Bill Kehoe opened the meeting at 12:30 at the Barrel House.

 

Kurt led the group in prayer, which was followed by a beautiful rendition of America the Beautiful.

 

Guests:  We welcomed Paul Katterman.

 

 

Denise was happy with the funds raised at the Farm to Table fundraiser held in her barn.  Over $4,000 was raised for the Fisher House and two boxes of toys were collected for children. 

 

Alice was happy to be back at Rotary. 

 

Laura was so happy she gave 10 happy dollars for the opportunity to share all of her happiness from the wonderful things her grandchildren are doing, her niece giving birth to a baby boy, Andrew joining the Marines and more.  She had four weeks at home recovering from her surgery.  Sadly she had to put her cat to sleep so she had many moments of tears of joy and sorrow.  However, Laura said her real hero is Pam who is doing so well after not one but two surgical procedures on her hip.

 

Jim Connolly was happy about his nieces’ accomplishments in a show in Texas.  He is also happy he will be going to Texas to spend Thanksgiving with family.

 

John is happy about the Sussex County chorus and band who performed at the Sparta High School Wednesday night. 

 

Barbara is happy that her brother, Rev. Fowler, is being inducted in the Warren County Hall of Fame December 1st.

 

Matt is happy that is son took his first steps.  His family had a fun Halloween.  He asked for prayers for his wife who is having a medical procedure and prayers for him as he will be in charge of taking care of the kids.

 

Mark Hontz is happy for the children who are performing in the Sussex County chorus on Wednesday night, which includes Todd Lattig’s daughter.  Mark is also happy that is daughter, Suzanna was able to participate in the Civil Rights Pilgrimage in Washington, D.C.

 

John Frank was happy to be seated with 3 past Rotary Presidents.

 

Picture Fines:  Nancy paid a picture fine for the photo and article about the production she produced for Newton Hospital (her 1^st production). 

 

John paid a fine for the photo from the SCCC event, Funding the Future which raises funds for scholarships for their students.  To date they have give over $100, 000 in scholarships thanks to the generosity of their contributors.

 

Kurt paid a fine for his photo for the Karen Ann Quinlan Fashion show which is a fundraiser for the nonprofit organization.

 

 

Newton Rotarian Newsletter:  Bill Kehoe encouraged Rotarians to sign up to write the weekly minutes of our meetings which are published in this newsletter. 

 

Gift of Life:  Tickets are available for the Super Bowl tickets.  This is the major source of funding for the Gift of Life program.  Please see Jim Porter for more info and to purchase tickets.

 

Marketing Committee:   Bob Shankman thanked John, Frank and Alice for the development of the Newton Rotary brochure.  The brochures were distributed at the meeting.  The committee did a great job.

 

District Conference:  Bill announced the next district conference will be held the first weekend in May in Gettysburg, PA. 

 

Upcoming Events:  Please note, there will not be a meeting next Wednesday, November 21.  However, the weekly meeting will be held on Monday, November 19 at 5 PM in the barn at the home of Denise Current.  The meeting will be a working meeting to pack the backpacks for families involved in the Homeless Project.  Dinner will be provided. 

 

Homeless Project:  If you missed the opportunity to contribute to the Homeless Project Barbara and Denise reported they could use hats and scarves for kids.  They are packing a dozen backpacks.  They also suggested items such as a gift card for a haircut.  Please get your items to Denise or bring them to the meeting at her house on Monday. 

 

December Meetings: 

 

Please note, all December meetings will be held at Bristol Glen.  The local high school chorus groups will be performing for us.  The schedule is as follows:

Newton High School – December 5

Kittatinny High School – December 12

High Point High School – December 19 

 

Our guest, Paul Katterman, announced a new joint Rotary project.  They will be landscaping the Vernon Veterans Memorial Park. 

 

Program: 

Steve Westcott gave an informative presentation about the Rotary Foundation.  He also announced that the Melinda Gates Foundation is going to match every $1 given to the Polio Plus Program with $2.  Every dollar becomes three dollars.  Every $100 donated becomes $300, etc.  Steve also pointed out that the goal is to have every Rotarian give $100/year which broken down becomes 28 cents/day.  The Newton Club has a great track record but Steve is hoping that we can increase our giving even more and with the Gates matching program … this is the year to give. 

 

Steve also reminded members that the Newton Rotary Foundation is offering to match donations to the Foundation up to $500/person to encourage Club members to become Paul Harris Fellows. 

 

Steve also discussed the difference between the Newton Rotary Endowment and the Foundation.  The Endowment is strictly for the Newton Club and local giving.  $1 of every lunch payment goes to the endowment.  All of the money from the Fair Food Booth goes into the endowment.  The endowment currently holds $250,000 all of which is available and turned over to the Club. 

 

 

 

50/50: John Frank won the 50/50 which was $7 … but not the pot.  Sorry John.

 

Bill closed the meeting at 1:20 PM.