President George Weir welcomed all to the May 24th meeting of the Brattleboro Rotary Club held at the American Legion in Brattleboro. Phil George offered the following meaningful invocation:
This weekend we honor those that have served our country and given their lives so that we may stand here and still live in freedom.
We need to be constantly reminded of our gift of freedom and of those who gave all to make sure future generations continue to know life in a free, democratic society.
Remembering those who have passed is only half of the task that is before us today. We must also carry their love, honor and duty forward to the future generations that will pass. Our children must know who they were, what they did and why they did it. To do anything less, will be a disservice to their sacrifice and their memories.
Those that are gone created a clear pathway for us to continue on -- we must never waiver from that path of freedom and democracy. Take their memories, take their dreams and walk forward shouldering the cause of freedom -- carry it high and proud, they did and now you must walk forward for them and for our children.
As a luncheon of pork loin (yet again), dry chicken, chickpeas, mashed potatoes, broccoli, salad, bread, and snickerdoodle cookies for dessert was being digested, the meeting continued.
GUEST: Andy Reichsman (speaker)
TRIVIA QUESTION
When was the first mobile phone call made?
(answer below)
JOKE OF THE WEEK
For our Rotary joke, Marty Cohn told the following:
A guy about to tee off was approached by a man who held out a card that read, "I am a deaf and cannot speak. May I please play through?"
The first man gave the card back, angrily shaking his head, and saying, "No, you CANNOT play through."
He assumed the guy read lips so he mouthed, "I can't believe you would try to use your handicap to your own advantage like that! Shame on you!"
The deaf man walked away and the first man whacked the ball onto the green and then walked off to finish the hole.
Just as he was about to put the ball into the hole he was hit in the head with a golf ball that knocked him out cold. When he came to a few minutes later, he looked around and saw the deaf man sternly looking at him, one hand on his hip, the other hand holding up four fingers.
ROTARY MINUTE
For our Rotary minute, Bill Daley reminded us why we only use first names or nicknames at Rotary.
From the earliest days of Rotary, members have referred to each other on a first-name basis. Since personal acquaintanceship and friendship are cornerstones of Rotary, it was natural that many clubs adopted the practice of setting aside formal titles in conversations among members. Individuals who normally would be addressed as Doctor, Mister, Professor, the Honorable, or Sir are regularly called Joe, Bill, Mary, Karen, or Charley by other Rotarians. The characteristic Rotary club name badge fosters the first-name custom. In a few areas, such as Europe, club members use a more formal style in addressing fellow members. In other parts of the world, mainly in Asia, the practice is to assign each new Rotarian a humorous nickname that relates to some personal characteristic or describes the member’s business or profession. For example, a member nicknamed “Oxygen” is the manufacturer of chemical gas products, while “Trees” might be the nickname for a Rotarian in the lumber business. Other members might carry nicknames like “Muscles,” “Foghorn,” or “Smiles” as commentaries on their physical characteristics. The nicknames are frequently a source of good-natured fun and fellowship. But whether a Rotarian is addressed by a given first name or a nickname, the spirit of personal friendship is the initial step that opens doors to all other opportunities for service.
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At our May 31st meeting, Jeremy Coleman will tell a joke or sing a song while Bill Daley will offer a Rotary Minute.
NOTE: 2017-18 weekly assignments are posted on club website, as well as 2018-19 weekly assignments.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
05/31 – Dr. Jilisa Snyder: Hand Held Device Addiction
If you like this newsletter, brag at next Club meeting.
So far only NINE members have acknowledged this rag.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Hinsdale Student Rotarians Mo and Lexi told us about their year at Rotary. Public speaking was a key benefit.
If you can help with the Welcome Center club fundraiser on June 8 from 8-5, contact Greg Worden .<ED NOTE: This is an important fundraiser to help the club with its expenses.>
If you can help identify sponsors and/or players for Rotary Golf Tournament, contact Gina Pattison.
If you are attending the dinner following the golf tournament, it will cost $20.For more info, contact Gina Pattison.
Raffle tickets for the Rotary Golf Tournament are on sale. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Last year set a record for raffle sales. Let's beat the record this year!
FINES
Mike Mandracchia could not defend himself for asking if the excellent photo of Cindy Jerome was photoshopped.
BRAGS
Dave Twombly – for Hinsdale Student Rotarians Mo and Lexi.
Stan Nowakowski – for Mo and Lexi volunteering to work the Golf Tournament.
George Weir – for Mo and Lexi volunteering throughout the year.
Cindy Jerome – for the photo of her on page one of the Reformer being taken by a 16-year old friend.
Cindy Jerome – for George Weir bringing his own batteries for the microphone.
Cindy Jerome – for George Anthes counseling her about the dangers of hacked email as a candidate.
George Anthes – for the generosity of the community in helping Groundworks raise over $23K for “Camp for a Common Cause”
Cathy Coonan – for Cindy Jerome’s leadership at Holton Home.
Carl Lynde – for the club members who cleaned the walkway between Hinsdale and Brattleboro.
George Weir– for Carl Lynde organizing the clean up project.
Carl Lynde – for TD Bank donating $1M towards Special Olympics.
Carla Lineback – for the fun her daughter had on the wooden train built by the club.
Greg Worden – for Jerry Theberge being a good friend.
Phil Steckler – for American Airlines screwing up his reservation but getting him on the next plane instead.
Jerry Theberge – for the care his loved one received at Holton Home.
Chris Hart – for all the men and women in the military.
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PROGRAM
Cindy Jerome presented filmmaker Andy Reichsman who showed us his film Celebrating 125 years at Holton Home. To view the 16-minute film, click here.
Rotary Cares, Episode 8 – Local Gift Giving
Brattleboro Rotary Club past president Marty Cohn talks with Brattleboro Rotary Club Gift Giving chair Bill Vermouth and Brattleboro Rotary Club Golf Tournament chair Cathy Coonan about local gift giving. Produced in the studio of Brattleboro Community Television.
Past President Martin Cohn who attempts to give a gist of the meeting respectfully submitted this bulletin. However, it is always better to attend. If you have any complaints about the contents of this bulletin...
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