In The Beginning
Before the meeting was called to order, the Newton Rotary club kicked into high gear forming an assembly line to insert bookplates into nine cases of softback dictionaries. These dictionaries will be distributed to elementary schools in our area.
Getting Started
President Todd, in his finest collar, called the meeting to order at 12:13 pm. The salute to the flag was followed by a moment of prayer given by Luis Ponce. Our voices were raised under the guidance and encouragement of Steve Wescott.
President Todd noted to our assembly that today was a scheduled “In-Service” day.
It was noted that we had 15 of our club members present. That number grew by one when Carl finally wandered into the meeting at 12:42. Bud Luthman extended a great welcoming message to our 15 members present at that moment.
Happy Dollars were contributed by:
Steve Wescott - $5 for the winner of the Kansas vs. Philadelphia game (I’m not quite sure which sport was being played or exactly who won).
Marge McCabe – a buck for the club members working together on the dictionary project, and another dollar for having Past President Dr. Porter back with us today.
President Todd tossed in a buck – but I missed why. I am sure it was for a good cause.
Announcements
President Todd reminder all of us about the March 18 pancake breakfast fundraiser being held at Applebee’s. He again passed the sign-up sheet around as we still need eight more members or family or friends to help make this a rousing success.
Marge McCabe spoke about the chocolate candy fund raising project. Apparently, this has taken an interesting turn. We are asking merchants to only sell the candy for a month or so, thereby not wearing out our welcome. Merchants seem open to helping us out like this. To date, we have posted more than a $1,000 profit. Not bad for just visiting each site once a week, collecting the money and replenishing the stash of candy in the box.
Todd spoke about the blue Mason jars on the tables. Your change and some folding money will be applied directly to once again beat back polio on a world-wide basis.
Todd also spoke about the Military Vehicle event at the Fair Grounds taking place on April 28, 29 and 30. We will be opening our food booth and will be the ONLY group selling food there. I guess you could say that we are going to corner the market on this event. Todd will begin circulating the sign-up sheet for that event next week.
And speaking about sign-up sheets, Todd continues to push the need for more weekly editors of our newsletter to set forward. Honestly, this is quite easy – just about anyone should be able to simply write down what transpired at the meetings.
It was again announced that on September 23, at Denise Current’s farm, there will be a farm to table fundraiser.
An upcoming Ladies Tea event was discussed and may be scheduled for March 11 at the Windsor House on Route 15 in Lafayette and will be coordinated by Alice Vigiletti. The ladies in our club should listen this upcoming Wednesday for more information about this event.
While we were at lunch today, we took note of the fact that it began to snow more than we had seen in a long time. It was generally agreed that we should blame Steve for this, as he just put his car through the local car washing establishment.
Bud got up and spoke briefly about an email we all got from a member of the “management team” at Rotary International. He, and other members of the club agreed, that the letter continued to demonstrate the fact that RI just doesn’t understand what they have put people in our district through with their actions. Bud said that he wrote back to them and let them know about his thoughts. Maybe more Rotarians should do the same.
John Cuozzo spoke about the disastrous train wreck at East Palestine, Ohio on the Norfolk Southern line. He said that he felt we as a Rotary Club should be in a position to help the people in that community. It was suggested that we contact the East Palestine Rotary Club and find out from them what we can do to help them. President Todd said that he will bring it up at the Board meeting next week and then report back to the membership.
Award of Pins for Years of Membership & PHF
The following members received their Paul Harris Pins and Membership Pins:
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