Our speaker today was Mark Zimmerman, the new pastor at the Methodist Church in Lebanon. He spent many years in Nepal following his medical education at Dartmouth Medical School, he graduated in 1971. He then went on to do his internship and residencies in Syracuse.
Mark Zimmerman
He started his talk showing us a video of a woman being carried by stretcher over miles and miles of rocky hills and streams. The woman was in labor and her birth canal was too small for her to deliver her baby. She had already been in labor for at least two days. It took an additional two days for this team from her village to walk (hike) to a river where she was transported across the river by a rope tow; to a truck that brought her to a clinic. Once at the clinci a team of medical professionals successfully delivered the baby via c-section. A vivid example of how remote some parts of Nepal are, and that it can be very difficult to obtain medical care.
He showed the video from this journey in two parts.
After part one, he talked how an experience in medical school doing a rotation in Africa. It made him realize that he wanted to do more care in an underserved part of the world. Upon completion of his residencies in Syracuse, he shared that he told his family he wanted to take four months and provide care once again in an underserved part of the world. He headed to Nepal, and 4 months gradually turned into 35 year of primary care in Nepal.
Our president, David Crandall called the meeting to order at noon.
Joy Gobin led us in reciting the 4-Way Test.
Ernst Oidtmann played the piano and led us in singing our Rotary welcome song and one more song.
David Crandall inducted transferring member, Joshua Smith into membership in our club.
Ernst Oidtmann is celebrating his 40 years of Rotary membership!
After lunch, Mark Zimmerman talked to us about A Journey to Nepal...see story above.
Bill Secord presented the book for the Kilton Public Library's Children's Collection being given in honor of Mark Zimmerman:
What Happened to You?
By James Catchpole (Author), Karen George(Illustrator)
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor book. This accessible, funny, and groundbreaking story addresses the questions children often ask, as well as a disabled child's choice not to answer.
What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off? A boy named Joe is trying to play pirates at the playground, but he keeps being asked what happened to his leg. Bombarded with questions and silly suggestions, Joe becomes more and more fed up...until the kids finally understand they don't need to know what happened. And that they’re wasting valuable playtime!
Based on the author’s real childhood experiences, this honest, funny, and authentic picture book is an empowering read for anyone with a disability, and for young readers learning how best to address differences.
Charities Donation: David Crandall presented a $500 check to Stephanie Brill, who is organizing Project Graduation at LHS. Project Graduation is held at CCB from 10 PM to 4 AM...a substance free event.
Then it was onto announcements
Announcements
Sponsors for Golf and Brew Fest: David Crandall reminded us how critical sponsorships are to the success of our fundraisers. The funds from sponsorships help us fund our service projects and scholarship, etc. For anyone who gets a sponsorship for either event, they will be entered into a raffle for 6 car washes at Jake's Car Wash. Let David know if you have already lined up as sponsor, or once you get a sponsor to be entered into the raffle.
REVEL White Mountains Marathon: We received the following request for help: "My name is Darrell Phippen and I head up the REVEL White Mountains Marathon that will be occurring in Conway on Sunday, May 5th. We are excited to bring marathon runners from all over the United States to your beautiful background. As we prepare for this event, we are in need of some volunteers to be at our expo on Saturday, May 4th at Ham Arena to hand out shirts and runner bibs. We are also in need of some volunteers to man our aid stations along the Kanc to provide fluids for our runners. I'd love to see if your club could help us out on this. I've emailed some of the individual clubs but wondered if you could send out an email to all clubs to see who would be willing to volunteer. In exchange for a group of volunteers, we would love to make a donation to the various clubs. If you have any questions, please let me know. We'd love to have you involved with the event. Thanks so much for your consideration." Darrell's email is darrell.brooksee.com
Hazardous Waste Collection (HWC), from John Yacavone
The 2 or 3 Rotary volunteers needed are for One or all the following dates Sat., May 4 , Fri., 12, and Sat., Sept. 28
Hi John,
We are recruiting volunteers for HHW collections, and I was wondering if the Rotary had any interest in helping out?
Collections are 9-Noon in Lebanon May 4, July 14, and Sept 28. I would need 2-3 people to interview attendees and direct them where to go. Shifts can be the full 3 hours or I can do shorter shifts – as you know, the busiest time is the first hour or so.
I have also reached out to the Upper Valley Young Professionals, and I'll see if they are able to provide any volunteers as well.
Let me know if Rotary is able to help or if you'd like me to speak to them, etc.
Thanks!
Tim Josephson
Listen, Request for Volunteers: Food Pantry Stocking
A few volunteers are needed at the Food Pantry to open bags and stock shelves. Arrive anytime from 9:00 – 4:30, Monday thru Friday for the next 2 weeks. Stay as long as you like. Bags are donated by Price Chopper customers. Contact valerie@listencs.org to notify us of your arrival time. The Food Pantry is located at 60 Hanover St, Lebanon.
