NEWTON ROTARY
MAY 8, 2019
Barbara Miller
Newton Rotary Club President Bill Kehoe called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m. at the Hampton Diner. The prayer was led by Todd Lattig and the members joined in a rousing rendition of “God Bless America” led by John Cuozzo.
Guests at the meeting included Kathy Shankman, wife of our member and speaker Bob, and Yoon-ju No, guest of Denise and prospective member of Newton Rotary.
Lots of people were happy today, including:
John Frank, who gave $1 and presented Bill with a picture of him that appeared above the fold in the NJ Herald, requiring a hefty contribution!
Frank Eberhart, who is happy to be part of the program next week when representatives of the Boys and Girls Homes of NC will attend our meeting, and Denise will be donating a school bus to them. This connection was made by Frank when he learned of the need while attending the South Brunswick Isles Rotary Club during the winter months.
Dawn Hall gave a happy $5 for the Farm to Table event that was held at Denise’s barn for the Stillwater Historical Society, and for the Project Self Sufficiency Taste of Talent. Both events were very successful and lots of fun.
John Cuozzo gave a happy $5 for all the Newton Rotary Club scholarship applicants.
Bud was happy that Todd prayed for our speaker today!
Denise was happy to report that the Farm to Table event raised $5,000!!!
Lonnie is happy to have been in Florida, but also happy to be back at Rotary.
Kurt was happy to call Alden up front to tell the story of Syracuse vs Colgate Track meet in which James Brown was the star.
Carolyn was happy to have attended her first ever Ultimate Frisbee Game, and she enjoyed it immensely!
John Roberts was happy to thank the Board and Bill for the great new location for our meetings.
Pam was happy and gave thanks to Jim for building our new podium. Looks great!
Picture Fines: President Bill at the High Point Board of Education meeting
Rotary Business: Bill reminded everyone to come to our meeting next week when Denise will be donating a bus to representatives of the Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina. They will be hosted by Frank and Elaine while they are here.
Rotary Means Business: There will be a Rotary Networking meeting held on June 3rd at Farmstead.
Garden Party: Will be held at Denise’s house on June 29, 2019. Stay tuned for more details.
PROGRAM: Our own Bob Shankman presented a program on the history of Rotary, with a focus on WOMEN IN ROTARY. Some of the facts included:
As of May 4, 2019, women have been in Rotary for 32 years. The Supreme Court rules on 5/4/1987 that Rotary had to admit women, and an article appeared in the NJ Herald on May 5, 1987 regarding the decision. About 25% of all Rotarians in the US are now women, but there are only about 4% in Japan. Laura Camp and Pam Lazzaro were the first women in Newton Rotary Club.
NEWTON ROTARY CLUB historical facts:
The Club met at the Cochran House for 33 years and the first meals served in 1923 were 50 cents! In 1957 the club moved to the Newtonian Inn and then to the Lafayette House Restaurant in 1991. After a short stint at the Spring Street Pub and Grill and Barrel House, we are now the Hampton Diner, the original site of the Newtonian Inn!
Over the course of the almost 100 years that Newton Rotary club has been in existence, we have provided over $1 million in assistance both locally and around the world. This includes substantial gifts to Newton Medical Center, student scholarships, Gift of Life, clean water and food projects around the world, the donation of an ambulance and school bus.
In 2023 Newton Rotary Club will be 100 years old, and Bob challenged us to come up with a major project to celebrate that event! He suggested the possibility of a Band Shell in Memory Park as an example of something we might want to consider.
Thanks, Bob, for a great program!!!
