THIS WEEK’S PROGRAM
Wayne Gersen will introduce Tom List and Kim Chambers from Hanover Adventure who will tell us about the bike and kayak rentals they offer as well as tours they host.
THE ZOOM LINK FOR THE MEETING
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88229582283?pwd=aS9Hd3o1cS9ZK0hQL0ZhUHZXSEdxQT09
Meeting ID: 882 2958 2283
Password: 254494
The Zoom Room opens at NOON… after a flurry of announcements there will be a 15-20 period where we will mute the sound before we introduce the speaker at roughly 12:35.
ROTARIAN OF THE WEEK:
Rod Thomas, this week’s featured Rotarian, offered some insights on his background and current status, noting that he was born in 1948, had a life expectancy of another 24 years, and weighed 150 pounds, though he lamented that his weight was being redistributed as evidenced by his expanding shoe size. We learned that his early influences were Steve Allen and Mad magazine and later influences were George Carlin and David Letterman. His career took him from a science classroom and guidance office in Royalton VT to banking suites. He and his wife of 52 years have 2 children and 3 grandchildren. He concluded his presentation with a compelling video showing his growth from an infant to a distinguished bank executive. He may have a career opportunity in the future working with Ken Burns.
LAST WEEK’S SPEAKER:
Bruce Atwood introduced Sarah Stewart Taylor, a writer of mystery novels set in Ireland who raises sheep and blueberries on a farm in Hartland, VT. Sarah shared her background, noting the influence it had on the setting for her novels and her ultimate residence in the Upper Valley. Raised by parents who were both teachers who spent summers with family in Plainfield, NH, Sarah spent her junior year in HS as an exchange student in Australia and moved to Ireland after college where she earned a Masters Degree in literature. While living in Ireland she became intrigued with a case involving the disappearance of a young women in Ireland and used that case to frame her first murder mystery whose main character was a detective named Maggie D’Arcy. She originally conceived of the novel as a stand-alone piece, but she has now written three mysteries with this detective as the main character and has a contract to produce eight more mystery novels in the coming eight years. Sarah offered insights into the writing process she uses, noting that the setting of the imagined murder scene often drives the back story and her research into her books often requires travel to the venue of mystery, which, to date, has been in Ireland. As a result of researching the mysteries Sarah has become knowledgeable of the policing methods used in both Ireland and the US and as a result of working with agents and publishers she has developed her business skills as well.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Bruce Atwood announced that Trinity Thibodeau won the Rotary Scholarship. He appreciated the opportunity to attend the ceremony where the award was conferred. He noted that Rotarians Rob Adams and Bob Ashton had seniors graduating from the high school where both had distinguished careers.
Jim Bonney announced he was seeking volunteers to work with him at the Prouty where the Hanover Rotary is staffing a SAG stop.
Tom Csatari appealed to the 60% of the club members who have not made a donation to the Rotary International Fund and distributed hard copies of the donation form for members to complete in real time.
Denise Dahlberg distributed sign-up sheets for the July 4 bar-b-que and encouraged everyone to sign up and also plan to be in the parade.
Tom Csatari gave Happy Dollars for the sale of his son’s home in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn as well as his son being cancer free!
Diane Travis offered an overview of the June 22 event at the Irving Building at Dartmouth, noting that the $20 will help underwrite the wine and cheese soiree that will be part of the student-led tours. She noted that parking will be available in the lot for a fee.
Don Pasini won the raffle.
GREETER SIGNUP LINK:
This new permanent feature of the Monday newsletter will give you a chance to sign up to be a greeter at our meetings, welcoming members, collecting their money for burgers, and issuing them a raffle ticket. The Greeter Signup Link below provides a way to sign up:
COMING ATTRACTIONS:
June 22 – Diane Travis will facilitate an evening visit to the West End campus, the details of which were sent in an earlier email and will be re-sent this coming weekend.
June 29 – Charlie Rattigan, Executive Director of VINS, will update the club on the completion of the sky walk at VINS and the various programs offered at the science center in Quechee.
July 6 – Jeff Backus, manager of the Hartford Dismas House, will describe that organization’s mission and offer some ways the Rotary might volunteer.
July 13 – Laura Litchfield-Kimber, newly appointed Executive Director of the Montshire Museum who will offer her ideas for the future at that site.
July 20 – Clay Adams, CEO of Mascoma Bank, who will describe the partnership his bank has forged with area businesses to provide housing for employees.
July 27 – Susan Apel, freelance arts reporter and Vermont Law School emeritus professor will share her insights on some of the hidden and/or overlooked arts venues in our region.
I’m looking for a speaker for one summer date: August 3. Please share any ideas you have.