Happy Dollars
Ernst Oidtmann is shared his story of traveling to Lake Champlain to see the Eclipse. It was delightful despite his 7 hour drive home.
Ron Michaud is happy to report that Joy Gobin gave him a contact at LHS to come and speak to us about the airplane build going on at the high school.
Bill Secord shared information about the upcoming Bel Conto Concert.
Marilyn and Ron were happy to report that they are happy to have a new 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.
Jim Damren is back from a fun week in Florida, sporting a nice tan.
Raffles
Queen of Hearts
John Yacavone pulled the 7 of hearts . Still looking for the queen of hearts.
Car Wash
Marilyn Bedell won the carwash.
FUTURE MEETING PROGRAMS/SPEAKERS
April 25: Kathleen Harvard, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other dementias
May 2: Jim Kenyon, Valley News
May 9: Lynn Goodwin, Lebanon Welfare Department
May 16: Airplane build at LHS - Students will come to talk to us about "Take Flight" is a new 3-credit course, and The students have selected as the inaugural group build the plane.
May 23: Brooke Finnell, Epilogos Charities
May 29: Invitation to join Hanover at their meeting to hear the President of Dartmouth College, Sian Beilock
May 30: Alex Bortolot, Deputy Director, Hood Museum at Dartmouth College
June 6: Morgana Isenberg, VA Services
June 13: Ed Morris, Enfield Town Manager
June 20: Dianna Hastings, NH Children’s Trust
June 26: Changeover
Attendance
Bill Babineau, Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Phil Bush, Dean Cashman, Dave Clarenbach, Hank Clarke, Dave Crandall, Jim Damren, Ed Friedman, Joy Gobin, Tim Guaraldi, Ahmad Haidari*, Ron Michaud, Ernst Oidtmann, Bruce Pacht, Bill Secord, Rich Wallace, Cal Wolfe, John Yacavone
Guests: Speaker Mark Zimmerman, Stephanie Brill, Project Graduation
*Joined by WebEx
Standing Meetings
Membership Meetings: Third Tuesday at 3:30 PM
Contact: David Crandall
Youth Services: Second Wednesday of the month at Noon
Contact: Joy Gobin
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: Let Ed Friedman know if you want to know when Golf Planning meetings are happening. Dates vary.
Brew Fest: Let Phil Rentz know if you want to know when Brew Fest meetings are happening. Dates Vary.
Next Youth Service meeting will be May 8, 2024. join Zoom Meeting
Changeover 2024 will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Time, place, activity to be announced later.
Brew Fest 2024
Save the date! August 31, 2024
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
From Common Man for Ukraine/Rotary Club of Plymouth, NH
Several weeks ago, Susan Mathison came to our club to talk to us about their upcoming trip to Ukraine. I thought you might like to read about the potentially dangerous trip they are undertaking to help kids in Ukraine.
The Team
Rotarian Steve Rand, Third-Generation Family Hardware Store Owner Susan Mathison, Retired USDA Forest Service Rotarian Alex Ray, Founder of The Common Man Family of Restaurants Lisa Mure, Public Health Consultant
Sleepless Night: Air Raid Sirens in Uman', Ukraine
As our Common Man for Ukraine co-founders venture deeper into the war zone than on previous relief trips, the dangers of war became ever clearer overnight.
Air raid sirens sounded. The air alert app that most Ukrainians rely on for safety flared red.
Thankfully, our co-founders are safe this morning.
Sadly, the same cannot be said for so many Ukrainians after Russian attacks further east.
Prescient words from Common Man for Ukraine's Susan Mathison, as she and fellow co-founders Alex Ray, Lisa Mure, and Steve Rand were fitted with flak jackets.
Flak jackets in order to deliver food to children.
Needless to say, children should never find themselves in the dangers of a war zone. We remain dedicated to helping as many Ukrainian children of war as possible.
There most recent post
Common Man for Ukraine continues its volunteer-based delivery of food to children in safe houses and small villages in Ukraine. This week, our convoys delivered 18 tons of food to children in several safe houses and communities in the area of Mykolaiv. This area of Ukraine has been subjected to attacks from Russia; one of the villages where we had delivered food the previous day has suffered an attack resulting in the reported death of one adult and severe injuries to a 14-year-old boy.
Common Man for Ukraine feels deeply affected by this loss of life and the continuing trauma endured by Ukrainians in all regions, and particularly those living near the front lines. During these humanitarian convoys, we serve as eyewitnesses to the tragedies of war and the trauma for innocent people. We are deeply grateful for our Polish Rotarian partners who identify areas in need and bravely risk very real dangers every month in making crucial aid deliveries to these areas.
As always, in spite of the risks, the children and the most vulnerable citizens of Ukraine continue to be our focus to deliver food, warmth, supplies and love to those in need.
We shall continue.
- Alex Ray, Lisa Mure, Steve Rand and Susan Mathison
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