Our speakers today were Jo Shute and Allan Wieman, two of the three founders of Upper Valley Baroque.
Jo Shute
Allan Wieman
Upper Valley Baroque was founded in 2021. The third founding member is artistic director, Filippo Ciabatti. From Ciabatti’s biography:
Praised for his “sensitive and nuanced” musicianship and for delivering performances “with admirable sweep and tension,” Filippo Ciabatti is a dynamic and versatile conductor who enjoys a multifaceted career.
We learned from Jo that in addition to working with Upper Valley Baroque, Ciabatti serves as Assistant Conductor of Boston Baroque, the first conductor to be named to that position in the renowned ensemble’s 50-year history; Music Director of the Opera Company of Middlebury; a guest conductor at Opera North (NH) and the Lyric Theatre at Illinois. In addition, Ciabatti is the Director of Orchestral and Choral Programs at the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College.
To start the presentation, Jo Shute, shared a video of a recent concert.
The mission of Upper Valley Baroque is to bring the highest quality Baroque music to the Upper Valley. Jo shared that it adds to our cultural life in the Upper Valley that until now had limited Baroque musical offering. Upper Valley Baroque offers three Masterworks concerts and two to three chamber concerts each season.
Ernst Oidtmann called the meeting to order at noon.
Steve Whitman led us in reciting the 4-Way Test
Ernst them moved to the piano and led us in singing the Rotary Welcome Song. This was followed by Ernst playing a piece of Baroque music written by Domenico Scarlatti, an Italian composer...Scarlatti XXXIII
Maestro Ernst Oidtmann
Ernst welcomed our quest speaker Jo Shute and Allan Wieman , his cousin Gustave van Meereke and Linda Secord.
Ernst's Thought of the Day: Hell has frozen over, which is convenient for sinners as their only option then is to go to purgatory or heaven.
Birthdays: Angela is celebrating her birthday this week, and she is happy that Max joined our club as she is no longer our youngest member at age 46. She wrote a check in honor of her birthday to our Charities account. Joy Gobins birthday is coming up too.
Then it was on to our buffet lunch.
David Crandall introduced our guest speakers. See program notes above.
February 20, 2025 Presenters’ Bios
Allan Wieman and his wife Jo Shute co-founded Upper Valley Baroque in 2021.
Allan’s career as an executive at General Electric took him around the world. He worked in various sectors and started GE Capital’s group focused on investments in the Forest Products industry. An amateur musician since high school, Allan sings with several Upper Valley ensembles since retiring here in 2015. He also serves on the board of Twin Pines Housing and Upper Valley Land Trust.
Jo’s career was in the consumer products industry, with a variety of roles in product development and change management. She also worked for a non-profit workforce development organization and later managed the family farm in upstate New York. Jo also sings, plays violin, and co-directs several handbell choirs.
Allan and Jo now spend much of their time working together to grow Upper Valley Baroque’s impact
Bill Secord presented our book for the Kilton Public Library's Children Collection in honor of Jo and Allen.
The Night Market
By Seina Wedlick (Author), Briana Mukodiri Uchendu (Illustrator)
Journey with a young girl as she explores the mesmerizing wonders of a Nigerian night market, where each stall is an adventure waiting to be discovered! Filled with vibrant illustrations, this captivating picture book invites young readers into a world of magic, mystery, and the joy of finding treasures in unexpected places.
The Night Market is here again, and all one girl needs is a bag of gold coins to enter. The market is alive with the sound of hawkers and traders. “A taste of tangy sweetness!” hollers a man behind a towering fountain of lemonade. “I’ll trade you a joke for a coin,” a little boy calls. “Home grown spices!” shouts a granny at a counter. What should the girl buy? But, wait! Do you hear that? It's the sound of an old African drum. Have a turn, then learn to make cards disappear when you shout Abracadabra! When the sun starts to rise and the night market winds down, the girl has one gold coin left—just enough to buy a return ticket to the night market.
With stunning illustrations by Nigerian-American artist Briana Mukodiri Uchendu, here is an enchanting read aloud about curiosity and the wonders that lie hidden in plain sight.
Announcements — See below
Meeting adjourned at 1:15 PM
Happy Dollars
Dean Cashman thanked Ahmad Haidari for representing Rotary at the Spaulding game at Campion Arena.
Bruce Pacht shared that he just returned from celebrating the 100th birthday of his aunt. In her prime, she was a world traveler. Bruce remembers her as a pretty short, red-head. Bruce remembers her from his bar mitzvah. She is still living alone in her home with a helper. When asked what helped her livet to 100 y.o., she said to be happy, be positive, love your family... At the party he spent time with a young cousin who has found Interact, and was so excited to share his experience as an interactor, and so proud of what Rotary has done in the world.
