Our Speakers today were two of our fellow Rotarians who did their classification talks. Mila Dela Pena and Max Jovanovich
Mela Dela Pena
Mila shared her story in two parts. First was her autobiography, followed by her history of being a part of Rotary International.
Mila was born in 1947 and grew up in the Philippines. Her father was a WWII veteran/survivor. Her Mother was a housewife and vegetable vendor. She described her parents as hardworking and loving. Despite being poor, her parents were recipients of the “so called Lucky Parents Award of the Year.” It was a tradition in her rural community to honor parents who exerted more effort and hard work to send their children to school. Mila was one of seven siblings. All graduated and working in their chosen careers. In good time, all were living in the United States. Each has their own family and live as Mila described it, “normal lives”.
Mila married at the age of 21 in 1970. At that point she shared that she was disowned by her parents and had to start over from scratch. She learned the art of being a hairdresser. This permitted her to earn a living. Without parental support, she and her husband faced the challenges that would lie in the years ahead of her. She shared that, “God is good”. She was qualified as a hairdresser and was able to move to Saudi Arabia in 1987 to work as a hairdresser. She moved back to the Philippines in 2007 after working in Saudi Arabia for 20 year.
As Mila shared, fast forward… She raised her two children. Her son, Diomil Daliva dela Pena is an architect owning his own company with foreign partners and doing very well in Manila. He has a supportive, loving wife with three children. Two are professionals, and they live as a happy family.
Her daughter, Catherine, is a nurse working at DHMC in the birthing department. She had four children, two are professionals and live happily here in Lebanon, NH
Max began his talk sharing a picture of young Max in a snowsuit. He then proceeded to share is back story.
He is the son of Andrea Conger and Chris Jovanovich. Andrea and Chris are no longer married, but both have remarried and now Max has 5 additional siblings. His parents are from Székesfehérvár, HU, and Yorba Linda…the met at Hollywood Video in Lebanon.
Max was born at Alice Peck Day Hospital and has been a part of the Upper Valley ever since. He shared that he grew up as a child of an immigrant. This shaped part of his childhood. He remembered that his mother relied on the Upper Valley Haven and Listen. That never seems strange to him. Both organizations worked to help make his life better.
He spent a lot of time talking about how difficult it could be to be a middle schooler. Thus he decided that he would rely on “being weird” to cope. Part of coping was to dye his hair red and posting on a website where he gave his fellow classmates permission to “roast” him online. Not aways pleasant experience but a way to survive middle school.
Once in high school, he let us know that he “found himself” by taking classes at HACTC. He learned about Future Business Leaders of America…FBLA changed his life. He could see himself as a business leader in suit. He got involved in Interact and the Student Senate. He transitioned from “being a self described loser” to “being driven to succeed”.
Meeting Called to Order at noon by Ernst Oidtmann:
President Ernst rang the bell at 12:00 pm to call the meeting to order
George Cal Wolfe led us in a recitation of the 4-Way Test of the Things We Think Say or Do.
President Ernst accompanied us on piano for the Rotary Welcome Song and Take Me Out to the Ballgame.
Rotary Anniversaries - David Crandall has been a member of Rotary for 6 years!
President Ernst graced us with his thoughts of the day:
Dr. Ernst provide a brief overview of measles. He reflected on his own experience with measles being quarantined in in a large bedroom and being given a large rubber dager to play with to help the time pass. He then quickly transitioned to his concerns about the state of the disease today, and his concern for unvaccinated children.
Measles is a disease that can have serious complications. It is a disease of humans, and if we could reach mid-90% of the people of the world being vaccinated, it could be eradicated. Measles is a highly contagious virus. Individuals with measles are contagious 4 days prior to the onset of the rash, and 4 days after the rash develops. Up to 9 out of 10 susceptible people with close contact to a measles patient will develop measles.The virus is transmitted by:
Direct contact with infectious droplets.
Airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes.
Measles virus can remain infectious in the air for up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves an area.
Recently 2 children in the USA have died from measles. Two doses of the MMR vaccine provide the best protection.
Marilyn Bedell shared that as a child she nearly died from measles that was complicated by a secondary infections that sent her into acute renal failure. It took her over 3 months to recover.
Please encourage any one with unvaccinated children to get them vaccinated.
Then it was on to our luncheon buffet.
After lunch:
Program — Classification Talks by Mila Dela Pena and Max Jovanovich — See stories above.
