Celebrating Steve Whitman's 50 years in Rotary, and
Garlan Hoskin's retirement from Rotary after 30 years of service to the
Rotary Club of Lebanon
[Note the Rotary road sign in front of the podium. The City of Lebanon will be taking down our old signs and posting these for us. Thanks in advance to the Public Works team; and thanks to John Yacavone for overseeing this project!]
We have returned to Harvest Hill's Dwinell Room at 11:45 AM. Our meeting on April 7, 2022 will be at the Dwinell Room.
First and Third Meetings of each month at Harvest Hill,
2nd and 4th on Zoom.
APD LIFECARE IS STILL REQUIRING MASKING AND PROOF OF COVID VACCINATIONS!!
If you haven't attended a meeting at Harvest Hill,
please bring proof of Covid-19 vaccinations.
April 7, 2022, In Person Meeting at HARVEST HILL's Dwinell Room AT 11:45 AM, Yuri and Marina Starodubtsev, will share information about their homeland, Ukraine, and the needs they have identified for those who are in-country.
April 14, 2022, On ZOOM Speaker to TBA
April 21, 2022 - President's Meeting, HARVEST HILL's Dwinell Room
April 28, 2022 ,On Zoom – Joe Major, Executive Director at the Upper Valley Aquatic Center (date may change)
Joe Major is a 20+ year veteran of the health and wellness industry. He comes to UVAC from Sport Fit tennis club in Bowie, Maryland. A graduate of Howard University, Joe has managed ten clubs during his career. He has been responsible for such clubs as the Chevy Chase Athletic Club, the Downtown Athletic Club in Miami and West End Executive Club in Washington, D.C. Joe also served as the district manager for the Western New York region of World Gym. Joe, a native of Buffalo, loves golf and was an all conference tennis player while at Howard University
We welcomed District Governor Mike Carrier to join us for this day of celebration.
District Governor Mike Carrier
He reflected on Rotary International's Shakar Mehta's thoughts on service. Menta has stated, "Service is the rent I pay for the space I occupy on this earth, and I want to be a good tenant of this earth.". He then spent time talking about other notables who have shared similar thoughts about service. Carrier believes that it is important for all of us to incorporate service into our lives.
He shared a Chinese proverb:
"If you want happiness for an hour — take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day — go fishing
If you want happiness for a year — inherit a fortune
If you want happiness for a lifetime — help someone else."
Carrier believes that many who join Rotary are looking for lifetime happiness by serving other in our community and others around the world. Giving to others can be energizing.
He appreciated that we took time today to welcome a new member to the club, and then spent time celebrating members who were celebrating milestone anniversaries in Rotary.
Presentation of Rotary Foundation Banner
Mike Carrier presented our club the 2020/2021 Rotary Foundation Annual Programs Fund/Share banner for being the third highest giving club in the District.
Carrier presented the following letter to Hank Clarke:
"Let me add my congratulations to those of the Rotary Foundation in recognizing the Lebanon Rotary Club's generous support of the Rotary Foundation this past year.
The commitment of each of your members to support the Rotary Foundation, giving Rotarians around the world the kind of financial resources needed to change lives across the globe and in their communities is inspirational.
Thanks to all those who have been providing such consistent leadership to your club over the years. Building a culture of generosity, like your club has done, can make such a difference.
Grateful for all the way your club is Serving to Change Lives.
DG Mike"
Induction of returning member, Phil Bush.
Phil Bush and Mike Carrier
Paul Harris Fellowship Presentation
Ron Bedell and Phil Rentz presented Ed Friedman with his Paul Harris Fellowship. He reached this designation awhile ago but we could not celebrate this achievement until being back together in person. Our thanks to Ed for supporting The Rotary Foundation.
Ed Friedman and Phil Rentz
Celebration of Service
We then went on to Celebrate major anniversaries for our members. Hank Clark called Steve Whitman and Carolyn Whitman, and Garlan Hoskins were called up to the podium. Hank Clark read a letter we received from Shakar Menta in honor of Steve's 50 years of service in Rotary.
We took time to honor Garlan Hoskin for 30 years of service, and his retirement from Rotary. Garlan shared that Steve Whitman was the person who invited him to join Rotary.
Both Steve and Garlan received Rotary logo ties from the club; and we present a few flowers to Carolyn and Heidi to thank them for all the hours Rotary took both Steve and Garlan away from other family activities. We appreciate the "family of Rotary".
Heidi and Garlan Hoskin, and Carolyn and Steve Whitman
Hank then shared that the following members were having or had milestone anniversaries over the past two year.
There was a loads of conversations going on as we met in person for the first time in many months. We all seemed to be happy to be back together once again. Here's hoping we can continue to have some in person meetings each month. It is good for the soul!
Meeting review:
Hank Clarke called the meeting to order a little after 12 noon.
