This week’s Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg Rotary meeting opened with thoughtful words from Lori York on the courage it takes to act in uncertain times - a fitting reminder as the club takes on another packed summer season.
Club updates were plentiful. Plans for the August 3 Dragon Boat Festival are coming together, with sign-ups open and a modest fundraising target for paddlers. For those who prefer to stay dry, there’s always room on the shoreline for enthusiastic cheering.
Shelburne Day on August 16 took center stage, with Carol George walking members through corn logistics (yes, corn logistics). A request for 400 donated ears is in with Shelburne Market, and the club is eyeing 500 as the final target. Jim Donovan volunteered to help secure additional supply. John Hammer and Greg offered to haul Sophie’s grill to the event.
Other club notes included a July 12 fundraiser with the Lake Monsters, a potential donation to a Texas Rotary Club affected by recent flooding, and ongoing support for the local food shelf, led by Harriet. Catherine also passed around a rediscovered Rotary magazine from decades past, offering a moment of nostalgia - and a reminder of the scale of what this club has tackled before.
Our guest speaker, John Clifford, delivered an eye-opening and engaging talk on the complexity of modern auto inspections. A former service manager, professor, and master technician, John unpacked everything from fuel trim codes to the politics of inspection reform, advocating for better licensing and training standards. His talk underscored a larger theme: Rotary’s role in helping communities think more critically - and act more constructively.
Jim Donovan presented John with DK Eyewitness: Cars, which will be donated to the Pierson Library in his name.
The morning closed with a few laughs, plenty of Happy Dollars, and a final reflection from Nancy Danforth.