At the end of the day, every element in place. Cement to come on Monday, April 27,2025...then fill, then specialized rubberized surface that will be wheelchair friendly!
It will be a wonderful accessible park!
Lebanon High School, Mascoma Valley Regional High School
Our speaker were Oliva Zink, Executive Director of Open Democracy and Linda Bundy, the volunteer secretary for Open Democracy
— Olivia Zink has been the Executive Director of Open Democracy since 2016 and served as the Program Director for Open Democracy since 2009. She has worked on a broad range of campaigns. Olivia also spent a year in Bolivia working with the Democracy Center. In 2008, she was named one of New Hampshire’s “40 under 40,” by the NH Union Leader. She is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Sustainable Living, and a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University with a master’s degree in Community Economic Development
Olivia Zink
— Linda Bundy is a retired educator who worked for twelve years as a paraprofessional with students ranging from preschool to eighth grade. She then returned to college to earn certification in elementary and special education, and taught for sixteen years at Great Brook School in Antrim. For the first few years of retirement she was fortunate to have the time to be able to help elderly family members who needed assistance. After that, when considering the next chapter in her life, she felt that it was imperative to participate in actions striving to counteract those who are working to manipulate democracy to advantage the few at the expense of the majority of our citizens. One of Linda’s mentors during her educational career said that good special education is simply good education, and it benefits all students. Similarly, real democracy is a system of government that operates for all of its people. Volunteering with Open Democracy Action provides her with ways to work toward making our democracy function as it should.
Linda Bundy
Oliva began the presentation by talking about the relationship between Rotary’s 4-Way Test, and how it relates to Open Democracy’s mission.
Open Democracy is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1997 by campaign finance reform activists. Our mission is an equal voice for all, achieved by reducing the influence of money in politics, protecting the freedom to vote, and ensuring fair redistricting.
The outcome of the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC (2010) brought more imbalance to our political system, given a bigger voice to wealthy special interests, and eroded our campaign finance laws.
The Citizens United decision granted corporations and unions the right to spend unlimited money in elections. As a result, special interest groups across the partisan divide have invested billions of dollars to shape the national debate and determine who gets elected to public office.
They shared this slide that outlined NH Voter beliefs:
One outcome of the Citizens United decision is that our public officials must focus their attention on the task of raising money–and the needs of the wealthy few who fund campaigns–rather than serving the needs of everyday voters. Meanwhile, the majority of American citizens are effectively excluded from politics because they cannot afford to fund campaigns or seek elected office, and tens of millions more face outright disenfranchisement at the polls.
Open Democracy’s goals for reform to achieve political equality for all:
1. Establish small donor, voter-owned honest elections
2. End gerrymandering and modernizing voting
3. Eradicate Super PACs & neutralize Citizens United
Marilyn Bedell led us in a recitation of the 4-Way Test of the Things We Think Say or Do.
President Ernst accompanied us on piano for the Rotary Welcome Song and If You Are Happy and You Know It
We welcomed visiting Rotarian, Michelle Jones from the Rotary Club of Jamestown, NY (part of an international Rotary district), and her daughter Haley Jones may be interested in joining our club. We welcomed our speakers too, Oliva Zink and Linda Bundy.
Birthdays — George Wenz and Susan Yacavone, John's wife.
Anniversaries — Susan and John Yacavone, 42 years.
Rotary Anniversaries — Phil Rentz, 11 years and Tim Guaraldi, 10 years
Thought of the Day: Ernst Oidtmann pondered why a Stethoscope, a listening devise isn't called a Stethophone...There was more to this, but you have to ask Ernst to explain more as my notes were less than helpful to remember the point(s) he was making.
It was on to our luncheon buffet.
During lunch, Ernst turned the meeting over to our Trustee's Charities Chair for funding requests. (One of these was presented towards the end of the meeting, but have combined them here for you review. Don't forget to send any questions to Bruce. There will be one more opportunity to discuss at the club meeting next week. Voting on both is open until the close of our meeting on May 1, 2025.
Motion #1 (Made by Marilyn Bedll and seconded by John Yacavone: To appropriate $5,000.00 to be split equally between the Whaleback Mountain and Lebanon Outing Club Storrs Hill ski areas.
