Past President Roger Albee opened the meeting at our new lunch meeting site; Heart Rose Club in the Shriner’s building, Roger welcomed all to the September 21, 2023 meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary www.brattlebororotaryclub.org
Invocation -
Roger led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance .
26 Members and three guests attended the meeting.
Guests:
Jerry Theberge introduced Bill Daly, past member considering returning
Anna Saavedra introduced Adrian Lescano, prospective member
Matt introduced himself, prospective member
Nina Wilson introduced herself, first posting
ROTARY MINUTE
For the Rotary Minute -
Followint RI theme for this year, Roger recommended a film on dementia and Alzheimers at Valley Cares.
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
Betsy Gentile, September 17 And incoming Rotarian Nina
Special messages
President Pattison said that she would be sending a questionnaire out to members on if they want to continue Christmas tree sales, as she indicated there are other options for fundraising, and a decision needs to be made soon.
Meeting location - New Location – The Heart Rose Club – 11 Green Street in Brattleboro
Announcements
Stan Novakowski thanked everyone who helped with the Groundworks dinner, next will be Wednesday October 11 with a Halloween theme. Mara offered Halloween cupcakes.
He also thanked those who worked on the island on Main Street; the Library was impressed and asked us to help prepare their flower beds for winter in October. He has had a conversation with Carol Lolatte about picking up some of what Dick DeGray has been doing.
Ruben Garza said DBA is responsible for the Bloom project, he will share contact info.
Mike Mandracchia bragged $5 for a successful Brattleboro On Wheels, thanked Betsy for marketing it, got more sponsors than usual, and he told a story about passing Ted Kramer in 3 different cars so Ted will think he has more friends than he really does
Rob Szpila announced the Disc Golf Tournament next weekend 9/30 & 10/2, still need volunteers helping with tater tots with Mara Saturday morning and Cheri Sunday morning, hole spotters on course. Over $12K sponsors so far, goal of $15K. He presented a disc to Anna Saavedra for lead sponsor Edward Jones.
Betsy announced we have student Rotarians lined up from Hinsdale and BUHS, Addison & Meredith will be returning. Still waiting to hear from L&G.
The Club has purchased a projector so that presentations can be made at meetings
Events coming up:
Stan provided a print out of all upcoming projects. It includes:
• Disc Golf Tournament 9/30 and 10/1
• Almost Oktoberfest 9/31 (check date)
• 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: Jerry Theberge played an online version of the joke in which an 83 year old man goes through the drive-thru at McDonals, takes long time to read the menu and decide, lady behind him blows her horn, he orders, moves up, offers to pay for the lady behind him too, then goes to the pickup window and takes both orders. Moral: Don’t mess with old people.
ED NOTE: 2022-23 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Jim Haine announced:
• Sept 28 Tara Cheney Heart Rose Club
• OCTOBER TBD
• 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.
FINES – Bill Vermouth said Ted should be fined and get a job rather than apparently walking the streets of Brattleboro all the time.
Happy Dollars:
Christ Hart bragged $4 for her grandson’s 4th birthday
Jerry Theberge bragged for Ted Kramer walking with his fedora and cigar
Ruben Garza bragged for his mom’s 64th birthday
Anna Saavedra bragged for Ted too
Ted bragged about a woman telling him her son calls him a time traveler for his old fashioned attire
George Weir bragged he cruised all the way down Route 30 without stopping for construction and got some of his life back
Regina bragged about getting to know people in the club and for Ted doing her fireside chat and for a marvelous vacation
Bill Daly bragged it’s great to see everyone again
Roge Allbee bragged for his wife making apple pies for Newfane and he gets to taste test
PROGRAM
Guest Speaker:
PROGRAM
Speaker:
Christ Hart introduced Christine Hazzard, executive Director of Brattleboro Housing Partnerships, and Jake Bursky, SASH For All Program Coordinator
SASH started out serving seniors and adults with disabilities with supportive services at home, keeping them at home and preventing hospitalizations. Realized services were needed by families too, and some weren’t accessing services they qualified for. Expansion of program funded for the first year thanks to Bernie Sanders, just received funding for second year through State of VT, hoping to replicate the program in other parts of the state.
SASH partners with many other organizations: Windham Windsor Housing Trust, HCRS, Turning Point, BMH, etc. Jake is on site at Ledgewood Heights and Moore Court to improve access to social supports. Services include health, nutrition, financial education, mental health and substance abuse services (with Turning Point).
One measure of success is housing retention: fewer people now falling behind on rent. If someone misses a rent payment, instead of a punitive approach, they find out why they fell behind and connect people with services.
They thanked both Rotary Clubs who contributed to installing 2 computer workstations at Ledgewood Heights and Moore Court, useful for resumes, job searches, homework.
Scribe of the week Jenifer Ambler
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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