Calling all beer lovers. The purpose of our efforts is to raise funds to benefit local youth and non-profit programs as well as provide an afternoon of beer tasting (over 35 brewers), music, food, friendship and games. Meet friends and neighbors on the beautiful Lebanon Green (Colburn Park, 51 North Main Street) in the center of the City. We hope you enjoy the tastes and sounds of the afternoon and come back again.
Our speakers today were Norah Burns from Lebanon High School and Sofia Polini, from Florence Italy. Both Norah and Sofia are Rotary Youth Exchange students. Norah spent time in Italy with Sofia's family in June and July, and now Sofia is here in Lebanon spending time with Norah's family. They both expressed that they are thoroughly enjoying their exchange experience. Norah shared that they both share a passion for basketball.
Here's a picture of Sofia's family, and Sofia playing basketball.
Norah shared pictures of time she spent in Rome, Florence, Pisa and Venice. These four places are just a few places she got to tour. She got to see some sights that you may not get to see if you were there as a tourist. She described the trip as "amazing". Although not fluent in Italian, Norah was able to learn some Italian while she was there. Her host parents and Sofia speak more English than Nora speaks Italian that helped Nora learn more about Italy and their customs. By the end of Norah's time in Italy, she shared she was at least understanding more Italian.
Sofia shared that this experience has helped her learn more English. Sofia was able to provide correct pronunciations of Italian venuse and locals when Norah showed slide and she was unsure about how to pronounce a word. Sofia provided some color commentary for some of the pictures too.
Norah shared her impressions of the history, architecture and art that she got to see in Italy. She came back with a new appreciation of history, architecture and art that was all around her. Here are just a few of the photos she shared with us at our meeting.
Places:
Rome
Venice, Italy
Pisa
Art
Architecture
Friendship & Art
Rotary Meetings
Presenting in Florence
Presenting at the Rotary Club of Lebanon
Food
Pizza
Rose Gelato in Italy....Yummmm
Norah shared that Sofia was able to tour Boston on her way to the Upper Valley. She will be in the Upper Valley until school starts at LHS. Sofia's school will start again in early September.
Sofia arriving in Boston
PDG Susan Cherry, District Chair of Youth Exchange joined our meeting via WebEx. Susan complimented both Sofia and Norah on their presentation, and shared why Youth Exchange can be a life changing opportunity for high school students. Our District currently had three outbound and three inbound year-long exchange students. You can learn more about short term and long term Youth Exchange on the District 7850 webpage. Click Here
Finally a picture of proud LHS faculty/Lebanon Rotarians with Norah and Sofia.
Sofia, Norah with Joy Gobin and Christian MacDonald
Meeting Recap for August 15, 2024
President Ernst Oidtmann called the meeting to order a few minutes after noon.
Marilyn Bedell led us in reciting the 4-Way Test.
Ernst Oidtmann played and we tried to sing both our Rotary Welcome Song, and Ernst's version of Good Night Irene/Goodbye Irene on the 13 Anniversary of Tropical Storm Irene that flooded his office building.
Ernst welcomed Pam Brown from the Ossipee Rotary Club.
Then it was time for our buffet lunch.
Ernst then welcomed Josh Smith and PDG Susan Cherry who joined us by WebEx.
Joy Gobin had the honor of introducing our Youth Exchange Student, Norah Burns from LHS and Sofia Polini from Florence Italy.
Bill Secord presented the books given to the Kilton Library children's collection in honor Norah and Sofia
Eyes That Weave the World's Wonders
By Joanna Ho (Author), Liz Kleinrock (Author), Dung Ho (Illustrator)
"Ho now creates a beautiful book about family: what makes individuals and what connects us to one another. This book is a perfect addition to any children’s shelf, whether aimed at families, adoption, multicultural stories, or topics of love and acceptance." —School Library Journal
From New York Times bestselling Joanna Ho, of Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, and award-winning educator Liz Kleinrock comes a powerful companion picture book about adoption and family. A young girl who is a transracial adoptee learns to love her Asian eyes and finds familial connection and meaning through them, even though they look different from her parents’.
Her family bond is deep and their connection is filled with love. She wonders about her birth mom and comes to appreciate both her birth culture and her adopted family’s culture, for even though they may seem very different, they are both a part of her, and that is what makes her beautiful. She learns to appreciate the differences in her family and celebrate them.
Words Between Us
By Angela Pham Krans (Author), Dung Ho (Illustrator)
From Angela Pham Krans (Finding Papa) and Dung Ho (New York Times bestselling illustrator of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners) comes a poignant picture book that tenderly portrays the intergenerational bond between a boy named Felix and his grandma that’s cemented over food—and flash cards—when Grandma comes to live with Felix’s family from Vietnam. Perfect for fans of Drawn Together.
Felix and Grandma have always lived oceans apart—until the day Grandma arrives. Felix is so excited to meet Grandma and spend time with her.
Except she doesn’t know English! And he doesn’t know much Vietnamese! But maybe they can connect in other ways—like over their shared love of pizza.
One day, when Grandma gets lost and doesn’t know how to ask for help, Felix decides to teach her English. And by working together and teaching each other, they just might learn to share words as well.
This tender and heartwarming story from Angela Pham Krans and Dung Ho shows how love transcends language and how food and flashcards can bring family together.
Announcements
Brew Fest: We will need a few volunteers to stay at the end of next week's meeting to stuff flyers into the program books. Volunteer assignments will be coming out soon. If you know of anyone else who might like to help us, let Bruce Bergeron know.
