and learn more about Lebanon Rotary and our projects.
Flu Vaccine Clinic – Enfield Community Center
Many thanks to all of you (Hank Clarke, Cal Wolfe, Phil Rentz, Curtis Payne, Will Koppenheffer, Ernst Oidtmann, Marilyn Bedel) who made our Enfield community flu vaccine clinic a great success! I’ve never seen such a long line at the outset, but we caught up fast and people were grateful.
We provided 204 doses to people aged 65 and older, and 109 doses to people under aged 65 – for a total of 313 flu vaccines. A very good night!
Best, Alice
Alice R. Ely, MPH
Executive Director
Too busy at the beginning of the event to remember to get
pictures of Ernst, Curtis, Will, Cal and me, but here's one picture of Phil Rentz and Hank Clarke as we got closer to 7:00 p.m.
As with any challenge, we are stronger when we work together as a team.
Our speaker today was Paul Coats, Director, Lebanon Recreation, Arts, and Parks. He was accompanied by Lauren Groves, Director. Contact Friends of Lebanon Recreation, Arts & Parks (FoLRAP) Board. They joined us to share plans to rebuild the playground at Civic Memorial Park in West Lebanon, behind the SAU #88 office building on Seminary Hill. This park is a very well used park for a variety of sporting events. There had been playground elements at this park but they deteriorated and had to be removed. Plan are underway to raise money to install an accessible playground for children of all abilities.
Paul Coats
Lauren Groves
Paul began is talk acknowledging the rich history the Rotary Club of Lebanon has had supporting the development of parks in Lebanon. He asked how many of us had been by to see the Pavilion at Riverside park since it was painted. He acknowledged that we help prompt the city to get the painting done, and was appreciative of our donation to help make this happen this summer. The new picnic tables we installed have really made the pavilion look a lot better too.
He reflected our Club's vision of a String of Pearls, adding parks along the Mascoma and Connecticut River in Lebanon. He shared that this terminology is still used by city leaders as they talk about bringing people closer to our rivers via parks and greenways. He thanked us for Harmony Park on the Mall in Lebanon too. He let us know that the repair kit has been ordered for the broken element on in the park and will be installed by parks staff.
He then shifted to talk about what is being planned for Civic Memorial Park. We learned that it is now the most visited park park, especially for sports. It is always programed. Parking spaces are at a premium. It serves hundreds of kids. But for the kids who don't play sports or those who have disabilities, there isn't much for them to do at the park. A plan is now in place to establish a new playground to serve kids of all abilities. The plans for the park were finalized after doing focus groups with children to find our what elements they wanted to see in the park.
The park design is part of the Forma Series that uses unique designs, colors for ages 2-5 and 5-12. All elements will be accessible and inclusive.
The most expensive part of the design is the rubberized surface that will be easier for wheelchairs to access than engineered wood fiber. This is picture of the park and then pictures of some of the elements:
Alpine Slide
Multi-Climber
Fortress
In total the playground with site prep will cost $270,000. As of today, the city has $175,000 for this project. In addition $30,000 has been raised through grants and leadership gift. The goal is to work to get the remaining $65,000 for this project. The playground elements have been ordered but cannot be installed until the funds are raised to cover all costs, including the specialized rubberized surface.
We indicated that our Charities Board would review the request for a donation.
Rotary Club of Lebanon
Meeting – October 10, 2024
Meeting Overview:
President Ernst Oidtmann called the meeting to order at noon.
Ernst welcomed our guests, Max Jovanovich, former member of the Lebanon High School Interact club and prospective Rotarian; our speakers, and soon to be member, George Wenz; and our speakers Paul Coats, from Lebanon Recreations, Arts and Parks and Lauren Groves from the Friends of Lebanon Parks and Recreation.
Will Koppenheffer led us in reciting the 4-Way Test.
Ernst then led us in singing our welcome song, and Father's Old Grey Whiskers.
Thought of the Day: Sorry to say I couldn't write quickly enough to get all of Ernst's puns.
Then it was time for lunch.
After lunch John Yacovone introduced Paul Coats and Lauren Groves.
See story above about Paul and Lauren's presentation about Civic Memorial Park.
Bill Secord presented one book at the meeting and second for Lauren will be on its way to the Kilton Library after the meeting.