We did the pledge of allegiance.
Phil Bush played his guitar, and encouraged us to sing along as he played, Where Have all the Flowers gone? by Songwriters: Peter Seeger
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the flowers gone?
The girls have picked them every one.
Oh, When will you ever learn?
Oh, When will you ever learn?
Young girls
They've taken husbands every one.
Young men
They're all in uniform.
Soldiers
They've gone to graveyards every one.
Graveyards
They're covered with flowers every one.
Flowers
Young girls have picked them every one.
To celebrate his birthday today, here is Pete Seeger’s story behind his timeless “Where Have All the Flowers Gone.”
“I had been reading a long novel—”And Quiet Flows the Don”—about the Don River in Russia and the Cossacks who lived along it in the 19th century. It describes the Cossack soldiers galloping off to join the Czar’s army, singing as they go. Three lines from a song are quoted in the book: ‘Where are the flowers? The girls plucked them / Where are the girls? They’re all married / Where are the men? They’re all in the army.’ I never got around to looking up the song, but I wrote down those three lines.
“Later, in an airplane, I was dozing, and it occurred to me that the line ‘long time passing’—which I had also written in a notebook—would sing well. Then I thought, ‘When will we ever learn.’ Suddenly, within 20 minutes, I had a song. There were just three verses. I Scotch-taped the song to a microphone and sang it at Oberlin College. This was in 1955
We recited the 4-Way Test.
Then it was time to enjoy a meal together.
This was followed by our Celebration of Service...See story above.
Bill Secord presented a book for the Kilton Library in honor of DG Mike Carrier
Hard Work, but It's Worth It: The Life of Jimmy Carter, written by Bethany Hegedus, illus. by Kyung Eun Han.
The first picture book about the inspiring life of humanitarian Jimmy Carter, the thirty-ninth president of the United States and a Nobel Prize winner—from Alabama Spitfire author Bethany Hegedus. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share during homeschooling, in particular for children ages 4 to 6. It’s a fun way to learn to read and as a supplement for activity books for children.
Even before Jimmy Carter became president, he knew the value of hard work. Living on his family’s peanut farm, Jimmy saw how hard work yielded strong results.
At least it did for some people. But growing up in the segregated South, Jimmy also saw firsthand how white people and black people were not treated equally. None of it was right. None of it was fair.
So Jimmy created a list of Good Mental Habits to help him navigate life’s challenges. The list guided his thoughts and actions and helped him fight for change, whether working with civil rights leaders to end racial discrimination in his home state of Georgia, helping to negotiate peace in the Middle East, or building homes for the poor through Habitat for Humanity.
From the statehouse to the White House and beyond, Jimmy has worked to make change for all people, devoting decades to public service and becoming one of the most respected humanitarians of our time. It’s hard work, but it’s worth it.
Announcements
Support for Disaster Relief in Ukraine
Ron Bedell reported that we have raised >$1,700 for Ukraine Emergency Relief. We voted to match up to $1,500 with funds from Lebanon Rotary Charities, Inc.
Updates Service Projects
Listen Community Dinners – Some folks have signed up; slots are open for dinners in the future. April 12, June 14, and August 9. Sign-up using Listen's web page. Instructions listed below.
Food Drives for Listen: Tim and his grandsons pretty much took care of everything — they were very active. We raised $221 in cash donations and about 475 lbs of food. Back of truck and cab were full. Michelle Buck and Karen Clements were there – they reported that had only ONE Covid patient in the hospital on that day.
Styrofoam Collection: April 16 is all set. We’ll have a second trailer. Taken to Palmer, MA where it’s melted down and reused. John Yacavone reported that we have two entry signs and one with an arrow for near the gate. “Styrofoam collection here today. Sponsored by Sustainable Lebanon and Lebanon Rotary Club. Recycling makes a difference.”
Youth Service
Mascoma Interact:
Fundraiser: Dessert Auction, Friday, April1, 2022 between 3:30 and 5::30 PM. Anyone want to ride out to and from the Auction with Bruce P?
RISE food-packaging event on Friday, April 22, 2022. If you want to volunteer, please let Bruce P know.
Fundraisers
Poker Room: trying to confirm dates.
Golf: Committee has started working. Everyone’s received the brochure for solicitation of sponsors.
Brew Fest: just starting up. Will begin advertising right after the golf tournament.
DG Mike closed the meeting with our Rotary Motto:
One Profits Most Who Serves Best
Fundraisers
Poker Room
Golf – Final brochure/sponsor was sent to members by Ed and Marilyn.
Brew Fest – Beer glasses are on hand. We are limiting attendance to 600 this year.
Happy Thoughts/Concerns
Since Marilyn Bedell was more focused on her upcoming vacation, she forgot to take notes about all the happy thoughts at the meeting today. Oops
Marilyn Bedell is happy that Bruce Pacht will send out some Rotary news while she is away. Look for it in email.
