Meeting Notes - September 19, 2012

Posted by Jay Pompar 
on Sep 19, 2012
 

Charlotte Shelburne Rotary
Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 7:15 a.m.
Trinity Episcopal Church Community Room

Welcome

President Adam Bartsch opened the meeting with the Pledge and called on Kris Engstrom to give the devotional.

Guests: 

  • Cathy Rae Stroutsos, Potential new member
  • French GSE Members, accompanied by Kathy LaClair
  • Dave Gladstone
  • Hattie Johnson – Camp TaKumTa
  • Bill Thompson – PDG and Rotarian from Colchester Club
  • Ms. Boston Neary, Shelburne Farms
  • Renee Audet, Manager of Aubuchon Hardware in Shelburne

Today was a full house, so much so that the latecomers and previously identified ‘recalcitrant’ members were consigned to the low table by the SAA.

Announcements

Upcoming:

  • September 26: Nancy Herman of the AAA
  • October 3: District Governor Visit (All members are encouraged to attend)
  • October 10: Robert Bloch – Champlain College speaking on a program “BYOB - Bring Your Own Business.”
  • October 20: Shelburne LaPlatte Nature Trail – see below
  • October 24: Zack Clements (Sorry for previous misspellings) – a regular visitor and very popular motivational speaker.  Here is a prime opportunity to invite potential new members.
  • October 28: Shelburne Halloween Parade
  • November 4: Bowlathon (a Sunday afternoon 3-5:30).  This is always a lot of fun and is also an ideal opportunity to invite potential new members.

Financial Considerations (Important)

President Bartsch announced two financial changes passed at last week’s’ board meeting.

  • As of the October 3 meeting, the breakfast cost will be raised from $10 to $11.  This is to cover administrative costs that have continued to rise over the past few years.  These are fundamentally due to paying for guests and program speakers.  The costs have resulted in a shortfall of almost $1,000 over the past year.
  • Annual dues, beginning on July 1, 2013, will increase from $140 to $150 per year.

The Williston Richmond Rotary Club will be holding a Wine&Beer Festival on October 5.  Contact Dave Mullin at davemullin@comcast.net for information.

The District wanted to have a hand count of those who now have reservations, or who plan to, attend the May District Conference Cruise next May.  Anyone who is planning to go should contact President Bartsch.

Shelburne Farms Harvest Fest

  • Bill Root rose to thank all those who helped him in parking.  There were 2475 cars parked.  Bill and the Club were lavishly praised by Wally Allen, the Farm's Facilities Manager, for the fine job done by the parkers.
  • Golf ball Drop Report by John Dupee – The gross on the drop was, as of this meeting, $12,850.  After expenses, he estimated the take for the club at $5,100.  Not bad for a first year out of the gate.   Shelburne Farms, which sold 21% of the tickets, will receive $1350.  Ms. Boston Neary, sold a lion’s share of all those sold at the farm.  Well done, Boston.  It was noted that it took two attempts to get the balls to roll properly. John remembered as to how Trafton Crandall had said to him something to the effect that, ”Something in my head says that we should conduct a test drop.”
    • Winners were Renee Audet - $5,000
    • Linda Goodrich - $500
    • Michael Healey - $250
    • Farthest – Mike Belsky - $250.  Mike contributed his winnings to the Hands to Honduras – Tela Rehabilitation Center.  Thank you Mike!

Floral Greetings

  • Kris Engstrom presented a floral arrangement to Roz Graham with a very unusually melodic rendering of “Happy Birthday to You.”
  • She also presented a wedding gift to Sarah (Rouse) Barker.  Sarah, in turn, opted to give a community-oriented gift from her company of $1,000 to Camp TaKumTa.  She presented it to Hattie Johnson, who is Executive Director. Hattie thanked her and noted that it is such gifts that allow the Camp to open up more year-round programs.

Shelburne Trails Project

Paul Bohne, (Member and Shelburne Town Manager) presented a briefing on the proposed community project.  He was asked by Michael Clapp earlier this year whether there were any community projects that the Rotary could undertake. The nature trail associated with the La Platte River Overlook Park was put forward.  Accordingly, the club will enter into a joint project with Shelburne community members (non-Rotarians) in building two 12’ bridges on the trail. This trail extends from the Shelburne Shopping Park to the Overlook just north of the Falls Road bridge.  There will be two parking areas (at the Shopping Park and the Community Gardens off La Platte Terrace) with handicapped access and parking at the road bridge.  Paul presented a map and drawings of the park trail. The trail and park are gifts from the Tucker and Michelle Holland family in memory of their deceased son.

Michael Clapp briefed the logistics.  The work will take place from 9AM for a few hours on October 6th.  Between 10 and 12 Rotarians are needed and coffee and donuts will be provided.  The bridge materials will all be cut and prepared for assembly on the 6x6 footings that will be installed in advance. Michael also noted that lunch would be served.  Further details will be forthcoming.

A potential project constructing a garden shed at the Charlotte Central School is in the planning stage for later in the fall.

Sergeant at Arms

Richard Fox began by saying that the 47% exempt taxpayers did not have to pay any fine.

  • Gary Marcotte – For the poor plant in his front yard lost due to the great earthmoving exercise taking place thereon.
  • Kris Engstrom – For the French GSE
  • Ric Flood – For seeing his good friend Dave Gladstone again
  • Steve Dates – French GSE
  • Dave Jonah – The full house – so many guests!
  • Jim Spadaccini – Very many thanks to Bill Root for his important job of coordinating Harvest Fest parking.  Well Done!
  • Terrill Titus – Sarah Rouse Barker’s wedding!
  • Linda Barker – For the great wedding Sarah and her son, and the associated vacation.
  • Howard Seaver – For the thrill of having to drop the golf balls twice.
  • Sam Feitelberg – For his nephew’s win in the golf ball drop.
  • Tod Whitaker – The successful golf ball drop
  • Eric Hanley – Successful Golf ball drop
  • Bill Thompson – He had seen a golf ball drop in Barre from a helicopter.  Now that was a golf ball drop!
  • Joan Lennes – For the full house
  • Tom Glaser – For a great vacation in Hawaii
  • Dave Rice – (Not to be outdone) For a great weekend in Hopeville, Ontario
  • Elaine Dates – Hooray for John Dupee and the Golf ball Drop!
  • Bill Root – For all the great volunteer parkers at Harvest Fest.
  • Sarah Rouse Barker – For having her friend Hattie Johnson here from Camp TaKumTa
  • Bob Sanders – “Hey – look the audio-visual works!”  These Frenchmen really know what they’re doing.
  • Michael Clap – For the people who are already volunteering for the Nature Trail bridge project
  • Terry Kennaugh – Happy
  • Roz Graham – Her birthday, for Boston Neary selling so many golf ball tickets, the Harvest Fest in general, the GSE team visit to Shelburne Farms, and her husband is coming home tonight from Korea.
  • One GSE Member – For the fantastic hospitality that the French GSE team has experienced while here in the US and Canada.

Apologies to those who were missed.

Bill Deming’s ticket was drawn and he drew the 5 of Spades.  Rollover.

GSE Presentation

The French GSE Team from Alsace gave their country presentation.