Our speaker this week was Gabe Zoerheide, Executive Director.He was born in the Upper Valley.He lives on a Dairy farm in Vermont.He has worked as Director for Programs at Vital Communities. Hespent a couple of years as the executive director for Cohase Chamber of Commerce before accepting his position at Willing Hands.
Gabe Zoerheide, Executive Director, Willing Hands
He provided a broad overview of Willing Hands. Willing Hands has a 20+ year history of serving the Upper Valley.The organization is focused on elevating food insecurity. The goal is to get fresh perishable foods for those in need.
He acknowledged Phil Bush who for a time was their bookkeeper, and Bill Chabot who is a volunteer.
Some of the following information is from Gabe’s talk and some is from the Willing Hands website: https://willinghands.org/
Food insecurity continues to rise in the Upper Valley. It is now higher than during the pandemic.Listen reports a 25% increase in those accessing their food pantries. Inflation and SNAP cuts have impacted many. Most desired items are fresh produce, dairy, eggs, and protein. Many of our neighbors are visiting food shelves for the first time. Food shelves are struggling to keep up with demand
Mission
Willing Hands recovers fresh food to reduce food waste and expand equitable and reliable access to fresh food.
Their Values
Volunteerism: Volunteering is foundational to advancing our mission and creates connectedness in our community.
Environmental Stewardship: Reducing food waste is our organization’s most impactful opportunity to mitigate the climate crisis. they seek to reduce our carbon footprint and protect the environment throughout their operations.
Advancing Equity: All people should have access to nourishing, fresh food. We are committed to more deeply understanding and responding to the diverse needs, preferences, and circumstances of those in our community. They are committed to ensuring all those who engage with the organization feel included, respected, and able to thrive.
Strengthening Our Community: Strong, mutually beneficial partnerships are key to community resilience. They appreciate, support, and collaborate with local farms, donors, recipient organizations, and community partners to contribute to our community’s collective well-being.
Co-President Jim Damren called themeeting to order with the ringing of our Rotary bell.
Bill Chabot led us in reciting the 4-Way Test of the Things We Think Say or Do
Ernst Oidtmann is still in Europe, so no music today.
Thought of the Day, Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree long ago. Warren Buffett
Welcome Guests: Our speaker, Gabe Zoerheide, John Mancheste, former Hanover Rotarian who brought NextHome Modern Reelty owner, Spemcer Molloy to meet us, and John is encouraging him to consider joining Rotary.
Birthdays: Keegan Carpenter 9/24
Wedding Anniversaries: Marilyn and Ron Bedell, 52 years
Lebanon Rotary Anniversaries: None this week
Then it was time for Lunch
Speaker Gabe Zoerheide, Willing Hands – See story above.
Speaker book for the Kilton Library's Children’s Collection was presented by Bill Secord.
Dancing with Water
by Gwendolyn Wallace (Author), Tonya Engel (Illustrator)
An intergenerational story about a child who learns the tradition of well digging in this picture book about community, hope, and protecting the Earth’s water.
As soon as Kit’s old enough to ride in Grandpa's truck, they begin joining him to dig wells for their community. Grandpa is magic. He can feel the weather in his bones, and he’s able to dance with water. With just a tree branch in his hand, Grandpa sways and spins over the land until he finds a spot to dig a hole into the waiting earth. When the water springs up, Grandpa and Kit jump for joy.
As new hotels and factories pop up across town, clean water becomes harder to find. Sometimes, no water flows at all. Kit is sad for Grandpa—and for Earth. But one day, Grandpa senses that Kit is ready to dance with water too. Grandpa reminds Kit that the energy and strength of their people flow through the water. As they wait and watch for fresh, clear water to flow up from the ground again, Kit recognizes the power shared between themself and Earth.
Jim Damren inducted our new member, Maana Sungbawiera Joshua Morgan, Known as “Morgan”.
Bruce Bergeron, Ahmad Haidari (sponsor). Maana Sungbawiera Joshua “Morgan” Morgan,. Jim Damren
Announcements, Other Club Business and Opportunities
Charities Committee – At Charities meeting on 9/16/2026 the committee voted in favor of allocating $1752.35 to reimburse Lebanon Parks and Recreation for the purchase of a handicap accessible picnic table for installation in Riverside Park. Concurrence voting is necessary as the amount exceeds $1000. The vote is open until 5pm on October 1st. If you haven't voted as of yet, please respond to this email with your vote.
Thank you for considering the matter. All the best, Bill Chabot, Trustees secretary
Lebanon Opera House Ticket Raffle. Bruce Pacht organized the raffle. Winner, George Wenz, with Will Koppenheffer and John Yacavone runners up. to get tickets if George doesnt want all four tickets.
Beer Sale: The first of a few left over beer sales happened to day with a few more dollars going to our Brewfest income. Next round of leftover beer sales in two weeks. Beer Sa;e $5 per 4/6 pack.
