Dear Members and Friends of Monadnock Rotary,
Thank you all for your participation at last Wednesday's Post Holiday Dinner Celebration! It was such an uplifting evening, with a delicious catered meal prepared and served by Lou Ann Poor (with the able assistance of Chuck Simpson) and the opportunity to chat with Rotarians and guests throughout the evening. We appreciate Rotarian Rev. Jamie Hamilton and her All Saint's parish for letting Rotary use its lovely Reynolds Hall with its soft lighting and even a welcoming log fire in the fireplace as the setting for our special evening. Past President Rob Harris shared a very moving poem for the Opening Words, and Dale Gabel led the Flag Salute. Then the room burst forth with an amazing rendition of 'America the Beautiful' led by Raylynmor Opera's Director Ben Robinson, assisted by the active Rotarian supporter Ramona Branch (wife of our Jerry Branch), and Peterborough Rotary's Andy Peterson. It was a "Wow!" beginning to a truly wonderful evening.
The program included the introduction of Monadnock Rotary's Executive Board, followed by Membership Chair Jerry Branch honoring retired Rotarian John Vance and his induction of our newest club member Bob Meissner (please see the accompanying photo, courtesy of Romona Branch, of Bob's wife pinning Bob with his Rotary new membership pin). We also welcomed three month old Charlotte, the daughter of Travis Kumph and his lovely wife.
Dale Gabel, chair of the 2016 Monadnock Wellness Festival, then introduced the representatives of the many community non-profits that each received a check from the MWF's largesse -- with each person taking a few minutes to share a brief description of their organization and its latest initiatives to support local children and families in need. President Sue Copley ended the evening with a poem by a Nobel Prize Laureate. Bill Gurney and others stayed on to help Lou Ann and Chuck with the clean-up. An inspiring and very enjoyable evening for sure!!
The Tuesday, Jan. 17th breakfast meeting will feature guests Esther Rhoades and Maria Belva presenting on the Grand Monadnock Youth Choirs for motivated, high ability singers -- and the incredible experiences these choristers have, including touring Europe when they reach the high school level choir!
John Goodhue will give the Opening Words, and Sue Copley will share a brief story about her first job -- what was it, and what did she learn from this experience?
Mary Loftis will give us an up-date on RYLA, and we will circulate a sign up sheet for opportunities to "do your part" at upcoming Rotary meetings!
With gratitude,
Sue Copley, 2016-2017 President
By request, here is what I read Wed. evening from the Words of Peace: Selections From the Speeches of the Winners of the Nobel Peace Prize.
"We live in hope because we believe, like St. Paul, that love never dies...
"We must apply our humble efforts to the construction of a more just and humane world. And I want to declare emphatically: Such a world is possible. To create this new society, we must present outstretched and friendly hands, without hatred and rancor, even as we show great determination and never waver in the defense of truth and justice. Because we know that we cannot sow seeds with clenched fists. To sow we must open our hands."
-- Adolfo Perez Esquivel (1980 winner)
""Let it never be said by future generations that indifference, cynicism or selfishness made us fail to live up to the ideals of humanism which the Nobel Peace Prize encapsulates. Let the strivings of us all prove Martin Luther King, Jr., to have been correct when he said that humanity can no longer be tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war. Let the efforts of us all prove that he was not a mere dreamer when he spoke of the beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace being more precious than diamonds or silver or gold..."
-- Nelson Mandela (1993 winner)