Find out who our upcoming speakers are, what we covered during the last weekly meeting,
and learn more about Lebanon Rotary and our projects.
Future meeting schedule and speakers
Speaker Chair, Ron Michaud
October 12 Adams Carrol, ED Advance Transit
October 19 Cindy Heath, gardening presentation
October 26 Club Business - Strategic Planning
November 2 Jim Schachter, CEO New Hampshire Public Radio
November 9 Club Business
November 16 TBD
November 30 Carl Gross, Manager Lebanon Municipal Airport
December 7 Aaron Rivkin, Hopkins Center for the Arts
December 12 Holiday Party at the Quechee Inn
December 14 Club Business
December 21 Ernst Oidtmann Piano Recital
Our Speaker
SAU #88
Superintendent of Schools
Superintendent Amy Allen
Program - SAU #88 Overview
Superintendent Allen joined the Lebanon School District over the summer. She has been working to familiarize herself with the Lebanon Community and everyone it takes to support a school district. She noted that the Rotary Club of Lebanon has been a long time supporter of Lebanon schools. Her opening slide was a picture of our distribution of our first grant books this past spring.
She reminded us that a robust community is needed to make a strong school system. She then went on to provide an overview of what she has learned about the Lebanon School District. She shared a PowerPoint screen that showed that large number of community organizations that support our schools.
There are many traditional and not so traditional staff members in the school district. She highlighted that it is helpful to have a psychologist and social worker to support students across the school system. In addition each school has a behavioral counselor. She briefly talked about the school's resource officer and shared that the officer oversees all schools in SAU #88.
Allen shared that as she was arriving, the school had been subject to a cyberattack. The district engaged outside cybersecurity experts to help secure its systems and investigate the nature and scope of the attack. The district technology team the district will continue to review its processes and procedures to find ways to further bolster its data security program moving forward.
At times we may not think that our community isn't all that diverse, but in our schools we have 243 children whose primary language isn't English. There are 48 languages spoken by children in the schools. Back in 2007 there were 160 students who didn't have English as their primary language, and these students represented 33 languages. We have had a 52% increase in students who need language support to succeed in school. Allen believes we will need to build a larger bilingual workforce. There is a staff members who is focused on DEI initiatives too.
From the SAU#88 Web Page:
Lebanon School Board Diversity and Inclusion Statement
The Lebanon School District values diversity, social equity, and inclusion with the goal of building a sense of belonging for all individuals in our District. We are committed to identifying and removing barriers in order to foster an environment of respect and acceptance for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, disability, sex, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status. All staff and students will have access to the opportunities, resources, and support they need to attain their full potential.
Allen shared all the ways the school district works to enhance communications within and to the community, not limited to the schools web page, publishing weekly updates, press releases, social media, banners and signage, Valley News spotlight page and Lebanon Times.
Ninety percent of 158 LHS students who take advance placement (AP) exams score at at 3, 4 of 5. LSH is near the top of schools scores in New Hampshire. Twelve advance placement courses are offered.
One-hundred, rising K to 8th grade students attended summer school in 2023. Thirty-four rising, 9th to 12th grade students attended summer school. Of the 34 students, 21 students achieved credits. Twenty-three recovery credits were earned. 10 students attended more than one class. Seven student earned eligibility status for sports for the 2023/2024 school year.
Allen shared information about the preschool program that is offered. The focus in on experiential learning, communication skills and social and emotional learning.
The school also offers a literacy education program for adults that has received many accolades. Deb Laffin is the program coordinator. The program services adults 18 years and older in basic reading, writing and math, preparation of the HiSET (High School Equivalency) and ESOL (English Speakers of other Languages). This is a state and federally funded program free to our students. Volunteer tutors work with our students helping them to reach his/her goal.
The school is beginning work for achieve NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation.
From the NEASC web page:
Grounded in the experience and expertise of practicing educators since 1885, NEASC Accreditation is a respected, effective, and time-tested methodology for school improvement and growth. It is not a single event, but rather an ongoing, voluntary cycle of comprehensive internal and external assessments, short- and long-term strategic planning, and periodic reporting sustained by professional partnership and support. It is intended to serve as a framework for schools to meet their own unique goals for student learning while maintaining alignment with research-based Standards for Accreditation that define the characteristics of high quality, effective learning communities. It also serves to assess the systems in place for ongoing institutional self-reflection and a school’s commitment to and capacity for continuous growth and/or transformation.