Free Flu Clinics – Public Health Council of Upper Valley
Contact Angela if you can attend in Canaan – she will complete online sign-up process. Date, October 29th, 4 to 6 PM,
Styrofoam Collection Event – Saturday 10/4
Mascoma Bank Parking Lot, Sykes Ave, WRJ VT
8:15 am to 11:30 am
8-10 volunteers
President’s Picnic
Cancelled on September 27th, rain, rain go away….Now scheduled for October3rd, 11 to 2 PM
Rotary District 7850 Fall Regional Learning Seminars
10/3 – North Conway
10/24 – Sherbrooke, Quebec
11/14 – So. Burlington, join Jim, Bruce, Phil and James
Common Man for Ukraine/Hanover and Lebanon Rotary Concert. More info to come. Concert is free with a request for donations. We will need a few members to volunteer to support the event.
Revo Casino Community Galla 2026 on October 10th (RSVP by September 25, 2026
Coop Food Drives…Save these two dates, October 24 and November 24 a the Centerra Coop. Tim Guaraldi organizing and inviting our LHS Interactors to join us again this year.
Knitting for Ukraine – Hannah Falcone announced that her mother is coordinating this event to provide warm, wool, knit hats for children in Ukraine at their sheep farm in Plainfield. If you have questions, email falconefivesistersfarm@gmail.com Deadline to drop off donations at Five Sisters Farm in Plainfield is November 12th.
Holiday Party and Famous Yankee Swap will be on December 9, 2026, in the Dwinell Room at Harvest Hill.
It will soon be that time of year again. Time for the Rotary Club of Lebanon to have a fun filled dinner and a Yankee Swap!
Date: December 9, 2026
Time: 5:30 till 9:00 or so
Cost: $40.00 Per Person
Menu:
Appetizers
Cheese and Crackers, Vegetable Crudité with Dip, Rolls and Butters
Dinner
Salad, Carved Beef, Chicken Marsala, Vegetarian Option TBD, Butternut Squash - either Mashed or Roasted, Sauteed Green Beans, Roasted Red Potatoes,
Dessert
TBD
Beverage
Coffee, Tea and Bottled Water. Feel free to bring you own Wine and Beer if so desired
Yankee Swap
Each person coming will bring a wrapped gift of something repurposed, or New Valued at $20.00. For those of you that have not participated in a Yankee Swap, it goes like this. A number will be drawn from a bag. Each person starting with number one will pick a gift from the pile and open it. The person with number two will choose a gift and open it. They will then have the option of temporaily keeping the gift they chose or swapping it with the one that number one chose. This will progress with each person swapping their gift with all the other gifts until the person with the last number completes their transaction. Number one will then have a chance to swap their gift with any other gift.
Reservations
Send an e-mail to me at r.j.bedell@comcast.net. with the number in your party or regrets so that I will not bother you with follow-ups. All Corporate Members are invited as well as significant others and other guests.
Payment
Send a check to Angela Nelson, Rotary Club of Lebanon, P.O. Box 132, Lebanon, NH 03766-0132
Thank you for considering the Holiday Party and I sincerely hope that we can look forward to seeing you there,
Ron Bedell & John Yacavone
Happy Dollars
Bruce Pacht reflected on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, celebrated as the birthday of the universe and a time for self reflection. Bruce has been reflecting on how Rotary values mirror is faith…and “our need to get along”.
Marilyn Bedell took a moment to thank Angela Nelson, John Yacavone, Jane Mason and Ron Bedell for helping to clean, sort, and orgainze our storage space in the Dwinell Room.
Ahmad Haidari spent some time with Spenser Molloy, and learned he was a classmate with his son, Chris. Spencer and Chris met up at Brewfest and then had dinner together.
“Morgan” Morgan is happy to be a member, and want to learn how to make an electronic payment of $100 to celebrate becoming a member of our club. He is committed to learning how he can be an active, engaged member of our club. Moran was a Rotaractor in Ghana.
Ron Michaud reflected on his faith as he listened to Bruce Pacht. Ron is this last chapter of his life is focusing on making amends. He described this process as being a wonderful journey. He also let Bruce Bergeron know that when he goes into Jakes, he tell employees that he know Bruce Bergeron, and Bruce's employees share he is “a wonderful boss”.
Queen of Hearts Draw – Tim Guaraldi pulled the 4 of Spades…the hunt for the Queen continues.
Car Wash – Was won by Ron Michaud
September 17, 2026, Attendance
Attendance
Bill Babineau, Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Bruce Bergeron, Phil Bush, Keegan Carpenter*, Bill Chabot, Dave Clarenbach, Hank Clarke, Jim Damren, Nick Gaffney, Steve Grant*, Tim Guaraldi, Tyler Hagan, Andy Jones, Jane Mason*, Joshua “Morgan” Morgan, Ron Michaud, Dan Nash, Angela Nelson, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, John Stalvey, John Yacavone
Guest: John Manchester, former member, Rotary Club of Hanover; Spenser Molloy, Realtor; and our speaker, Gabe Zoerheide, Executive Director, Willing Hands
One Profits Most Who Serves Best
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
October 1: Jay Cairelli - Classification Talk
October 8: Bise Wood Saint Eugene, Tysea Orphanage in Jacmel, Haiti.
October 15: Peter Wright, MD Polio Update. He is an internationally renowned scientist on the disease.
October 22: Roy Schlieben, Executive Director, MAXT Makerspace
October 29: Jada Lindblom, Ph.D., Extension State Specialist, Economic Development, Associate Extension Professor, Recreation Management and Policy, UNH Durham (Most likely delivered remotely)