Book in honor of Paul Coats is:
Soul Step
By Jewell Parker Rhodes (Author), Kelly McWilliams (Author), Briana Mukodiri Uchendu (Illustrator)
Follow one girl's journey to discover the joy and history of step dancing—an ode to sisterhood and a strong mother-daughter bond, perfect for fans of Bunheads.
What does sisterhood sound like? STOMP, CLAP! How does pride move? FLIP, FLAP! How do we uphold tradition? GO HARD, SNAP BACK! SOUL STEP!
Written by the mother-daughter duo Jewell Parker Rhodes and Kelly McWilliams, and gorgeously illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu, Soul Step is a loving ode to sisterhood and the tradition of stepping that lets women and girls, and people of all backgrounds, step loud and be proud.
The Book in Honor of Lauren Groves will be:
The World and Everything in It
By Kevin Henkes (Author, Illustrator)
There are big things and little things in the world, and everything in between. Caldecott Medal winner and #1 New York Times bestseller Kevin Henkes encourages young readers to be curious about the world around them in this timeless, beautifully illustrated, and educational picture book. The World and Everything in It belongs in every child’s library, and illuminates key social and emotional concepts such as belonging, self-awareness, and community. A wonderful gift for young children.
In the world, there are little animals, tiny flowers, and things so small you can’t see them. In the world, there are giant waves, a large sun, and things so big you can’t wrap your hands around them. There are big things and little things in the world. And everything in between—including you!
The World and Everything in It explores concepts such as curiosity, self-awareness, belonging, and size. Combining a precise, evocative, and lovely text with exquisite illustrations, Kevin Henkes deftly captures the wonders and mysteries of the world for any reader just beginning to think about how they fit in.
A brilliant picture book to spend time with, discuss, read aloud, and think about, The World and Everything in I is an excellent choice for social and emotional development as well as a lovely book to give to readers of any age.
Book Donations: Bill Secord let us know that we have given well over 500 books to the Kilton Library.
Induction of our newest member, George Wenz. Ernst happily welcomed George Wenz as a member transferring from our club fro White River Junction.
George Wenz and Ernst Oidtmann
President-elect 2025-2026: By now you all should have received an email from Marilyn Bedell who would be willing to be our President for 2025/2026. She shared her thoughts about taking on this role and talked about the support she would need from all members to be able to do this role. See the email she sent to all members, and please take a few minutes to complete the survey to help her get a better sense of how you will be willing to support all the good work we do for our community and our club. As of Saturday, October 12, 2024 she has received 8 surveys, 27 to go.
Time for Happy Dollars:
Hank Clarke took his car to Barre for service. He saw that the Rotary Club of Barre was meeting while he was there so he joined them for their meeting. He had a good time.
George Wenz stated he was happy to wake up again this morning.
Will Koppenheffer let us know that he will be off to Scotland for a week to play golf at St. Andrews.
Dave Clarenbach let us know that he filed down the uneven ridges on the drum element at Harmony Park that had been vandalized.
Marilyn Bedell: I'll have to pay for this happy dollar next week, but I wanted to give shout out to Ahmad Haidari who lent a car to a Rotarian from Georgia. Rotarian Tracy's wife had a major stroke while leaf peeping and ended up in the ICU then neuro step down unit at DHMC. Tracy's club contacted us via our public facing web page and asked us to reach out to Tracy. I did that and learned Tracy was without a car. His car was being driven by friends from Georgia but would not arrive until 10/10. I reached out to Ahmad to see if he could lend Tracy a car while he would be in Seattle. He graciously said yes. Tracy was relieved to have "wheels". He was delighted that Ahmad could do this for him. I learned on Friday, that Tracy's wife has been transferred to Spaulding Rehab in Charlestown. I've turned Tracy over to my Rotarian colleagues in Boston...they too are happy to be available to Tracy and Robin while they are at Spaulding...for me this is the "Magic of Rotary".
Bruce Pacht invited us to a acapella concert at Mascoma High School on Sunday, October 13, 2024
2024 Acappella Showcase - We're 'Still the One', Bringing You Harmony - BHS Hanover, North Country Chordsmen, VoxStars, 4:00pm, Sun, Oct 13 2024.
Announcements
Enfield Flu Vaccine Clinic was a success. See picture and note of thanks from Alice Ely, Public Health Council above.
Rotary Foundation Month, November. The appeal letter has gone out to members. Let Ron or Phil Rentz know if you have questions.
