Have you worked on finding a sponsor for Brew Fest. Sponsor confirmations needed by July 15, 2026
Cheers
Rotary Club of Lebanon, NH
Meeting notes: Thursday, July 2, 2026
Dwinell Room at Harvest Hill
Our Meeting Review
Welcome to our new Rotary year.Co-President Jim Damren was our leader today.This meant he had to leave his favorite table in the back or the room to be up front near the podium.
Jim called on Marilyn Bedell to lead everyone in reciting the Rotary 4-Way Test. Ernst Oidtmann played and we attempted to sing our Rotary Welcome Song, and then in honor of a very warm day, when it might have been better to be on the water, we sang We Were Sailing Along on Moonlight Bay.
Jim’s thought of the day was a reflection on the 250th birthday of the United States of America.Despite the divisions we feel too often, Jim reminded us that we are fortunate to be citizens of the USA.It is his hope the celebrations on the 4th of July will bring us together and cause us to reflect on what makes our country grand.
Jim deferred welcoming our guest who all would become official members today.
It was a day to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries:
Birthdays: Andy Jones, July 3rd, and Bill Chabot, July 5th
Wedding anniversaries: Dan and Linda Nash, 50 years on July 3rd, and Will Koppenheffer and Ellen Gitomer, 43 years on July 3rd
Rotary Anniversaries: Ron Michaud, 36 year with Lebanon + more years in Marblehead Mass, Jim Damren, 34 years; Bill Secord, 33 years; Rich Wallace 31 years; Richard Wallace 9 years.
Then it was on to our lunch buffet.
Member Inductions:
Following lunch Jim had the honor of inducting Jason Massey from Liberty Utilities, and our new corporate members from Lebanon Opera House, Shay Berry (lead member), Joe Clifford (who couldn’t join us today), Linda Lewis and Brian Cook.Jason Massey was sponsored byRich Wallace, and the Lebanon Opera House members were sponsored by Marilyn Bedell as the immediate past president.We showered them with “Rotary bling” … a framed certificate, Rotary pin, Rotary 4-Way Test coin, and a folder with the ABCs of Rotary, Rotary Foundation info, and several Rotary information cards.
Shay Berry, Rich Wallace, Jason Massey, Brian Cook and Linda Lewis
Program: See story about James Carroll below.
Celebrating Ernst and Linda Oidtmann’s Commitment to the Rotary Foundation.
Ron Bedell, Ernst Oidtmann and Marilyn Bedell
Ernst and Linda Oidtmann made the decision to make a significant lasting legacy by including the Rotary Foundation in their estate plans.Ron and Marilyn Bedell had the honor of presenting Ernst a crystal globe and a Bequest Society pin.Linda couldn’t be here today as she was with family in Duxbury, MA.
Announcements
Jim Damren reported that our golf net revenue will be just over $30,000.
Brewfest signage needs to be updated.Although we thought we could do this today, we didn’t have the updated sticker with date and month so will be doing the updates next week at the end of the meeting.If you can stay on July 9, 2026 we will need your help.There will be 60 signs to update.
If you have a property that is on a heavy traffic road/street, that isn’t city or state property, let John Yacavone know so he can get you a sign.
Happy Dollars
Ernst Oidtmann brought a copy of the Hood Quarterly that has a picture of Linda and Luna in it.Plus, the cover is a picture of a Dutch painter, Adam Christiaensz Pynacker.
Steve Grant shared that despite how poorly the Red Sox have been playing it was fun to see them sweep the Yankees, to which Jim Damren, our diehard Yankee fan, gasped.
George Wentz reflected that he has been married for 48 years, but not the same person. *wink*
Hank Clarke’s 19-year-old grandson hiked Mount Katahdin and the headed to the cape to be with his parents.It took many minutes to cross onto the cape.
John Stalvey is back from Oxford, England, which was part of a 50th anniversary trip with his classmates from Williams College.Despite it being VERY hot, he had a good trip with friends.
Ron Michaud shared that he is proud to be a Rotarian and finds all our new members to be fascinating people and is thoroughly enjoying hearing their classification talks.
Bruce Pacht said that John Stalvey’s happy dollar led him to let us know he is helping to plan the 60th Anniversary for his Dartmouth College class.