An overview sheet about LHS and the Touch the Future, Teach! Educator Registered Apprenticeship Program was given to members. The Apprenticeship Program provides a pathway for an individual to become a teacher. If you know of someone who might like to transition to a teaching career, they can contact Mary Ford at 603-722-5775 or mford@digitalequity.us
Allen was asked what drive success and better test scores, Allen responded, "Good teachers, good parents and smaller class sizes".
It was shared that we have valued having Joy Gobin, Extended Learning Opportunities Coordinator as a member of Lebanon Rotary. It has strengthened our connections to all schools, and helped us to better meet the needs of students. We hope that as Joy retires, the person who replaces her will become a member of our club.
Amy Allen's brief bio:
Prior to beginning her tenure at SAU 88 Lebanon School District, Amy Allen was assistant superintendent for teaching, leading, and learning in the Manchester School District. Prior to becoming assistant superintendent in 2017, Amy was principal at Parker-Varney Elementary School and assistant principal of student services at Hillside Middle School, both in Manchester. Her administrative background reflects success in a large New Hampshire school district managing a wide and complex spectrum of educational issues. Amy also brings involvement in developing school initiatives in diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI. Amy is a former Enfield, New Hampshire, resident. [modified from an article found in https://www.greateruppervalley.com
Kilton Library Children's Collection
Book given in honor of Superintendent Amy Allen to the Kilton Library:
The Jackie Morris Book of Classic Nursery Rhymes, illustrated by Jackie Morris
A wonderfully illustrated and sumptuous collection of nursery rhymes for all ages, including many favorite rhymes as well as some that will be a delightful discovery. Originally published as The Cat and the Fiddle in 2011, this edition includes a new introduction by Jackie Morris—a spirited defense of the nursery rhyme, which she fears is in danger of being forgotten in a digital world. The beautiful and detailed watercolor paintings combine with more than 40 rhymes to make this a unique treasury and lifetime possession for children and adults of all ages
Meeting Overview
We gathered for conversation and fellowship prior to the official start of the meeting.
Just after noon David rang the bell to call the meeting to order.
We welcomed our guest Amy Allen, Superintendent of Schools for SAU #88.
Ernst Oidtmann played our Rotary Welcome song and one other (can't remember what it was...oops)
I arrived late, so don't have notes on who recited the 4-Way Test either as I was setting up our WebEx link for Emma, Jane, Dan and Joy.
I didn't miss the jokes of the day:
After a dream, the muffler woke up exhausted.
I took a bale of hay to bed to feed my nightmare.
After groaning...it was off to the lunch buffet.
David then introduced Superintendent of Schools, Amy Allen.
Program: See info about Allen's presentation above.
Announcements
Ron Michaud is still at home recovering from his hip displacement He is now home. (15 School Street, Lebanon, NH 03766)
Jon Blodgett — Ernst Oidtmann let us know that Jons roof has been repaired. His home will go on the real estate market soon. He will let us know when help is need to help with packing.
Strategic Plan — Strategic plan review has been moved to October 26, 2023. Advance Transit Executive Director. Adam Carroll will be our speaker on October 12, 2023.
Listen Dinner — Next Tuesday, October 10th...consider joining Bruce Bergeron, Tim Guaraldi and a visiting Rotarian from Fort Lauderdale to help cook the dinner.
Flu Vaccine Clinics — Help still needed for Enfield and Orford and the Mascoma Health Center. See below.
David has signed up for the Rotary Learning Institute. He hopes he can fill his car with other who are willing to keep him company for the ride to, during and coming from RLI. Itwill be held at the St. Johnsbury Academy on October 28, 2023 from 7:30 AM t0 3:30 PM. First 50 Rotarians to register will have their registration fee refunded by our Rotary District. Go to https://rlinea.org/ to register. (You will be reimbursed for your registration fee.)
Listen Holiday Basket Project — Angela announced that it will soon be time to purchase our gifts for the Listen Holiday Basket for 2023. More info will be coming soon.
Why attend?
