David Crandall introduced Aaron by sharing that he plays the tuba, piano, guitar and euphonium, an instrument that Dave also played. Aaron is working on his doctorate at the University of Michigan. Currently, Aaron is the Manager of Impact and Community Alliance. He is responsible for measuring the impact of Hop events and works to bridge local communities in the Upper Valley to the Hop. Prior to coming to the Hopkins Center, he was a music teacher.
Our president, David Crandall called the meeting to order a few minutes after noon. While Marilyn Bedell continued to work with Aaron Rivkin to get his PowerPoint working...with success!
Phil Bush lead us in reciting the 4-Way Test.
Ernst Oidtmann played and we tried to sing the Rotary welcome song, and then he encouraged us to sing three verses of a song he wrote for Willie Koppenheffer the year he was president.
No birthday or anniversaries this week.
Bruce shared a St. Paddy's day joke, that was too gaseous to repeat here. Feel free to ask him about it if you missed the meeting. It did bring big groans from the crowd.
Then it was on to our buffet lunch.
After lunch, Aaron Rivkin was our speaker. See the story above.
Bill Secord presented the book for the Kilton Public Library's Children's Collection being given in honor of Aaron Rivkin.
Too Much: My Great Big Native Family
By Laurel Goodluck (Author), Bridget George (Illustrator)
A little boy wants a chance to shine on his own but discovers that being apart from his large and lively Native family isn’t necessarily better in this heartwarming and humorous picture book.
When Russell gets a part in the school play, he lights up like a shining star—and he can’t wait to tell his big, boisterous Native family the exciting news. But catching their attention when they all get together feels impossible; no matter where they go, they seem to be too noisy, too many, and just too much!
Russell decides to keep his big debut to himself and fly solo for once…but being alone may not be the answer. After all, there’s no such thing as too much love, and when he needs them most, his great big family knows how to be just enough.
Announcements
Our spring Styrofoam Collection will be April 6th. Location and time to be confirmed soon.
Erin Smith from the Upper Valley music center asked us for information about the instruments at Harmony Park. The music center would like to have a musical composition created to be part of their celebrations of music. David Crandall indicated he would get her the information she needs.
Our help is needed to set up, April 9th & take down, April 14th tables at the 5 College Book Sale at Lebanon Highschool. Marilyn Bedell will ask the Hanover Club (Bob Haynes) to let us know when we need to be there.
Lebanon Tree Advisory Board (TAB) – Opportunity to plant trees in Lebanon. Here is the link to the forms that interested Rotarians could use to sign up. Mary Maxfield is hoping we will consider helping. This link will take you to sign-up information. https://lebanonnh.gov/FormCenter/Public-Works-6/Lebanon-Tree-Corps-185
Reminder if you want to hear the president of Dartmouth College speak at the Hanover Rotary Club meeting, on May 29th, you must RSVP. Email Bob Haynes, Hanover President-elect at "Bob Haynes" <rehinc@gmail.com> Space is limited, so send your request to attend soon, or you may miss out.
Ed Friedman reminded us that we need to get some foursomes confirmed and work to get sponsors and raffle prizes for the tournament.
From Rotary District 7850
District Conference - April 19-21
Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee VT
Please register now Click Here for the District Conference. We will be at the Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee, VT the weekend of April 19-21, 2024. Friday night is just a gathering, fun night. There is nothing planned except meeting and greeting. Saturday starts with breakfast and a business meeting. We then break into sessions for youth service, membership, and peace centers. These break out groups repeat so you can pick 2.
Our special Rotary International guest is Carol Tichelman, Endowment/Major Gift Advisor for Zone 28, and was the District Governor for District 5050 in Canada 2020-2021. She will be speaking at breakfast and dinner on Saturday. Our other special guest is Eileen Rau from the Rotary Club of West Hartford. She was District Governor 2012-2013 and is the Rotary Regional Foundation Coordinator for Zone 32. She will be our Peace Center presenter during our break outs and throughout the conference. Our Youth Exchange students and our Interact students will share their stories. The theme of the weekend is, “Look how we are Creating Hope in the World!” Please bring artifacts from your International Projects and travels! Let’s share how we are creating hope together!
If you have been to Lake Morey, you know the food is amazing, and the water – well…I love the water!! Sunday we will have a Memorial Service to honor those who passed away this past year. As I have been going from club to club, I am meeting our Rotary Family. I want you to all have the same wonderful experience of meeting the other family members. Now I sound like a grandma! I want my family to get together! Please plan to attend – at least on Saturday. There are many options and packages. You can register on the website and call the Resort to reserve your room.
During the business meeting, we will take some important votes. Our DGND Ariel Mondlak will be officially voted in to be District Governor 2026-2027. We have new By-Laws which we are presenting. The summary and the proposed By-Laws will be sent to each Rotarian following this newsletter. According to RI, “The purpose of the district conference is to bring together members and community leaders in the district to inspire greater involvement with Rotary, strengthen existing relationships, and to showcase the impact and outreach of Rotary in the world.” Clubs will be recognized, and the Governor’s Bowl winner announced! There will be discussion and adoption of last year’s audited financial statement for PDG Caroline Earle’s year.
Voting at the District Conference for the DGND shall be by electors. Each club shall select and certify at least one elector to its conference. A club with more than 25 members has one additional elector for each additional 25 members. A club with up to 37 members gets one elector. A club with 38 to 62 gets 2 electors. 63-87 members get 3 electors, and so on. Electors must be present at the conference to vote. All Rotarians present may vote on By-laws and the approval of the financial statement. Club presidents will get the elector information by email.
Watch for the By-Laws to come to your email.
Happy Dollars
Ron Michaud was happy the Ed Friedman help him find a very competent painter for his home.