From Will Koppenheffer: Pocket Park Volunteers Needed
This is the pocket park by Goss Logan.
Location to park: You can park some cars in the Goss Logan parking lot, or you can park in the lower parking lot behind River Valley College and walk over via the tunnel. The park is just to right after you exit the tunnel.
Lynn will lead short monthly sessions with Rotary volunteers, Rugby (if interested), or additional Recreation volunteers. A shorter session in which will do routine weeding and perhaps refresh edging, if there is extra time.
Bring your preferred weeding tool(s) and an edging tools, if you have one.
President's Picnic will be held at Tim and Anna Guaraldi's home on Saturday at 12 noon. Pictures to be added next week.
Meeting was adjourned at 1:11 PM.
Happy Dollars
I didn't do a great job of recording happy dollars this week. This is what I have. Sorry if I've missed adding your moment of happiness.
Cal Wolfe shared a thank you picture from Emmah's Garden
And a few more I forgot to put in the Newsletter last week:
Hank Clarke: Not a happy dollar but a sad dollar as he won't be at the picnic as Carol is still dealing with troubling back pain issues caused by a cyst.
Ernst Oidtmann: I believe he shared his sister is going to participate in a triathlon.
Will Koppenheffer: He gave a shout out to Norah and Sofie for their presentation about youth exchange.
Ron Michaud: Ron shared the pictures of Italy brought back fond memories of time he spent there.
That's all I got...
Raffles
Queen of Hearts
Bill Secord pulled the King of Clubs. The hunt for the queen continues.
Car Wash
Dave Clarenbach won the car wash.
Upcoming Speakers
Coming in August
August 29. Michell DiStefano FCP Live-in This organization places live in caregivers in homes.
Coming in September 2024
September 5 Phoebe VanScoy-Giessier, Special Olympics
September 12 District Governor Kelly Drew
September 19 Lisa Bozogan, Waypoint Family Resource Center
September 26 RYLA program
Coming in October, 2024
October 3 Melanie McDonough Chief Innovation Officer, City of Lebanon.
October 10 Rob Stenger co-owner Simple Energy
Attendance
Bill Babineau, Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Dean Cashman, Dave Clarenbach, Hank Clarke, Dave Crandall, Jim Damren, Mila Dela Pena, Ed Friedman, Joy Gobin, Tim Guaraldi, Ahmad Haidari, Will Koppenheffer, Christian MacDonald, Ron Michaud, Ernst Oidtmann, Angela Nelson, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, Josh Smith *, Marion Steiner, Cal Wolfe, John Yacavone
Guest: PDG Susan Cherry*, Pam Brown, Ossipee Rotary Club and Norah Burns and Sofia Polini, Our Youth Exchange Students.
*Joined by WebEx
Standing Meetings
Membership Meetings: To Be Announced
Contact: Ron Michaud
Youth Services: Second Wednesday of the month at Noon
Contact: Christian MacDonald
Charities: Third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 PM
Contact: Bruce Pacht
Board Meeting: 4th Tuesday of every month at 4:00 PM via Zoom
Contact: David Crandall
Golf: 2025 scheduled to be announced
Brew Fest: Last meeting before "showtime", August 27th at noon...Service Credit Union
Other Events and Service Projects
Brew Fest 2024
Save the date! August 31, 2024
Have you let Bruce Bergeron know if you are available to volunteer on Friday, August 30, 2024 for set up, or at the event on August 31, 2024 any time before the gates open till clean-up is completed?
Even a few hours will be of help.
If you know of anyone in the community who would like to help at the event, let Bruce know that too.
2025 Rotary International Convention
Join us in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for the 2025 Rotary International Convention!
Register before December 15, 2024 to receive the preferred rate of $525!
District 5360 is excited to welcome the world to the Rotary International Convention!
Prepare to be captivated by Calgary’s vibrant culture, embraced by warm hospitality, and inspired by the spirit of Rotary as we gather in this iconic destination.
Calgary is Canada's third most diverse city – over 240 ethnic origins and 165 languages spoken.
It is home of the famous Calgary Stampede, founded in 1912
You will be only one one-hour drive from the iconic Canadian Rockies (but you can see them from Calgary!)
By Mary Shackleton, District 7230 Endowment/Major Gifts subcommittee chair
Do you have an answer ready if you are asked, Why Rotary? Even seasoned Rotary members struggle to answer this seemingly basic question if we’re honest with ourselves, especially when speaking with prospective members. We inundate prospects with lists of what we do and proud accounts of how we do it, instead of helping them figure out why they might want to check out our next club meeting or service project in the first place.
Don’t feel bad. Simon Sinek, a notable speaker and author on business leadership, points out, the way our brain processes language can make finding our “why” difficult. Sharing effective stories is one way we can get around this anatomical roadblock. My journey in Rotary and Toastmasters has convinced me that telling effective stories is imperative for our growth as membership organizations. We all have stories to tell – those inspiring Rotary “moments.” And we can all learn to be better, even great, storytellers.
In April, I had the privilege of moderating a joint webinar produced by Rotary International and Toastmasters International, Connect & Inspire Through Storytelling. The distinguished panelists agreed that we must express ourselves through stories more often.
Being a Rotary member offers you benefits far beyond your club. Rotary International has resources to help you plan and complete service projects, connect with experts and like-minded people around the world, collaborate with young leaders, build a global network, and do even more. Being a member also gives you ways to continue your own growth, such as by attending the Rotary International Convention and taking courses online in our Learning Center. Learn more about what you can get from your Rotary membership.
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