Rotarians attending in person: William Babineau, Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Bruce Bergeron, Phil Bush, James Carroll, Dave Clarenbach, Hank Clarke, Dave Crandall, Jim Damren, Tim Guaraldi, Tyler Hagan, Daniel Nash, Ernst Oidtmann, V. Bruce Pacht, Travis Paige, Philip Rentz, Bill Secord, John Stalvey, Rich Wallace, Richard Wallace, Cal Wolfe, and John Yacavone.
Guest: Shay Berry from Lebanon Opera House.
This week’s meeting took place at Service Credit Union’s conference room.
No Webex available at SCU.
Meeting Called to Order: President Marilyn rang the bell and began the meeting at 12:05 pm.
Recitation of “The 4-Way Test” was led by Bill Secord.
President’s Thought of the Day: On February 23, 2026, Rotary turned 121 years old. It began as a small group of professionals with diverse backgrounds meeting to exchange ideas for mutual benefit.
WEEKLY STATISTICS:
Birthdays: Carol Keeffe, the longest birthday celebration in Rotary history—February 25.
PROGRAM: Phil Bush, Troubadour
(“Troubadour": singer-songwriters who not only write the lyrics and compose the music for their songs, but also often accompany themselves singing them. Think François Villon or Bob Dylan.)
Phil offered his opinion that the women writing country music today are better than the men. Then, he said, “I don’t have the accent, but I do have the hat.” Here are the songs with which Phil entertained us:
Gordon Bok: “Turning Toward the Morning.”
Phil’s latest song self-created song: “Safe and Free.”
Grateful Dead: “Ripple.” We learned that Jim Damren has a lot of tie-dyed shirts.
Phil’s 2nd song: “The So-Long Democracy, Hello Autocracy Blues.”
Phil wrote lyrics he called “November” to music of Joanie Mitchell’s ”Clouds.”
Townes van Sant: “Poncho and Lefty.”
SERVICE AND OTHER ACTIVITIES:
International committee met Friday, 2/20.
they are working on budget for next year. Club to decide on international efforts overall and what percentage of our charitable giving should be in this category of philanthropy. The committee is also looking at potential district grant applications.
Brew Fest committee met Monday, 2/23. Lots of elements are in place from last year. Next meeting: Tuesday, April 21, noon. Tentative location: SCU conference room.
Golf committee will start this month.
Community service—
The 5-Colleges Book Sale is returning this year. Staging will be inside the old Right-Aid location next to Shaw’s in West Lebanon. Lebanon Rotarians can help setting up tables on March 4 starting at 9:00 a.m. The event itself takes place April 21-26 at Lebanon High School; help will be needed for set up and takedown there as well.
Health Closet—Lions
Recycling healthcare products fixed up and available for free. The inventory was moved from Hypertherm (325 Mount Support Road) on Saturday, 2/28, at 10:00 a.m. to 2 Mascoma Street, where they have secured a 3-year lease. Bill Chabot,Ernst, andCarol Keeffe were there with 50 or so others. The old space is strangely vacant, and the new one is busting at the proverbial seams. Carol arranged for the Coldwell Banker truck to be used.
The move of the Lions Club Health Closet on Saturday, February 28: [l to r] Bob Haynes of Hanover Rotary, John Bayles of the Lions Club, and Ernst Oidtmann with a member of the Lions Club.
Styrofoam collection—Saturday, April 11, 10-noon; we hope at LHS parking lot. Volunteers needed for the two hours and may also need drivers to take Styrofoam to the facility at Gilford, NH.
WHAT CAN be recycled:
–Styrofoam (#6)—but do NOT break into very small pieces
–Clean #6 food, drink, and egg containers (no oil or food residue)
–Remove tape and labels.
WHAT CANNOT be recycled with us:
–NO packing peanuts, foam insulation boards, pipe insulation
–If you can bend it, it is NOT Styrofoam
Donations may be made at the event to “Sustainable Lebanon” help cover the costs of truck rental and gas for the trip to Gilford, NH. Checks may be mailed to Sustainable Lebanon, 14 Mack Ave, West Lebanon, NH 03784.
