The main entrance is located on Court Street, between Three Tomatoes restaurant and Scratch Supply Company. Enter the lobby and take the stairs or elevator to Level 3
Jay Cairelli, Public Works Director for the City of Lebanon was our speaker. He started his employment for the city in 2013, working in the Wastewater Treatment plant. He was in this position for 3 years. In 2016 he joined the administration team for the city. In 2023 there was a structure change, and at that point he became the Director of Public Works.
Jay Cairelli
Before he got into the nuts and bolts of Public Works, he told us how the city was affected by the storm on Saturday night. It caused localized flooding. It produced some very large hail. It became an “all hands-on deck” event. Working to get drains that were clogged by debris open to permit draining…then repairing road damage, etc.
He moved on to provide a broad overview of what is included in public works.
Using a variety of PowerPoint Slide he described the many projects he is overseeing. Below is text from the PowerPoint slides:
Route 12A Dry Bridge • The South Main Street Bridge was constructed in 1949 • DOT Red Listed • Total projected cost (2024 construction) $21,079,500 • Percentage of NHDOT participation 69.4% • State Share: $14,622,365 • City Share: $6,452,663.
He described what happened to cause the emergency closing of the dry bridge, and how the railroad is now telling the city, that during the repair trains will need access to one of the two rails under the bridge. The hope is that alternating traffic can be maintained on the bridge, but this may not be possible due to the railroads requirements. . Bridge reconstruction is programmed for construction in 2025 and 2026.
Etna Road Route 120 Sidewalk • 800 Feet From Intersection of 120 and Etna to Tree Top Condominiums on Etna Road • Low Bid: $157,517.50 • NHDOT Building the 120 Crossing Date Uncertain. • Phase 2: Old Etna Road from Route 120 to Wolf Road, where it connects with the City’s existing sidewalk network. Program year: post 2032
Slayton Hill to American Legion Sidewalk • About 800 feet • Congressionally Directed Spending: $292,250 • Total Cost Estimate: $625,000. Senator Shaheen helped get federal funding for this project.
As I was trying to get Jay Cairelli's PowerPoint to be visible in the room and on Webex, someone led us in reciting The4-Way Test of the Things We Think Say or Do...It may have been Dean Cashman.
President Ernst accompanied us on piano for the Rotary Welcome Song and I think he played Happy Birthday...Mozart Style.
We welcomed prospective member, James Carroll and our speaker, Jay Cairelli.
Thought of the Day from Ernst Oidtmann: I lost the notes Christian recorded for me, but believe I heard groans as it came to an end.
Then it was on to our lunch buffet.
John Yacavone introduced our speaker Jay Cairelli, Lebanon Public Works Director. See story above.
Bill Secord presented the book going to the Children's Collection at the Kilton Library in honor of Jay Cairelli:
Yáadilá!: Good Grief!
By Laurel Goodluck (Author), Jonathan Nelson (Illustrator)
Bahe and Dezba are helping their grandmother, Nali, move from her sheep camp home to their house. The family is packing up, carrying heavy boxes, and settling into a new life together, which isn’t always easy. At every frustration, they throw up their hands and exclaim, “Yaadila!” Good grief!
Bahe sees that this big change is hardest for Nali. But he has a secret plan. Whatever can he be doing with a bucket of water, all that yarn, and Dezba’s dollhouse?
In this heartwarming and quintessentially Navajo (Diné) story, author Laurel Goodluck (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Tsimshian) and illustrator Jonathan Nelson (Diné) together show a big change for an Elder made easier with a creative gesture of love and care.
See announcements, happy/sad dollars, raffle winners, attendance, future programs and speakers, standing meetings and Rotary News below.
New Signs at Lebanon High School and at Mascoma Valley Regional High School: John Yacavone asked the board about placing Rotary signs at both high schools. The board agree. These school specific signs are now at the entries of both schools. Enter to Learn -- Leave to Serve.
Adjourned meeting at 1:26 PM with our motto,
One profits most who serves best.
Announcements
Take Flight End of Year Celebration, May 28, 2025 from 9:30 AM at the Hanger at LHS.
Civic Memorial Park Build: Anticipate Grand Opening of the playground by the end of May.
First Grade Book Distribution:
The school year is winding down and that means it's time to hand out the personalized 1st Grade books. To do this we are looking for at least 12 volunteers. It only takes 45 minutes at each school.
