President Wendy opened the final meeting at MBCC at 5:59 PM, followed by the
Pledge.
Prayer by Dan
Guests:
- Anne Terranova and David Butler, members of the Nailsworth Rotary Club in Gloucestershire, UK
- Our speaker, Martha Mumenthaler
- Karen Thorndike
Announcements
- Fred and Tim – Page Pond Trail Project this Saturday, 8 AM. Tim will have all the equipment there, but he needs shifts of people. He will supply a map; you will find the road opens to a left turn to Quarry Pond. The signup sheet was sent around again. There are a few openings for October 21st work where we will build a platform. Blueberry muffins this Saturday; not sure about the 21st.
- Bruce R. advertised the Meredith ZBA meeting at 7 PM tomorrow regarding the grandfathering of short-term rentals.
- Ed unabashedly solicited for more minute-takers. (Yes, please)
- Heidi spoke to a process we started about a year ago where, instead of giving a gift to our speakers, we donate a book to the school library in their name. We’re up and running now, and Martha’s book is the first we are giving. It will, of course, be about dogs.
- About books - Erin noted that there is a newsletter on each table about the ILES lending machine. Our Rotary logo is on the side of the machine.
- Anne Terranova introduced herself and her club in the Cotswolds [interrupted by the location of the garage door opener that Wendy found in the parking lot!], inviting all of us to visit.
- Dan took numerous pictures of our guests – Club banners and all.
- Wendy – BOD 5 PM next week at Hart’s
Our United Kingdom guests are trading Club Banners with our president, Wendy Bagley.
Happy $
- Erin is happy to announce that having switched from teaching kindergarten to a Reading Specialist, she finished a meeting today, and from that, she is off and running, ready to serve our students!
- Dan is happy to have our guests from the UK.
- Gary is happy that many more weeks are left in "Socktober."
- Dean – a successful weekend event with our District Exchange Students that we hosted. Thanks to the awesome Youth Exchange Committee for putting on the Friday night dinner and hosting the Exchange students.
- Kevin is happy that his wife is now up and walking 2 miles daily. And happy that Handyman Dan can pick up a speaker at his house.
- Our UK guest, Anne, is happy that she found an American cousin through Ancestry, and that’s why she is here.
- Janet is happy to find out she received a Lake Smart Award today. Ed. All you lakefront owners, take notice; this is really “smart”! Congrats, Janet!
- Dan - Kudos to Brian Harris for last week’s bulletin. (no pressure)
50/50 won by our guest, Anne, from across the pond!
Dinner is again provided by Moulton Farms. Thanks to John and his kitchen crew for
stepping in during the latter part of our hiatus at MBCC!
Program
Foliage Retrievers Service Dogs, presented by Martha Mumenthaler, President & Founder.
Martha shared her personal story of multiple diagnoses of PTSD. She trained her first
service dog, Yoda, and through the storm, transformed her life. Prior to Yoda, she found
she was ineligible for a service dog. Service dogs are earmarked by existing agencies
for combat veterans and First Responders, excluding others with PTSD. Her goal
is simple - make service dogs available to all who deserve and need them.
She has seen this come a long way. She dreams of a dedicated building along with
veterinary service, plus an open space for the dogs.
Time and cost – 2 years and estimated $50,000 per dog.
She is looking for volunteers to socialize with puppies after volunteer training. She lives
right here in Meredith. (e: Martha@foliage-retrievers.org).
It takes a lot of dogs to find the “right dog.” There were information sheets on each table
along with a “Vote for 'Puppy Fs' Name.” Each puppy’s name starts in sequence with the
alphabet. Right now, Puppy F is unnamed. If you want to vote (no stuffing the ballot box),
Text “NAMEAPUP” to 44-321. Voting ends October 16 at 12 noon.
And, oh yes, she is open to and welcomes donations! Foliage Retriever Service Dogs
(FRSD) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. www.Foliage-Retrievers.org
The meeting adjourned at 7:03!!
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SEE YOU AT HART’S
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Addendum
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