Granite Chips (Dec 22, 2021)

Generosity Reigns as Dollars Rain at the Holidays

Just as thirteen of us sat down to a chicken Caesar salad lunch, Bob contributed a dollar to the coffers, noting that those wearing ugly holiday sweaters filled them out well; not sure if it was a Happy or a Sad dollar. I was next with a Sad Dollar because of Elizabeth LaPerle’s email notifying us that she will not be renewing her membership next year. Several of us expressed what a positive influence

Elizabeth’s presence has been as a Barre Rotarian as well as a contributor to projects and programs, especially RYLA and serving as treasurer for

many years. She will be missed with all the energy and enthusiasm that she brought to the Club. Joe, although not knowing her well, added another dollar as he expressed positive thoughts about her contributions to our Club.

Bob was back up on his feet with a proposed one-and-nine fine on Karl for insensitivity regarding the table arrangement. As Bob put it: “..grouping us into a huddle” during a surge in Covid-19. Tony came to his defense by pointing out that Karl

meant well because he wanted everyone to hear and see Doug’s presentation. An amendment was added to the motion to include Tony, as Loren noted, “he should have been on top of it.” Karl defended himself by reporting that the set up was in place when he arrived. Both amendment and main motion passed. Nicole came up with five Happy Dollars, reporting that she had a meeting with almost everyone in the room and would be compiling the results when she has finished all the interviews as she prepares for her presidency. George rose to add twenty dollars to the basket, delighted that most of the Rotarians in the room had worn some form of holiday attire. Tony took center stage, which he already had anyway, to give a Happy Dollar for Tom leading us in a “round” of Jingle Bells and another one for receiving a

braided heart from his and Cindy’s sponsored Tanzanian child. Nicole responded with five more dollars reporting a successful trip to Tanzania by Abby Joyal, Assistant Director of Norwich’s Center for Civic Engagement, with the possibility of two more children for sponsorship and how this Club has embraced this project, including sponsoring three children. Joe ended the flow of dollars by fining himself for not attending the Santa Fund Wrap last week although he had planned to do so.

Since Last We Met

On this day in history:

1808 Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony premiered in Vienna.

1884 Cattleman John Chisum died in Arkansas.

A Trip to the Holy Land

Tony introduced today’s speaker, our Honorary Member, Doug Bullett,

Doug’s presentation consisted of a series of photos and an accompanying narrative on his two week trip to the Holy Land. He started out with photos of Mt. Scopus in northeast Jerusalem, offering the best views of the city. He went on to show slides of the Beit Shour, a Palestinian town and the location of the annunciation to the shepherds, the site of King Herod’s palace, the Church of the Nativity, the cave where Jesus was born, the Mount of Temptation in Jerricho, Mary’s home located in a a cave under the Church of the Annunciation, a Roman amphitheater and many other interesting sites and locations for which the Holy Land is known. Rotarians found the presentation interesting and informative and showed their appreciation with a warm round of applause at its conclusion. Thanks to Doug for a job well done.

Happy New Year!

Until next time, that's all folks,,,,

No meeting on Wednesday, December 22nd.