Classification talks help us learn about the life experiences and professional backgrounds of new members.
Rotarian Dave Clarenbach
Dave Clarenbach was born in 1968. He lived in Franklin, NH. He has two brothers. He shared his father instilled in him a strong work ethic. His father was happy to praise when he did well, but never hesitated to let him know when he wasn't meeting expectations. His first job was mowing lawns, starting at the age of 10. He then added a TV Guide route to the lawn mowing when he was 11. He was introduced to the world of construction at the age of 13 working as a laborer. He realized he really liked to work with his hands. This made him realize that post high school he needed to focus his education on construction management and this this through a technical college.
After graduation he worked for a variety of contractors where he learned what to do, and what not to do as a contractor. He has been building his own business, Foremost Buildersfor 26 years.
He has a daughter who is 27 years old and works as a physical therapist. He is married to Christine, and this is his second marriage.
Dave then shared a variety of slides he shares with potential clients to describe how the approach residential remodeling. He has a crew of 15 people, with two people who work as the project designers. His company designs and then builds the project. At this point in time they only manage 4 projects at a time.
His office is located in the Seminary Hill Plaza in West Lebanon.
From his slides:
From a slide, "Foremost Builders has been recognized as the premier, award-winning remodeling firm throughout the Lake Sunapee and Dartmouth area for over 25 years. Our team consist of courteous and knowledgeable staff, trade partners and vendors working together to deliver a great remodeling experience. While we guide you through the entire process, from concept to completion, we keep you involved at every step of your project."
He then took us through the process from the initial contact with his firm; through construction; reviewing what clients can expect; scheduling to build; and how a software program helps with all aspects of his projects.
The pictures of the projects he has done are stunning.
Our president, David Crandall called the meeting to order.
Bill Babineau led us in reciting the 4-Way Test.
Ernst Oidtmann led us in singing the Rotary Welcome song. He then it was time for Happy Days Are Here Again.
David then read a poem, Harlem, by Langston Hughes in honor of Black History Month:
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore—
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over—
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
Then it was on to our buffet lunch.
After lunch, Dave Clarenbach did his classification talk. See above.
Paul Harris Presentation — Ron Bedell presented and thanked Dan Nash for his donations to the Rotary Foundation. Dan is a Paul Harris +3
Dan Nash and Ron Bedell
Announcements
Dave Crandall asked all members to complete the member survey. He will be sending the link again to all members. He thanked everyone who completed the survey already.
Tim Guaraldi thanked Ahmad Haidari, Dave Clarenbach, John Yacavone, Dan Russell, his daughter Niki and his grandson for helping at he Food Drive on Saturday. We collected 388 pounds of food. The next drive will be February 17th from 9AM to 1PM. Let Tim know if you can help.
31st Bedell Golf Classic – the date will be Friday, May 17th, this is a week earlier than it has been in the past. Mark your calendar, and plan to help the day of the event, prior to the event. We all need to start thinking about getting golfers and sponsors.
David Crandall has filled the two open positions on the Board of Directors. David Clarenbach has joined the board; and Ron Bedell will fill the other open seat till a 2025/2026 president is identified.
Happy Dollars and not quite happy dollars...
Marilyn Bedell celebrated her 73rd birthday by giving our charities account a check for $100.
Hank Clarke shared a worrisome/happy dollar. His 16-year-old grandson was having some worrisome head issues. He was put through a battery of tests. No cause has been found but Hank is relieved that it wasn’t something as scary as a brain tumor or infection. Then he shared that Carol and Hank missed getting to see old friends at a Colby-Sawyer basketball game due worries about his grandson.
Bruce Pacht let us know that it soon will be time for singing Valentines. Go to https://www.bhshanover.org/ for info on in person and virtual singing valentines. There are a variety of options you can choose.
Ron Michaud was wishing he could send a singing Valentine to his wife in heaven.
Dave Clarenbach is happy to be a part of Rotary. He enjoyed the food drive at the CoOp.
Bill Secord let us know that Linda is on the other side of a knee replacement and bout of AFib that landed her a bed a APD for several days. The recovery from surgery is going slowly, and it still hurts a lot.
Ed Friedman is headed to Las Vegas for a U2 concert at the new Sphere.
