A Month to Celebrate
As I write my second newsletter column as president, I'm struck by how much our club has accomplished over the past month. July provided several opportunities to showcase what makes the Mad River Valley Rotary Club such an active and engaged part of our community.
A National Spotlight
Jane Macan, Sally von Trapp, and I recently had the opportunity to speak with Amy Finkelstein, Senior Content Editor for Rotary magazine. As we previously mentioned, our club has been selected to be featured in an upcoming issue.
The story will highlight our unique partnership with Tobi and Sally von Trapp and the annual Garden Days fundraiser, but what was especially gratifying was the editor's interest in our club itself. She asked excellent questions about our growth, our community partnerships, and what makes our club so vibrant. That interest is a reflection of all of you and the work you do throughout the year.
Special thanks to Jane Macan for her vision and leadership in developing this wonderful partnership, and to Tobi, Sally, and Emily von Trapp for opening their beautiful gardens and helping create an event that has become one of our signature fundraisers.
A Great 4th of July
A heartfelt thank you to Ben Olds and the entire Warren Fourth of July Parade Committee for another outstanding celebration. While Mother Nature chose to schedule the rain during the parade itself, the weather certainly didn't dampen community spirit. We enjoyed a terrific turnout, a wonderful event, and another great opportunity for Rotary to contribute to the Valley.
Events like this remind us that some of our most important work happens behind the scenes, thanks to the countless hours volunteered by dedicated Rotarians.
Welcoming Our District Governor
Our July dinner meeting was another highlight of the month as we welcomed District Governor Ariel Mondlak from our neighboring Waterbury Rotary Club.
Ariel shared her vision for Rotary across our district and reminded us that local service and global impact go hand in hand. We are fortunate to have such a caring and engaging district leader, and we appreciate her taking the time to spend the evening with our club.
A special thank you also goes to George Schenk and the team at American Flatbread for once again hosting us with such generosity and hospitality. Their support helped make the evening especially memorable.
Looking Ahead
August promises to be another busy month for our club, with outstanding speakers, Garden Days, service opportunities, and plenty of fellowship along the way. I hope you'll join us whenever you can.
Thank you for the warm welcome you have extended during my first month as president. It is truly an honor to serve this remarkable club. I look forward to seeing many of you over the coming weeks as we continue finding new ways to serve our Valley, strengthen Rotary across Vermont, and make a difference in the world.
Warm regards,
Mike Leichliter
President, Mad River Valley Rotary Club