According to a request from Lebanon Outing Club, Storrs Hill must update its snow-making pump, purchase a new snow gun, and provide replace tracks and perform other service to their groomers.
Also, Whaleback Mountain is embarking on a 2-3 year $250,000 fundraising effort (they have raised $80,000 to date) to replace their chairlift. In the interim, they must repair the current chairlift or they will not be able to open for skiing.
Motion #2 made by Marilyn Bedell and seconded by Ron Michaud: To appropriate $2,400 to West Central Behavioral Health to replace sports equipment, games and toys lost in this winter’s flooding.
According to WCBH’s request, these items are used by therapists and are also lent to families receiving services at their Lebanon, Newport and Claremont locations. Here are examples of the equipment to be purchased:
Balls (Kick, Soccer, and Basketball)
Sleds
Pool Noodles
Wiffle Ball and Bat
Legos
Board games
Blocks
Skates
Paper Cutter
Storage Containers
Sport Equipment
Art Supplies
You may send your votes to brucepacht67@gmail.com. Please specify your votes for Motion 1 and Motion 2. You may also tell me your votes in person.
The voting period concludes after our regular meeting Thursday, May 1.
Thank you.
Bruce Pacht, chair
RC Lebanon Charities
After lunch: David Crandall introduced our speakers, Olivia Fink and Linda Bundy from Open Democracy, NH. See information above about their talk.
Bill Secord presented our the books going to the Kilton Library's Children's collection.
Ruby René Had So Much to Say
by Ashley Iman (Author), Gladys Jose (Illustrator)
A debut picture book about a curious student who finds herself in trouble for talking in class—even though she just wants to share all that she’s learned.
“Did you know that flamingos don’t have teeth?” Questions, facts, and dreams—Ruby René could talk for hours. Once she got going, it was hard for her to stop. It didn’t matter if it was history, science, or the lunch menu—Ruby René had so much to say! But when her teacher called home because she found her sharing distracting, Ruby vowed to keep quiet. Until . . . she finds the perfect outlet for her gift of gab.
With charming text by debut author/educator Ashley Iman and colorful illustrations by Gladys Jose, Ruby René Had So Much to Say is a celebration of owning your voice, honing your skills, and turning challenges into opportunities.
Something About the Sky
by Rachel Carson (Author), Nikki McClure (Illustrator)
Cut-paper wizard Nikki McClure is a brilliant steward for the words of a pioneering environmentalist in this wondrous ode to clouds—and the scientific “language of the sky.”
Rachel Carson once wrote, “It is not half so important to know as to feel.” What do we know about clouds? There are three basic types: stratus, cumulus, and cirrus. Some are fleecy and fair-weathered while others portend storms. But clouds are more than pretty or ominous backdrops. They’re the vehicle of water between sea and land, land and sea, in a cycle without end or beginning. They are the writing of the wind on the sky, a language all their own. An illustrator note explains the origins of Rachel Carson’s shimmering essay—previously unpublished in its entirety—and the process of adapting it to picture book format, as well as how the author of Silent Spring forever changed the way we think about science and progress.
Bringing the soft edges of clouds and the natural world to vivid life with a new, more fluid approach to her signature cut-paper technique, Nikki McClure inspires true emotional engagement with the world we all share. An antidote to “get your head out of the clouds,” this art-meets-science tribute to curiosity and wonder is a gift for daydreamers and nature lovers of all ages.
Ernst Oidtmann and Michele Jones exchanged club banners. Michele provide a brief overview of the Rotary Club of Jamestown, NY. The Club formed in 1919. Currently the club has 88 members. They do a variety of community service projects and have a golf tournament and auction as fundraisers. Michele will be president next year. Read more about the club by clicking here.
From AI: Jamestown, NY, is a charming city located in southern Chautauqua County. Known as the "Pearl City," it sits between Lake Erie to the north and the Allegheny National Forest to the south. Jamestown has a rich history, once thriving as the "Furniture Capital of the World" due to its booming furniture industry. Today, it serves as an industrial, commercial, financial, and recreational hub for southwestern New York.
The city is home to notable attractions such as the National Comedy Center, the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Museum, and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. It also boasts a vibrant cultural scene, with festivals, parks, and outdoor activities along the Jamestown Riverwalk.
Announcements, happy/sad dollars and raffle results below.