RLI is an outstanding opportunity for each club to improve the Rotary knowledge of its key people and to be exposed to new ideas of leadership. The exchange of ideas with other experienced Rotarians alone makes the courses extremely worthwhile.
Gain knowledge, proficiency and mastery in the areas of….
Leadership Development
Rotary Knowledge
Exchange of Ideas
Member Engagement
Service Project Leadership
Strategic Planning
Team Building
Public Relations
International Perspective
Improving Communications
One Profits Most Who Serves Best
Holiday Party
Ron Bedell sent out information about our holiday party which will be help at the Quechee Inn on TUESDAY, December 12, 2023 at 5:30 PM with our famous Yankee Swap!
Details:
The date for our Annual Christmas Party and Yankee Swap is Tuesday December 12th. The cost will be $60 per person, including tax and gratuities.
The event will take place at the Quechee Inn in Quechee, VT.
5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Hors D'oeuvres and Cocktails in the Tavern (Cash Bar)
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Dinner
8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Yankee Swap
The menu will be:
Chef's Choice of 2 Passed Hors D'oeuvres in the Tavern
Mixed Green Salad & Fresh Baked Rolls
Pre-Selected Entrees: Blackjack Sirloin, Grilled Salmon, Chicken or Vegetarian
Dessert and Coffee Service
One Glass of House Red or White Wine with Dinner
The Yankee Swap will begin right after dinner. Remember to bring a new or used gift valued at $15.00 or less for each person in your party.
Happy Dollars
Marilyn Bedell was happy to be able to host the a Gordon and Carol Mann, Rotarians from Scotland who are here for the Rotary Friendship Exchange. The toured St. Gaudens on Wednesday. Today they are with Rotarians from Littleton and Lancaster and will explore the White Mountains.
Hank Clarke was celebrating this beautiful Indian summer days.
Dean Cashmas thanked Amy for speaking to today. He shared she will be able to cheer for both Lebanon and Enfield as the play together as part of the hockey coop.
Willie Koppenheffer shared that Ellen was on her way to Portugal to visit her college friend.
Ahmad Haidari represented Lebanon Rotary at the Ukraine Day in Claremont last Saturday. He enjoyed good Ukrainian food at the event. He was warmly welcomed by the Sugar River Rotary Club.
Queen of Hearts Draw
Tim Guaraldi pulled the 7 of Clubs...We will continue to search for the Queen of Hearts.
Car Wash
Car Wash won by Dean Cashman
Members at meeting:
Ron Bedell, Marilyn Bedell, Dean Cashman, Hank Clarke Dave Crandall, Jim Damren, Ed Friedman, Joy Gobin*, Tim Guaraldi, Ahmad Haidari, Jane Mason*, Angela Nelson, Ernst Oidtmann, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, John Yacavone
Guest: Dan Russel* and Emma Allen*
GHANA GRANT UPDATE — From Walter Hughes
September 24, 2023
Dear Fellow Rotarians and Friends,
We hope you are doing well! The Rotary Foundation approved Grant 23-41059. We received the last check from the last Rotary Club. The Rotary Foundation sent payment for Phase 1 in September. We will start drilling wells next week for our water and sanitation project. Families will start getting toilets in their homes. Women will get loans for their businesses. The final budget is $223,000. We plan to impact 45,000 lives thanks to your support. A great video of our work for your Rotary moment is Keeping Promises 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTC_pBBnsfg We promise to keep creating new videos of our work.
We have some news of our projects from Ghana as we aim to reach 1 million lives impacted over twenty years of teamwork. We are happy to inform you that our project GG 22-35025 ($167,200/46,118 lives) is 90% complete. GG 22-38088 ($230K/47,800 beneficiaries) is 70% complete. All work is going well. There's a video of the work already accomplished on this project below. All of our current projects are reaching our goals.
President Nana Mensah, Rotary Club of Kumasi and our partner, Obuasi Rotary have been implementing WASH and school projects for eight years. We will have five host Rotary Clubs. Nana Mensah and Abdul Mumin, Obuasi Charter President will lead the effort.
