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THIS WEEK’S PROGRAM
 
Todd Allen will introduce Sarah Jackson from Vital Communities to brief us on how they’ve coped with COVID and some of their recent initiatives.
 
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 officially opens at 12:30 PM.  After the Pledge of Allegiance and opening inspirational quotes at noon, Todd Allen will introduce our speakers
 
LAST WEEK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Dave Bradley finally got to regale someone with a group-led Happy Birthday as we all sung to Nan Carroll, who was appropriately appreciative of our effort. 
 
Todd Allen announced that we had only two more opportunities to donate to Willing Hands, our non-profit benefactor of the past three months. And here’s the link for making online donations for those who appeared in Zoom boxes during the past few weeks before we came to Jesse’shttps://hanovernhrotary.ejoinme.org/COVID-19. We have over $4,000 in donations for the three-month period ending in June, but Todd is hoping we can get an additional $1,000.
 
Todd Allen reminded club members that their dues were due by the end of June. 
 
Tom Csatari encouraged members to contribute to the Rotary Foundation. 
 
David Allen offered a Happy Dollar to celebrate his son’s purchase of a home thanks to Nan Carroll, who helped him locate a place for only 15% able list price. 
 
The Raffle Winner, who gets $10 off their next Rotary luncheon, was Kathy Geraghty 
 
LAST WEEK’S PROGRAM
 
Todd Allen introduced the founders of the Junction Fiber Mill, Peggy Allen and Amanda Kievet, who offered a tag-team presentation on the steps they took to open the Upper Valley’s only fiber mill. Peggy and Amanda crossed paths at the Norwich Farmer’s market when Amanda bought some wool from the Savage Heart Farm display. After striking up a friendship over their common interest in sheep and wool, the idea of becoming business partners evolved and they decided to purchase an “old school” woolen mill in White River Junction owned by Michael Hampton. They showed slides illustrating the painstaking and laborious work that goes into converting raw wool shorn from sheep into wool that knitters can use. The process includes scouring—which is done by hand, and “picking”, spinning, and “skeining”--- all of which are done by machines. Neither Peggy nor Amanda were familiar with the machinery but both picked up new skills as they proceeded. 
 
At this juncture the business is doing better than they anticipated, with orders through September for wool to arrive and be processed. Because they are catering to smaller farmers and not trying to compete against large scale manufacturers they have connected with clients who value customer service and a shared passion for sheep and wool. At this time they do not dye any wool, but in time they hope to offer this service. Peggy and Amanda invited Rotarians to an Open House scheduled for the re-opening of First Friday in White River Junction on July 2. 
 
Coming Attractions: 
 
June 30 - In his final day in office, outgoing President and all-time records holder for identifying outstanding guest speakers, Todd Allen, will introduce Polar Latitudes’ John McKeon.
 
July 7 – We have a changing of the guard (or a changing of the Allens), with David Allen taking the gavel from Todd Allen
 
July 14 – Todd Allen introduces Jack O’Toole CEO of Fresh Air Sensor
 
July 21 – Wayne Gersen introduces Kaitie Eddington of the Upper Valley Trails Alliance to share some of the new paths available to hikers in our region
 
July 28 – Todd Allen introduces F.X. Flinn from ECFiber who will update us on their efforts to provide high speed internet services to rural NH and VT communities.
 
We’re now booked through all of August (whose speakers will appear in next week’s Newsletter) and have most dates covered in September! But as often noted in this newsletter we can never sign-up speakers too early! 
 
Wayne Gersen
Russell Hampton
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