Currents for September 7, 2023 (Sep 11, 2023)

District Governor Susan Cherry first thanked David Crandall for his warm welcome to our club. She then took a moment to thank her fellow District Governor David Saturly from District 7870 (Southern NH and Southern VT) for coming to hear her speak today.

David Slatterly

Susan focused her remarks on the importance of this years Rotary theme:

She shared that her major job this year was to help make sure our President David Crandall was happy and in a good place. It is her belief that if David is happy, inturn, our club had a better chance of thriving. As a group we all need to be focused on self care, and promoting RI President Gordon McInally's efforts to stay focused on mental health issues. Good mental health starts by taking care of our own mental health, and asking for help. Susan shared that when our communities have contact with Rotarians they should leave the interaction feeling better. This will only happen if as a group we are feeling good about our club.

Susan then did and exercise to show us that we could work effectively as a team even when all might not be comfortable with the assignment. Susan had over 30 years of experience as a music teacher. She believed that we could sing in 3-part harmony. She lead us in singing Swing Low Sweet Chariot. Under her leadership, she demonstrated that we could do this task. We may not have done it perfectly, but we all seemed to try to make this happen. The power of teamwork and having a leader to help us.

She then talked about her passion for youth exchange. She was once a youth exchange student to Switzerland. It was a transformative experience for her, and gave her many opportunities to try new things. Some she wasn't sure she would be able to do all that was required, but she learned she could do many things that prior to the exchange she wouldn't have seen as possible.

She encouraged us to ask Hanover's exchange student, Martina, from Spain to come to one of our club meeting. It would be an opportunity for us to have an international experience close to home.

She reflected on the writing of Peter Block an American author, consultant, and speaker in the areas of organization development, community building, and civic engagement. Important concepts for Rotary. This is from Block's web page:

Communities are human systems given form by conversations that build relatedness. The conversations that build relatedness most often occur through associational life, where citizens are unpaid and show up by choice, rather than in large systems where professionals are paid and show up by contractual agreement.

Susan then broke us up into groups of threes to discuss the following questions:

Why did you come to the Rotary meeting today?
What talents do you bring to the club?
What about your fellow members in your small group give you gratitude.

There was a good buzz in the room as we talked in small groups. Ron Bedell reflected that our conversations mirrored what Paul Harris would have hoped for when he decided to start Rotary over 100 years ago.

Susan's final formal reminder was that as Rotarians we create hope one person at at time...one project at a time.

She then presented David Crandall a gift, a Return to Me luggage tag. David would always know where is luggage is located, even if he isn't quite sure he knows where he is. *grin*

David receiving his luggage tag.

Susan brought the Governor's Bowl with her today. If has been a tradition to present if to one club each year. The club that has the highest retention rate will receive it at the District Conference in the spring of 2024.

Bill Secord then present the book for the children's collection at the Kilton Library in Susan's honor.

Words of Wonder from Z to A

by Zaila Avant-garde (Author), Keisha Morris (Illustrator)

An inspiring picture book from Scripps National Spelling Bee champ Zaila Avant-garde, filled with her favorite motivational words from Z to A. Perfect for your little book lover and spelling ace!

When 14-year-old Zaila Avant-garde became the first Black American student to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2021, the world took notice.

Now, this extraordinary speller, writer, and basketball champ celebrates the world of words, with 26 of Zaila's favorite words, such as KINDNESS, HOPE, and RESILIENCE, alongside Zaila's encouraging and poetic thoughts.

Each bright and busy page also includes an inspiring quotation from a famous thought leader. And an afterword to the book details the fascinating origins of each word.

It's an uplifting picture book packed with motivation, learning, and fun, from one of America's most promising, unique, and accomplished young people.