We have implemented 2 or 3 water projects per year in Ghana since 2006 in partnership with many Rotary Clubs and Districts. We are currently looking for more Rotary Partners to help us continue to implement new projects. Fondation Coup de Coeur helps by providing matching funds. Montreal Rotary Club is a key partner to assist with fundraising. To give you a better idea of what we do, we are attaching:
* One-Page Summary of our upcoming project (#GG 23-52766)
* Walter Hughes' biography
* Walter Hughes' team track record.
* Final report of recently finished water project in Ghana (#GG 20-11510)
Do you think your Rotary Club and District would be interested in contributing AGAIN financially to this high impact project in Ghana? Should you be interested, I would be happy to make a presentation on this project during one of your club meetings. Rest assured that any contribution would be extraordinarily helpful and highly appreciated. Do not hesitate to contact us if you require further information. Hoping to partner with you again. This grant will be submitted in December 2023 and approved in March 2024. The approved grant 41059 application is also attached.
Thank you very much for your precious collaboration. Have a good day! Enjoy the videos below. The Keeping Promises video would be good for a Rotary moment in a club meeting. If you are interested in going with our team to Ghana next year to see your well, let me know.
Sincerely yours in Rotary Service,
Walter Hughes
WASH Project Manager
Rotary Club of Salem, Virginia, USA
Past D7570 Grants Chair
White House Champion of Change
Cell: +1 540-493-4715
Recent Videos of Water, Sanitation, Disease Prevention & Economic Development
Please feel free to share these videos with others.
Projects and Fundraisers
2023 Flu Shot Clinics - A few more helpers needed - UPDATED SIGN UP SHEET
2023 Public Health Council of the Upper Valley Vaccination Clinic Support
These are all walk-through clinics, so the work is much simpler. Volunteers help pass out clipboards and direct foot traffic through the clinic. Alice Ely alice.ely@uvpublichealth.org would like to have a few folks able to arrive about 45 minutes before the clinics open, but most volunteers would be able to leave by the end time (or earlier). We would need no more than 2 to 4 volunteers for each clinic, and I do have a few other sources for volunteers, so this is not all on you.
Next Listen Dinner October 10, 2022, Volunteers needed.
ONLINE SIGN UP HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED.
Let Dean Cashman know if you can help and he can email Larry the names of members who will help at the dinner.
********************
Can't help on the October 10th? Here is another call for helpers from Larry Lowndes at Listen.
Hi Volunteers,
You are receiving this email because at some point you asked to know when the Dining Hall needs volunteers. Below are some dates when we do not have any volunteer teams scheduled and we would love some help. Positions include "Cooking and Serving” and/or "Dining Hall Monitoring".
If you want to sign up for one of these slots, or to stop receiving these emails send me an email with the specifics. If you haven’t volunteered with us before, don’t worry! There will be people here to walk you through it all.
Here’s when we have empty slots for the next few weeks:
Cooking and Serving: Cooking starts at 2:30 in the Kitchen. Service starts at 4:30pm and goes to 5:30pm. Breakdown lasts around half an hour after we close.
· Friday, September 29
· Tuesday, October 3
· Thursday, October 5
· Tuesday, October 10 (NOTE: This should be our day to provide volunteers)
· Thursday October 12
· Friday the 13th 😨
· Tuesday, October 17
· Friday, October 20
Dining Hall Monitoring: Setup starts around 3:30 which includes getting supplies, the Salad Bar, and Desserts ready for service. There are opportunities to engage with guests. Breakdown lasts about half an hour.
· Friday, September 29
· Friday, September 6
· Friday, September 13
· Friday, October 20.
If you are interested in volunteering weekly on Fridays for this position, please reach out to me to discuss the possibility.
The available dates may fill up before you get a chance to respond. Please double-check with me to make sure the date you choose is still available. And again, thank you for all you do for Listen Community Services.
Larry
Larry Lowndes
Community Dinner Manager
Polystyrene Recycling
Sustainable Lebanon is once again partnering with the Lebanon Rotary Club to offer a polystyrene (styrofoam) collection day on Saturday, October 28th, from 9-11am at 227 Mechanic Street in Lebanon (behind Jake’s Coffee). The event will take place rain or shine and is open to all members of the public.