Queen of Hearts Raffle
John Yacavone pulled the 8 of Hearts. The hunt for the queen continues.
Car Wash
Dave Clarenbach won the car wash.
Upcoming Speakers
Feb 8: Shaun Mulholland and Tim McNamara, City of Lebanon
Feb 15: Suellen Griffin, "The Stigma of Mental Health", West Central Behavioral Health
Feb 22: Steve Taylor - Upper Valley Historian
Feb 29: Speech Contest
Meeting Adjourned at 1:03
Attendance
Bill Babineau, Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Bruce Bergeron, David Clarenbach, Hank Clarke, Dave Crandall, Jim Damren, Ed Friedman, Joy Gobin, Tim Guaraldi, Ahmad Haidari*, Will Koppenheffer*, Jane Mason*, Ron Michaud, Dan Nash, Ernst Oidtmann, Bruce Pacht, Bill Secord, Rich Wallace, Steve Whitman, John Yacavone
Guest: Jerry Diamond, former member of the Rotary Club of Montpelier
Standing Meetings
Membership Meetings: Third Tuesday at 3:30 PM
Contact: David Crandall
Youth Services: Second Wednesday of the month at Noon
Contact: Joy Gobin
Charities: Third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 PM
Contact: Bruce Pacht
Board Meeting: 4th Tuesday of every month at 4:00 PM via Zoom
Contact: David Crandall
Golf: Let Ed Friedman know if you want to know when Golf Planning meetings are happening. Dates vary.
Brew Fest: Let Phil Rentz know if you want to know when Brew Fest meetings are happening. Dates Vary.
Community Service Projects
Food Drives at the Co-op Centerra
Save the following dates to come and volunteer with the Food Drives:
February 17, 2024 from 9AM to 1PM
Lebanon Poker Room
Poker Room weeks will be
January 26 to January 30, 2024 and March 27 to 32, 2024.
31st Bedell Classic Golf Tournament
Save the Date
Friday, May 24, 2024 at Eastman Golf Links
Changeover 2024
Save the Date:
Changeover 2024 will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024. Time, place, activity to be announced later.
Brew Fest 2024
Save the date! August 31, 2024
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.
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.
By Mark Suzman, Chief Executive Officer, Gates Foundation
From ideas to impact
The world is filled with innovators training their sights on big challenges. But going from an idea to an actual solution in people’s hands? That doesn’t happen often enough—and when it does, philanthropy has often played a bigger role than people may realize.
Consider this: Wild poliovirus once paralyzed 7,000 children a week. In 2023, that number was only 12 children—over the entire year. That progress was possible because of brilliant innovators who discovered breakthroughs and frontline heroes who made sure that solutions reached children, even in the most remote parts of the world. And so much of that was possible because of philanthropy: Rotary International, our foundation, and other organizations dedicated to a future where polio is a thing of the past.
This is just one example of how, in the last few decades, governments and nongovernmental organizations have made incredible advances in the fight against infectious diseases. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has facilitated the immunization of more than 1 billion children. The Global Fund has saved 59 million lives from HIV, TB, and malaria. And the Carter Center and its partners are on the verge of making Guinea worm disease, a debilitating parasitic infection, the second human disease in history to be wiped off the face of the earth.
These accomplishments have a few things in common. They reflect the hard work of thousands of people. And they all were made possible by philanthropic contributions. Part of that is the money itself. But how philanthropists direct their funds, and who they collaborate with, is just as important.
For our foundation, that means looking for market failures—that is, areas where the public and private sectors may not have enough incentive to step in, so progress is unlikely if philanthropies don’t act. And it means catalyzing action from others, so that together, we can help scale lifesaving innovations and equip problem-solvers with the tools to go farther, faster.
This is one of the most exciting parts of philanthropy: it has the flexibility to adapt quickly and take risks others can’t, which can accelerate progress.
We move things forward, but we don’t do it alone. We do all our work in close collaboration with countries and communities to drive progress toward goals they’ve set—not the other way around. After all, while philanthropy can take risks and help fill gaps that would otherwise be overlooked or underfunded, it only makes a difference when it works in partnership with governments, the private sector, and local experts.
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