Park Clean-up at Riverside Park will be October 25,2024 from 3 to approx. 5 PM. Will Koppenheffer circulated a sign-up sheet. The sheet will be circulated over the next two weeks. The exact work we will do is being worked out by Paul Coats and Bruce Bergeron.
Rotary Leadership/Learning Institute —Come to learn more about Rotary International, and to meet other Rotarians from around our region. Attend the Rotary Leadership Institute in St. Johnsbury, VT on October 26, 2024 from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM at St. Johnsbury Academy, 1000 Main Street, St. Johnsbury 05819 Registration is only $75 but will be reimbursed by our club. Register at www.rlinea.org Breakfast and lunch included. Contact or Ron and Marilyn Bedell or our Immediate Past District Governor, Susan Cherry susan.cherry1@gmail.com if you have questions.
Polio Awareness Day is October 24, 2024. With Polio in Gaza, and more cases happening in Afghanistan (22) and Pakistan (24), along with an assortment of vaccine derived cases (40), you donations are needed more than ever. It is hoped that all Rotarians will make a donation to Polio Plus via My Rotary. Consider being considered a PolioPlus Society member with a donation of $100.00.
Holiday Basket Helpers: Angela sent word that we will be helping to review gifts, bag them, and tag them on December 9th from noon to 3 PM and December 10th from 10 AM to Noon. Please save these dates and time to help.
Holiday Party at the Quechee Inn — From Ron Bedell
The date for our Annual Christmas Party and Yankee Swap is Tuesday December 17th. The cost will be $50 per person, including tax and gratuities. The club is subsidizing the meal which makes it $10 less than last year for basically the same menu. Make your check out to the Rotary Club of Lebanon, P.O. Box 132 and send it by November 15, 2023.
The event will take place at the Quechee Inn at Marshfield Farm in Quechee, VT.
5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Hors D'oeuvres and Cocktails in the Tavern (Cash Bar)
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Dinner
8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Yankee Swap
The menu will be:
Chef's Choice of 2 Passed Hors D'oeuvres in the Tavern, Mixed Green Salad & Fresh Baked Rolls, Pre-Selected Entrees: Blackjack Sirloin, Grilled Salmon, Chicken or Vegetarian, Dessert and Coffee Service, One Glass of House Red or White Wine with Dinner
The Yankee Swap will begin right after dinner. Remember to bring a new or used gift valued at $20.00 or less for each person in your party.
Please respond to Ron Bedell. He will need a preliminary head count by October 31st.
Emmah's Garden in Kenya: Cal sent me a thank you note and a few picture of a very successful tomato harvest. Emmah wrote:
From: emmah gesare
Date: Sun, Oct 6, 2024 at 2:27 PM
Hello Team,
Glad to inform you that the tomatoes distribution to two primary schools, Nyandoche Ibere and Riamanoti primary school was a success. We managed to distribute 8 crates of tomatoes each weighing around 20kgs.
This might sound as a small gesture but i wish you were there to see the beautiful smiles from those kids. They really appreciated and their teachers as well really thanked us.
For me am self-motivated to see what the first harvest of our greenhouse putting smiles on our kids in school. It's now evident enough that we can achieve a lot and achieve our goal of availability of a balanced diet for our children.
This has continued to earn Emmah's Garden Project more respect and i believe we are now in a better position to push for our agendas now that our work is speaking for itself.
Finally i would like to take this opportunity to thank you(Emmah's Garden) and the Rotary club of Lebanon for your tremendous support, none of my efforts could become this successful.
Am grateful for you and God bless you.
Emmah.
Members at the meeting:
Bill Babineau, Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Phil Bush, Dean Cashman, David Clarenbach, Hank Clarke, Jim Damren, Will Koppenheffer, Christian McDonald, Ron Michaud, Angela Nelson, Ernst Oidtmann, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, Joshua Smith, George Wenz, Cal Wolfe, John Yacavone
Guests:
Former member of the Lebanon High School Interact club and prospective Rotarian, Max Jovanovich
Paul Coats, Lebanon Parks and Recreation
Lauren Groves, Friends of Lebanon Parks and Recreation
No one joined by WebEx
Card and Car Wash Raffles
The Queen of Heart was pulled from the deck today by Joshua Smith. Congratulations, Josh!!