The plan is to hand out the books:
The Mt Lebanon School book distribution will remain Monday June 2nd at 9 am.
The Hanover Street School will be Tuesday, June 3rd at 8:30 am [NOTE THIS IS A DAY AND TIME CHANGE]
If we get 12 volunteers we will split up and take care of both schools. If we get less than 12 we will ask for folks to attend both. Let Bruce Bergeron know if you can help...this is truly one of our best and most rewarding projects.
The following people volunteered to distribute books at Hanover Street, and I need to know if you are able to make the new date. Please let me know.
John Y
Mila
Willie
Ernst
Bruce P
Andy
We are looking for a few more folks to help both Monday (Mt Lebanon) and Tuesday (Hanover Street). Let me now if you want to be added to the list.
FYI, friends and family are welcome to help us at both schools.
Golf: 32nd Annual Bedell Classic will be on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at Eastman Golf Links in Grantham. 10 AM Shotgun Start. Keep recruiting players and finding sponsors for this important fundraising event. Brochure has been sent to members. Bruce will be sending out information about volunteer assignment. We still need raffle prizes, even inexpensive items can be grouped to make a larger raffle prize. Sponsorships needed too. We have 21 Teams signed up to play in our tournament.
Club Change Over Celebration: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 5:00 PM. At the Quechee Inn at Marshland Farms. (Dinner to be served at 6 PM), $45/person.
Social Gathering at Salt Hill: Rotary Club of Lebanon...Social Gathering 3rd Monday of Every Month Next gathering will be June 16, 2025
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. Porta potties have been reserved. We will have two banks for porta potties this year with two handicapped accessible units.
Styrofoam Collection: Next date, October 4, 2025 in WRJ. Place and time to be determined.
From Whaleback:
Dear Whaleback Community,
We’re thrilled to share some great news: together, we’ve exceeded our $250,000 fundraising goal. Thanks to your generosity and belief in Whaleback, we’ve been able to stabilize operations, retain our incredible team, and begin preparing for what’s next. Lift repairs will begin no later than July, and we anticipate operating both the chairlift and our new surface lift for the start of the upcoming winter season.
Now, we turn to the future—Phase 2 of our long-term vision. With expert input in progress, we’re actively exploring the best path forward for upgrading or replacing our chairlift. While the details are still being shaped, this milestone marks a critical step toward securing Whaleback’s future for generations to come.
We’re also writing today to share a leadership update. Jon Hunt, our Executive Director, will be transitioning out of his day-to-day role at the end of this summer. This is an amicable and thoughtful transition, and we’re grateful that Jon will continue to stay engaged in an advisory capacity. His leadership has been foundational to Whaleback’s recent momentum, and we’re incredibly thankful for his work.
As part of this next chapter, we’re excited to announce the launch of the Friends of Whaleback—a new advisory group made up of passionate community members committed to helping the Board and management guide and sustain Whaleback’s progress. Jon will be a founding member of this group, and we are grateful for his continued commitment to the mountain.
As always, thank you for being part of what makes Whaleback special. We look forward to sharing updates as plans evolve—and to seeing you at the mountain soon.
With appreciation and momentum,
Whaleback Mountain Board of Directors
Happy/Sad Dollars
Steve Grant’s happy dollar was about the book, On the Road. As I didn't find my notes about On the Road. This is what I learned from Google...On the Road is a 1957 novel by American writer Jack Kerouac, based on the travels of Kerouac and his friends across the United States.
It is considered a defining work of the postwar Beat and Counterculture generations, with its protagonists living life against a backdrop of jazz, poetry, and drug use The original handwritten manuscript of Jack Kerouac's On the Road was bought by Indianapolis Colts owner, Jim Irsay. Irsay famously acquired the 120-foot scroll in 2001, ensuring its preservation and making it available for public viewing, according to multiple sources. The scroll, where Kerouac typed the first draft of the novel, became a prominent part of Irsay's collection and was sometimes displayed in his office, according to multiple sources.
Andy Jones let us know that his daughter who lives in Seattle, will be getting married in NH on June 30 at Pat's Peak.
Tim Guaraldi gave a happy dollar for our speaker Jay Cairelli.
RAFFLES
We started a new deck of cards last week. Once again Dean Cashman had an opportunity to pull the queen of hearts...but instead he pulled the 7 of diamonds.
