Good day, Rotarians!  Hope this finds you all well and enjoying some early mud season adventures or maybe some mashed potato snow on the hills or maybe even what turned back into winter hard pack on those same hills. The roller coaster month is here! Don't worry; a good snow storm could still be in our near future as is often the case in March. 

 

While I write, my work space is sun drenched, snow is gone from the deck and a handsome, hungry, hairy woodpecker is enjoying a hanging suet treat. These signs kidnap my thoughts to spring clean up and gardens but the text message bling on my phone brings me back to the task at hand.

🤣

As always our Rotary members have been busy. A Rotary Youth Exchange committee has been formed (Karl and Susan Klein and Mike Leichliter). This effort is a resurrection of a program that was popular pre pandemic. Happily after a group meeting at Harwood, two students have indicated an interest. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting program.

 

The Education Committee has been busy with Rosemarie White responsible for Interact, Scholarships being led by Dara Torre and the Education Grants Committee work being done by Betsy Wilkinson and Mike Leichliter (and others whose names, I apologize, I do not have). 

Speaking of Scholarships, at a recent Board meeting, members voted to eliminate the four year scholarship after the prior commitments are made allowing us to include a $2,000 trades scholarship. The trades scholarship could include a partnership with a local builder. Stay tuned for more info on this important and timely change. 

 

Susan Klein isn't busy enough with work and Rotary and chorus 😆 so she attended the recent Rotary President Elect Leadership Seminar in Framingham, MA last week - photo below. Thank you, Susan, for all of your hard work! Our Club thanks you!

 

Last month's newsletter included news of the $1,200 grant provided to Living Tree Alliance to supplement costs for school field trips supporting their programs. I want to share a bit about the Alliance as a few members have inquired. https://livingtreealliance.com/

 

Speaking of grants....

 

 

 

Thank you, Roger Porter, Doug Stoehr and Shawn Sullivan for your work on these grants.

 

 

 

 

As of this writing, Bonnie Barnes and Tom Emory are looking for help with the very important Sponsorship Drive that begins next month. Ben Olds is looking for one more volunteer to help with the annual July 4 celebration. Some of this work can be done remotely if needed and Ben is happy to discuss time commitment. Thanks to all who have stepped up.  

 

 

In addition,  you can always sign up to help with Community Pantry deliveries, thank you Doug Stoehr, or if you would like to be a Greeter, click on the following link  https://mrvrotary.org/1451/Page/Show?ClassCode=Page&Slug=members-only.  Being a greeter is a fabulous way to say hello to folks you have not seen in a while and if you are new to MRV Rotary, a wonderful way to get acquainted. So many ways to get involved!