President Carla Lineback welcomed all to the February 20th meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion. Steve Gordon offered the following meaningful invocation:
May those assembled here today enjoy the many offerings of Rotary. May we abide by the rules we have established, those of trust, fellowship and ethics, and may we place Service above Self, in our daily endeavors. And may we always test ourselves and our efforts to be sure they are the truth, good for all concerned, of benefit to mankind, and provide peace and understanding. Amen.
This was followed by the pledge of allegiance. Birthday greetings were extended to Dart Everett.
Guests: Chris Szpila, Pat Haine, and Allison West (speaker)
As a luncheon of meat loaf, chicken, chick peas, mashed potatoes, broccoli, salad, rolls and rice pudding topped with blueberries for dessert was being digested, the meeting continued.
TRIVIA QUESTION
When did the tradition of singing at Rotary club meetings begin?
(Answer below.)
SONG OF THE WEEK
For the song of the week, Marcy Jones led us in a rousing rendition of “You’re A Grand Old Flag”.
At our February 27th meeting, Joe Little will tell a joke or lead us in song and Mike Mandracchia will offer a Rotary Minute. 2019-20 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.
ROTARY MINUTE
There was no Rotary Minute this week. ;-(
At our February 27th meeting, Joe Little will tell a joke or lead us in song and Mike Mandracchia will offer a Rotary Minute. 2019-20 weekly assignments are posted on the club website.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
02/27 – Margaret Atkinson, “The Basics Vermont”
03/05 – Jerry & Nicholas Theberge, “Dental Implants”
03/12 - Club Assembly
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.
The deadline for applications for the district-wide $1000 scholarship for non-traditional students in memory of Janice H. McElroy, who served as Rotary District 7870 Governor in 2011-2012 and was instrumental in securing a Rotary International grant of $412,000 to help southern Vermont rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Irene, is due on April 15. For more info, click here.
Applications for Rotary Peace Fellowships are available. For more info, click here.
Tami Purcell – for her nephew’s vineyard winning several awards.
Bill McKim – for the Brattleboro Orthopedic Department’s care of his knee.
Al Jerard – for Stan Nowakowski inspiring him to go bowling with his granddaughter.
Milt Eaton – for the incredible history of O’Hare Airport.
Jenifer Ambler – for Roger Miller knowing all the words of “You’re A Grand Old Flag”
Marcy Jones – for Marty Cohn and the wonderful club newsletter.
Marcy Jones – for his recent vacation to New Orleans.
Dart Everett – for Carla Lineback being a Rotary Peace Fellow.
Ron Stahley – for Ali West's success as Brattleboro Town Schools Food Service Director.
Ron Stahley – for Chris Szpila’s excellent teaching at Academy School.
Betsy Gentile – for Ali West’s work with Food Connects.
Carla Lineback – for graduating high school with Ali West.
Regina Stefanelli – for Ali West’s innovative meals
Marty Cohn – for his granddaughter, Talia, celebrating her first Valentine’s Day.
PROGRAM
Al Jerard presented Ali West, Brattleboro Town Schools Food Service Director, who told us about the innovative ways Brattleboro feeds its children.
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
The tradition of singing at Rotary club meetings began in 1905 with Rotarian Harry L. Ruggles, of the Rotary Club of Chicago.
New Rotary clubs formed, and the practice of singing at club meetings caught on. Ruggles's company published an unofficial Book of Songs -- a collection of patriotic tunes, familiar standards, and Rotary songs (many penned by Rotarians) -- to help clubs make singing a regular part of their meetings. The first official edition of Ruggles's songbook, Songs for the Rotary Club, was published in 1920 and provided lyrics only. Editions with musical notation appeared in 1925. Later editions offered advice on incorporating music into Rotary club meetings. The 1933 book of songs encouraged Rotarians to add singing to their weekly meeting agendas. The 1935 edition advised clubs to sing prior to lunch and to select a song leader on the basis of personality, not musical talent.