The Enfield car wash went to Andy Jones
Attendance:
Rotarians: Bill Babineau, Marilyn Bedell, Ronald Bedell, Bruce Bergeron, Phil Bush, Dean Cashman, Hank Clarke, Jim Damren, Steve Grant, Tim Guaraldi, Andy Jones, Max Jovanovich*, Will Koppenheffer, Jane Mason*, Christian McDonald, Ron Michaud, Angela Nelson, Ernst Oidtmann, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, George Wenz, John Yacavone
Guest: Prospective member, James Carroll; Speaker, Jay Cairelli, Lebanon Public Works
FUTURE MEETING PROGRAMS/SPEAKERS
May 29:Lifelong Learning at Osher – Osher Presentation (Field Trip to Osher offices, organized by Hank, Catered by Jakes.)
June 5: Mark Harvey talking about National Parks
June 11: CHANGE OVER at Quechee Inn. If you haven't RSVPed already let Ron Bedell know if you are or are not coming.
June 12: no meeting
June 19: Tracy Hutchins, President Upper Valley Business Alliance
June 26: Lynee Turek, Earth Science professor at Dartmouth
Note: David Crandall scheduled programs for May and June 2025
July 3: Peggy O’Neill, Executive Director, WISE
July 10: Joe Clifford, Executive Director Lebanon Opera House
July 17: BOD and Charities Reports and Classification talk
July 24: Rick Kendall, Superintendent, Saint Gaudens National Historical Park
August 7: Brey Adams, Interim Executive Director Upper Valley Humane Society
August 14: Lori Shibinette, CEO West Central Behavioral Health
August 21: Charities Report and Final Plans for Brew Fest
August 28: Tyler Lewis, Head of School, Kimball Union Academy
September 4: Luc Pomerleau, District Governor Visit
September 11: Victor Tom, Topic: “How rocket science made it into major league baseball and strike zone.”
September 18: BOD, Charities Report and Classification talk
September 25: Rob Stenger, one of the owners of Simple Energy
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: Hank Clarke Next meeting will be June 10th at 12:30 at Service Credit Union.
Rotary News
Rotary is dedicated to causes that build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to support our peace efforts and end polio forever.
Promoting peace
Rotary encourages conversations to foster understanding within and across cultures. We train adults and young leaders to prevent and mediate conflict and help refugees who have fled dangerous areas.
We educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. We improve and expand access to low-cost and free health care in developing areas.
We support local solutions to bring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to more people every day. We don’t just build wells and walk away. We share our expertise with community leaders and educators to make sure our projects succeed long-term.
Nearly 6 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. We expand access to quality care, so mothers and their children can live and grow stronger.
More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.
We carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and create opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. We also strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for over 35 years, and our goal of ridding the earth of this disease is in sight. We started in 1979 with vaccinations for 6 million children in the Philippines. Today, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only countries where polio remains endemic.
From Walter Hughes about the Global Grant We Are Supporting in Ghana
Dear Rotarians and friends,
Thanks to your support. More water will be flowing in Ghana!
This is a quick update on Rotary Foundation global grant 24-60049. We received all of the funds. The grant is approved. The funds for Phase 1 were sent to Ghana. We've hired two different contractors. Each contractor has been authorized to drill the first three wells each this week. That is a total of six new wells to start our project.
We've learned about sending funds to The Rotary Foundation going forward that hopefully will speed up getting the money to Africa. I learned you can pay via credit card online for a grant even before the grant is approved. TRF prefers wire transfers or group payments.
We are proud to be working with the Kumasi and Obuasi Rotarians again on this project. Thanks for your support. It is appreciated. The approved grant application and the highlight version are attached. We are planning to submit the 2025-2026 Ghana Water Grant in late June or early July.
All the best.
Walter Hughes
Global Grant 24-60049, Water and Sanitation with Economic Impact in Ghana will drill 36 new wells including 8 small-town water systems and build 376 composting Microflush toilets for communities.
We will administer microcredit loans for wells and household toilets. 20 farmers and small businesses shall receive lending support to boost their business. This will improve the economic strength of our communities. The budget is $190,000.
Our team will impact 37,994 lives. This project exceeds our goal of impacting one million lives
cumulatively through previous projects since 2006.
.png)
