With rituals completed, fifteen Rotarians helped themselves to soup, sandwiches and cookies at The Gardens in Williamstown. Caroline was first on her feet with a Happy Dollar in honor of Homer Fitts, the reason for our meeting being held at that venue. She gave another in noting that half of the panels for the mural wall have been completed and for the joy she felt at seeing teenagers painting some of the panels. Karl gave a self-imposed fine of one-and-nine for incorrectly reporting that the Annual Rotary Breakfast has a history of 34 years instead of 35 years.  Karl proposed a fine of one-and-nine on me for not referring to Nicole as Nicole DiDomenica. I defended myself by pointing out our long standing tradition of using first names only and Tony cautioned that we never fine the scribe. Fine went down to defeat with only one “Yea.” (Guess who?) John rose and proceeded to give a soliloquy about a dog which ended after several minutes with the dog living and the disclosure that there was a vet’s bill of $1500. Homer rose to express his appreciation of the visit of Barre Rotarians with 10 Happy Dollars. Eddie was next with a Happy Dollar as he announced that $1500 had been given to three hockey players so that they could attend Amanda Pelkey’s Hockey Camp this summer. Caroline threw a buck in the cup (the basket was back at the American Legion Hall) in joyfully reporting that her daughter had been accepted as a kinesiology major at University of Rhode Island. George offered a Happy Dollar for being with Homer Fitts, his best friend. He also gave Homer a photo of Homer, an exchange professional from Australia and himself.

 

 

 

 

 

Bruce asked us if we knew what Rule 85 was and Karl answered correctly. It is age plus number of years of service and if the result equals 85, then the attendance at meetings requirement is waived.  Nine members of Barre Rotary have between 27-49 years of service. Fourteen is the Club average number of years of service.

 

 

 

 

Dick announced that he played the organ at Homer’s wedding and it was a great day. Tony offered to Homer an open invitation to any of our meetings with lunch on us and pick up service provided.

In the remaining few minutes, committees held preliminary meetings.