Dan Nash shared he is grateful to his wife for tolerating being with him for 50 years! He presented a $50 check for the foundation too!
Tim Guaraldi shared more about his trip to Alaska and that for three days they were able to see Mount Denali. He saw many animals.Found 24 hours of daylight fascinating and disorienting.He brought home 54 pounds of fish. This weekend he is heading to his new home in Maine with his father and mother, Larry and Sharon Guaraldi.
Raffles
Queen of Hearts draw was done by John Yacavone who pulled the Queen of Clubs.
Car wash went to our new member, Brian Cook!A nice way to begin his membership.
Attendance
Christina Annas, Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Shay Berry, James Carroll, Dean Cashman, Hank Clarke, Brian Cook, Jim Damren, Mela Dela Pena, Steve Grant, Tim Guaraldi, Tyler Hagan, Andy Jones, Linda Lewis, Joshua Massey, Ron Michaud, Dan Nash, Ernst Oidtmann, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, John Stalvey, Rich Wallace, George Wentz, John Yacavone
ROTARY DISTRICT 7850 COMING EVENTS
September 3, District Governor Ariel Mondlak visitation—Just before our Brewfest!
CLUB FUNDRAISER
September 5, Saturday of Labor Day Weekend: 2026 Brewfest
(NOTE: This is now the official spelling and capitalization of “Brewfest.” The only exception is ALL CAPS for certain applications such as our road signs:“BREWFEST.” One word, in both cases.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
July 9: Sylvia Dow, Executive Director of Visions
]uly 16: Will Towne, Executive Director of Upper Valley Haven
July 23 Elizabeth Franson, Executive Director of Good
Neighbor Clinic
August 6: Club Meeting, Classification talk by Tyler Hagan
August 13: Gary Summerton Portraits
August 20: Clara Moses, Hydrate Marketing
August 27: Colby Price Director Lebanon Adult Education &
Literacy Services SAU 88
Program coordinator for start of Rotary year 2026-2027:
John Yacavone (July, August, September); Steve Grant (October, November, December)
James Carroll was our featured speaker today.He did his classification talk that tookus on his journey from Long Island to Florida, to New Hampshire to Florida and then back to New Hampshire.
His father did construction on Long Island, but his parents really didn’t like Long Island.It was too congested.So the family then moved to Palm Beach County, Florida which James described as a great place to be a kid.Near the ocean, there are opportunities to skateboard and do other things that young boys like to do. At the age of 16, his mother accepted a job as a nurse at DHMC.This was his first he move to New Hampshire, settling in Grantham.He shared that it can be tough on a teenager to move to a new high school for 11th and 12th grade.He attended Lebanon High School where it was hard to “fit in” as the new kid, as many of his fellow students had known one and other since kindergarten. Though he adapted and learned to enjoy being in the Upper Valley.
Following high school, he was accepted and attended Keene State College, majoring in political science and sociology. While at Keene State he became a volunteer for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America. He has been volunteering with them for over 15 years. He shared his experience of being a part of this organization.He told us about one child.Matt’s father left his mom when he was born.Matt is now in college working on his master’s in music therapy.He continues to see Matt and continues to mentor.At times it can be challenging to provide advice based on where a person is in their life.He continues to try to reflect on what guided him when he was his age.This helps him reframe his advice. He didn’t mention it, but his LinkedIn profile lists that he received the 2013 Big Brother of the Year award!
By Hashim Taqvi, a past president of the Rotary Club of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Hashim Taqvi
Every year, the last day of June and the first of July hold special significance in the Rotary world. Unlike the calendar year observed by most organizations, Rotary follows its own annual cycle, making 30 June the final day of one Rotary year and 1 July the first day of another.
These two dates symbolize far more than a change of leadership. They represent a seamless transition from achievement to aspiration, from gratitude to opportunity, and from one chapter of service to the next. They remind us that while leaders may change, our motto of Service Above Self remains constant and timeless.
On 30 June, there is reflection and appreciation. It is an occasion to look back on the countless hours of volunteer service, the lives touched through humanitarian projects, the friendships strengthened through fellowship, and the communities transformed through collective action. It is a time to celebrate accomplishments, honor the dedication of club officers and members, and acknowledge the generosity of donors, volunteers, and partners.
.jpg)