Come early—If the trucks are filled before 12, we'll shut down the operation.
Charities’ February meeting was held yesterday.
CLUB BUSINESS:
Charities’ chair Bruce Pacht took the gavel and recognized a motion from Phil Bush that the Club concur with Charities’ allocation of $2,000 to help with a food packaging event at this year’s RYLA program in June; Ron Bedell seconded the motion. Bruce explained the project and noted that voting in person or via email to him will be open until 5:00 p.m., March 5 (brucepacht67@gmail.com).
KILTON CHILDREN'S BOOKS:
These are the books we donated to the Lebanon Public Library last week in recognition of the three students who participated this year in the district's annual speech contest.
A Gift of Dust: How Saharan Plumes Feed the Planet. By Martha Brockenbrough (Author), Juana Martinez-Neal (Illustrator)
From two award-winning creators comes a picture book that reveals the hidden wonders of how Saharan Dust impacts the world: from slowing a hurricane to nourishing a rainforest.
This dust . . . of what lived once sustains what lives today and what will be born . . . tomorrow.
An ancient catfish becomes a fossil, and as the lake where it lived dries up, the fossil turns to dust--but this isn't ordinary dust. This dust begins in Chad, West Africa, but winds carry it across the continent, over the Atlantic ocean, to nourish and replenish the Amazon rain forest and beyond.
A Gift of Dust takes readers on a journey that shows just how interconnected our planet is, and how something so small can have such a huge impact. With lyrical, awe-inspiring verse based in fact, and stunning art from a Caldecott honoree, this is a story for our times.
Bunny Should Be Sleeping by Amy Hest (Author), Renata Liwska (Illustrator)
Bunny should be sleeping, but instead, he is waiting for Dad to come check on him. Dad always checks on him, but tonight, Dad is late.
Soon Dad will come. He will come in the night to check on his little Bunny. Come on, Dad! Check on me, check on me, check on me!
Bunny can’t wait anymore— he needs his dad! Slipping out of bed, Bunny packs a wagon of everything Dad might need: some water, a blanket, a snack, and their favorite book to share. Down the hall and through the dark, Bunny finds Dad fast asleep, oblivious to all the supplies Bunny offers him.
At last, Bunny resorts to a tap on the nose to wake Dad up. Dad checks on Bunny, and Bunny checks on Dad, who is happy to see him, if still groggy. They read their special book, and all is right with the world again.
HAPPY DOLLARS—Sgt-at-Arms Dave Clarenbach
Bruce Pacht—While receiving wonderful care surrounded by the latest technological equipment in a spotless environment by fully-trained and experienced professionals, Bruce thought of how so many people in the world barely receive the most basic health care. We are so privileged here.
John Stalvey—visit from three grandchildren who learned to ski and love it. Also had a something objectionable removed from the skin of his nose and he’s clean!
John Yacavone—The Grateful Dead was invited to Syracuse University when elder son Michael was there. Mike did an academic interview with Jerry Garcia that resulted in Mike’s receiving free entry to every concert with a backstage pass. One New Year’s Eve, Mike told John he was going to San Francisco, CA, for a GD concert at which Mike enjoyed full backstage privileges.
Marilyn Bedell—“For Better or Worse” comic today features Ron Bedell!! Also thanks to Phil for his concert today.
Rich Wallace—Golf Committee met Tuesday with seven Rotarians in attendance who had fun together. Wednesday, June 3, is the date at Eastman. Information will soon come to all members about finding sponsors and players.
CARD AND CAR WASH RAFFLE
Our guest failed to pick the Queen of Hearts.
President Marilyn won yet another car wash in Enfield, courtesy of Jake’s Market.
President Marilyn rang the bell and we closed at 1:08 p.m.
FUTURE MEETING SPEAKERS:
March 5—Emmah's Garden.
March 12—Kristi Lenart-Rikert, Listen Center.
March 19—Club Assembly: reports from Board of Directors, Charities, Committees.
March 26—Lori Fortini, DHMC Aging Resource Center.
