Granite Chips (May 13, 2019)

A Potpourri of Dollars and Announcements

With rituals completed, thirteen Rotarians helped themselves to hot dogs, baked beans and cake. Tony was first on his feet with a Happy Dollar in celebration of his bowling team rising over $1400 at the 13^th Annual Bowl A-Thon for People’s Health

and Wellness Clinic and that his team won the tournament. Tom reported that the Barre Rotary Green up Day team picked up 33 bags of trash in various parts of Barre City. Eddy reported that he and other Barre Rotarians attending the District Conference in Sherbrooke, Quebec were warmly welcomed by our Canadian neighbors. The major speaker spoke on Peace Fellowships. Each year Rotary awards to up 100 fully funded fellowships for

dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of its peace centers. Another speaker recounted his adventure ascending Mount Everest. Additionally, there were sessions on cyber security and the Rotary exchange program. Nicole gave a Happy Dollar reporting that Abby Doyle of Northfield received a Paul Harris brick for her work with Interact and Rotaract. She also gave a Sad Dollar because she couldn’t attend the District Conference and another for the sadness that she felt because of the passing of Harley Jordon, an extraordinary Rotarian and former District Governor. There will be no religious service at Harley’s request, but friends are invited to celebrate his life on Friday, May 17^th at the Rustic Restaurant and Sports Bar in Northfield Falls at 1:00 p.m. Bertil have Happy Dollar for the joy he is feeling after returning from a two week visit to his native Sweden, in part to celebrate his sister’s 90th birthday. That dollar was accompanied with an extended commercial-like endorsement of the Swedish life style and society.

Change Starts at the Bottom

Nicole introduced Joe Ferrada, Co-Executive Director of the Washington County Family Center.

Its mission is building resourceful families and healthy children to create a strong community. It offers programs in several areas. Child development services include: early intervention for children under 3 with developmental delays; an on-site early children program; family support home visiting; and specialized transportation. Among services provided for youth are: helping young parents advance toward educational, job

training and employment goals; support for pregnant or parenting teens; and supporting a housing program for homeless or at-risk-families. Family development services include: child care financial assistance; child care referral; specialized in-home support for families; parent education classes and workshops; and playgroup opportunities. Clinical services are available to provide clinical supervision to Family Center staff and crisis intervention support for families. Joe focused mainly on various issues that families face and their relationship to each other. Financial tension is often related to many family problems and decisions. For example, a low income family may have to choose between diapers or food or rent. He pointed out that diapers cost $1200 per year and that the Family Center sponsors a diaper drive each year. You can help by dropping off diapers at the Family Center at 383 Sherwood Drive in Montpelier between May 13-June 1. Other diaper drop-boxes can be found at the Central VT Chamber of Commerce in Berlin; Community Bank in Barre, Northfield and Waterbury; Noyle W. Johnson in Montpelier; People’s United Bank in Barre, Montpelier and Waterbury; Price Chopper Supermarket; and Shaw’s in Berlin and Montpelier. All diapers are appreciated, but size 4-6 diapers are especially in demand. Joe answered several questions including how they collaborate with several state agencies and community organizations. For more information on its work and how you can help visit: www.fcwcvt.org Informative and interesting, Barre Rotarians provided a round of applause in a show of our appreciation.

Until next....that's all folks.