Club President Mike Griffin had greeter Jeannie Richards give the invocation. Later, she announced that a total of 33 Rotarians and one guest were in attendance.  Dick Swett announced that his guest speaker was Chase Hagaman from The Concord Coalition.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Dean Cascadden announced that the Four Way Speech Contest is Tuesday night at 7:00 PM.  To date, 4 kids are entered but Dean anticipates having 4-6.  Three people are lined up to provide baked goods so Dean turned his attention to emphasizing how perfect the event is for attendees to bring a guest and introduce them to what Rotary is all about.  Mark Brown will judge.

 

Gerry Carrier announced that the Car Show is still scheduled for 14 May.  Previous sponsors have been notified.  He’ll lottery off open trophy sponsorships.

 

Alan Kanegsberg announced that the District Conference is 29 April – 1 May at the Sheraton Harborside in Portsmouth.  Online signup is available.

 

Mike Griffin reminded everyone that District Assembly is coming up on 9 April at Keene High School from 0800-1200.  A carpool is available from the Community Center and online signup is available. 

He also announced that the club’s will present its $20,000 donation to trustees of the Baker Free Library Lower level Renovation Project on 1 April.

 

Harry Judd announced that rotary Park Cleanup will be on 16 April.

 

Sgt at Arms Bryant Stevener then checked members for fines and…

 

 

Dick Swett is thrilled that his alma mater is in March Madness.

 

Bill McGonagle is happy about the start of “St. Patrick’s Month!”

 

Chase Hagaman is happy to be the guest speaker - and to have breakfast.

 

Robert Louf is happy that the Bow High School Falcons hockey team is playing for the Division II state championship on Saturday in Manchester.

 

Chris Parkinson is happy to be our district representative in Chicago the week of 10 April.

 

Gerry Carrier really enjoyed Hard Rock of Ages; his wife, “not so much.”

 

Michelle Fortin is happy to be attending a Beer & Wine Tasting event on 30 March at Filippa’s Wine Barrel.  Tickets are available.

 

Peter Imse was happy that he got to see his daughter in a marathon in New Orleans and that her boyfriend’s new job puts them closer to home.

 

Jeannie Richards was happy that she went to The Boston Flower Show.

 

Dean Cascaden was happy that the school board’s annual meeting was largely positive, though one citizen did complain.  He’s also happy that renovations on his home are nearing completion.  He’s not happy that he’s going to miss the Bow Falcon’s State Championship game but will enjoy being in an adult league game up north.

 

Tamar Roberts was happy that her son filed his first tax return and has been accepted to grad school – with funding, too.

 

Harry Judd was happy that the Club accepted a new member(?)

 

Judy Goodnow won the raffle but didn’t pick the joker.

 

The guest speaker, Chase Hagaman, explained the impact of the crushing $17 trillion national debt and illustrated how it continues to grow because of continued federal deficit spending.  Mandatory spending – mostly on interest – has grown to dominate our national budgetary expenditures.  Compounding our debt woes is the fact that fewer and fewer workers are supporting the Social Security and Medicare programs, both of which may have to be reduced to start reversing our worsening, negative balance sheet.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Andrew Costen