Granite Chips 1-16-13

Notes from January 16, 2013 meeting at The Hilltop

After a bit of discussion about the exact time, President Jim rang the bell, Carol gave us a note for the song, and Joe offered his usual eloquent grace, including thanking God for the beautiful snow.  Lunch was salad bar and green pasta.

Roy made a request of the members.  He is involved in the Greater Barre Community Justice Center, and they are working on a needs assessment.  In preparation for the work, they are putting together focus groups to help them shape a community survey.  They’re looking for volunteers to serve in the focus groups.  Carol and guest (and potential new member) Martha raised their hands.

Bertil gave a Sad Dollar – this year’s Hands to Honduras trip has been canceled due to violence in the country.  He requested that the Club’s donation be held until next year in the hopes they will be able to make the trip then.  He then gave a Happy Dollar cuz he was able to get a refund on his plane ticket.

Karen announced that the library’s 9^th annual Chinese New Year dinner and auction is scheduled for Saturday, February 9^th.  Tickets are available at the library, and she will bring some with her next week.

Secretary Sue said we have one guest today.  Carol introduced Martha Ann Englert, deputy director of Central Vermont Land Trust, who is exploring the local service club scene.  We hope she picks us! (after meeting update – yes, she has submitted an application!)

P. Jim introduced member Phil, who gave his classification talk.  Highlights include the following information:

• Married 38 years, 2 grown children.
• Lives on Berlin Pond, gardens, raised Scottish Highland cattle in the summer, Audubon Society member, loves his dog (more on that later).
• Born September 1951 in Toledo, OH, where his father was a social worker.  Moved to Philadelphia area soon after when his father became executive director of Big Brothers of America.  Father passed away when Phil was 5, and mother went back to school to become a teacher.
• Favorite after school snack was Hellman’s mayonnaise sandwiches with chocolate milk.
• Came to VT to attend UVM, graduated with a degree in education.  Taught in MA for a while, then came back to Barre area and has been here ever since.  Worked at Washington County Youth Service Bureau and Spaulding.
• Ventured into the restaurant business by opening Julio’s in Montpelier.  Next phase was being a shareholder and partner in Catamount Brewing, followed by opening A Single Pebble in Berlin, then the Black Door in Montpelier.
• He recently went back to teaching and is working at the Barre Technical Center, helping seniors find job shadow positions.  He’s scheduled to give a program on this topic in February.

Club members then asked questions about how big a party school UVM was in the late 60’s/early 70’s, Scottish highland cattle, and birding in his neck of the woods.  Someone asked for the name of his dog, which translated into a meandering story about how the dog ate a bird in Florida and ended up being shipped to Vermont, and is either named Marley, Smoky or Muffin, depending on who you ask.

We thanked Phil for a great classification talk.

Carol held the winning raffle ticket, but no luck with the marble, which is just a well, since Karl cleaned out the kitty last week.

Roy asked that the following info run in the Granite Chips:

• Eighteenth Annual Rotary Invitational
  Ski/Ride Challenge
  At Bolton Valley Resort
  Hosted by the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club
  Bolton Valley Resort
  • Friday, March 8, 2013
  • 3:00 PM, with race beginning at 5:30 PM
  • Dinner at 6:30 PM
  • Awards at 7:30 PM

For more information, contact Howard Novak: (802) 434-3700 or (802) 878-5907

Visit other local Rotary Clubs – it’s fun and counts as a make up!