Newsletter - Current  Aug 13, 2019

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The Rotary Club of White River Junction, Vermont, USA

The River Log 

 August 13, 2019

 Read "What Happens When You Say Yes to Rotary"

                                                 The Rotarian, August 2019, p 24-35.

News Items:

Our Meeting:

Opening:

    The Pledge to the Flag was led by Jeremy. The Rotary Chorus sang "God Bless America" 

Quiet Moment:

 Gayle gave an Irish blessing.

Guests:

    Mrs. Brannon Godfrey 

Visiting Rotarians:

   No visiting Rotarians at the meeting:

Happy Dollars: Rotarian Ray Stanford did his service as Sergeant-at-Arms.

The following Rotarians were happy because:

* Dave S - he received so many well wishes because of his accident.

* Scott H - he can introduce our guest, Jeff Merino.

* Brannon - he has his bride of 30 years, Leslie, with him today.

* Wayne - he can be at his own Rotary meeting today.

* Dave FF - he is trading in his El Dorado for a 90s car.

* George - he is happy.

* Ray - their B&B has guests from Calgary, Canada.

* Phil - their tomatoes are ripening and some are "big".

* Jeremy - he did not have to go to the bank for lunch money.

* Gayle - she had three days off and cleaned out a storage container; met guests from Japan while working Sugar Bush Farm that were very pleasant.

Fines: 

Late:                                                                      Cell phone:

No Pin:                                                                  No Badge:  Phil

Leaving Early:

Member proposed Fines:

Songs:   No songs today.

50/50 drawing:  No drawing today.

Program:

Our Speaker

Jeff Merino, Athletic Director/Assistant Principal of Hartford High School, presented his theory of sports at the High School level and some growing problems.

     Jeff stressed the importance of athletic programs to the development of the children in schools.

The programs provide experiences that other programs are usually unable to provide. In that way sports adds to the development of a well rounded student and future adult.

     Jeff noted that there is a problem with parental involvement at times at sports events. Parents who disagree with a coach's or referee's decision can become hot under the collar. This process also makes it difficult to recruit officials to referee the events. The Sports Department is aware and works toward understanding for all involved.

     Jeff noted that he has a strong working relationship with Scott Hausler, Director of Parks and Recreation. The school uses the Maxfield Sport Complex for many sports. Working together the complex is moving to make facilities available at the same level for all sports and genders.

     The school could use a running track. It is one of the only larger schools to not have a track. If one were available Jeff believes they would be able to host many contests.

     Jeff states that the athletic programs provide the least expensive entertainment in town.

     The summary of all the programs and organizations like Rotary make Hartford a great place to raise a family. 

Closing:

    Jeremy led the 4-Way test and the Rotary motto.

Announcements:

* Jeremy announced that we will resurrect our ticket sales for the Fun Fund and our coffers. Also, he announced we will resurrect collecting change for Pure Water and begin a collection for Polio.

* Jeremy announced the work exchange with Keene Rotary on September 29. We help their half marathon and they help our Polar Express. 

Calendar:

Tue.   Aug  20 Regular meeting. Club Assembly. Hotel Coolidge. Noon.  Bring your own lunch. 

Thu.   Aug 22  Back to School food service for faculty of Hartford Schools. Grill service.   

Tue.   Aug 27  Regular meeting.  Public House. 5:00 PM.   

Anniversaries/Birthdays:

 Brannon and wife, Leslie, celebrated their 30th anniversary. We sang Happy Anniversary to them.

Students of the Month:  Honored every month between October and May on the second Tuesday at the Hartford Area Career and Technology Center. 

Service Above Self Awards:  Presented two or three times a year to high school students who have served their community in a vounteer program. 

ENGAGEMENT:

   Members at the meeting:   Are highlighted below.

Ken Baldwin (Associate), David Briggs, Lori Brown, Stephen Dotson,  David F. Ford, 

Erin Fredieu, Jeremy Greeley, Brannon Godfrey, Phil Hammond, Scott Hausler, Renee Hebert, Richard Hoffman,  Margo Howland, David Landry, Aaron MacAskill, Joe Major,  

Craig McCullough, Kipp Miller, Kelli Morneau,  Skip Nalette, Gayle Ottmann, Heather Potter,  

Jim Rostron, Nancy Russell, Wayne Russell, David Saturley,  Lisa Saturley, PJ Skehan, 

Ray Stanford, Lynn Towne, Brad Vail, George Wenz.     14 / (31) 

   Rotarians in Service to the community:   

   Community members helping Rotary:

     Gloria

   Rotarians at Rotary Social Events:

   Rotarians we missed: Are not highlited above. 

Attendance:

                                                         14 /31 = 45% at the meeting.

Make UPs Reported

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Notes by Gayle Ottmann                                                River Log Construction by Phil Hammond 

Editing by Gloria Hammond                                           Keyboarding and Email by Phil Hammond