Good Morning MRV Rotarians, friends, community members and supporters. Here we are in June, Farmer's Market is open, fresh greens are abundant, I am serving rhubarb compote with every meal and looking forward to the strawberries to join the party. Summer Valley visitors will arrive in just a few short weeks and our annual "changing of the guard" otherwise known as "Changover Dinner" when Susan Klein, President, has the honor of passing the baton to Mike Leichliter, is coming up. Please note that on June 24 we will move our regular breakfast meetings to the tent at Toast and Eggs. Thank you, Malcolm! Lots going on so let's get on with it!
Last month, a day or so after May 5, Susan Klein received an interesting email from a Rotary International staff member in India congratulating our club on our 50th Anniversary! What a surprise as we had not been keeping track of that! Apparently the MRV Rotary had been established on May 5, 1976, at least that's what was recorded. This is a big deal when you consider the $ value of grants distributed to worthy Valley organizations. With a bit of math and help from AI, member Tom Emory guessed that based on the past 20 years, MRV Rotary has granted roughly $2 million!
Speaking of the Changeover Dinner, this exciting, fun event is scheduled for Wednesday, June, 17, at Knoll Farm. I understand that the event is just about sold out so please check your emails from Susan Klein for the original invitation if you would like to attend.
Annual MRV Rotary Dues are due by June 15 to Treasurer, Pete Colgan. Thank you to all who have taken care of this already.
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Once again Sally and Tobi von Trapp are opening their Display Garden as a community fundraiser and Rotary is the beneficiary. This is the fifth year that we shall support them by providing help at the reception desk. Last year we greeted over 3400 visitors and earned over $17,000 for our efforts over ten days. Below is the link to sign up to volunteer that Jane Macan recently sent out via email.
Please click on the Sign Up Genius
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The
Warren 4th of July Parade will be here sooner than you can blink an eye and thanks to all those who have been hard at work on it, led by
Ben Olds. In addition to the many volunteers who have been volunteering on various aspects of the parade, I hear that
Howard Levin has worked on the design of the 2
026 Warren 4th of July Parade t-shirts. These have become collector's items! and you can now order your advance sale of the shirt as well as caps right here.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/mad-river-valley-rotary-shop.
You can also purchase these at the Farmer's Market on June 20 or 27 or at the 4th Parade.
Thanks as well to Rob Perry, co-owner of Shirt Happens, for his work on these and a huge thank you to all others for your commitment to this special day!
Grants Approved
The following grants were approved at the recent membership meeting as the requests are above the current Board limit.
Mad River Valley Ambulance: $5,000
This grant will help defray the cost of defibrillators to replace current units and outfit each ambulance as required by state protocol.
Free Wheelin: $3,500 for three consecutive years.
This grant will support the purchase of a new hybrid vehicle. Partial funding of this vehicle has been received from the VT agency of Transportation. Free Wheelin provides a lifeline to many in the community so that elders may age in their homes and be supported by visits to medical specialists as well as local grocery visits.
Additional grants approved at the May Board meeting included:
Governor's Institute of Vermont: $1,000
Central Vermont Pioneers: $2,000
Mad River Valley Health Center: $2,270
In support of all the good work we do, MRV Rotary has also been gifted an anonymous $5,000 for inclusion in our 25-26 grants cycle. We are truly grateful for this.
Thank you, Doug Stoehr, Shawn Sullivan, Gary Plewak and Tom Emory for your time and commitment to work on grants.
Scholarship Update
At the last board meeting, the committee reported that they had reviewed 13 college/university applications to be announced soon. In addition we will be awarding three $750 trades grants.
Upcoming Rotary meetings
6/10, 7 a.m. Wednesday breakfast meeting at the Village Meeting House at Waitsfield UCC.
6/17, 5 p.m. Changeover Dinner at Knoll Farm - Almost sold out.
6/24, 7 a.m. Wednesday breakfast meeting under the tent at Toast and Eggs.
A reminder to please sign up for breakfast meetings whether or not you will be eating. In addition, if you choose to not eat breakfast, please consider contributing $5 to help cover the cost of the venue. If this request in any way, reduces your ability to attend meetings, please reach out to Susan K. as we have a small fund to offer financial assistance for club activities for any member who requests it.
Volunteer opportunities
Ben Olds is the lead on the 4th of July Parade. Please reach out to him for where you can lend a hand.
In addition, Jane Macan recently sent out the link to signups for von Trapp Garden Days. This opportunity allows you to enjoy some fascinating conversation with Sally von Trapp while greeting attendees for their stroll around the beautiful garden displays. The gardens will be open beginning Friday, July 3 and scheduled for 6 weekends throughout the summer through Labor Day.
Please click on the Sign Up Genius to volunteer.
Community Pantry delivery folks are always needed. Thank you, Doug Stoehr, for organizing. Click the link below to help. I hear that new members find this volunteer opportunity a wonderful way to jump into Rotary and gain insight into how Rotary works its magic. In addition, you will meet wonderful folks.
We need greeters for all upcoming meetings. Please click the link below to sign up.
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.