Ernst Oidtmann was happy his cousin Gustave was visiting even though they weren't able to go on his winter hike. He was also happy he got his refund back for his reservation for this event. He shared that two of his ship models are on display at D-H in the main lobby. His son Max will be coming to Lebanon in April. He hopes to bring him to our meeting.
Ahmad Haidari shared he is impressed with Cal Wolfes efforts to think about how Lebanon can approach all the challenges that we will face in the near future.
Marilyn Bedell shared that the Rotary International Peace Conference is underway at Rotary's newest peace center in Turkey, the Otto and Fran Walter Peace Center at Bahçeşehir University.
Led by Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick, the 2025 Rotary Presidential Peace Conference in Istanbul, Türkiye, 20-22 February 2025, will be an opportunity for the Rotary community and our partners to build on Rotary’s contributions to promoting peace by exploring:
Peace in a polarized world
Technology, media, and peacebuilding
Environmental issues in peacebuilding
Making peace last
Raffles
Queen of Hearts
Ahmad Haidari pulled the 2 of Clubs . The hunt for the queen continues.
Car Wash
Hank Clarke won the carwash.
Upcoming Speakers
Feb 27: Jeremy DeSilva, Dartmouth Professor of Anthropology
Mar 6: Chris Schadler, Eastern Coyote Project
Mar 13: Speech Contest
Mar 20: Marilyn Bedell, Survey Says
Mar 27: Classification Talks - Max J. and Mila D.
Apr 3: Tim Cox, West Leb/Hanover Greenway
Apr 10: TBA
April 17: TBA
April 24: Open Democracy
Attendance
Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Phil Bush, Dean Cashman, David Clarenbach, Hank Clarke, Dave Crandall, Jim Damren, Tim Guaraldi, Ahmad Haidari, Will Koppenheffer*, Ron Michaud, Angela Nelson, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, Steve Whitman, Cal Wolfe, John Yacavone
Guest: Our speakers, Jo Shute and Allan Wieman and Ernst's Cousin, Gustave van Meerbeke
*Joined by WebEx
Standing Meetings
Membership Meetings: Third Tuesday at 3:30 PM
Contact: David Crandall
Youth Services: Second Wednesday of the month at Noon
Contact: Joy Gobin
Charities: Third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 PM
Contact: Bruce Pacht
Board Meeting: 4th Tuesday of every month at 4:00 PM via Zoom
Contact: David Crandall Note, February 24, 2025 meeting moved to March 4, 2025
Golf: Planning to begin soon.
Brew Fest: TBD
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Salt Hill Pub - Social Gathering arranged by our Membership Committee, every 3rd Monday of the month at 5:30 PM, starting in April...April 21st. We will have the side room for our gathering is enough people let Ahmad know they will be coming. We will be able to order from the bar and menu. Ahmad will provide additional reminders as we get closer to the event. Our membership team hopes you will consider asking colleagues and friends to join you for our social gathierings.
Thank You Note and another SAVE THE DATE (April 24, 2025):
Date: Fri, Feb 21, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Subject: Civic Playground: Thank You & Important Update
Cc: Paul Coats
Good morning Bruce,
I am reaching out to thank the Lebanon Rotary for your generous contribution to Civic Plays: An Inclusive Playground for Civic Park.
Thanks to our many community partners & the City of Lebanon, we are pleased to announce that this playground is now fully funded!
We plan to include your organization on a donor board that will be displayed at Civic Playground. To this end, could you please confirm the exact spelling and provide a logo file?
A community build is scheduled for April 24, 2025. If any volunteers from your organization would like to participate, please let me know.
Thank you!
Lauren
Charities: From Bruce Pacht:
A ballot containing the names of all nominees has been circulated for electronic voting during the two-week period, February 6-20; voting closed after the regular Rotary meeting on Thursday, February 20.
Post Meeting email message from Bruce Pacht:
Voting has concluded on the open three-year Trustee position for July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028.
We have great appreciation for the three Rotarians who put themselves forward to serve as Trustees: Phil Bush, Dave Crandall, and Phil Rentz. We also offer our thanks to those Rotarians who took the time to cast a vote.
Phil Bush was selected as our next Trustee.
We remind all Rotarians that attendance at all Lebanon Rotary Club committee meetings as well as meetings of the Charities Trustees are open to all Rotarians in good standing.
