Copy of Copy of September 2, 2020 Newtarian (Jun 27, 2023)

Getting Started

President Todd got the meeting off to a slow start when he called it to order at 12:21 pm. The salute to the flag was followed by several moments of prayer offered by Bud Luthman. Our voices were raised, singing “America” under the guidance and encouragement of Steve Wescott.

It was noted that we had 23 of our club members present. We also had several visitors, including: the two sons of Mike Hanifan (Matthew and Michael John); Joyce Wishart, guest of George Kaiser; three guests of Orlando – his wife Tara, Elizabeth, who is attending the Law School of New Hampshire, and Katherine who is attending Pepperdine University (both Elizabeth and Katherine are interning with Orlando for this summer);

Nancy Morrisey provided a humorously sincere welcome to all of our members and the people who so graciously joined us today as visitors and shared a meal. It was nice to see Jenny No join us for lunch today.

John Cuozzo – he opened up our Happy Dollar portion of the meeting by giving a dollar bill for having had Jon Connolly here last week and for the information he was able to pass along to us. He said that he was also looking forward to hearing what the County Supt. Of Schools will have to say next week.

Mike Hanifan – handed in a $1 – for having Athena inducted into membership with the Newton Rotary Club.

Barbara Miller – two dollars for her youngest grandson who just graduated from High Point High School and her granddaughter for graduating from Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Alice Vigiletti – one dollar because Luis Ponce is in the hospital and that we are wishing him a speedy recovery. A get-well card is being passed around for everyone to sign.

Bud Luthman – two dollars noting that Frank and Elaine will be permanently moving down to their house in the Carolinas in the next few weeks. He will be missed.

Athena Storm – a dollar with her gratitude for being accepted into the Newton Rotary Club.

Nancy Morrisey – a buck – for her wedding anniversary with Jim. She declined to provide the number of years they have been married. The members sang happy anniversary to Nancy.

Announcements

Annual Garden Party – Marge spoke very briefly about the Annual Garden Party event that will take place on this upcoming Saturday, June 24 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.

It will be held at the Stillwater Community Center, on the rear of the former Swartswood Firehouse, just outside of the historic, beautiful and quaint village of Swartswood. The theme for the party is A Toast to Summer. The cost is a pittance – only $25 per person. The event is going to be catered by Dominick’s in Newton, with club members bringing desserts.

The 2023 County Farm and Horse Show – Steve Wescott talked about the County Farm and Horse Show being fast approaching. Todd noted that the event will run from Friday, August 4 through Saturday, August 12.

Steve Wescott and Jim Taylor are heading up our efforts this year.

Steve also passed around a sign-up sheet for work shifts at the fair. These sheets will continue to make the rounds for several weeks – until we get as close to a full complement of people required to run each and every shift.

SO – CHECK YOUR CALENDARS AND SEE WHEN YOU CAN TAKE ON AT LEAST 2 SHIFTS DURING THIS FAIR WEEK.

Polio Plus Program – President Todd again reminded us that the mason jars on our tables are there to collect your loose change and folding green backs to help eradicate polio around the world. Remember, more than 20 years we succeeded in beating back this vile plague on humanity. The problem arose that several national leaders in third world countries in Africa decided they did not want to have the residents of their country receive inoculations. This left literally millions of people susceptible to contracting this disease and starting this whole cycle once again.

Programs for next four weeks:

Wednesday, June 28 – our guest speaker will be Mike Richards, Fairgrounds Manager for the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show.

Wednesday, July 5 – our guest speaker will be our very own Heidi Weber. Her topic will be “Independence Day.”

Wednesday, July 12 – the speaker will be Jim Connolly discussing “Leadership.”

Wednesday, July 19 – and so we will rest for a week from speakers and hold our monthly IN-SERVICE Meeting. This will allow several of our members (including our officers and directors) to bring all of us up to date on a number of programs your club is sponsoring or working on.

Today’s Program

TODAY – we celebrated the time-honored tradition of the peaceful transferring of power from one administration to a new administration. We were also blessed with the induction of a new member to our club, which bodes well for the organization. Past President Steve Wescott was gracious enough to serve as the Master of Ceremonies for both the swearing in and the induction of the new administration.

Induction of a New Member

Steve called on Mike Hanifan, who co-sponsored Athena Storm for membership along with Marge McCabe. Mike noted that he had known Athena for some time now through the scouting program. Athena is a Den Leader (the position was called Den Mother when I was in cub scouts some 55 years ago). She is employed by DASI (Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Intervention Services) – serving as the Director of Development. In the past, Athena has helped our club by volunteering for shifts at the food booth during the Farm and Horse Show.

Steve handed Athena her lapel pin and membership badge, along with information about Rotary International and our club.

Mike had a problem with the introduction when he could not remember if Athena and her son and daughter lived in Stillwater or Hampton. In any event, we sincerely welcome Athena into our happy lot, knowing full well that she will continue to be an active and valued member of our organization.

Paul Harris Fellowship Award and Past President

Steve took great pleasure in presenting outgoing President Todd Lattig with a Paul Harris lapel pin, the Paul Harris badge and certificate that officially recognized Todd as being a Paul Harris Fellow. CONGRATULATIONS TODD !!!

Todd was also presented with his new lapel pin identifying him as a past president, his membership badge that certified that the same, and his traditional walnut plaque with gavel that notes in very large letters that he is, in fact, a past president of the Newton Rotary Club. The plaque and pins were given to Todd by incoming President Alice Vigiletti.

New Officers and Directors

The time finally arrived for the swearing in of the new officers and directors. Steve, again, officiated for this portion of the meeting. Alice Vigiletti was first sworn in as the President. Following Alice taking her oath of office, the other officers and directors were sworn in collectively. There was a moment or two of irreverence on the part of the group being sworn in, particularly when it came to repeating their names. It seems a few of the group managed to stumble over that one.

The officers and directors who were sworn in are as follows:

Alice Vigiletti – President

Denise Current – Vice President

Marge McCabe – Secretary

Helen Wescott – Treasurer

Todd Lattig – Immediate Past President

Luis Ponce – Director

Wayne T. McCabe - Director

The Wrap-Up

The winning 50/50 ticket was held by one of our visitors, Tara Rodriguez - winning $7. However, Tara drew the three of diamonds and left the growing pot still expanding. It’s up to $52 now. Tara was very gracious by donating her winnings back into a blue mason jar for our Polio fund raising program.

Alice gaveled the meeting closed at 1:13 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Wayne

Wayne T. McCabe

NEWTON ROTARY CLUB