Bow Rotary Meeting June 24, 2016
President Mike presided over today’s meeting and Nate Sanel was our greeter.
There were 32 Bow Rotarians present and one visiting Rotary DG Sandy McGonagal. Alan brought us up to date on Noreen’s recuperation . She will be in a wheel chair for another three months as she heals. She has no casts but both knee and arm are pinned well. She hopes to attend our next July meeting.
Next meeting is July 8. Next BOD is August 1.
Recognition Night was held at the Hampton In with great success and participation. Donna Deos thanked her committee and then retold of specific honors and recognition.
Scholarships valuing over $17,500 were given to Anthony Roberts, Christine Mitchell and Lily Blau.
Dr. Doug Dreffer received the International Service Award.
Club Service Award was given to Jon Ruggles. He has been very active in our club for 36 years!
Ken Demain was recognized for Community Service. Michelle Fortin received our New Generation Award.
Rick Minard was honored with a Paul Harris Fellow!
The Club today honored Dan Freemen from the Town of Bow with our Vocational Service Award. Our Community Service Award went to Jeff Kipperman.
Also at today’s meeting, DG Sandy honored our own Judy Goodnow with a Paul Harris fellow from District 7870. Judy was literally speechless and so honored!
CONGRATULATIONS to all!!!
Announcements:
Ken Moulton is our contact point for anyone wishing to participate in an August golf tournament to benefit Rotary Clean Water projects.
Michelle Fortin announced the Bow Boosters Club Golf Tournament for August 12.
The Rotary Concert Summer Series starts July 10 at the Town Band Stand. Volunteer sign up is being circulated.
Sandy reminded everyone that the Strawberry Festival is being held tomorrow – June 25
Gerry invites us all to Market Days in Concord today and tomorrow. There are over 160 vendors.
Business:
Our 2016- 2017 Program and Greeter Schedule were passed out. Remember that each of us is responsible for finding our own replacement if we are not able to fulfill the dates we have been assigned. Please see Dave Stack with plenty of notice if you need help securing a program.
Our Sergeant at Arms Bryant celebrated his last day in this position by thanking the club for all their generous happy bucks, fines and birthday celebrations. He thanked the club for all the fun as well! Gerry then warned us about his upcoming year in this position.
There were no birthdays to celebrate.
Happy Bucks include:
Jeanie excited about her 1976 college reunion from Williams College. Much fun was had by all and her class elected Vice President.
Jeannie R was happy to report that her Nephew a Captain in the Army, was just given his first commend at 289 years old. He serves in the Army Special Forces, Advanced Support Battalion. The ceremony at Fort Lewis was very moving.
Ben was happy to look forward to his E. Burke Vermont Cycling getaway up in the Northeast Kingdom. Always a great time.
DG Sandy gave a happy buck for her productive year as DG. She also told a story about a pick up line given to her recently. The man said to her that Sandy looked like his second wife. She replied that she hoped that was favorable. His reply: “I have not met her yet…”.
Tamar will not be with us much in July. She is traveling to Labrador. Have fun!
Rick gave a happy buck for the process of passing the gavel between our “old Mike” and our new “Gail Force winds”!
Alan announced that this was the anniversary of his 45 years in Rotary when he joined OUR club on July 2. He also announced that this was his 54th Wedding Anniversary. He hopes he as the date right but he was a bit hesitant in announcing that number! Dave Stack stood up to give physical evidence of what 54 years looks like AND STATED HE WAS ONLY 8 WHEN ALAN JOINED Rotary. WOW!
Chuck was recognized for his willingness to cook for the Little League celebration in Town. He cooked 500 hamburgers and 400 hot dogs for the children and their spectators!
Our program today was the Passing of the Gavel.
Mike honored many in his parting speech. He strongly believes that we are a strong club and was very proud to join us 9.5 years ago. He sees us as consistently fun, caring, giving, humble, and very optimistic. Our comradery is second to none in the District!
He looks forward to our Friday morning meetings EVERY week!
He specifically is proud this year about our many activities and mentioned the summer concert series among many. Our successful auction raised more the $24 K and he thanked Judy and Michelle for their leadership and the good risks they took. Thank you to Bryant for leading the $4 K in Christmas tree sales. He spoke of Winterfest with no snow and no chair. He thanks Chuck for stepping up yet again. He also recognized David and Gerry for their work on the very successful car show. We had 150 cars showing and over 900 spectators. We garnered over $11 K. He also thanked Rob and Dean for our good partnership with the school system and all our contributions in that arena. Interact is so active and productive. He thanked both Michelle and Peter for their commitment. Last but not least he thanks the club for their work with the Town for a Greener Bow!
Thank you to the Scholarship Committee for their work and to the Breakfast Committee for all their EARLY morning work. Thank you to Bob C for his great PR and to Rick for the work on membership. Thank you to Eric for his wonderful photography. Thank you to the BOD for their strong discussions and willing to bring every issue to consensus.
A standing ovation of thanks was given to Mike.
Mike’s three best memories from this year:
Bob C getting the award as the District’s Best Treasure;
Sandy Bartlett being presented with a car (jointly with the Hopkinton Club and;
Providing the Bow Library donation of $20,000 after a three year commitment to raising the funds by our club.
Mike sees us holding many opportunities in all our years to come with the great depth of talent we hold.
He then turned to Gail and provided her with the passing of the gavel.
CONGRATULATIONS Gail!