Announcements
Social Gathering at Salt Hill: Rotary Club of Lebanon...Social Gathering 3rd Monday of Every Month which started on April 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM was a fun evening with 19 people in attendance.
Keep the Social Gathering on your calendar for the 3rd Monday of each month at Salt Hill Pub in Lebanon.
Not able to make our lunch meetings?
Want to learn more about our club and what we are doing in Lebanon?
Want to visit with friends and colleagues?
Here's an opportunity to join Lebanon Rotary Club members on the 3rd Monday of every month at Salt Hill in Lebanon. We will look forward to seeing you starting April 21, 2025 at 5:30 PM.
Here is what Ahmad Hadari has arranged with the staff at Salt Hill..."This is to confirm that the Rotary Club of Lebanon will take the room (Galway Room) 3rd Monday of every month starting on April 21 from 5:30-7:30 for beverages, meals, social gathering, meetings, etc. We will have members, and their partners, friends and colleagues drop in and order from the menu and each will pay for their own tab. Let's try this and as the group grows, we will work with you to say a predefined set of appetizers for the group and arrange for the meal orders to be placed with your staff as close together as possible so your team can manage things in a more organized and predictive way. " I hope this is helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions. Ahmad
Civic Memorial Park Build: Building the park started at 8 AM today. Ernst Oidtmann and Bruce Bergeron were there to help. Jim Damren, Hank Clarke, Dave Clarenbach planned to head over to help at the end of our meeting.
From Phil Bush: Upper Valley Earth Week Open House
April 26 and Sunday, April 27
10 a.m. to 2 p.m
Come visit your neighbors at 24 homes (one home is Phil Bushes home in West Lebanon), 1 school, and 1 church in the Upper Valley Earth Week Open House to see and discuss the earth-friendly strategies they're using to do less harm to their families, their communities, and the planet.
Visitors will be welcomed both Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Register to attend before 9 p.m. on April 25 to receive an email giving access to the pdf guide to the Open House sites. The guide will be emailed once per week on Thursday or Friday to all registered attendees. There is no fee to register, but you must be registered to get information about the various locations you can visit.
During the Open House, ask your questions about solar power, electric vehicles, heat pumps for heating and cooling, insulation, induction stoves, water heaters, electric bikes and lawn care tools, earth-friendly gardens, and much more!
Rise Against Hunger — To be held at Mascoma Valley Regional High School on Friday. Pictures of the event above.
Golf: 32nd Annual Bedell Classic will be on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at Eastman Golf Links in Grantham. 10 AM Shotgun Start. Please start recruiting players and finding sponsors for this important fundraising event. Brochure will be sent to members soon.
Rotary's Epic Day of Service...Clean Up Day in May: Ernst indicated he has suggested May 17, 2025 for this event...so save the date. It will be in the afternoon.
Club Change Over Celebration: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM SAVE THE DATE. At the Quechee Inn at Marshland Farms. (Dinner to be served at 6 PM), $45/person.
2025 Brew Fest: Planning is underway for Brew Fest! It will be on Saturday, August 30th at Colburn Park in Lebanon. We hope everyone who can will be there to volunteer, and work to find sponsors for the event. Tickets will be available on EventBrite. The Brew Fest Committee walked the park on Friday afternoon. They decided we would not enlarge our footprint in the park. We will continue to use 1/2 of the park.
Happy/Sad Dollars
Marilyn Bedell shared that the Civic Park Build is underway at Civic Memorial Park. Bruce Bergeron and Ernst Oidtmann were there when Marilyn and Ron stopped to take pictures on the way to the meeting. Jim Damren, Hank Clark and Dave Clarenbach will be on their way to help after lunch.
Bill Secord brought new of the upcoming Bel Conto Concert for Spring 2025. May 3, 2025 at 7 PM and May 4, 2025 at 4 PM. First Congregational Church in Lebanon.
Dan Nash let us know that after 8 long years, the Baptist Church in Lebanon has been rebuilt and opened for church services on Palm Sunday.
Jim Damren said he had a perfect weather week in Florida. Sunny and warm everyday!
Ahmad Haidari was happy the the gathering at Salt Hill went well. He also rand the bell he had to welcome his youngest daughter to the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Her time was 3 hours and 2 minutes.
