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WELCOME

President George Weir welcomed all to the December 14th meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion in Brattleboro. Phil George offered the following meaningful invocation:
 
For friends, food, fun and fellowship, especially the fellowship of Rotary we give our sincere thanks. May
these tokens of your bounty nourish our physical bodies in preparation for the challenges that are ours in
Rotary. Keep us always mindful of the needs of others and keep us always attuned to our calling in Rotary.
We ask these things in the Name of your eternal truth. Amen.
 
This was followed by the pledge of allegiance. Birthday greetings were extended to Ana Saavedra and Phil Steckler.
 
As a luncheon of pork loin, mac & cheese, rice, broccoli, salad, and ice cream topped with oatmeal brittle for dessert was being digested, the meeting continued. 
 
Guests: Visiting Rotarian Regina Stefanelli (Farmington, ME), Marcia Steckler

TRIVIA QUESTION

The Brattleboro Rotary Club sells 400 Christmas trees each year. 
How many Christmas trees are sold nationally each year?

(answer below)

JOKE OF THE WEEK

 
For our Rotary joke, Andy Rome told a version of the following joke:
 
A guy calls a company and orders their 5-day, 10 lb. weight loss program.
 
The next day, there's a knock on the door and there stands before him a voluptuous, athletic, 19 year old babe dressed in nothing but a pair of Nike running shoes and a sign around her neck. She introduces herself as a representative of the weight loss company. The sign reads, "If you can catch me, you can have me."
 
Without a second thought, he takes off after her. A few miles later huffing and puffing, he finally gives up. The same girl shows up for the next four days and the same thing happens. On the fifth day, he weighs himself and is delighted to find he has lost 10 lbs. as promised.
 
He calls the company and orders their 5-day/20 pound program. The next day there's a knock at the door and there stands the most stunning, beautiful, sexy woman he has ever seen in his life. She is wearing nothing but Reebok running shoes and a sign around her neck that reads, "If you catch me you can have me". Well, he's out the door after her like a shot. This girl is in excellent shape and he does his best, but no such luck. So for the next four days, the same routine happens with him gradually getting in better and better shape.
 
Much to his delight on the fifth day when he weighs himself, he discovers that he has lost another 20 lbs. as promised. He decides to go for broke and calls the company to order the 7-day/50 pound program.
 
"Are you sure?" asks the representative on the phone. "This is our most rigorous program."
 
"Absolutely," he replies, "I haven't felt this good in years."
 
The next day there's a knock at the door; and when he opens it he finds a huge muscular guy standing there wearing nothing but pink running shoes and a sign around his neck that reads, "If I catch you, your ass is mine."
 
He lost 63 pounds that week.
 

ROTARY MINUTE

 
For our Rotary minute, Ana Saavedra told us about the work of the Senior Gifts Committee. Each year 350-area nursing home residents receive a Christmas gift each year.  Passing around an envelope at club meetings generates money for this project.
 
Also, Phil Steckler informed us about why he joined Rotary 43 years ago at the request of President George.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At our December 21st meeting, Sandy Rouse will tell a joke or lead us in song, while Ana Saavedra delivers a Rotary Minute.
 
NOTE: Weekly assignments are posted on club website.

 

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

 

·       12/21 – Club Assembly
·       12/28 – Milt Eaton presents: New England Youth Theater
·       01/04/18 – Dart Everett presents: Dollars for Duds
·       01/11– Marty Cohn presents: Chloe Learey “Early Childhood Educations Means Economic Development”
·       01/18– Club Assembly
 
NOTE: 2017-18 Weekly assignments (program, joke, and Rotary minute) are posted on club’s website.
 
FINES
 
 
President George was fined for forgetting that he asked Ana Saavedra to give today’s Rotary minute.
 
 
 ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
  • To date, 240 out of 400 Christmas Trees have been sold.
  • Only 8 Christmas birdseed wreaths are still available for $15.  See Jeff Hagstrom for more details.
  • Nominations are being sought for Norm Keubler’s 4-Way Test Award. See Cindy Jerome for more info.
  • The following members were acknowledged for their years of service: Phil Steckler (43), Jim Haine (37), and Cyndi Ferrante (6).
  • The following slate of officers is being proposed for 2018-19: President Bill Vermouth, President-elect Bill Daley, Vice President Marty Cohn, Secretary Ana Saavedra, Treasurer Rhonda Calhoun, and Immediate Past President George Weir. The vote for this slate will take place at next week’s club assembly.
  • Please consider a donation to our Gateway Foundation for your end-of-year philanthropy.
  • Our next turn to serve a meal at the Seasonal Overflow Shelter is 12/20.  So far, 22 members have participated in this project.
  • Next week’s club assembly will include our annual “Worst Christmas Attire Contest.”  Last year’s winner was Cheri Ann Brodhurst.
  • Thanks to McDonald's donation of lunch at the club's road show to NECCA, we were able to contribute $500 to Rotary Foundation's Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Fund. PHOTO (l-r) Brattleboro Rotary President George Weir and Larry Johnson, Brand Ambassador, Napoli Group
BRAGS   
 
    
Jeff Hagstrom– for Howard Printing donating the printing of Christmas tree sale signs and gift certificates.
Jim Haine – for having perfect attendance in his 37 years of Rotary service.
Rick Manson – for Marty Cohn’s production of club bulletin.
Phil Steckler– for the convenience of buying Christmas trees.
Steve Gordon– for Cheri Ann Brodhurst ending her ob practice after 30 years.
Andy Rome– for Cheri Ann Brodhurst delivering his youngest son.
Roger Miller– for his son, Scott, receiving a Paul Harris Fellowship award.
Jenifer Ambler – for Vermont Theatre Company's production of the "Christmas Carol."
Jenifer Ambler – for Guilford Community Church’s Annual Service on Sunday.
Cheri Ann Brodhurst– for delivering 6000 babies.
Cheri Ann Brodhurst – for the American Legion Band.
Mara Williams – for Cheri Ann Brodhurst continuing to provide excellent gyn services.
Phil Steckler – for the excellent work of the Brattleboro Boys & Girls Club.
Ricky Davidson – for the Brattleboro Boys & Girls Club being a Keystone Club for 10 years and a Legacy Club for 6 years.
 

PROGRAM:

Ricky Davidson presented the Keystone Program at the Boys and Girls Club. For more info, click here.
 
 
 
REMINDERS
 
Bottles and cans can be brought to Putney Road redemption center to benefit Pure Water for the World.
 
Please see Mara Williams.
 
“Like” the club’s Facebook page.
 
If you like this newsletter, brag at next Club meeting. So far only FIVE members have acknowledged this rag. 
 
To view the episode 2 of Rotary Cares, click here.
To listen to episode 2 of Rotary Cares podcast, click here.
 
 

This bulletin was respectfully submitted by Past President Martin Cohn who attempts to give a gist of the meeting.  However, it is always better to attend.  If you have any complaints about the contents of this bulletin....

 

    

ANSWER TO TRIVIA QUESTION

 

There are approximately 25-30 million Real Christmas Trees sold in the U.S. every year.
 
For more info, click here.
 
 
 

 

Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
ClubRunner