Good Morning and a Happy Monday MRV Rotarians, friends, community members and supporters. It's a beautiful day as I begin this newsletter. Fall is trying to bully its way into the evenings but summer continues to kick its butt during the warm, sunlit days.
So we have a house guest. For 2 1/2 days, (60hours) a lonely cricket has decided that our home is his. I know it is a "him" as a quick Google search enlightened me with a bit of cricket knowledge. Apparently only male crickets "crick" and for the most part, they are nocturnal, so........... you guessed it. We are blessed with feeling like we are camping. He keeps to himself and doesn't ask for much so all's good.
At the recent dinner meeting at American Flatbread, Pete Colgan shared his insights gained from a memorable trip through some of the most stunning National Parks in this country. Interested? Ask Pete but spoiler alert...... we are only a blip in time on this rock spinning in space. 🙂
Thanks to the many Rotarians who attended the recent Warren Select Board meeting in person and virtually. In the Stories below you can read the follow up report from Parade Chair, Ben Olds. Many thanks to Ben for his professional lead on this.
Just one weekend remains for von Trapp Garden Days. Thank you to all volunteers who "sacrificed" by helping check visitors in at what I suspect is one of the most beautiful gardens in the world. 😉
Upcoming Rotary meetings
9/9, 7 a.m. Wednesday breakfast meeting under the tent at Toast and Eggs.
9/17, 5:30 p.m. Evening dinner meeting at American Flatbread. THIS IS a THURSDAY.
9/23, 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
A grant for $1,500 was approved for Friends of the Mad River to help kick off the event for the Irene Anniversary Resilience Series.
The Board approved a grant for $1,000 to fund the repairs to the Farmer's Market Bandstand.
Thank you to grants committee, Tom Emory, Gary Plewak, Shawn Sullivan, Doug Stoehr and newest members, Bonnie Barnes and Al Barillaro.
Education
Board members recently approved $5,000 in teacher education grants. These grants will be distributed in smaller increments among a number of teachers.
Volunteer opportunities
Duck Race Ticket sales are in the last week as the big event is Sunday! The Ducks are doing their laps and training hard! Thank you, Doug Reid, for leading this really fun event! If you would like to help with the counting of the Duckson Thursday at the Round Barn, please reach out to Doug Stoehr.
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 and Al Barillaro for taking the lead on this and a great big thanks too, to other team members! I understand that there are a plethora of volunteer opportunities such as set up, day of ticket sales, parking monitors, and raffle/silent auction helpers for this event. Please jump in where you can.
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.
Our club will once again host a Rise Against Hunger meal packaging event later in the fall. Mary Jo Spiegel has offered to chair this event. Date is yet to be determined. This is a wonderfully fun, high energy, family friendly event that provides meals for needy areas around the globe. You can read more about Rise Against Hunger here. https://riseagainsthunger.org/
Recently I spoke with Susan Bauchner who chairs the MRV Interfaith Council, one of our grateful grant recipients and the organization that operates the Community Pantry. I learned that there are at least two different service opportunities approaching in the fall. They include packaging Thanksgiving Baskets for those in need and Joys of the Season, a program that provides vouchers for families to buy gifts. To learn more, click here https://www.mrv-ic.org/or ask me about them.
August was a productive month for our club, with an excellent group of speakers and plenty happening beyond our regular meetings.
We heard from fellow Rotarians Pete Colgan and Sparky Potter, on their reflections. We also had a visit from Misha Golfman, who shared an update on the merger of the Mad River Path and Mad River Riders. Finally, we had the opportunity to hear from Silas Gulley, our MRV Rotary Exchange Student to Ecuador before he left for the year abroad. Thank you to all of our speakers for taking the time to join us and share their experiences and work.
Tonight the Town of Warren held a discussion of the Warren Parade. The online chatter leading up to it suggested this might be a contentious meeting calling for the Rotary’s dismissal. In fact, it was anything but. The Selectboard started by expressing sincere gratitude to the MRV Rotary for our hard work and dedication to “Service Above Self.” I then walked through the attached slides. Then we opened it up for discussion from the crowd.
New member Sparky Potter presented his intro speech at a breakfast meeting recently.
Silas Gulley, MRV Rotary exchange student, shares a bit about himself and his plans before he flys off to Ecuador for a year.
A roster of rotarians take a well deserved rest from the work of building the new stage at the village green.
Sean Sullivan and Doug Leach are enjoying the camaraderie while they work on the stage.
Rick Hendricks does some of the heavy lifting for the stage project.
Fourth of July Parade Chair and next year's MRV Rotary President, Ben Olds, summarized the Warren Selectboard meeting.
As I complete this newsletter, a day later than when I began, "Crick" remains our house guest - moving about from below the beverage cooler to behind the heater to above the cabinets. Our dog couldn't care less so I guess I will take her lead.
Enjoy this late summer day and I hope to see many of you at the Duck Race!
