Tonight was our last gathering of 2025! We had 20 Naples Rotarians, joined by four guests for a special pre-holiday evening of warm fellowship.

 

Jack led us in the Pledge and we sang a wonderfully appropriate song for the season - Let There Be Peace on Earth. The inspiration focused on how we are all different but yet can mobilize those differences for the good of Rotary, thankful for our individuality and our common bonds.

 

Our guests were our speaker and past youth exchange student Parker Smith, current exchange student Romane Dehan and two of Katie's grandchildren, Moriah and John Blane Dickey.

 

Announcements: Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year! * We will not have a meeting on Monday December 29th. * If anyone knows of a family needing extra food, the Naples Open Cupboard has extra boxes available, Tuesday 11-5pm. * January 6th will be a Zoom program from the District Environmental Action Group. We will meet at Brew & Brats at 6 pm for potluck, the Zoom starts at 7 pm. * Romane's 18th birthday is December 26th!

 

Parker Smith spent August 2024 - June 2025 as a Rotary Youth Exchange student in Sweden. He highlighted his time there this evening, giving us a taste of his monthly adventures! He spent the year with three families in cities south of Stockholm: Nykoping and Trosa. His first family had young children who helped him learn the language. The second family had high school students. The third had a student on exchange and two in university. The first month was spent in several orientation activities and gave Parker his first exposure to crayfish! The group of Rotary exchange students had several tours and outings together. September was notable for introducing the incredibly smelly fermented herring that Parker will never forget. Each month included trips to museums, cities and art venues. In December, the Rotary students visited Stockholm as well as celebrated the traditional Lucia festival at Christmas. He also tried curling and the New Year's Day polar plunge! Winter activities included learning to ski and dog sledding. The Northern Lights were amazing. Craig and Kristin enjoyed a visit in April. May included a Eurotour with other students to Germany, Austria, Czechia, Italy, France and Switzerland. Berlin was his favorite city. June brought graduation and saying good bye to his good friends. Amid all the fun and trips, Parker was asked if he did any school work! He had already graduated high school so he didn't need to study hard. Sweden is very serious about academics and high school prepares students for their career. Parker's program was environmental studies. By the end of the year, he was able to understand the language enough to follow the teaching. He is very much looking forward to returning to visit someday soon.

 

The Ace of Hearts was $73. John had ticket #9905 but the 10 of Clubs was drawn.

Happy Bills were given for Parker's great presentation, proud Mom and Dad moments, our wonderful Rotary Club, Light Up Naples success, Cindy's son's engagement and holiday enjoyments.

The Moment was a pic of the crew who helped with delivery of Operation Santa gifts to Naples families in need. Also a big thanks to Patrice, Bo and Laurie for the books gifted to Naples Central School students.

Jack proposed a toast of bubbly grape juice for our Club and a Happy New Year!

 

We closed with the Four Way Test and adjourned at 7:18 pm. See you next year!