roasted potatoes, salad, rolls and brownies for dessert was being digested, the meeting continued.
TRIVIA QUESTION
When was an official flag formally adopted by Rotary International?
(Answer below.)
JOKE OF THE WEEK
For the joke of the week, Ted Kramer some one-liners from Henny Youngman who passed away on February 24, 1998:
Getting on a plane, I told the ticket lady, "Send one of my bags to New York, send one to Los Angeles, and send one to Miami." She said, "We can't do that!" I told her, "You did it last week!"
“I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places.
Doctor says to a man, "You're pregnant!" The man says, "How does a man get pregnant?" The doctor says, "The usual way - a little wine, a little dinner...."
<ED NOTE: To see vintage Henny Youngman, click here.>
At our February 20h meeting, Marcy Jones will tell a joke or lead us in song and John Mabie will offer a Rotary Minute. 2019-20 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.
ROTARY MINUTE
For today’s Rotary Minute, Carl Lynde gave the report from the nomination committee for 2019-20 club officers. <ED NOTE: the club will vote on this slate in one month.>
President: Carl Lynde
President-elect: Phil George
Vice President: Roger Allbee
Secretary: Regina Stefanelli
Treasurer: Rhonda Calhoun
Immediate Past President: Carla Lineback
At our February 20h meeting, Marcy Jones will tell a joke or lead us in song and John Mabie will offer a Rotary Minute. 2019-20 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
02/20 – Alison West, “Nutrition”
02/27 – Margaret Atkinson, “The Basics Vermont”
03/05 – Jerry & Nicholas Theberge, “Dental Implants”
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 31stnewsletter of the new club year.
If you like this newsletter, please brag at next Club meeting.
So far, there has been only 4 brags!
Does this mean you are not reading this newsletter????
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The following members were recognized for their years of service: Regina Stefanelli (2), Rick Manson (30), and Marcy Jones (37).
Student Rotarians from WRCC, BUHS, and Leland & Gray gave their reports.
Volunteers are still needed for the club’s annual Sugar on Snow (Feb. 15 at Living Memorial Park). If you can help, contact Milt Gilmore.
The Gateway Foundation board will be meeting on 3/5 after the club meeting.
The golf committee will be meeting tonight at 4:30 at the Brattleboro Country Club.
BRAGS / Happy dollars
Carla Lineback – for Carl Lynde’s leading last week’s club meeting.
Phil Steckler – for his recent vacation to the Alps.
Phil Steckler – for the purchase of his new home in New Hampshire.
Phil Steckler – for Rob Szpila creating a plaque to honor John Kohler.
Phil Steckler – for receiving a note from a club exchange student from years past.
Phil George – for Carl Lynde convincing him to be president-elect.
Phil George – for Bill Vermouth agreeing to be his campaign manager.
Phil George – for Stan Nowakowski volunteering to be his chief of staff.
Ted Kramer – for Teddy and Lauren welcoming his granddaughter, Greta, in the world.
Dart Everett - for his family vacation to Mexico.
Mike Mandracchia – for remembering to submit a photo of his granddaughters Autumn and Skler for the newsletter.
Bill McKim – for his vacation to Antigua.
Gina Pattison – for her son scoring the winning goal against Milton.
George Anthes – “Sometimes it can feel like people are too willing to indulge dishonesty and delusion, especially where they perceive that it can give them an advantage. This is a brag for the many people — I think, and I hope, the vast majority of people — who successfully overcome that impulse when the critical moment comes, who are willing to put their comfort, their careers, and in some cases their safety at risk in favor of their duty and their integrity.”
[ED NOTE: Had time not run out, Marty Cohn would have bragged for his granddaughter, Talia, who is sitting up and growing more hair.
PROGRAM
Club past presidents Bill Vermouth, Mara Williams, Ron Stahley, and Liz Harrison talked about their experiences as club presidents.
<ED NOTE: The Brattleboro Rotary Club was chartered on May 15, 1950. Approximately one-third of the current club membership has served as president.>
Rotary Cares - TV Show
Rotary Cares, Episode 24 – The life of Rotary District Governor
In episode 24 of the award-winning, monthly show, Rotary Cares, Brattleboro Rotary Club past president Marty Cohn discusses the life of a Rotary District Governor with Rotary District 7870 Governor Nancy Russell. 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
An official flag was formally adopted by Rotary International at the 1929 Convention in Dallas, Texas. The Rotary flag consists of a white field with the official wheel emblem emblazoned in gold in the center of the field The four depressed spaces on the rim of the Rotary wheel are colored royal blue. The words "Rotary" and "International' printed at the top and bottom depressions on the wheel rim are also gold. The shaft in the hub and the keyway of the wheel are white. The first official Rotary flag reportedly was flown in Kansas City Missouri, in January 1915. In 1922 a small Rotary flag was carried over the South Pole by Admiral Richard Byrd, a member of the Winchester, Virginia Rotary Club. Four years later, the admiral carried a Rotary flag in his expedition to the North Pole. Some Rotary clubs use the official Rotary flag as a banner at club meetings. In these instances, it is appropriate to print the words "Rotary Club" above the wheel symbol, and the name of the city, state or nation below the emblem. The Rotary flag is always prominently displayed at the World Headquarters as well as at all conventions and official events of Rotary International.
