Bruce Pacht assists Ernst Oidtmann in leading an old-time singalong.
Minutes from the Meeting on December 11, 2025
In attendance: Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Bruce Bergeron, Dean Cashman, Bill Chabot, Dave Clarenbach, Hank Clarke, Dave Crandall, Jim Damren, Nick Gaffney, Tim Guaraldi, Andy Jones, Carol Keeffe, Will Koppenheffer, Jane Mason [z], Christian McDonald, Ron Michaud, Angela Nelson, Ernst Oidtmann, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, Richard Wallace, George Wenz, and John Yacavone. Guest, Shay Berry.
Call to order: 12:00 by President Marilyn.
Four-Way Test led by Dave Clarenbach. Guest:Shay Berry (advancement associate/Lebanon Opera House).
Thought of the day: May this holiday season warm your soul with the spirit of service, reminding us that the time we give to uplift others is the greatest gift we can offer, creating ripples of love, peace, and goodwill for all humanity.
Ernst played our Rotary song, and because he likes horses, we also sang “I Ride an Old Paint.”
Birthdays:
Jim Damren, December 20;
Tim Guaraldi, December 24;
Rich Wallace, December 26.
Program:
Today’s program was Ernst’s annual Christmas concert.
He played (and we tried to sing along to) the following songs:
“Tiptoe through the Tulips,” “Begin the Beguine,” “Blowing in the Wind,” “The Band Played On,” “Happy Days,” “Piano Man,” and “Jingle Bells.” Bruce Pacht gallantly attempted to lead us in our singing. Ernst concluded the concert with a rousing rendition of Scott Joplin’s “The Entertainer,” made famous in the movie “The Sting.”
Announcements:
Phil Rentz presented Angela Nelson with a Paul Harris +1 award.
Angela reported that the holiday baskets numbered 26 and that the club contributed and spent $2,850 on the baskets. They were assembled with the help of seven Interactors and seven Rotarians.
John Yacavone gave us an updated report on the holiday party. He requested that everybody be at Harvest Hill by 5 o’clock on December 16. The club then discussed the details of the party.
Tim Guaraldi reported that Revo has picked us to be the 501(c)(3) recipient for the period January 21 to January 30.
Our Next Monthly Social Event:
John Yacavone has been communicating with Aaron at the HOP to set up a Monday Evening Rotary Club social event. What is planned is a tour of the newly renovated Hopkins Center at Dartmouth College on Monday, January 19, 2026.
We will meet at the Main Entrance of the Hopkins Center (East Wheelock St.) at 7:00 p.m. for a 45-minute tour. There will be no meal planned prior to the tour.
Brags:
Will Koppenheffer shared his tale of a remarkable series of bad luck.
Wow—Carol Keeffe bragged that she got a new home listing at a hard time for home sales.
Angela Nelson bragged that her boyfriend finally recovered his electricity after six-and-a-half weeks without. And she also bragged that she attended two great concerts in Springfield.
Hank Clarke bragged that he and Carole enjoyed a dinner at the Copper Door restaurant and that they have gotten their first artificial Christmas tree.
Tim Guaraldi bragged that his dad is 85 and that his mother will be 78.
Ron Michaud noted the importance of Hanukkah and the historical liberation of Jerusalem.
President Marilyn bragged that she found her wallet (so Ron doesn't have to pay for the brag) and that she likes the help at the Paper Store. She also informed us that a friend of hers from nursing recently passed away at the Jack Byrne Center.
Jim Damron bragged that his son’s girlfriend will be pinned as a practicing nurse next Saturday and that she will be starting immediately at DHMC.
Raffle:
Tim Guaraldi drew the Ten of Clubs. Phil Rentz got the car wash We adjourned.
Common Man for Ukraine
Common Man for Ukraine is a charitable wing of the Plymouth (NH) Rotary Foundation. The Rotary Club of Lebanon has helped support this group’s humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Common Man for Ukraine partners with the Zamosc Ordynacky Rotary Club (Poland) to deliver food and other critical supplies to orphanages, safe houses, and additional areas of need in Ukraine. Recently co-founders Alex Ray and Lisa Mure landed safely in Krakow, Poland, and made their way to Zakopane to visit the Children of Ukraine Health Retreat—a residential trauma counseling program for Ukrainian children of soldiers killed in the war. 
[above left] Anita from Dnipro and the candy cane she plans to paint red and white ahead of Christmas. [above right] Karina from Poltava, proudly showing the therapeutic aromatherapy satchel she made during the art therapy program. These smiles are priceless. But sadness and the traumas of loss and war understandably remain in the air at times.
Alex and Lisa spent three days with the 33 children taking part in December's three-week session. The fourth Annual Christmas Convoy delivered supplies to eighteen frontline villages in Ukraine; provided 44,000 pounds of food and additional aid to more than 10,000 Ukrainians, including thousands of children; and gifted more than 6,000 holiday presents and 6,000 handmade knit hats.
Members of the Rotary Club of Zamosc Ordynacky, Ukraine, and representatives from the Rotary Club of Plymouth, New Hampshire, share the Christmas spirit together.
One Profits Most Who Serves Best
CALENDAR THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR:
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).
