During their stay in London, Steve Grant and his family visited Stonehenge.
Minutes for Club Meeting of November 13, 2025
Meeting Venue: The Dwinell Room at Harvest Hill
In attendance: Bill Babineau, Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Bruce Bergeron, Phil Bush, Dean Cashman, Bill Chabot [z], Dave Clarenbach, Hank Clarke, Nick Gaffney, Steve Grant, Tim Guaraldi, Tyler Hagan, Carol Keeffe, Will Koppenheffer, Christian McDonald, Ron Michaud, Ernst Oidtmann, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, Marion Steiner, Cal Wolfe, and John Yacavone.
Call to order by President Marilyn at 12:01
Carol Keeffe led the four-way test
Thought of the day:President Marilyn reminded us that Veterans Day honors veterans' sacrifice and Service.
Anniversaries: Will Koppenheffer, 28 years; Bruce Bergeron, 14 years (second go-round); Joy Gobin, nine years; Dave Clarenbach, two years.
Program:
Dr. Stephen a Grant was our speaker today, and he gave a classification talk regarding his living in London from 2007 to 2011 while being a member of one of London's many Rotary clubs. One of the highlights of Steve’s residency in Great Britain was his ability to enroll in the National Health Service. Steve worked in central London for four months, then moved to a suburban office because of the war terror. He was a scientific liaison While in London, his wife joined a "stitchery bitchery" club. She also met Paul McCartney at their local gym. His daughter, Eva, attended the American School in London (ASL), where she ran cross country and rowed. Eva now works for Liberty Mutual Insurance. Steve's son, Alex, returned to the US early. He was a Boy Scout for two years while in London. He now works for Thermal Dynamics in Portland, Oregon.
At an American School in London reception held at the American Ambassador’s house, Steve saw Barack Obama.
Steve joined the first Rotary club founded outside North America—the Paddington Rotary Club. London is its own Rotary district and has 86 Rotary clubs. Steve attended meetings at several clubs before deciding on joining Paddington because of its conviviality. His club was mostly former residents or businesspeople or international members.
Ron Bedell presented Steve with a Paul Harris Plus One pin.
Business Items:
The November 20 club meeting will deal with revised Bylaws for Charities.
The first week in December the club will address the Bylaws of the club itself.
November 25 is the Revo photo shoot.
December 16 is the club holiday party at Harvest Hill.
December 1 will be a bag-and-tag holiday baskets event at the Congregational Church on the Green.
On December 12, Ernst will present a concert to entertain us.
Happy dollars:
Ernst bragged that the postcard that he had mailed to the club from Munich in early October had finally arrived. He also admired his recent haircut. He has closed on his office. Finally, his sister Alexandra entered an iron woman’s competition in Spain and won in her age group.
Bill Secord announced that the Bel Canto Chamber Singers will be presenting a Christmas concert on December 13 and 14 at the Lebanon Congregational Church. Bill's wife, Linda, has been performing with the Bel Canto singers for 15 years.
Raffle:
Bruce Pacht drew the Three of Clubs in his search for the Queen of Hearts
President Marilyn won the car wash.
Thank-you note from Listen Community Services:
Hi Marilyn,
I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to personally thank you and the Rotary Club of Lebanon for your generous $2,000 gift to LISTEN’s Food Pantry. Your ongoing support truly helps us keep up with the sharp rise in demand we’re seeing right now, ensuring families across the Upper Valley have access to healthy, reliable food.
Please pass along my gratitude to the entire club for continuing to stand behind this work. You all make a real difference in our community.
With appreciation,
Kristi
Kristi Lenart-Rikert (she/her)
Executive Director
LISTEN Community Services
Announcements:
November 25 photoshoot at Revo Casino 4:40-4:50 p.m. Tim, Anna, Ron, and Marilyn will go to the REVO gala in Manchester. The Bedells(below) attended the local REVO event last week.
Holiday Basket Helpers: Angela Nelson: On December 1 (9 a.m.-3 p.m., First Congregational Church in Lebanon), we gather to check other peoples’ work—a “bag and tag” session. We make sure the lists are complete, sizes are correct, and gifts are age-appropriate; then parents pick up their family basket.
January Social Evening being planned—Start with dinner at Salt hill, then go get a tour of the new Hopkins Center on a Monday in January.
Holiday Party, TUESDAY, December 16, 5:30 p.m., Dwinell Room. Please let Ron Bedell know if you are coming. NO meeting on THURSDAY, December 18.
November is Rotary Foundation Month—Phil and Ron sent the appeal letter.
Meeting adjourned at 1:12.
Exploring a Glider
Tim Chow, mentor for the Take flight" program at Lebanon High School,
brought his personal glider to LHS for the plane-builders to check out.
One Profits Most Who Serves Best
CALENDAR THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR:
November 20: BOD/Charities Reports, Bylaw vote for Charities, and review for Club bylaws, Announce BOD and Trustee for 2026/2027 and other updates.
November 27: NO MEETING—Thanksgiving.
December 4: Mascoma Music Boosters.
December 11: Holiday Musical Recital with Ernst Oidtmann.
December 16: Holiday Party and Famous Yankee Swap at 5:30 p.m.—Dwinell Room (BYOB Wine, Beer of Soda).
December 18: NO MEETING—Holiday party on Tuesday, December 16.
December 25: NO MEETING—Christmas.
Program Team for 2025-2026: John Yacavone (July, Aug, Sept)—Job well done!
Steve Grant (Oct, Nov, Dec); Hank Clarke (Jan, Feb, March); and Dave Crandall (April, May, Jun).
One of the highlights of Steve’s residency in Great Britain was his ability to enroll in the National Health Service. Steve worked in central London for four months, then moved to a suburban office because of the war terror. He was a scientific liaison While in London, his wife joined a "stitchery bitchery" club. She also met Paul McCartney at their local gym. His daughter, Eva, attended the American School in London (ASL), where she ran cross country and rowed. Eva now works for Liberty Mutual Insurance. Steve's son, Alex, returned to the US early. He was a Boy Scout for two years while in London. He now works for Thermal Dynamics in Portland, Oregon.
