Last chance to find a sponsor for Brew Fest. Sponsor confirmations needed by July 20, 2026
Cheers
Rotary Club of Lebanon, NH
Meeting notes: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Dwinell Room at Harvest Hill
Our Meeting Review:
Jim Damren called the meeting to order at noon.
Our guest was Will Towne from The Haven in White River Junction
John Stalvey led us in reciting the 4-Way Test
Mastro Ernst Oidtmann played and we sang Rotary Welcome Song, and Home, Home on the Range.
Ron Bedell will celebrate his 88thbirthday on July 19th.
Carol and Andy Keefe will celebrate their wedding anniversary on July 17th.
Then it was on to the lunch buffet.
After lunch John Yacavoe introduced our speaker, Will Towne from The Haven.See the story about his presentation below.
Bill Secord presented our children’s book for the Kilton Library.
The Kindness Book
By Todd Parr (Author)
New York Times bestselling author Todd Parr uses his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity to explore the value and joy in being kind to others.
With his colorful illustrations, playful humor, and inclusive storytelling, beloved author Todd Parr has long been a favorite among young readers and caregivers. His books promote an essential message of love and acceptance that is inspiring, empowering, and accessible.
Kindness is listening.
Kindness is saying sorry.
Kindness is helping things grow.
With his trademark bright colors and bold lines, Todd Parr takes on a topic more important than ever: being kind to each other. No matter what, you can always choose to be kind—and what a wonderful thing to be! The Kindness Book is the perfect introduction to a timely and timeless concept, and a great way to instill empathy from a young age.
Rotary Foundation – Phil Rentz had the honor of presenting Ron Michaud with his Paul Harris +5 pin.
Announcements
Jim reminded us that Brewfest sponsorships need to be submitted by Monday, July 20th.Please, everyone make one more attempt to solicit a sponsor.
Community Service is being transitioned from Bruce Bergeron to Marion Steiner and Angela Nelson.
Two upcoming community service activities being planned:
Addressing accessibility issues identified by Ms. Wheelchair, NH, Nenia Ballard
Milkweed planting, District Governor Ariel Mondlak’s service project for all clubs in District 7850. Goal to do the planting as part of her visit. We will be planting milkweed at Riverside Park.
President's Picnic will be held in the early fall at Bruce Bergeron's home.
Charities – Phil Bush and Bill Chabot
Our charities trustees are proposing that we make a $2,000 donation to Sustainable Lebanon for a restaurant reusable leftover container project. Four restaurants in the Upper Valley are willing to pilot this project. It has been tried in another part of the state of NH and was successful with s 100% return rate. Restaurants are responsible for cleaning the returned containers. Patrons pay a fee for using the container and the fee is returned when the reusable container is returned to the restauarnt.
$3,000 of $5,000 has been pledged for this project by the Coop ($2,000) and one other foundation ($1,.000).Our donation will bring donations to the $5,000 needed to start this project.
A motion was made by Bruce Pacht to approve this expenditure for $2,000 dollars as outlined by Phil Bush. The motion was seconded by John Yacavone.The voting period opened at the end of this meeting for two weeks.
Information about this project and the voting procedure will be emailed to members.
Email Phil Bush or Bill Chabot is you have questions about this project.
Sad News:We learned that Angela Nelson’s mother died earlier this week.We are sending her long distance thought of sympathy/condolences.
Happy Dollars
Carol Keefe had a real estate closing and presented the club with a $50 donation!
Bruce Pacht reflected on Will Towne’s presentation and his concerns about the widening gap between the very wealth and very poor.We need to find ways to regrow our middle class.
George Wentz was happy to announce the arrival of his great-grandson William Wentz.
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Queen of Hearts, Richard Wallacewon the pull and picked the 10 of Spades.
Car wash, went to Phil Rentz
Coupon for Jiffy Lube ($20 off), won by Ron Michaud who gave it to The Haven.
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Attendance
Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Shay Berry, Phil Bush, James Carroll, Dean Cashman, Bill Chabot, Dave Clarenbach, Jim Damren, Luke Frye, Mila Dela Pena, Steve Grant, Tim Guaraldi, Ahmad Haidari, Carol Keefe, Will Koppenheffer, Dustin Lester, Jane Mason, Ron Michaud, Ernst Oidtmann, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, John Stalvey, Marlon Steiner, Richard Wallace, George Wentz, John Yacavone
Speaker:Will Towne, Executive Director for The Haven.
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 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)
Will Towne Towne, Executive Director for The Haven in White River Junction, VT, has over a decade of experience in housing, shelter, and youth and family services, previously serving as Chief Operating Officer at Spectrum Youth & Family Services, based in Burlington, VT. In that role, he oversaw agency-wide operations, expanded programs and facilities, and led initiatives in property development, fundraising, and policy creation.
Earlier in his career, he helped launch a Winter Warming Shelter, managed supported housing programs, and advanced basic needs services such as drop-in centers and housing support for young people.
Beyond his organizational leadership, Towne has been an active voice in housing and homelessness policy statewide. He has served on the Governor’s Council on Housing and Homelessness, co-chaired the Chittenden County Homeless Alliance, and contributed to multiple statewide committees focused on shelter, data, and coordinated entry. His work reflects a consistent commitment to equity, sustainability, and ensuring that client perspectives shape programs and services.
Will Towne, Executive Directot, The Haven
Will began his presentation by reflecting on how he was drawn to human services when he was in college.He volunteered at an organization that helped underserved children. On the second day, he learned a child was trying to commit suicide. Rather than just thinking how tragic this was, he remembered thinking, what would drive a child to make a decision that this as the best solution to a problem they were experiencing.What could he do to help kids find better solutions>This drove him to explore opportunities for employment in human services.He knew he wanted to be involved programs that would provide housing and shelter.
Will then used a PowerPoint presentation to help him provide an overview of The Haven.
Mission
The Haven is helping to create a community where people find hope and discover possibilities. With the support of the Upper Valley community, the Haven assists those who are experiencing poverty to be free from hunger, to be securely housed, and to pursue a self-directed life.
The Haven, WRJ, Vermont
The organization’s staff works to stay focused on their clients’ own goals and try to guide the person to achieve their goals.Staying focused on what the client thinks, not what “we think they need”.
The Haven was founded 46 years ago.Today, they serve about 10,000 people per year.
They focus on food access, shelter, service coordination and children’s programs.
Food Access
Food access is the biggest program. The Haven helps between 80-100 people each day, though recently they have had days were the provide food to close to 130 people. This represents 3,429 families receiving food last year.They have a market area where clients can go shopping like they were in a typical grocery store.They work to keep the shelves fully stocked so people coming into the store feel they can take whatever they need. The market is open from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Thursday and on Friday, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Will shared the Willing Hands as an wonderful partner. Willing Hands recovers fresh food from local farms, grocery stores, restaurants, and regional wholesalers, and delivers it year-round, for free, to over 85 social service organizations across the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire.
In addition to their facility in WRJ, The Haven has food sites at DHMC for Mothers in Recovery, Twin Pines and at several churches.
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