Ahmad Haidari is headed to Seattle to visit his mother.
Jane Mason let us know that her Dad, and former Lebanon Rotarian will be 95 on March 22nd.
Tim Guaraldi's oldest daughter turned 36 years old, and Anna is having a nondisclosure birthday on Monday.
Marilyn Bedell let us know that Riley Naylor from Lebanon High School won Round three of the speech contest. Way to go Riley!
Riley (3rd from left) with her competitors.
Raffles
Queen of Hearts
John Yacavone pulled the 3 of hearts. The hunt for the queen continues.
Car Wash
Ron Bedell won the carwash.
Upcoming Speakers
March 28: Karen Borgstrom, Sr. Adviser of Public Affairs at Dartmouth Health, Medical AI
April 4: Jim Kenyon, Valley News Columnist
April 11: Bruce Garland, NH Rank Choice Voting
April 18: Brian Nolan, NH4Ukraine.
April 25: Kathleen Harvard, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other dementias
May2: William Winard, Chocolatier
May 9: Lynn Goodwin, Lebanon Welfare Department
May 16: Rich Adams, Communications Specialist
May 23: Brooke Finnell, Epilogos Charities
May 29, Invitation to join Hanover at their meeting to hear the President of Dartmouth College, Sian Beilock
May 30: Alex Bortolot, Deputy Director, Hood Museum at Dartmouth College
June 6: Morgana Isenberg, VA Services
June 13: Ed Morris, Enfield Town Manager
June 20: Dianna Hastings, NH Children’s Trust
June 26: Changeover
Meeting Adjourned at 1:16 PM
Attendance
Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Bruce Bergeron, Phil Bush, Dean Cashman, Hank Clarke, Dave Crandall, Jim Damren, Ed Friedman, Tim Guaraldi, Joy Gobin*, Ahmad Haidari, Jane Mason*, Ron Michaud, Ernst Oidtmann, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, Marion Steiner, Richard Wallace, John Yacavone
Guest Liza McSwain-Hull, Sugar River Rotary Club, to transfer membership to Lebanon in July; Daniel, Trany, Aviva Himmelstein (Ernst Oidtmann’s new neighbors); Aaron Rivkin, Hopkins Center, our speaker; Dan Russell, friend of the club; and Joshua Smith, and Nick Dulock (both interested in joining our Club); Erin Smith, Upper Valley Music Center;Jimmy Brock, Hamilton, Bermuda Rotary Club
*Joined by WebEx
Standing Meetings
Membership Meetings: Third Tuesday at 3:30 PM
Contact: David Crandall
Youth Services: Second Wednesday of the month at Noon
Contact: Joy Gobin
Charities: Third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 PM
Contact: Bruce Pacht
Board Meeting: 4th Tuesday of every month at 4:00 PM via Zoom
Contact: David Crandall
Golf: Let Ed Friedman know if you want to know when Golf Planning meetings are happening. Dates vary.
Brew Fest: Let Phil Rentz know if you want to know when Brew Fest meetings are happening. Dates Vary.
Community Service Projects
Styrofoam Collection
The next Styrofoam Collection will be April 6, 2024
31st Bedell Classic Golf Tournament
Save the Date
Friday, May 17, 2024 at Eastman Golf Links
Changeover 2024
Save the Date:
Changeover 2024 will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Time, place, activity to be announced later.
Brew Fest 2024
Save the date! August 31, 2024
TOP STITCH
Rotary Vests and Jackets
John Yacavone has arranged for members to order light and heavier weight jackets and vest for us to wear when doing service projects...for days when our tees shirts just aren't enough to keep us comfortable and warm.
If you click the link below, Top Stitch has created a special website for Lebanon Rotary Club members to order the following clothing items.
1. Men’s and Women’s light weight jackets
2. Men’s and Women’s fleece vests
3. Men’s and Women’s fleece jackets
All jackets and vests will have Rotary Logo and club name.
Just pick your item and follow the instructions for ordering. If you decide to pick up your item at Top Stitch located at 233 Mascoma Street Lebanon, NH 03766 there will be no charge for shipping, otherwise shipping will be charged. If you have any questions about your order please contact Cody at Top Stitch at 603-448-2931. Turn around time is 3.5 - 4 weeks. Once you place your order your order will be processed no waiting on other orders to be fulfilled.
Rotary News
From Rotary International
Remembering Paul Alexander, who lived 70 years in an iron lung
By Arnold Grahl
Paul Alexander, a 78-year-old man from Texas, USA, who spent most of his life in an iron lung, died on 11 March. Alexander contracted polio in 1952, when he was just 6 years old. The disease paralyzed him from the neck down so he couldn’t breathe on his own. He earned a law degree, passed the bar exam, and practiced law in Dallas for a time. He was also briefly a member of a Rotary e-club.
The following is a story we reported in 2015.
One might think a man living with polio in an iron lung would know about Rotary. But it wasn't until Paul Alexander had a business meeting with a member in Duncanville, Texas, earlier this year that he learned Rotary fights to eradicate the very disease that left him almost completely paralyzed.
"I was completely blown away by the idea. For all these years, I didn't know the work they were doing," says Alexander, a practicing attorney in Dallas. "It's such a perfect fit for me."
Alexander contracted polio during a major U.S. outbreak of the disease in the late 1950s when he was six years old, and almost died in the hospital before a doctor noticed he wasn't breathing and rushed him into an iron lung, an airtight metal tank that encloses all of the body except the head and uses regulated changes in air pressure to force the lungs to inhale and exhale. Alexander is among a small number of people in the world today still using an iron lung to assist his paralytic polio. The need for the 800-pound machines declined dramatically after the polio vaccine became widely available in the early 1960s.
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