Good Day MRV Rotarians, friends, community members and supporters. The day I began to write this, much needed rain was nourishing the plants and offering a day of catching up inside. As I wrap up, polish and finalize the newsletter a few days later, the sun is burning through the morning haze and promising a humid, Vermont August Sunday. Gardening will wait till later. Hummingbirds need fresh food. Dog needs a walk. What is on your agenda for this wonderful summer day?
At the recent meeting of the MRV Rotary Board, members approved the 26-27 budget, presented by Peter Colgan, Treasurer. The budget projects approximately $97,000 in grants along with $40,000 for scholarships. Thank you, Pete, for all of your hard work in the Treasurer role and even more thanks to all MRV Rotarians for fund raising so that this generosity is possible!
At the recent dinner meeting held at American Flatbread, Ariel Mondlak, District Governor, presented the amazing Monarch Butterfly habitat preservation project she is working on. We planted milkweed seeds (milkweed is the dominant food for monarchs) in the garden plot set aside by George Shenk, owner of Flatbread - see photos below. Monarch habitat loss has been an issue for decades. You can watch a short video on the Monarchs here: https://youtu.be/hrXzY4DP_c8?si=jdTsgBi5iyvLlJ5s
At a recent von Trapp Garden Day, a few attendees enjoyed the water color painting table that Sally von Trapp set up. See photos below. What a creative idea! What a beautiful space! And thank you to all who have offered to check attendees in for this fund raiser. I know, it is hard work, but someone has to do it! 😉
Congratulations to Kim and Ben Olds for being recognized recently as Paul Harris society members. Paul Harris society members generously donate $1,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation, supporting global projects.
Upcoming Rotary meetings
8/12, 7 a.m. Wednesday breakfast meeting under the tent at Toast and Eggs.
8/20, 5:30 p.m. Evening dinner meeting at American Flatbread. THIS IS a THURSDAY as is the next dinner meeting in September.
8/26, 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 Mike L. as we have a small fund to offer financial assistance for club activities for any member who requests it.
Grants
The Board awarded a grant for $2,500 to Friends of the Moretown Library. This grant will improve accessibility along the Story Walk path around the Moretown Recreation field.
The Joslin Memorial Library will receive $250 to cover the cost for guest speakers associated with a three-day civil liberties summer camp.
Thank you to grants committee, Tom Emory, Gary Plewak, Shawn Sullivan, Doug Stoehr and newest members, Bonnie Barnes and Al Barillaro.
OUTPOUR 26 is scheduled for Saturday, September 26 at Mt. Ellen from 3 - 7 p.m. Central Vermont Habitat for Humanity will be the proceeds recipient. SAVE THE DATE. Thank you, Betsy Wilkinson, for taking the lead on this event!
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.
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.
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.
My wife, Jeannie, and I have been married for 35 years, and we've been blessed with three amazing children who couldn't be more different from one another—which has made family life endlessly entertaining. This year we're especially excited because our daughter is getting married. Although I'm originally from Georgia, Vermont has truly become home. Our love affair with the state actually began through our daughter, and after years of visiting we became full-time residents of the Valley a couple of years ago. Professionally, I'm an engineer who has spent most of my career in the medical technology industry, working on both the technical and business sides. One of the highlights of my career was the opportunity for our family to live and work overseas (Ireland, Switzerland) for several years, an experience that broadened our perspectives in ways that still influence us today. At this point I'd describe myself as "contemplating retirement—but I still get bored too easily," so I continue to do some consulting while enjoying the flexibility to pursue other interests.
In 2024 our Rotary made a $3,000 grant to FEFY to develop a STEM related program for the teens who attend the camps at Sugarbush Soaring and FEFY each summer. Brian Wagner made a presentation to us a while back about this program.
New member, Madison Wood, joins Judy Bowen in the "hard work" of checking guests in at the von Trapp Garden Days fundraiser.
Guests at the von Trapp Garden Days enjoy the watercolor painting table set up by Sally von Trapp. What a great idea!
A new playground is installed at the Warren United Church thanks to a gaggle of Rotarians and members of congregation.
President, Dr. Mike Leichliter and Mary Edith Leichliter plant Milkweed seeds with District Governor, Ariel Mondlak at Lareau Farm after a recent dinner meeting.
Student scholarship recipients at a recent breakfast meeting at Toast and Eggs: … Crow FitzPatrick, Montserrat College of Art
Karen Winchell, Rotary Scholarship Committee
Nicholas Casey, Colby-Sawyer
Cashel Higgins, Columbia University
Sergiu Trinca, Cornell University
Cally Young, UNH
Dara Torre, Rotary Scholarship Committee
Sofia Trinca, UVM
Taylor Berno, UNH
Dr. Mike Leichliter with Trades Scholarship recipients, Zoe Duffy and Eli Sanford at a recent dinner meeting held at the Red Barn at American Flatbread.
Many thanks to John Reynolds for the resurfacing of the tennis court at Camp Ta-Kum-Ta.
Doug Leach presented his intro speech at Lawson's Finest Liquids. For those who missed it, you can read all about Doug in the Stories section of this newsletter.
That special "Binder" from Bob Holden that Roger Porter gifted me recently included this tidbit: "On October 9, 1986, dinner at the Sugarbush Inn will include a choice of soup or chowder, baked stuffed scrod, chicken admiral or roast leg of lamb along with assorted breads, dessert and beverages. Entertainment will be the Silvertones. for listening and a singalong."
What is your guess on the cost of this evening dinner? Send me your best guesses via email and the winner gets drinks on me. 😆