We will be collecting CLEAN rigid expanded polystyrene #6 (EPS) and #6 food service foam which will be driven to the Gilford, NH recycling facility. Examples of EPS include rigid packaging foam used for TVs and appliances as well as styrofoam coolers. Examples of food service foam include food containers, trays, cups, and egg cartons. It is IMPORTANT that all tape and labels be removed and all collected foam is clean, dry, and free of food residue or other debris.
There is no fee to participate, but donations are welcome to support the costs associated with this and future Sustainable Lebanon events. Donations can be made at the event via cash or check (payable to Sustainable Lebanon), or online via the Sustainable Lebanon Facebook page. Thanks in advance for considering a donation!
If you are finding yourself with too much foam between collections, please note that anyone is allowed to visit the public drop-off bin available at Gilford DPW, 55 Cherry Valley Road.
For more information and to volunteer, please contact Liane Avery: L99Liane@aol.com or call 860-556-3114.
Listen Holiday Baskets
Stay turned for info about Listen Holiday Basket Helper 2023.
As in past years, holiday basket sponsors will purchase gifts for children and seniors. Each spnosr will purchase 3 warm winter clothing items and a $50 grocery gift card. Other items to purchase will be optional . Community members are also invited to donate their time to help assemble and distribute holiday baskets. However we participate, Listen will be grateful for any help we can give them to bring cheer to Upper Valley families this holiday season.
Now on to Golf and Brew Fest 2024
CHEERS!!
Time to order your Rotary Wear for Fall!
Top Stitch Rotary Vests and Jackets
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.
Rotary News
One Day. One Focus: Ending Polio
24 October 2023
World Polio Day is a time for Rotary members, public health advocates, and all who want a world free from polio to come together, recognize our progress in the fight to end polio, and talk about the actions we need to take in order to end polio for good.
It’s Time to Make Polio History
In 1988, poliovirus was present in 125 countries, paralyzing an estimated 1,000 children per day. That year, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) launched, with a goal of eradicating polio worldwide.
Over the past 35 years, GPEI has made remarkable progress towards this goal. Cases of wild poliovirus have decreased by more than 99% – from 350,000 cases per year to fewer than 10 annual cases of wild polio. The disease remains consistently present in just two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan.
But challenges remain. As long as wild poliovirus continues to circulate in Afghanistan and Pakistan, all countries are at risk of wild poliovirus being imported. Outbreaks of poliovirus variants – which emerge when not enough children are vaccinated against polio – present an additional and pressing challenge in multiple countries.
On World Polio Day, CDC commemorates this progress and joins its GPEI partners in the call to overcome the barriers to Make Polio History once and for all.
Spread the Word!
Digital content from CDC and partners is available to spread the word about ending polio – on World Polio Day and beyond!
Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication — Pakistan, January 2022–June 2023 Weekly / August 18, 2023 /
72(33);880–885
Chukwuma Mbaeyi, DDS ; Shahzad Baig, MD ; Rana Muhammad Safdar, MD ; Zainul Khan, MD ; Hamish Young ; Jaume Jorba, PhD ; Zubair M. Wadood, MD ; Hamid Jafari, MD ; Muhammad Masroor Alam, PhD ; Richard Franka, PhD
Abstract Since the establishment of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, Pakistan remains one of only two countries (along with Afghanistan) with continued endemic transmission of wild poliovirus (WPV). This report describes Pakistan’s progress toward polio eradication during January 2022–June 2023. During 2022, Pakistan reported 20 WPV type 1 (WPV1) cases, all of which occurred within a small geographic area encompassing three districts in south Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As of June 23, only a single WPV1 case from Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been reported in 2023, compared with 13 cases during the same period in 2022. In addition, 11 WPV1 isolates have been reported from various environmental surveillance (ES) sewage sampling sites to date in 2023, including in Karachi, the capital of the southern province of Sindh. Substantial gaps remain in the quality of supplementary immunization activities (SIAs), especially in poliovirus reservoir areas. Despite the attenuation and apparently limited geographic scope of poliovirus circulation in Pakistan, the isolation of WPV1 from an ES site in Karachi is cause for concern about the actual geographic limits of transmission. Interrupting WPV1 transmission will require meticulous tracking and sustained innovative efforts to vaccinate children who are regularly missed during SIAs and rapidly responding to any new WPV1 isolations. Read full article by clicking here.
Hearts. 
.png)