Bruce Pacht then shared information about making a donation to the Lebanon Opera House for the 2025/2026 season. It was moved and seconded that the membership support this donation. Voting began at the close of the meeting today, and will be open until the end of the meeting on April 3, 2024. Send you vote electronically, in person, or by phone to Bruce Pacnt. Here is info about the proposed donation from Trustee Chair, Bruce Pacht:
At its meeting on March 19, 2025, Charities’ Trustees unanimously approved an allocation of $2,500.00 toward the Lebanon Opera House’s 2025-26 season. We have provided season support to LOH for the past three years, and this year are advocating for an increase in the level of our support.
In addition to continuing Lebanon Rotary’s strong and growing support for the arts in our community, this level of sponsorship brings the following benefits:
Full color, medium-size ad (about 5” x 7”) in the LOH season playbill distributed to all audiences throughout the programming year (9/25-6/26).
Visibility on the LOH website
Sponsorship of one LOH show with additional marketing and (4) complimentary tickets
Visibility on select NEXUS marketing assets
A motion for Club membership to concur with Charities’ allocation was be presented at the March 27 meeting, after which in-person and electronic voting will open. A second opportunity for in-person discussion and voting will occur during the regular April 3 meeting, after which voting will conclude.
Members are encouraged to discuss the allocation at any time with Charities’ trustees. Email inquiries to the chair also are welcome.
Bruce Pacht, chair
RC Lebanon Charities, Inc.
Happy/Sad Dollars
Marilyn Bedell was happy that Hank Clarke has volunteered to led Brew Fest 2025!! She was also happy that Allen Parker from D-H Computer Services came and helped her with WebEx. Allen had moments for being puzzled and confused atout the computer monitor set-up. He was able to fix a few things while he was there, and will get another 25 ft. cord that was missing replaced. He is going to talk to some people at APD who "messed with the system" too. He also suggested that to make AV work more easily to get Microsoft Office. It's always fun to stump the AV guy...it helped Marilyn feel a lot brighter too. Happy dance.
George Wenz reminded us that the only way to grow our membership is to ask others to join us.
Ahmad Haidari shared that he had a delightful time at his Mom's 93rd Birthday celebration. He also was very sad about ICE's treatment of a grad student at Tuck. Ernst Oidtmann then shared it reminded him of storied he heard about the Nazis from his father and grandfather pre-WWII in the Netherlands.
See other announcements below.
RAFFLES
President Hank Clarke who pulled the 8 of Diamonds.
The Enfield car wash went to Bill Secord
To close the meeting, the Rotary bell was rung and we recited our Rotary motto:
One Profits Most Who Serves Best
The Golf Committee stayed at the end of the meeting to plan our 32nd Bedell Classic.
Announcements
From Rotary District 7850 Faces of Rotary Survey – We’re gathering stories from our members to highlight the diversity and purpose that make Rotary so special. Please share this survey with your club members and encourage participation: https://forms.gle/223ctXsrekojWjDT6
Styrofoam April 12 – will looking for volunteers to work 9-11 am at LHS.
Event Details: Saturday, April 12, 2025, 9-11 am at the Hanover Street School parking lot at 193 Hanover Street in Lebanon. Rain, snow, or shine.
2025 Household Foam Collection Day in Lebanon, NH
Sustainable Lebanon is once again partnering with the Lebanon Rotary Club to offer a polystyrene (Styrofoam) collection day on Saturday, April 12, from 9 - 11 am at the Hanover Street School parking lot at 193 Hanover Street, Lebanon. The event will take place rain, snow, or shine, and is open to residents of the Upper Valley.
We will be collecting clean rigid polystyrene #6 (EPS) and #6 food service foam which will be driven to the Gilford, NH recycling facility. Examples of EPS include packaging foam used for TVs and appliances as well as styrofoam coolers. Examples of food service foam include clean food containers, trays, cups, and egg cartons. It is important that all tape and labels be removed and all collected foam is clean, dry, and free of food residue or other debris. We will NOT be collecting #4 EPE or #6 XPS foam insulation board at this event.
Please review these examples of acceptable and unacceptable types of foam
As usual, foam peanuts should be brought directly to the UPS Store or Hanover Transfer and Storage.
An educational handout will be provided explaining the chemical content of polystyrene foam, how you can encourage companies who use foam packaging to transition to eco-friendly packaging, and suggestions on how to shift to a plastic free lifestyle.
There is no fee to participate, but donations are welcome to support the costs associated with this event. Donations can be made at the event via cash or check (payable to Sustainable Lebanon). Thanks in advance for considering a donation!
For more information and to volunteer on April 12, please contact Cindy Heath, 603-543-1307, cheath58@gmail.com.