Car Wash Raffle
John Yacavone won the car wash (a nice gift that he can consider an 85th Birthday present.)
One Profits Most Who Serves Best
Upcoming meetings:
Board of Directors Meeting — Wednesday, April 13 , 2022 at 5 PM.Any member can attend, let Marilyn Bedell know if you would like the link to the meeting.
Members at the meeting:
Marilyn Bedell
Ron Bedell
Bruce Bergeron
Phil Bush
Dean Cashman
Hank Clarke
Dave Crandall
Jim Damren
Rudy Fedrizzi
Ed Friedman
Bob Gasser
Joy Gobin
Tim Guaraldi
Ahmad Haidari
Will Koppenheffer
JoAnn Lemieux
Ron Michaud
Angela Nelson
Phil Rentz
Bill Secord
Marion Steiner
Paul Tierney
Richard Wallace
Cal Wolfe
John Yacavone
Visiting Rotarian, Mila Dela Pena from the Philippines, and at some point will transfer her membership to Lebanon.
District Governor, Mike Carrier, Rotary Club of Plymouth, NH.
Guests — Garlan and Heidi Hoskin, and Carolyn Whitman
Upcoming Service Projects and Fund Raisers
Hold the following dates for 2022
Listen Community Dinners to Begin Again, April 12, 2022!!
Styrofoam Collection — Next Collection being planned for Saturday, April 16, 2022, 9 AM to 11 AM
Mascoma and Lebanon Interact - Feed America Event — April 29
Lebanon Casino Fundraiser - Spring 2022
Food Drive Lebanon Co-op April 30, 2022 from 9 AM to 1 PM.
Golf Tournament
Golf Tournament will be May 26, 2022
Brew Fest April 2022
Brew Fest will be September 3, 2022
Rotary in Review
Creating scholarships for Afghan refugees
Posted on
By Ademar Bechtold and Quentin Wodon, Rotary Action Group for Refugees, Forced Displacement, and Migration
Quentin Wodon
The number of refugees globally has been steadily rising. The ongoing war in Ukraine has created an even larger humanitarian crisis with millions of displaced people. There is much that Rotary clubs are doing, and can be doing, to help the resettlement of refugees.
About a month ago, Ademar and I joined a combined board meeting of our Rotary Action Group and the Rotary Fellowship for Global Development, discussing what could be done to help the resettlement of Afghan refugees in the United States. Ademar, a professor of economics at Notre Dame of Maryland University, suggested his university might be able to provide one or two scholarships for Afghan youth. We all thought this would be a brilliant idea.
As many as 100,000 Afghans may eventually resettle in the U.S. The government-funded Afghan Parolee Assistance program provides support to Afghan refugees for a minimum of 90 days, including for housing and food, enrolling children in school, and finding employment. But the program does not include support for Afghan youth to further their education. There is a need for colleges and universities to support the resettlement effort by providing scholarships and other types of assistance to qualified young Afghan women and men.
A week later, Ademar and I met with Dr. Marylou Yam, president of the university, to share the idea. Dr. Yam was enthusiastic about educating refugees because it resonated with the mission of the university. Founded in 1895, Notre Dame of Maryland was the first Catholic college for women in the United States to award the baccalaureate degree. It has been leading the way in women’s education ever since.
Helping Afghan refugees is a great fit for the university’s mission “to educate leaders to transform the world.” The university challenges its students to build inclusive communities, engage in service to others, and promote social responsibility. While the university’s traditional undergraduate Women’s College serves those interested in a single-sex education, it also meets the needs of adult women and men through career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs designed around their real-life schedules.
The University generously committed to provide two full tuition scholarships for young Afghan women. As Rotarians, we will make sure that Afghan youth in the Baltimore area and elsewhere are aware of this new opportunity by sharing information and contacting specific groups working with the refugees.
Both Ademar and I benefited from Rotary in our youth. We both joined Rotaract (Ademar in Brazil, me in Belgium). Ademar received an Ambassadorial scholarship from Rotary to study in the US, and I visited British Columbia for a summer through a Rotary exchange program. We are both very happy that in a small way, our engagement with Rotary has helped make these scholarships available.
If you know Afghan refugees who may be interested in studying at Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore, please contact us through the website of the Rotary Action Group for Refugees, Forced Displacement, and Migration. If you know of other universities who might want to help in the resettlement effort and would like our help contacting refugees, please reach out as well.
Rotary International Convention in Houston Texas 2022
RI Convention June 4-8, 2022 in Houston TX
Ron again announce that the Rotary International Convention will be in Houston. Read more by clicking here Registration fee until 15 December will be $475.
Please check the newsletter for meeting location. We will begin some in person meetings on March 31, 2022 at the Dwinell Room at Harvest Hill on the Campus of Alice Peck Day Hospital
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