Meeting Overview

We gathered for conversation and fellowship prior to the official start of the meeting.
At 12: 05 PM David rang the bell to call the meeting to order.
David welcomed our guest, DG Susan Cherry, her husband Martin; DG David Saturly from Rotary District 7870 (Southern NH and Southern VT); and Phil Hammond, Rotary Club of White River Junction, VT
David thanked everyone who supported Brew Fest on Saturday, September 2nd.
Phil Bush lead us in reciting the 4-Way Test
We enjoyed our buffet lunch.
David then introduced District Governor Susan Cherry. See info about her presentation above.
Announcements:
- David again celebrated the success of our 2023 Brew Fest. We apaulded all our Brew Fest Chair, Phil Rentz. Phil then chimed in to thank all who contributed to Brew Fest prior to the event and on the day of the event. He then reminded us that there will be a wrap-up meeting on September 22nd at noon.
- Mascoma River Clean-up has been cancelled for 2023. Ernst Oidtmann did a survey of the river and it was decided that the good news is that there doesn't seem to be a significant amount of debri in the river, and the river is still running high and swift. We will explore doing a river clean up in 2024.
- There will be a membership meeting soon to discuss how we will use our Bryne Foundation grant for marketing.
- Left over beer sales have started, 4 & 6 pack = $5; 12 pack = $12; case = $20 All proceeds go to Charities account.
- Phil Bush let members know the Lebanon Library is looking for new board members.

Youth Services Message from Bruce Pacht

If you are interested in maintaining Lebanon's record of support for Youth Service activities [Speech Contest, Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA), and our Lebanon and Hanover Interact Clubs], please attend this week's Zoom meeting to find out how you can help.

The leaders who have kept up our participation in these efforts are retiring or moving on to other activities. If we have no one spearheading our involvement, our efforts will certainly wane, and may not continue.

Here are the meeting coordinates:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83038023582?pwd=enQwNEltdDVkR1ZQNnUxbzhwMG9Ydz09

Meeting ID: 830 3802 3582

Passcode: 084535

Happy Dollars

Phil Hammond from the White River Junction Rotary Club was delighted to be with a Rotary Club that sings! He is missing singing at his club. In honor of our singing, he gave us $10 happy dollars, and took copies of the songs we sang.
Marilyn Bedell is back from a month away. She shared the fun she and Ron had on the Rotary Friendship Exchange to Scotland. They attended the Military Tattoo in Edinburgh and toured the castle. They stayed with Rotarians in Penicuik i (pronounced “penny cook”) and Dunbar which was located along the North Sea. They then spend two weeks in Norway seeing the fiords. The weather was cloudy and cool, but for the most part no rain when they were out and about touring. Marilyn presented the club with club banners from Penicuik and Dunbar
Susan Cherry was happy to be here.
Bruce Pacht was happy to present the club with Newport, NH’s club banner. John and Bruce attended their 100^th anniversary celebration.
Phil Bush shared that 2023 has been quite a challenging year. The lows were offset by a wonderful surprise 75^th birthday celebration that Judith had planned for him at Loch Lyme Lodge. Twenty-one family members came to help him celebrate this milestone. It turned the year into a very positive one.
Ron Bedell was happy Susan Cherry was here. He also shared the King Crab meal he had north of the artic circle in Norway was wonderful.
David Saturly (White River) was happy that Phil Hammond had an opportunity to sing at a Rotary meeting.
Paul Tierney shared that his move to Colorado will include shipping many pieces of hardwood furniture he has made. He also shared that they are moving to another home than the first home they selected…making his wife very happy.
Angela Nelson congratulated the club on a very successful Brew Fest. She believes we will net at least $28,000!
Ahmad Haidari let Paul know he would happily take the hardwood furniture if Paul prefers not to ship it to Colorado *girn*
Ernst Oidtmann shared that his sister, Alexandra, came in 6^th in an ‘iron man/woman” competition in Finland.

Queen of Hearts Draw

Phil Rentz pulled the King of Clubs. The new hunt for the Queen has begun.

Car Wash

Car Wash won by Tim Guaraldi

Members at meeting:

Ron Bedell, Marilyn Bedell, Phil Bush, Dave Crandall, Jim Damren, Ed Friedman, Joy Gobin, Tim Guaraldi, Ahmad Haidari*, Will Koppenheffer, Ron Michaud, Angela Nelson, Ernst Oidtmann, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Bill Secord, Marion Steiner, Paul Tierney, Rich Wallace, Steve Whitman, Cal Wolfe, John Yacavone

Guest: DG David Saturly, District 7870/White River Jct, Phil Hammond, White River Junction, Martin Cherry, DG Susan Cherry

Projects and Fundraisers

Next Listen Dinner October 10, 2022, Volunteers needed.

ONLINE SIGN UP HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED.

Let Dean Cashman know if you can help and he can email Larry the names of members who will help at the dinner.

Now on to Golf and Brew Fest 2024

CHEERS!!

Time to order your Rotary Wear for Fall!

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.

Here is the link for the store: https://rotarycluboflebanonapparel2022.itemorder.com/shop/home/

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.