Have you worked on finding a sponsor for Brew Fest. Sponsor confirmations needed by July 15, 2026
Cheers
Rotary Club of Lebanon, NH
Meeting notes: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Dwinell Room at Harvest Hill
Our Meeting Review
Jim Damren called out meeting to order at noon.
Tim Guaraldi led us in reciting the 4-Way Test
Ernst Oidtmann played and we sang our Rotary Welcome song; this was followed by a song about aging, Silver Threads Among the Gold, that reminded me of songs in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
We then welcomes Ed Morris, Enfield Town Manager as one of the corporate members from the town of Enfield.
Ed Morris and Jim Damren
As we continue to celebrate Bruce Pacht and John Yacavone, they were presented with letters from Rotary International Presidents for their 50 years in Rotary.
John Yacavone, Jim Damren, Bruce Pacht and Bruce Bergeron
Then it was off to the lunch buffet.
Following lunch we heard from our speakers, Sylvia Dow and Paula David from Visions for Creative Housing Solutions. See stories below.
Bill Secord presents the children's book that will go to the Kilton Public Library's Children's Collection.
An unforgettable picture book about the power of kindness and the importance of community.
As Holly takes her morning stroll in the thicket, she comes across a small bird. It was plain to see he'd been through some things. The bird is alone and trying to find shelter for the winter. And Holly knows exactly what to do to help.
Illustrating the transformative role a community can play in caring for its members, The Sweater is a powerful and poignant tale of compassion and acceptance.
Announcements
Brew Fest - Sponsorship deadline is upon us by mid-July. Momentum is building…who can you approach to be a sponsor.
After the meeting we prepared our lawn signs for September 5, 2026. “Many hands make light the work.”
Rotarians at Work!
Thank you email received from Lebanon Parks, Arts and Recreation
4th of July Cookout Post-Event Report
Dear Lebanon Rotary,
On behalf of Lebanon Recreation, Arts and Parks and the Lebanon community, thank you so much for your generous contribution of $1000 in support of the free 4th of July Cookout put on by Salt Hill Pub this past Saturday, July 4. This free cookout was a huge draw at our Independence Day Celebration in Colburn Park and greatly added to our community celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Below, find the menu offered by Salt Hill Pub as well as further details of the event.
Salt Hill Pub Cookout Menu
Burgers, Cheeseburgers and Gardenburgers
Fixings & Condiments
Salt Hill Pub Chicken Wings
BBQ Chicken
House Potato Salad
House Pasta Salad
Pub Pretzels
Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies
Fresh Watermelon
Event Recap
Right after the Fourth of July Parade, which ended around 11:45 AM, an estimated 500 event participants came in droves to Colburn Park and began lining up for the cookout. The energy was high, community groups were tabling, and the live entertainment was about to begin. Around noon, we were hit with gusty winds and heavy rain that was on and off over the course of an hour. Unfortunately, this did cause much of the crowd to diminish, but the line for the free cookout stayed long, and when the rain let up, people returned to or joined the event. In total, we estimate 500 people participated in the free cookout as that was the number that was planned for and food ran out at the very end of the event. The participants were very happy with the menu that was offered. The food was plentiful, and everyone ate well. See below additional photographs of our 4th of July celebration in the park.
Happy Dollars
Hank Clarke is headed to Maine for two weeks. He had to leave early as Fidium was coming to his home to install WiFi.
Tim Guaraldi spent good family time in Maine that included his parents. The grandchildren enjoyed the old fashioned 4th of July parade. In particular, the kids liked the candy that was thrown their way. He also learned that grandchild 9 is on the way.
Ahmad Haidari got to see a FIFA game while he was in Settle. He also mentioned he met a nurse at Dana Farber that knew Marilyn Bedell, and that she had very high praise for Marilyn. Marilyn now wonders if the nurse was Lisa Wessinger.
Paul Coats thanked us for the helping cover food expenses on the 4th of July. Rain didn't keep people from standing in line to get fed.
Ernst Oidtmann pointed out the John Yacavone was in the Valley New for the 4th of July. A vintage photo of John as “Uncle Sam”.
Christina Annas let us know that her car's fuel pump died, sad… but she is now driving a 1957 Chevy Belaire, very happy.
Angela Nelson has moved to her own CPA office in downtown Lebanon.
John Yacavone paid a dollar for having is picture in the Valley News. Though he did display confusion as to which town now has his “Uncle Sam” costume… It is Hanover and not Lebanon.
Phil Bush was happy to share he had successful cataract surgery. He let us know that his daughter, Alison, husband is member for the Old Town Maine Rotary Club. Their big fundraiser is a hunter's breakfast.
Angela let us know that the new ClubRunner Nova program is still making billing a challenge. Everyone will be getting invoices even if they have pre-paid. Is you get confused, reach out to Angela.
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Queen of Hearts, Steve Grant won the pull and picked the 7 of Clubs.