Ron Michaud was happy to announce that the Byrne Foundation will be a $5,000 sponsor of our golf tournament again this year. He is scooping up many rounds for golf for the tournament too. He shared that telling potential sponsors that he is almost 90 years old helps him get donations. He is till planning to go to Scotland, but isn't sure he will be up to playing golf, but wants to walk the courses if possible.
Will let us know that he and Ellen had been in Chicago to help celebrate his daughter's engagement...they kept their arrival a surprise.
Dave Clarenbach was happy to announce that he is now PaPa...a new granddaughter in his life.
RAFFLES
Bruce Pacht who pulled the 4 of Diamonds.
The Enfield car wash went to Dan Nash
At 1:22 pm, the Rotary bell was rung and we closed with our motto:
One Profits Most Who Serves Best
Attendance:
Rotarians in attendance:
Marilyn Bedell, Ronald Bedell, Phil Bush*, Dave Clarenbach, Hank Clarke, Dave Crandall, Jim Damren, Mila Dela Pina, Ahmad Haidari, Max Jovanovich, Will Koppenheffer, Ron Michaud, Dan Nash, Angela Nelson, Ernst Oidtmann, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, George Wenz, Cal Wolfe, John Yacavone
Guests: Visiting Rotarian Michele Jones, and her daughter, Haley Jones; and our speakers Olivia Fink and Linda Bundy
FUTURE MEETING PROGRAMS/SPEAKERS
May 1:Legalized Marijuana: Risks and Benefits – Bob Lyon May 8:The Sweet Story Behind Katie’s Cookies – Katie [Last Name?] May 15:Understanding the Economy – Dartmouth Professor Charlie Wheelan May 22:Infrastructure and Public Works Update – Jay Cairelli, Director of Public Works May 29:Lifelong Learning at Osher – Osher Presentation (Field Trip to Osher offices, organized by Hank, Catered by Jakes.)
Note: David Crandall will be scheduling programs January through June 2025
Program Team for 2025-2026. John Yacavone (July, Augt, Sept), Steve Grant (Sept, Oct, Nov), Hank Clark (Jan, Feb, March) and Dave Crandall (April, May, Jun)
Standing Meetings
Membership Meetings: Second Tuesday each month at 3:30 PM at Downtown Lebanon Library and via Zoom.
Contact: Ahmad Hadari
Youth Services: Second Wednesday of the month at Noon
Contact: Christian MacDonald
Charities: Third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 p.m.
Contact: Bruce Pacht
Board Meeting: 4th Tuesday of every month at 4:00 PM via Zoom.
Contact: Ernst Oidtmann
Golf: 2025 schedule to be announced
Contact: Bruce Bergeron
Brew Fest: The 2025 Schedule to be announced
Contact: Marilyn Bedell
Rotary News
Every child that is vaccinated against polio brings us closer to eradication. These are some of the ways children receive their polio vaccines.Click Here to View Video
Our progress in the fight against polio shows why vaccination is important
Increasing awareness about the power of vaccines and closing immunization gaps could protect millions of people worldwide from vaccine-preventable diseases, including polio, according to the World Health Organization. World Immunization Week, 24-30 April, is an opportunity to focus on that work, and the robust polio eradication infrastructure built by Rotary and our partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) provides a model for it.
The GPEI estimates that polio vaccines have saved an estimated 20 million children around the world from paralysis. When Rotary helped launch the GPEI in 1988, the disease paralyzed more than 1,000 people worldwide every day, most of them young children. Since then, Rotary and its partners have reduced the number of polio cases by 99%, and so far in 2025, there are just eight cases of polio caused by the wild poliovirus. Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries where the wild poliovirus remains endemic.
The progress against polio is the result of the efforts of countless volunteers and health workers who immunize children in hard-to-reach communities and establish real-time global surveillance and outbreak response mechanisms. The polio eradication infrastructure has been used to fight other infectious diseases and undertake crucial health interventions, including supporting COVID-19 prevention and vaccination efforts.
With our decades of experience in bringing polio to the brink of eradication, Rotary has been able to highlight the power and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. Since the pandemic began in 2020, Rotary members have helped health authorities communicate lifesaving information about COVID-19, dispel misinformation, and support fair and equal access to vaccines.
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