Charities meets on Zoom at 1:00 pm on the third Wednesday of each month. If you wish to attend, please send me an email to receive the coordinates and the meeting materials: brucepacht67@gmail.com.
Non-Trustee meeting attendees may not speak unless recognized by the chair, and do not have a vote in Charities' deliberations, though we normally seek comments from non-Trustee attendees when considering an issue.
Bruce
Chair, Charities Trustees
Lebanon Boys Hockey: We are encouraged to come and support Lebanon Boys Hockey on February 25, 2025 (Alvirne) at 5:00 PM at Campion Rink.
Polystyrene (StyrofoamTM) Collection: Bruce indicated we have enough drivers to go to Gilford, but day of the event help is needed. Let Bruce know if you can help.
From Sustainable Lebanon, "On Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 9-11 am, a polystyrene collection (aka StyrofoamTM) will take place at Hanover Street School Parking Lot at 193 Hanover Street in Lebanon, co-sponsored by Sustainable Lebanon and Rotary Club of Lebanon. Donations gratefully accepted on site to cover the cost of transportation to the Gilford Recycling Center for processing. Volunteers are urgently needed. Please contact Cindy at cheath58@gmail.com, 603-543-1307 if you can help even for just a couple of hours. The event will take place rain, snow, or shine and is open to residents of the Upper Valley."
Clean Up Day in May: Ernst indicated he has suggested May 17, 2025 for this event...so save the date.
Club Change Over Celebration — Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM at the Quechee Inn at Marshland Farm
From Ron Bedell:
For those of you not at today's meeting I am getting this save the date message out.
Our annual changeover will be held at the Quechee Inn on Wednesday June 11th. It will start with Cocktails (cash bar) at 5:00 p.m. and dinner will be at 6:00 p.m. We have a reduced cost of $45.00 for this event as the club is able to subsidize part of expense.
I will be sending out a sign-up sheet in March that will have the meal choices on it. They will be basically the same as the last Holiday Party.
Looking forward to seeing you there, Ron
2026 Holiday Party — Harvest Hill on December 16, 2025 [Save the Date]
John Yacavone talked to the staff at Harvest Hill and has reserved December 16, 2025 for our holiday party at a cost of $37/person. We will be able to bring our own beer and wine. The menu will have a steamship round of beef, a chicken entree and vegetarian entree plus h'dourves and dessert.
Happy Dollars
Other News
2025 Rotary District 7850 District Conference
Our District Conference is scheduled for Saturday, May 31stfrom 8AM – 6PM held at Mt. Cranmore Resort in North Conway, NH. Family members are welcome!
Being a destination resort, North Conway will have many optional choices for family members to participate in during the conference. We guarantee there will be something to please every family member!
Check out the full schedule and registration information on the 2025 Conference Program page:
TOP STITCH Rotary Vests and Jackets(Incase you want to order Rotary wear)
John Yacavone has arranged for members to order light and heavier weight jackets and vest for us to wear when doing service projects...for days when our tees shirts just aren't enough to keep us comfortable and warm.
If you click the link below, Top Stitch has created a special website for Lebanon Rotary Club members to order the following clothing items.
1. Men’s and Women’s light weight jackets
2. Men’s and Women’s fleece vests
3. Men’s and Women’s fleece jackets
All jackets and vests will have Rotary Logo and club name.
Just pick your item and follow the instructions for ordering. If you decide to pick up your item at Top Stitch located at 233 Mascoma Street Lebanon, NH 03766 there will be no charge for shipping, otherwise shipping will be charged. If you have any questions about your order please contact Cody at Top Stitch at 603-448-2931. Turn around time is 3.5 - 4 weeks. Once you place your order your order will be processed no waiting on other orders to be fulfilled.
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Rotary News
From Rotary International
The RI president-elect, Mário César Martins de Camargo speaks about the power of Rotary’s members
By Etelka Lehoczky
Rotary International President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo asked members to Unite for Good by embracing growth, service, and connection as he outlined a plan to expand “the best-qualified team of volunteers on the planet.”
“Rotary’s greatest asset is not our history, our projects, or even our unmatched global reach. It is our members,” de Camargo said at the organization’s International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, USA, on 10 February. He noted praise from one of Rotary’s partners about “the extraordinary dedication” of Rotary members. “That recognition from an outsider deepened my understanding: Rotary’s greatest gift to the world is its people.”
