Meredith Rotary Club
February 22, 2023
President Heidi opened the meeting at 6:00PM with the Pledge of Allegiance and Dan led us in prayer. Special prayers for Jim McFarlin, Tom Fairbrother, Steve Bennet and Carl Johnson.
Guests and Visiting Rotarians: Mike Harper, Don Miller, Rick Forge, Sarah Gray, Aaron, Jason Bowles, Amy, Dale Sandy, Donna Fodero, Paul Thornton, Betsy, Connie Dehnel, Kate Golden, Libby Reichlin, Lexi Desmetrion, Diane Columbus
Did ya know: Did ya know photographers used the word “prunes” instead of “cheese” when posing for the camera to keep the subject’s face taught. Smiles were considered “cheesy”.
Announcements:
Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra March 25, 2023 at 7PM “Haydn Seek” at Inter-Lakes Community Auditorium. $25 for Adults and $10 students.
Dan announced that the VFW in Laconia is hosting a dance as a fundraiser at 7PM on Saturday night. Rockaholics is playing. $10.00 for a ticket.
John Columbus won the pool for ticket sales by guessing 4,250. The actual number is 4,427 sold.
Bill Golden told us that the fishing derby brochure has a red herring. See if you can find it! The word Derby is missing off the front page.
Program: Steve Capachetti put together a video of the derby. It was an amazing job and highlighted the team effort involved in making the derby a success.
Bill thanked our many volunteers. Sarah Gray from Body Covers, Judges, Jason and Amy from Meredith Station, Dale Sandy from the Tackle Shack, Pat Kelly, Donna Fodero. Bill presented Donna with a lovely bouquet. The people behind the scenes: Dick Pendergast, Carl Johnson, Heidi Barrett-Kitchen, Tiffany Letts, Jordan Murray and Harry Reichlin, Ted, Mike and Craig, Betsey, Kate Golden, Diane Columbus.
Fred presented Paul Harris Fellow awards to Bruce and Harry Reichlin for creating our new Derby software, replacing our ancient Access Database originally created by Ray but no longer supported by Microsoft. Fred also presented one to Bill Kaik for his work with technology on the derby. Since the awards weren’t ready, Fred created “The Perch Harris” awards for them, complete with fish décor.
Bill thanked past Derby Chairs Fred Strader and John Columbus for their tremendous help. He also thanked everyone who volunteered.
Bill said that it takes 1500-1900 voluntary hours to run the derby. 450 hours and 160 shifts just during Derby Weekend. All the Rotarians, spouses, Interact. But also many supporters including: Troy Brown Town Manager, Mike Harper Chief of Police, Mike Faller and the DPW Crew from the Town. NH Fish and Game’s Ben Nugent and Kyle Glencross. Derby Judges: Don Miller, Rick Forge, Chuck Kinney and Steve Bennett (may he have a speedy recovery.) Thank you also to Body Covers’ Sarah Gray, Meredith Stations’ Jason Bowles, Tackle Shacks’ Dale Sandy, Pat Kelly and Donna Fodero, who was presented with a lovely arrangement of flowers.
Some Derby Statistics from Bill:
- 11 urns of coffee, 110 sandwiches, 35 quarts of soup, 120 beverages, 4 pizzas and a bunch of sweet treats.
- Ticket sales: 53% online, 11% direct mail and 37% vendors
- 28% of online ticket sales were sold in 10 days in February
- Busiest Vendor: Tackle Shack with 423 sold.
- Busiest Trailer Sales Saturday 12-4PM with 134 Tickets sold by Dean and Jan.
- Donna Fodero processed 2300 tickets! More than half of online sales.
- 160 Fish made the board totaling 505.75lbs
- 140 fish donated for 430.5lbs
- 53% of fish came in Saturday and 47% on Sunday.
- Winners came from 21 different lakes and ponds
- 82 fish from Winnipesaukee
- Women anglers represented 7% of the total
- All of the 7 finalists came from NH!
- Derby Weekend trailer merchandise sales made over $5000 with 168 t-shirts, 141 sweat shirts and 113 assorted hats.
- We should net about $80,000 which goes right back into our communities!
Wendy Bagley and Michael Pelzcar as co-Chairman presented with the Derby Fish and Cane.
A big round of applause from all for Bill who did an amazing job as our Derby Chair!
50/50 Winner Erin Kaik
President Heidi led us in the four-way test. Meeting adjourned at 7:26PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin M. Apostolos
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