The car wash was won by George Wenz
FUTURE MEETING PROGRAMS/SPEAKERS
October 2024
October 17 Nicole-Food Burley, City of Lebanon Historian
October 24 Tamira Martel,Governor’s Institute of Vermont
October 31 Steve Fine,Melanoma Cancer Foundation (Webex)
November 2024
November 7 Rob Stenger, Co-owner of Simple Energy
November 14 Iris Alitilo, A.A.R.P. Downsizing & Decluttering.This presentation begins by helping participants understand why keeping stuff is important to some people. Then, we'll tackle practical, easy-to-follow downsizing and decluttering tips to get your home and office organized!
November 21 Marilyn Bedell, Our Rotary Foundation
November 28 THANKSGIVING - No Meeting
Standing Meetings
Membership Meetings: To Be Announced
Contact: Ron Michaud
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. Note: We have changed the meeting time for October, November and December. October we will meet on October 29 at 4:00 p.m. Because the November meeting would be Thanksgiving week we will meet instead on December 3, at 4:00 p.m. The next meeting then will be the 4th Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.
Contact: Ernst Oidtmann
Golf: 2025 schedule to be announced
Brew Fest: The 2025 Schedule to be announced
Other Events and Service Projects
Riverside Park Clean-up on Friday, October 25th at 3 PM
Bring rakes, leaf blowers, and other tools to help with the clean-up.
Rotary Leadership Insititute (RLI) Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Come to learn more about Rotary International, and to meet other Rotarians from around our region. Attend the Rotary Leadership Institute in St. Johnsbury, VT on October 26, 2024 from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM at St. Johnsbury Academy, 1000 Main Street, St. Johnbury 05819 Registration is only $75 but will be reimbursed by our club and/or the District. Register at www.rlinea.org Breakfast and lunch included. All RLI Levels will be held if enough people sign up, Level I, Level II, Level III and Graduate. Contact or Ron and Marilyn Bedell or our Immediate Past District Governor, Susan Cherry, susan.cherry1@gmail.com if you have questions.
Listen Holiday Baskets...organize, bag and tag
December 9th from noon to 3 PM and December 10th from 10 AM to Noon. At the white church in downtown Lebanon. Please save these dates and times to help get gifts organized, bagged and tagged. A call will be going out to get gifts sometime in November once Listen assigns us a family or families.
2025 Rotary District 7850 District Conference
The 2025 District Conference will be a one day conference on Saturday, May 31 2025 with an optional overnight on May 30, 2025. It will be at Mount Cranmore Resort in North Conway, NH. Stay tuned for details.
2025 Rotary International Convention
Join us in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for the 2025 Rotary International Convention!
Calgary calls
For centuries, people have gathered at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers in Calgary, Canada. Next year, it will be Rotary’s turn, as members, family, and friends worldwide will gather there for the 2025 Rotary International Convention, 21-25 June. Get a preview of what lies in store for those attending the convention in the September issue of Rotary magazine. And read about Canada’s fourth-largest metropolitan area, a big city without big city problems. Register now to be a part of the magic in Calgary in June.
Register before December 15, 2024 to receive the preferred rate of $525!
District 5360 is excited to welcome the world to the Rotary International Convention!
Prepare to be captivated by Calgary’s vibrant culture, embraced by warm hospitality, and inspired by the spirit of Rotary as we gather in this iconic destination.
Come for fellowship. Leave with a broader understanding of how we are making a difference in the world!
Learn how Rotary members continue to the “boots on the ground” volunteer service army providing life-saving vaccines to children around the world. Together we are working to end polio and malaria, and many other preventable diseases.
Experts in the field will share how Rotary and its partners are working to make the world a healthier place by working together.
Develop stronger connections with Rotary members worldwide, creating opportunities for collective impact.
Leave the convention with a greater understanding of how we are stronger together!
Make plans to attend our Beyond Borders event, exclusively for Rotary members in Zones 28 & 32 - Monday, June 23rd at 5:30pm, at the Calgary Zoo!
Since we are approaching World Polio Day on October 24, 2024, we asked Past Rotary International Vice President and Rotary Foundation Trustee Mike McGovern, the International Polio Plus Committee chair, why every Rotarian should attend a Rotary convention. He replied:
Michael McGovern, Rotary Club of Cape Elizabeth Maine
“I can’t wait to go to Calgary. I’ve been to about 25 conventions and somehow I missed the last one (1996) everyone raved about how much fun it was all they learned and how it made them be better Rotarian so I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of Rotary friends new and old in Calgary.