In February 1905, a Chicago lawyer named Paul Harris resolved to fill a hole in his life. He had arrived in the city a few years earlier, and though he’d built a successful law practice, something was missing. The young man was lonely. The sense of camaraderie and community he had known growing up in a small Vermont town was glaringly absent in the hustle and bustle of urban life. “Everywhere there were people but nowhere a familiar face,” he lamented.
To overcome his feeling of alienation, Harris asked three acquaintances if they wanted to meet regularly to share friendship. Their first meeting took place that February in downtown Chicago. There, they decided to form a club, where people could come together—not just to do business, but to form lasting, genuine connections. Because they would rotate their meetings at each other’s offices, they chose “Rotary” as a fitting name for the group.
That one club soon became dozens and then hundreds, until finally there were thousands of clubs in small towns and big cities across America and the world. They meet for fellowship, networking and community services.
Nor was Rotary alone: In 1917, Melvin Jones, another Chicagoan, founded the Association of Lions Clubs, and it too grew over time. Thus, Chicago has become the birthplace of two of the world’s oldest and largest community organizations.
C.A. Rehm of the Rotary Club of Chicago with early members William Jenson, Silvester Schiele, Rotary founder Paul Harris Paul Harris, Harry Ruggles, and General Secretary Chesley Perry, making a "talkie" on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the founding of the first club.
More than a century later, Harris would likely not be surprised that the clubs he founded to combat isolation and loneliness have become a powerful global force for human connection. In recent years, however, the idea of belonging to traditional civic organizations is perceived to be obsolete. Many who flock to online communities see them as something for their grandparents’ generation.
Are they really?
While technology can be a tool to bridge gaps, it is no substitute for real-world engagement. Despite being more digitally connected than ever, many people are struggling to forge the kind of deep, meaningful relationships that give life purpose. We have thousands of online “friends” but fewer real confidants. We work longer hours, move more frequently, and engage in fewer communal activities. The decline of religious and civic participation, coupled with the rise of remote work and social media, has left many of us feeling isolated—even in crowded cities.
In a recent Harvard study, every fifth American reported feeling lonely, and that number was even higher among young adults and seniors. The late John Cacioppo, a University of Chicago professor who spent years studying the biological impact of social isolation, concluded that chronic loneliness increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, and premature death. Moreover, loneliness contributes to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation.
The dire situation prompted Dr. Vivek Murthy, who was then the U.S. Surgeon General, to declare last year that loneliness and social isolation is a pressing health epidemic, on par with smoking or obesity in terms of its detrimental effects. A 2015 meta-analysis published in Perspectives on Psychological Science found that prolonged social isolation carries the same health risks as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Given the prevalence of loneliness, the vision of Harris—that people, no matter their profession or cultural background, could come together to form meaningful relationships and create lasting change—is more relevant today than ever. With its historical reputation of being a city of joiners, Chicago is the perfect place to look for an antidote to the loneliness epidemic. Reviving people’s interest in joining civic organizations is an effective solution.
About 14 years ago, my wife and I left our circle of friends in Washington DC and relocated to the Chicago area. By then, our daughter had left for college, and we were empty nesters in a new city with cold winters. While my day job and business travels kept me connected, I made a conscious effort to foster new friendships. My passion in cycling led me to the discovery of a weekend riding crew, a group of like-minded lawyers and executives. Since 2012, through my friends in Rotary, I have participated in the El Tour de Tucson, a rigorous 102-mile ride staged against a backdrop of mountains, desert, and cacti. Over the years, my Rotary cycling mates and I have raised more than $72 million to support polio eradication.
My wife, Marga, originally from Argentina, joined the Rotary Club of Chicago—the organization’s first club—which enabled her to quickly integrate into the local community. She later became club president and found meaning in community services, such as organizing relief efforts for refugees in Ukraine or working on cervical cancer prevention in Bolivia.
At their core, community membership organizations are about more than service projects. They are about creating spaces where people of all backgrounds come together to find support, and a sense of purpose. In recent years, many traditional membership organizations have modernized their rules and reinvented themselves, creating programs and causes that appeal to the young generation.
As we face this loneliness epidemic, the solution is within our grasp. It begins with each of us choosing to connect—to reach out to a neighbor and to join a local group. In doing so, we not only enrich our own lives but help build a society where no one has to feel alone.
Grandma’s rich homemade chicken soup might seem outdated for some, but it’s still the best cure for the cold and flu, even as it provides spoonsful of comfort. The same can be said about the community membership organizations that our grandparents and parents were and are passionate about. They can work miracles at a time when loneliness threatens our collective well-being.
John Hewko is the CEO of the Evanston-based Rotary International
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