banner
THIS WEEK’S PROGRAM
 
Kevin Wenger will introduce Eve Loomis, Habitat for the Humanity’s ED, who will be our first Zoom speaker. 
 
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 11:45 AM… 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
 
LAST WEEK’S SPEAKER: 
 
Wayne Gersen introduced Erik Schultz the head of the Ascutney Trails Association, a local grassroots organization converted that old ski way into a destination resort for mountain bikers and hikers as well as old school skiers. Eric offered a history of skiing and hiking in the Ascutney region, where the initial summit trail was put in place in 1825! Over the decades that followed, the mountain was the site of ski lodges, stone huts for overnight camping and day trips, and new and improved trails. Early this century, however, the ski business collapsed and the vestiges of the ski lodge suffered a fire. The Town of West Windsor joined with local biking and hiking aficionados to resurrect the site and with the help of grants from Vermont they now have a thriving enterprise in the area. Membership in the Ascutney Trails Association skyrocketed from 176 to 643 during the pandemic, straining the parking lots on weekends but garnering lots of attention from mountain bike enthusiasts across New England. The mountain now has 6 trails to the summit, 40 miles of mapped public biking and hiking trails, a skills trail and flow park, and partnerships with local, state, and regional mountain biking clubs. 
 
LAST WEEK’S ROTARIAN OF THE WEEK:
 
Last week’s “Rotarian of the Week”, Dick Podolec, shred his life story with the club. The focal point of his life has been his marriage to Melanie, whom he first met in 8th grade in Amsterdam NY. They have two children and 4 grandchildren and they spend free time watching them compete in sports, skiing with them, and enjoying their company. A gifted athlete (MY terminology, not Dick’s), Dick received a scholarship to play baseball and basketball at several Division 3 schools and opted to attend RPI. After graduating he worked for Monsanto before attending Harvard Business School where he decided he wanted to operate a small business instead of working for a large corporation. He ultimately owned a small wood-turning company in NH where he manufactured 500,000 small souvenir baseball bats in one year! After “retiring” from this enterprise, he continued working as CFO for two local businesses. He thanked Ginia Allison for recruiting him into leadership positions at Rotary where he initially headed the Auction committee, became club president, and ultimately headed up the District Friendship Exchange, which has been a life-changing experience. 
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
 
David Allen made his concluding announcements cemetery clean-up and the Pancake Breakfast, reminding Rotarians to wear their hats as they were serving and bussing tables. 
 
Len Cadwallader distributed samples of the placemats and extended thanks to all those who made contributions and expressed his enthusiasm for the new site for the breakfast and its link to Green-up Day. 
 
Happy Dollars abounded: Carol Olwert offered one for her grandson’s first ball game and his confidence that at some point in her life she would be able to watch him play for the Red Sox! Given their start this year, he might be just the relief pitcher they need! Bob Haynes offered one for his adopted son who just became a US Citizen! Kathy Geraghty offered two for her grandchildren who were launching their athletic careers this Spring
 
Rob Williams won the raffle! 
 
GREETING OPPORTUNITY NOW! 
 
Rod Thomas has a great opportunity for you! If you will be attending this week’s meeting, consider taking a turn as a greeter! Here’s the link to signup:
 
And if you don’t want to greet this week, sign up for the future! It is a great opportunity to get to know other club members! 
 
COMING ATTRACTIONS:  
 
May 18 – Wayne Gersen introduces Kerry Altman, CCBA ED who will give an update on that organization’s history and direction for the future. 
 
May 25 – Heidi Postupak introduces Sylvia Dow, ED of Creative Housing Solutions
 
June 1 – ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
 
June 8 – David Allen will introduce local mystery writer Sarah Stewart Taylor who will share her craft with us. 
 
June 15 – Wayne Gersen introduces 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. 
 
June 22 – Diane Travis will facilitate an evening visit to the West End campus… details to follow! 
 
June 29 – New Hampshire Bulletin reporter Amanda Gokee will brief us on legislative happenings in Concord, focusing particularly on environmental issues, which is her beat. 
 
It doesn’t seem like it, but summer is only eight weeks from now and we’ll be looking for speakers from July onward… Any ideas would be welcome! Believe it or not, we try to get our speakers lined up 4-6 weeks ahead of time… so now’s a good time to share your ideas or extend some tentative invitations. Who wouldn’t want a chance to talk to our club and get a free burger! 
 
Wayne Gersen
Advertisement for Russell Hampton
Advertisement for ClubRunner
Advertisement for ClubRunner Mobile