Rotary Club Meeting Minutes:  Linda McConville

 

President, Bill Kehoe opened the meeting.

 

Alden led the group in prayer, which was followed by our weekly patriotic song.

 

Guests: Dorothy Pfeffer and Paula Ashfield from Under My Wing Avian Refuge and Jack Choma and Lanny from Newton High School Interact Club.

 

 

George was happy for the minutes taken by Bud Luthman for our scholarship program. 

Bud Luthman is happy about today’s program on exotic birds as he has a strange bird hanging around he wants to know more about, a Frankatude. 

Dawn is happy that Bristol Glen is honoring Sandy Hollander at the Panther Valley Country Club on October 12.

Buz is happy with the three-week tour of the British Isles.  He reported that there are so many cyclists in Europe that accidents are becoming a real issue.  In an attempt to bring attention to the problem, he witnessed first hand a group of cyclists riding naked with signs that read, NOW YOU CAN SEE ME!

Heidi was invited to be one of the Military Academy Screeners to be at Senator Menendez’s Picture Day for the NJ students who received appointments to the military academies.  She was honored to be a part of this important day. 

Heidi is also very happy to be promoted to the rank of full professor!

Carolyn was happy for Heidi’s outstanding news of her status as full professor.

Matt was happy to share a humorous soccer story about his six year old daughter.   The bottom line – while she had not scored a goal all season with the motivation of a promise of $10 and an ice cream cone if she scored a goal … she got the goal, the $10 and the ice cream cone!

 

Bill gave $3 for his experience in Munich and Austria where he witnessed sunbathers in the former and a block of people showing “full exposure” in Austria.  He is also happy that his 4-year-old granddaughter is playing soccer and enjoying the fields of flowers to pick.  Lastly, he is thankful to the Club for making his year as President easier because of all their help and mentorship. 

Barb is happy and thankful for Bill’s year of service to the Rotary Club.

Carolyn said it was a pleasure working with Bill throughout the year.

 

 

Lanny, co-president of the Club reported that the Club has been doing a lot of local volunteer work, such as with Project Self-Sufficiency, Taste of Talent event.  They also had a project making shirts with NEWTON STRONG imprinted on the front.  They sold them for $10 a shirt and have raised nearly $10,000, which will be used for scholarships.  They will be volunteering at the Garden Party as well as the Fair in August. 

Carolyn gave the club a check from the Club, which should help them reach the $10,000 level for scholarships!

Program: Under My Wing, Avian Refuge.  Paula Ashfield, Director of the Refuge provided an informative presentation about the nonprofit organization.  They are dedicated to the morally and ethically responsible treat of animals.  They are a “no kill” Exotic birds sanctuary.  They take in birds – they do not adopt them out.  Many birds are taken in by people who don’t realized the responsibility, personalities and life span of exotic birds.  The Cockatoo, for example, lives to be 80 – 100 years old.  The sanctuary is somewhat of a nursing home for birds that have been rescued AND for them to live out there life at the sanctuary.  She encouraged people to visit – wear boots.  They run an education program for children and recently completed a new building.  Most birds are allowed to “fly free” within the sanctuary.

 

50/50:  Pam won the 50/50 but left the pot to grow.

 

Bill closed the meeting at 1:20 PM.