Car wash went to Bruce Pacht
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Attendance
Christina Annas, Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Bruce Bergeron, Phil Bush, Keegan Carpenter, Dean Cashman, Bill Chabot, Dave Clarenbach, Paul Coats, Hank Clarke, Jim Damren, Steve Grant, Tim Guaraldi, Ahmad Haidari, Carol Keefe, Joshua Massey, Ron Michaud, Ed Morris, Dan Nash, Angela Nelson, Ernst Oidtmann, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, John Stalvey, Rob Taylor, Cal Wolfe, John Yacavone
Guest Speaker: Sylvia Dow and Paula Davis
ROTARY DISTRICT 7850 COMING EVENTS
September 3, District Governor Ariel Mondlak visitation—Just before our Brewfest!
CLUB FUNDRAISER
September 5, Saturday of Labor Day Weekend: 2026 Brewfest
(NOTE: This is now the official spelling and capitalization of “Brewfest.” The only exception is ALL CAPS for certain applications such as our road signs:“BREWFEST.” One word, in both cases.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
]uly 16: Will Towne, Executive Director of Upper Valley Haven
July 23 Elizabeth Franson, Executive Director of Good
Neighbor Clinic
August 6: Club Meeting, Classification talk by Tyler Hagan
August 13: Gary Summerton Portraits
August 20: Clara Moses, Hydrate Marketing
August 27: Colby Price Director Lebanon Adult Education &
Literacy Services SAU 88
Program coordinator for start of Rotary year 2026-2027:
John Yacavone (July, August, September); Steve Grant (October, November, December)
Our speakers today were Sylvia Dow and Paula Davis from Visions for Creative Housing Solutions.
John Yacavone started by introducing us to Sylvia by reviewing her short biography.
Sylvia Kluge Dow, founder and Executive Director of Visions for Creative Housing Solutions, is a visionary leader. Mother of two daughters with developmental disabilities and a former special educator, Sylvia has been a lifelong, passionate advocate for people with disabilities in the Upper Valley and beyond. In 2014 she was the primary force behind the founding of Visions for Creative Housing Solutions, a nonprofit that offers an innovative model for supported housing for adults with developmental and similar disabilities. The first home that was established was in Enfield. Sylvia’s work and the efforts of Visions have been featured in multiple publications, including feature articles in Image Magazine and Challenge NH. Among her many accolades and awards, Sylvia received the “NH Impact Award” from the NH Center for Nonprofits in April, 2021.
Under Sylvia's leadership Visions for Creative Housing Solution held two very successful capital campaigns that permitted the organization to open two more residences in Lebanon and Hanover.
Sylvia Dow
Sylvia had hoped to start her presentation with this video, but the WiFi in the Dwinell Room did not permit this…so here is the link if you would like to watch it now. Click Here
Envisioning a world where people with disabilities are fully engaged members of our community.
Sylvia began her talk by reviewing Visions for Creative Housing Solutions' history. Sylvia is a mother who has two daughters that have different developmental disabilities. Ashley was born with Down's Syndrome, and Emma had more challenging disabilities that required her to have 24/7 support. Sylvian and Brandon were committed that from birth, that they would work to permit their daughters to have full and engaging lives. That they would be fully integrated into their communities. It would be important for each daughter to follow their own unique path.
Sylvia remembers when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, that resulted in surgery and having to deal with a serious complication of an infections. Through all of this Brandon and Sylvia focus was “what will happen to our girls if we aren't able to support and care for them.” This began visioning a way for the girls to live in a safe, homelike environment with people who would always be present to help them. She learned early on in her quest to find a viable and wonderful way to support her girls, she would have to learn never to be stopped by the word, “NO”.
What follows is from the Visions for Creative Housing Solutions web site and is a summary of what Sylvia shared with us.
Visions for Creative Housing Solutions founding location at Sunrise Farm in Enfield, New Hampshire, offers a safe, rural, 80-acre setting with a built-in pool, hiking trails, and flower and vegetable gardens. Once the family home of founding Executive Director Sylvia Kluge Dow, the property was originally owned and operated as Kluge’s Inn on Sunset Hill by Sylvia’s family. She and her husband David Dow have two daughters, both with developmental disabilities. In 2004 they began meeting with other families, all seeking permanent housing and support options for their adult children. The result, Visions for Creative Housing Solutions, opened in 2014 with six residents at Sunrise Farm. Eleven individuals now live in apartments or shared houses at this Enfield location.
Paula shared her own story of living with a disability and how this led her to working with Visions.
Paula Davis
Paula was drawn to work at visions after coming to Lebanon as she truly believes in Visions mission and vision. She shared that she was born with only one hand, but had parents who believed she could do anything with one hand that could be done with two. They raised her to know that she could be a fully participating member of any community in the world. She has ties to Honduras and Puerto Rico. She was born in Boston.
She reemphasized that we all need support and will require differing degrees of accommodations throughout our life times…even if we are “healthy”. She loves working with Sylvia, because Sylvia makes people believe that any thing in possible.
Paula then told us about upcoming events…we are all welcome to attend.
Disability Justice Day, Thursday, July 23, 2026 · Colburn Park, Lebanon NH
An Evening of Legacy & Belonging — Visions Future Fund Reception, Thursday, July 30, 2026, Enfield Shaker Museum
“Everyone is a Star”, Saturday, November 14 at the Enfield Shaker Museum
ead More to find details about these three events.
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