The March 25 meeting came with guests in tow — Matt Lawless, who has made no secret of his interest in joining, along with newcomers Colby and John — and a full slate of club news that Catherine moved through with her characteristic efficiency. The Four-Way Test opened the morning, and from there the agenda unfolded into a mix of milestone announcements, a community update, and the warm, loosely organized fellowship that makes Wednesdays worth showing up for.

A tip of the hat to Amanda for digging into the club’s history: the CSH Rotary Club is turning 55, and the board decided that deserves a proper moment. The plan is a social gathering on May 8 at Fiddlehead Brewing at 4:30 PM — casual, no RSVP required, no program to follow. The idea is simply to get together in the community, mark the milestone, and if a few curious people happen to learn about Rotary while they’re there, all the better. Members should put it on the calendar and plan to come.

Looking a bit further ahead, the Changing of the Guard — the annual transition of club leadership — is set for June 25, a Thursday evening. Jessica has generously offered to host a potluck at her home again, which went well last time. A sign-up will circulate in the coming weeks. One logistical note to keep in mind: the regular Wednesday meeting on June 24 will be cancelled that week, since the Thursday event effectively takes its place.

A few other housekeeping items from the board: members who need a new name badge (or whose badge belongs to someone who no longer belongs to the club) should watch for a short form coming out to collect the correct name and details. And for anyone who still hasn’t completed the member survey that went out by email — it’s still available via the newsletter link, and those who filled it out were eligible for an extra red ticket at the meeting.

With Amanda Vincent’s due date approaching — and with the possibility that things could move sooner rather than later — the club is putting together a baby gift on her behalf. The idea, which the board traced back to Harriet, is to build a small library: members are invited to bring in a children’s book, new or in good condition, with a personal note or inscription inside if they’d like. Books can be left with Catherine or quietly added to the growing wicker basket. It doesn’t need to be a board book for infants — something like “Where the Sidewalk Ends” would be just as welcome. Members were gently reminded to use their judgment: it is, after all, a gift.

Several members brought back reports from recent community events. The Williston Rotary Club hosted a snow-story evening — a fundraiser built around speakers sharing tales of memorable Vermont winters — and by one member’s account it was genuinely inspiring. The event featured judges including former television weatherman Gary Schadowski, drew a wide range of storytellers (including one from Nepal who recounted a storm at high altitude), and raised meaningful money through a strong sponsor lineup. A conversation with one of the Williston members surfaced a possible future collaboration: a joint Pints for Polio event that had been on CSH’s wish list but never quite launched. Worth watching.

The Age Well fashion show on Sunday was a success, drawing a strong turnout and raising funds through a combination of ticket sales and raffles. John Hammer attended and provided the meeting’s best moment of unscripted entertainment: in the course of introducing Harriet at the event, he informed a stranger that she was his wife — at which point Harriet clarified, without missing a beat, that she was actually his mistress. The meeting accepted this development warmly.

On the food shelf front, the monetary donation box has been quietly accumulating. The board has decided that when the total reaches $300, it will be split evenly among the three town food shelves — $100 each to Charlotte, Shelburne, and Hinesburg. Members who prefer to give money rather than canned goods now have a clear home for that impulse. For those who want a civic outing this week, the Shelburne Library, Shelburne Senior Center, and Shelburne Grange are co-hosting a film and discussion based on “Bowling Alone” on Thursday evening, exploring why people join — or no longer join — community organizations. Registration is required through the library’s website.

Happy Fines ranged from the practical to the philosophical. One member celebrated successfully locating a pair of track spikes that a 14-year-old deemed acceptably cool — a parenting win not to be underestimated. Adam shared that he was happy about all the “extra-curricular activity going on,” a phrase that required him to repeat it once before the room accepted it at face value. One member, recovering from heart surgery the previous Thursday, reported with mild disappointment that the procedure had been entirely uneventful — which is, of course, exactly the outcome one hopes for. Several members expressed genuine pleasure at having guests in the room and at the general pace of spring arriving.

With the post-Pies momentum still carrying and a 55th anniversary on the horizon, the club heads into April in good spirits. Members are encouraged to bring a children’s book for Amanda Vincent in the coming weeks, keep an eye out for the name badge form and Changing of the Guard sign-up, and mark May 8 at Fiddlehead on the calendar. The CSH Rotary Club meets again next Wednesday.