Thought of the Day: a quote from Paul Harris, our founder....

 

 

Born in Magog, Quebec, Canada, in a family of five siblings—a sister and four boys— I would say that we were of modest origin. My father, a simple hard-working man, was an avid reader and my mother, the socially engaged one of the duo. From them I inherited a passion for books, a desire to see the world and an understanding of the importance of service.

 

Most of my schooling was in Magog and Sherbrooke. In 1982, while studying I started working in a day care center following a photoshoot I did with the kids there, preparing for my first photo exhibit. That same year I traveled to Europe for a few months doing volunteer work in Spain and harvesting grapes in the Bordeaux and Cognac regions. Upon my return, I moved to Toronto to study at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and graduate as a Doctor of Chiropractic in 1988.

 

After a brief time in Montreal and a trip to Italy, I returned to Sherbrooke and opened my office in 1990. I am a father of two, Arielle (1989) and Levy (1991), both graduated from McGill and are true Montrealers. I have studied for many years with Dr. Donald Epstein, D.C., and have traveled to Italy and Europe once or twice a year for over 20 years.

 

My study of late has been in functional neurology and how chiropractic can enhance it. I have been interested as well in traumatology as presented by Dr. Michaela Gloecker, M.D. and Bernd Ruf from Germany—hence my trip to the Goetheanum in Switzerland in 2022.

 

My Rotary involvement started in 2002, and I was particularly inspired by the international components of Rotary International. To my great surprise, it actually allowed me to discover my own community and its needs, as well as offered me a chance to get involved and to have an impact. I was offered the presidency of ' the Sherbrooke club in 2006-2007 but declined because of a possible move to Spain (then the 2008 crisis). As a Rotarian I was fortunate to visit clubs in Cote d’Azur, Italy, Spain, Norway and Turkey (first trip with Faruk Seyrek). I attended the Hamburg, Germany, international conference as I became president in 2019-2020.I hosted GSE (Rotary Group Study Exchange) participants from India, Scotland, and Belize as well as an exchange student from Mexico.

 

My "Covid project” was to prepare a solo exhibit of various photography subjects for the reopening of my clinic in 2021 (followed by another one in a local restaurant). So, photography, art, music (audiophile from jazz to rock to Georges Brassens), books, and yes good food and wine are some of my hobbies. So are cross-country skiing, bicycling, and the occasional run. I am chairman of the Wine and Cheese fundraiser of the Sherbrooke Rotary Club and a member of RWAF (Rotary Wine Appreciation Fellowship). I speak French, English, some Spanish and mumble some Italian just for the fun of it.

 

 

 

By Laekan Zea Kemp (author), Leo Espinosa (illustrator).

In this lyrical picture book about the importance of caring for our Earth, a child and her father wish for a brighter, greener future for the parched land around their home.

 

When a girl finds a horned toad among the rain-starved squash, tomatoes, and poblanos on her family's Texas farm, her Pa tells her that, if she kisses it on the head—blech!—she gets to make one wish. What will she wish for?

Generations ago, when the girl's ancestors lived on this land, it was lush and green -- full of life. Now, because of a decades-long drought, their soil is parched, and their crops are dying.

 

The girl sees the worry lines on Pa's face getting deeper. She knows she has to do something to help. And so, thinking about the people who lived on this land before her, and all those who will live on it after her, she wishes for rain.

This poignant father-daughter story reminds us that, when it comes to healing our Earth, change often starts with a simple wish. With a dream for a world that could be.

 

 

By Linda Liu (author, Illustrator).

From the creator of Hidden Gem and Sour Apple comes a new out-of-this-world picture book about a star who loses their shine from the pressures of over-achieving.

Being the star that people wish on is demanding work! And when the burden of performing becomes too much to bear, even celestial bodies take a hit.

As a star falls from their sky-high position, their self-esteem takes a real nosedive. But a lift from an unlikely source gives this star a new purpose, along with the courage to glow again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• October 9, meeting at Service Credit Union. Grace Gray, our outgoing District 7850 Rotary Scholar, will talk to us about her work in the Rotary service area of protecting the environment with her vision for sustainable agriculture in Vermont.
• November 2, Capital Center, Montpelier, VT. Celebration of The Rotary Foundation with an 11:00 a.m. brunch. The speaker will be Marty Helman, current trustee of TRF. Many of us may remember Marty’s work with the Northeastern multi-district president-elect trainings for many years. Also speaking will be Ryan Sinclair, a 2006 Ambassadorial Scholar.

 

• October 9, 2025: Grace Gray, Rotary Global Scholar. Service Credit Union, Mechanics Street. Same routine.