Members of the club were given a tour of the new Lebanon Fire Department Station No. One on May 18 before the participants moved across the street to Salt hill Pub for the club's monthly social.
Rotarians attending the May 14 meeting:
Christina Annas, Bill Babineau, Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Bruce Bergeron, Phil Bush, Keegan Carpenter, James Carroll, Dean Cashman, Bill Chabot (R), Dave Clarenbach, Paul Coats, Dave Crandell, Jim Damren, Steve Grant, Tim Guaraldi, Ahmad Haidari, Andy Jones, Will Koppenheffer, Christian McDonald, Ron Michaud, Dan Nash, Angela Nelson, Ernst Oidtmann, Travis Paige, Bill Secord, John Stalvey, Richard Wallace, Cal Wolfe, and John Yacavone.
Ernst Oidtmann played the Rotary welcome song and then delivered a remembrance of Herb McKinney, a deceased member of the club who was president for Rotary year 1985-86. Herb was the CEO of United Way of the Upper Valley and worked in nonprofits for most of his working career. He once went on a wilderness trip with Ernst and seven or eight others and ended up saving Ernst from hypothermia! Ernst closed his memorial for Herb by playing Mozart‘s funeral March.
President Marilyn’s thought of the day: The best preparation for tomorrow is to do your best today.
Birthdays:Ron Michaud was 91 on May 12. Dave Clarenbach, of undetermined age, had a birthday on May 14.
PROGRAM:
The Reverand Kirsty De Pree
Dave Crandall introduced the Reverend Kirsty De Pree, an interfaith chaplain at APD and DHMC.
Kirsty was born in Scotland and educated at Hope College, Duke University, and UVM. She is the daughter of a preacher. When Kirsty was 15 years old, she was a Rotary exchange student in Scotland for a year, an experience that played a very important role in her education.
As a chaplain, she asks people if they could use some kindness and compassion. This usually results in their saying yes. Chaplains are there for staff, patients, and family. The individuals that chaplains counsel don’t have to be religious people.
Chaplains give emotional and spiritual support to people wherever they are on their life journey. Even an atheist doesn’t necessarily have to be denying spirituality.
Clergy are not necessarily chaplains. Chaplains need clinical pastoral educational units. DHMC requires 400 hours times four units of course work—a total of 1,600 hours of pastoral education. Chaplains can now chart in the patient’s medical record to provide a full picture of the patient.
A chaplain typically tries to meet people where they’re at. Chaplain’s help people find hope and meaning in their lives.
Bill Secord presented Kirsty with the book
When I Hear Spirituals by Cheryl Willis Hudson (Author), London Ladd (Illustrator).
Your spirit will soar! A girl connects with heritage, history, and a higher power through the lyrics of twelve beloved spirituals and four seminal events in African American history.
Journey through Black history and music in this layered picture book.
When I hear spirituals Sometimes A big, full feeling Grows in my chest . . .
Her heart pounds, she gets a lump in her throat, and tears flow down her cheeks. She wants to clap her hands and stomp her feet. There is healing, tenderness, strength, pride, and above all, hope.
The author of the classic picture book Bright Eyes, Brown Skin, Cheryl Willis Hudson, has woven together lyrics of twelve timeless, Black spirituals with a moving exploration of how music holds memories, emotions, and empowerment.
Songs include “Go down, Moses,” “Nobody Knows the Troubles I See,” “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,” “Rock-a-My Soul,” “Get on Board, Little Children,” and more.
Evocative illustrations by award-winning artist London Ladd depict important people and places in Black history and culture: Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King, Jr., the Great Migration, and the Enslaved People’s Uprising of 1811.
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Program:
Christian McDonald reported on RYLA. Two RYLA students addressed the 10th grade class about the RYLA experience and received a very enthusiastic response from the class. As a result of the presentation, Christian has received four applications for this year’s RYLA program.
Club Business:
Tim Guaraldi moved that Marilyn run for Rotary Legislative Council. The vote was unanimous.
There will be a fire station tour on Monday, May 18, at 4 o’clock and subsequent social hour at Salt hill beginning at approximately 5 o’clock.
Changeover is June 18.
Bruce Bergeron reported that there are 31 teams registered for the golf tournament and expressed the need to get more sponsors and to re-up the ones from last year that haven’t so far committed
There were no happy dollars this week. Bill Secord drew the line of hearts in the search for the Queen. The car wash was won by Travis Paige.
CLUB SOCIAL EVENTS COMING UP SOON!
CHANGE-OVER NIGHT AT HARVEST HILL, June 18th, 5:30 until 8:30 p.m., Dwinell Room at Harvest Hill. (No meeting that day at noon.) Sign up with Ron Bedell—only $20.00 for hearty hors d’oeuvres.
Attendees may bring wine and beer. Hearty hors d’oeuvres consisting of the following:
Tossed Salad, Veggie Crudités featuring Grilled Veggies & Caprese Skewers, Bowl of Homemade Potato Chips & Pretzels with French Onion Dip.
Brie & Raspberry en croute, Mini Quiche, Vegetable Spring Rolls with sweet chili sauce.
All beef meatballs-3 ways: BBQ, Swedish, & Marinara.
Mini Assorted Desserts & Cookie Display, Coffee (regular and decaf), tea and water.
Partners and Guests are welcome.
Cost $20:00 per person.
Checks should be made out to the Rotary Club of Lebanon and either mailed to Angela Nelson, Rotary Club of Lebanon, P.O. Box 132, Lebanon, NH 03766 or given to the Seargent-at-Arms at a meeting.
ROTARY DISTRICT 7850 COMING EVENTS:
June 12-14, 2026, Friday-Sunday: District 7850 Conference at Hotel Estrimont, Magog, Quebec.
CLUB FUNDRAISERS—ALL HANDS ON DECK NEEDED TO MAKE THESE SUPER SUCCESSFUL!!
June 3, Wednesday: Bedell Classic Golf Tournament. It’s time to make your approach to potential sponsors or donations of raffle prizes. Also, there are volunteer opportunities galore, starting with possible setup assistance the afternoon of June 2, Tuesday. We can also use your donated raffle items—new, unused things you may have at home!
September 5, Saturday of Labor Day Weekend: 2026 Brew Fest.
One profits most who serves best
Program coordinator for remainder of Rotary year 2025-2026: Dave Crandall (April, May, June).
THE TAKE FLIGHT PROGRAM:
TBW Automotive came through for Take Flight and said they would be "delighted" to let the program borrow its engine hoist. On May 5th the hoist was unloaded from the truck and set up in the Take Flight classroom. The picture [left] shows students using the hoist to work on their plane's engine. The Lebanon School District thanks Tim White and crew for their support.
HEY, IT’S SPRING AND TIME TO CHECK OUT THE ROTARY SPRING JACKETS AND VESTS FROM TOP STITCH.
Kirsty was born in Scotland and educated at Hope College, Duke University, and UVM. She is the daughter of a preacher. When Kirsty was 15 years old, she was a Rotary exchange student in Scotland for a year, an experience that played a very important role in her education.
