Pres. Jerry called the meeting to order with a “new” gavel.  The knife worked well!  Kurt Gewecke led us in the invocation.  It was a valiant effort by musical  fugleman, Steve Wescott, in leading the combined men's and women's choruses of Newton Rotary in song (“song” might be an overstatement).  Despite Steve's efforts, we will not be called upon to open for Pentatonix!

 

As the initial order of business, Pres. Jerry presented Mike Murphy with his 25 year pin.

 

Pres. Jerry presented the Newton Medical Center, represented by Megan Sandow and Jim Furgeson, with a check in the amount of $25,000 – a donation to the Medical Center's initiative:  “15 for Women, Year of Woman's Health.”  Megan thanked the Club for its generosity and its long-standing relationship with the Medical Center.

 

Prior to the presentation to Megan and Jim, George Morville, through anecdotal and printed history, took the Club on a journey into the inexorable bonds between Newton Rotary and the Newton Memorial Hospital – now the Newton Medical Center.  Members entered a historical sojourn of 79 years into legends of the past and their role in the birth and growth of the Newton Memorial Hospital and its transition to the Newton Medical Center.

 

George highlighted 48 years of the Newton Rotary Golf Outing and the $500,000 plus in proceeds donated to the Hospital Foundation.  George then shared the impact of the Foundation and what it has given back to our community. 

 

In addition to lauding many past and present Rotarians for their dual roles in the hospital and Rotary, George recognized Bob McCracken who was the last president of the hospital and whose efforts guided the hospital's transition into the Newton Medical Center.

 

Those in attendance were treated to a walk back in time which gave shape to the present and undoubtedly the future.  The longstanding connect between Newton Rotary and the Hospital/Medical Center has, indeed, made a difference, a significant difference.

 

 

Jon Connolly – guest of Barbara Wortmann

Jim Furgeson and Rob Seman – guests of Megan Sandow

Chris Wilson – guest of Matt Hannum

John Cuozzo performed the role of greeter and welcomed our guests

 

 

One celebrity spotting this week – Nancy Morrisey.

 

Announcements     

 

Now that training is over for Darting, attention turns to three major events:

 

January 25 – Chili Open.  Dan Leary needs a few more volunteers to help set up and to pour the suds and help the wine breathe.  See Dan to volunteer.

 

March 5 – Newton Rotary's Winter Gastro Event – the Pancake Breakfast.  Placemats, Placemats, Placemats – please see John Roberts for placemat ads.  John also needs volunteers!  For those who cannot volunteer, please “dine in” or “take out” at the Methodist Church on this date.  Tickets are currently being distributed to members.

 

Chris Wolverton needs volunteers for March 25, the Gift of Life Volleyball Tournament.  Help is needed in set up, scorers, referees, etc.  Hopefully a team will once again represent Newton Rotary at the event.  Members with saltatorial  skills limber up.

 

Happy Dollars   

 

 

 

Newton Rotary placed second to Netcong/Stanhope in a thriller.  The tournament was a bit “Rocky,” infused with “Hoosiers.”  Look for the movie “Bullseye” to be released in 2017, based on a true story; a sure Oscar contender.  Congratulations to the dynamic duo of dauntless darters, Jim Porter and Carl Lazzaro, who represented Newtondom dauntlessly.

 

 

In absentia – Jan Pasculli won the 50/50!  Denise collected the $12 for Jan but the Powerball pot of $197 remains.