District 7850 Team Training Seminar, April 12th at Northern Vermont State College, Lyndon. If you can't help with styrofoam, consider joining Marilyn Bedell at the District Team Training Seminar.
Hanover Rotary Club's Annual Pancake Breakfast, April 26th.
Mark your calendars and don't miss out on what's arguably the Upper Valley's Best Pancake Breakfast! Blueberries, OJ, sausage, and REAL maple syrup! Saturday, April 26th 7:30 - 9:30AM. Hanover Fire Station. Family friendly! $5.00 Adults. $3.00 youngsters 5 to 16. Children under 5 free.
Clean Up Day in May: Ernst indicated he has suggested May 17, 2025 for this event...so save the date.
Golf - 32nd Bedell Classic at Eastman...coming soon. Get ready to ask your friends and colleagues to play and/or sponsor the tournament!
Jerry Smoyer, Our 2024 Hole-In-One Winner!
Club Changeover Celebration — Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM SAVE THE DATE. Location being worked on. Stay tuned for details.
Brew Fest 2025, August 30th at Colburn Park
Attendance:
Bill Babineau, Marilyn Bedell, Ronald Bedell, Bruce Bergeron, Phil Bush, Dean Cashman, Hank Clarke, Dave Crandall, Jim Damren, Mila Dela Pina, Steve Grant, Tim Guaraldi, Ahmad Haidari, Max Jovanovich, Will Koppenheffer, Jane Mason*, Christian MacDonald, Angela Nelson, Dan Nash, Ron Michaud, Dan Nash, Ernst Oidtmann, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, George Wenz, Steve Whitman, Cal Wolfe, John Yacavone
Guest - John Stalvey, Anchorage, prospective member transferring in August. Andy Jones*, Valley Vision, may be interested in joining our club
FUTURE MEETING PROGRAMS/SPEAKERS
Apr 3:West Lebanon/Hanover Greenway – Tim Cox Apr 10:Committee Updates Apr 17:Art and Community at AVA Gallery – Claire Geno Apr 24:Open Democracy: Strengthening Voter Participation – Autumn Raschick-Goodwin
May 1:Legalized Marijuana: Risks and Benefits – Bob Lyon May 8:The Sweet Story Behind Katie’s Cookies – Katie [Last Name?] May 15:Understanding the Economy – Dartmouth Professor Charlie Wheelan May 22:Infrastructure and Public Works Update – Jay Cairelli, Director of Public Works May 29:Lifelong Learning at Osher – Osher Presentation (at Osher offices, organized by Hank
Note: David Crandall will be scheduling programs January through June 2025
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. First meeting held today, March 27, 2025. Locations to be announced.
Contact: Bruce Bergeron
Brew Fest: The 2025 Schedule. 4th Tuesday of the month at Service Credit Union at 12:30 PM ***Please don't arrive prior to 12:25***
Contact: Hank Clarke
Rotary News
Providing public toilets: Early Rotary service
By Rotary International
Entrance to public toilets at LaSalle and Washington Streets in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Before February 1975
One of Rotary’s earliest service projects helped to bring public toilets to Chicago, the quickly growing industrial city in the Midwest of the United States where Rotary began in 1905. Club members didn’t construct the restrooms themselves, as they sometimes do today. But just as they do today, they worked with other local groups to raise awareness of the need for sanitation in this urban area and advocated to get the project funded.
These public toilets, then known as “comfort stations,” were typically underground structures at busy sites such as parks and public squares. Civic leaders and reformers in several American cities were noting a need for them, and Rotary members in Chicago were part of the movement.
Program for a forum organized by the Rotary Club of Chicago, 24 October 1907.
Entrances to public toilets at LaSalle and Washington Streets in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Before February 1955. These entrances no longer exist.
Rotary founder Paul Harris and his fellow member Donald Carter worked with other club members and other organizations to make a plan to build public toilet facilities in the city and gather support for the initiative.
In October 1907, the Chicago Daily Tribune (now the Chicago Tribune) reported that the Rotary Club of Chicago had had plans drawn for public toilets in the downtown district known as the Loop. The club held a forum on the topic later that month, noting, “the topic is many-sided and can be treated to best advantage if we start with recognition of this fact and with due appreciation of its significance.” Representatives from the club, the city, and other local organizations spoke at the meeting. The discussion cited the need for Chicago to keep up with the latest practices in municipal improvements and considered who would pay for the project and what impact it might have on sanitary conditions and public health in the city.
Their efforts were noticed beyond Chicago. In December, Charities and the Commons, a weekly journal about social issues that was published in New York, reported on a study that found a lack of public comfort stations in Chicago.
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