Hurricane Helene rained sadness and pain for 600 miles across our region with catastrophic impact. In parts of Tennessee, across the mountains in western North Carolina, and beyond, the magnitude of the destruction is devastating. Some have described this as a once-in-a-1,000-year event. A Tennessee civil engineer suggested that the only place anywhere in the world capable of withstanding rainfall like this without serious consequences is the ocean.
An image keeps returning of a place close to my heart. It’s located just a stone’s throw from where my wife and I were married, on the banks of the ancient Nolichucky River, which flows through this region from one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world. It’s a place that holds meaning for many communities – especially for those who live there, who have been displaced from their homes, or are experiencing the loss of loved ones. The image is of Unicoi County Hospital, where just a few days ago, staff and patients had to be rescued from its rooftop.
Some years ago, when the hospital was still in the concept stage, I worked with hospital staff, trained volunteers, and medical teams on a project with a group of teens. It was a unique arts, heritage, and health collaboration that resulted in the hospital receiving a storytelling designation – the only one of its kind in the world.
A core part of this project involved creating a junior board of young folklorists, made up of students from Unicoi Middle School. The Junior Board created a time capsule and learned how to interview community members – from local farmers to food truck owners, teachers, fellow students, their own grandparents, and former hospital staff. They gathered objects and stories, reflecting generations of community life, home, family, place, and belonging.
One member’s father crafted the capsule from local wood, using nuts and bolts from the old CSX train – once a major transporter of Appalachian coal – a detail reflecting the rich history of this place. Inside the capsule, they placed photos, recordings, and transcripts they had collected, reflecting the traditions and heritage of their home place. Some even wrote letters to future hospital staff and young people.
The capsule was placed inside the hospital as part of its launch, to be opened in 25 years (2044) – a decision made by the junior board. Everyone involved received a special key, so that when we come back together, it could be opened as a group. I placed my key on my sacred home mantel shrine.
Whether or not this time capsule is eventually recovered, I believe what these young people created has become a story itself, one that is now part of a much larger narrative – another kind of Appalachian time capsule – connected to the values, traditions, and history of this region. It involves the story unfolding right now, of how people, in crisis, are helping one another by delivering food, checking on neighbors, holding someone suffering in their hearts, making gifts and donations, or praying for those impacted. These are the kind of stories that will live in the hearts and memories of people for generations to come.
All rivers begin as trickles. The water flows and joins larger bodies, combining with other channels to form a greater network. Each of us is like those trickles. We have our own stories, memories, hopes, and dreams, that together, form a larger river – a narrative of who we are, individually and as a culture.
While I’m newer to this place I now call home, what I have learned from living here is that in Appalachia, resilience isn’t just a tool – it’s a value. One that exists in the people and history, passed down through generations, across these mountains.
These rivers are powerful. But so are we.
Kiran Singh Sirah, a Rotary Peace Fellow in 2011-13, is the Creative Lead for Storytelling: A Gift of Hope a project that explores stories as humanity’s birthright to build a socially just present and future world.
Hurricane Disasters - From RI Director Chris Etienne
Dear Friends,
As you are aware, there is devastation in parts of the United States from the effects of Hurricane Helene. We have Rotary friends and neighbors to the south who are working to support each other and others in their communities who are victims of the hurricane. Our Rotary leaders in Zones 33 and 34 have established a fund for those who would like to assist recovery efforts by making a donation. Contributions can be made via online payment, mailed check or wire transfer. Information to make a donation is at https://www.rizones33-34.org/disaster-relief/. Also below is a QR code that connects to the donation link. The organization is a 501(c)(3), so U.S. taxpayers can make their donation tax-deductible.
Zones 33 and 34 are collecting the funds and will ask district leaders, in cooperation with club leaders, in the most affected areas to submit requests for funding to a group of seasoned leaders (many with significant disaster relief experience). This group will make recommendations to approve grants that will support the efforts of volunteers by providing equipment, tools, storage, mobile storage, etc. Their hope is that our donations can amplify the efforts of volunteers, which seems like a solid Rotary approach. In addition, they will leverage district grants and RI disaster response grants (if/when they become available) to further maximize our impact.
Thank you for your consideration to support our friends and the residents affected by Helene.
.png)
