Celebration of our 45th successful Fishing Derby!
Prepared by: Kevin Kelly
President Wendy opened the session at 6 pm leading with The Pledge of Allegiance. Dan offered a thoughtful prayer.
Announcements
All in attendance were honored by the presence of Monica Bennett.
Wendy announced that we should aim for an abbreviated meeting to enable the group to watch WMUR TV coverage of the Derby on Chronicle.
Guests/Volunteers:
As is the custom, many guests joined the celebration.
Special Member Spouses as Guest
Diane Columbus, Donna Fodero, Kate Golden, Sue Ellen Kador, Bob Maloney, Libby Reichlen.
Special Honored Volunteers as Guest
Monica Bennett - Widow of Steve Bennett
Rick Forge - Derby Judge
Craig Hall - Meredith DFW
Mike Harper - Meredith Police Chief
Pat Kelly - Voice of the Derby
Chuck Kenny - Derby Judge
Phil McGlaughlin - Meredith Police Lieutenant
Don Miller - Derby Judge
Kaitlyn Mowry - Body Covers
Lisa Mowry - Body Covers
Jeanine Neggers - Prospective Rotary Member
Ben Nugent - NH Fish and Game
Happy Dollars:
- President Wendy won the Super Bowl raffle supporting a school program.
- Dean G & Bob K expressed joy at having their grandkids visiting & enjoying quality time.
- Bob K looking forward to an upcoming trip to Costa Rica.
- Jim Mc was pleased to report that a successful procedure was completed at CMC.
Derby Business:
Heidi reported that 4444 Derby tickets had been sold (Remarkable considering the ice challenges!). The ticket # raffle prize was won by Bob K’s guess of 4425!
Derby Chair Mike Pelzcar (who did a fine job on Chronicle) offered sincere thanks to all the Rotarians and friends of Rotary volunteers who made a tremendous effort to make the Derby such a success!
The final statistics were amazing!
- 254 fish, weighing 536 lbs were submitted.
- 154 fish, weighing 448 lbs were donated to the Squam Lake Science Center.
I’m expecting an appreciative thank you note from the otters, mountain lions, bald eagles, fisher cats, etc for the marvelous buffet!
The handoff ceremony to the 2025 Derby Chairs went to Wendy Bagley and Bill Kaik. Congratulations to our very talented Derby leaders!
President Wendy led us in the 4-Way Test and the meeting was adjourned at 7 pm.
Addendum
Pictured below: Everyone scrambled into Harts bar area at 7 PM to view the Great Meredith Fishing Derby on the WMUR Chronicle program ending in great applause.
This is the link to view the Fishing Derby episode on Chronicle:
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