The Rotary Club of 
Barre, Vermont
 
Chartered 1924
District 7850
PO Box 167
Barre, VT 05641
 
Granite Chips
Stories
Flannel: From Start to Finish
Starting With Flannel
 
While fourteen Rotarians were enjoying a lunch of shepherd’s pie and salad, Caroline rose to propose a fine of one-and-nine on everyone not wearing Vermont Flannel. In defense, the argument was made that if you didn’t have any flannel, how could you wear it--which didn’t garner much support. Cindy said that she has Vermont Flannel, but thought it was not appropriate to wear her pajamas to the meeting. Joe wanted to know if there were any samples. After a little more banter, the vote was taken and President Tony ruled that it didn’t pass. 
 
Joe reported that he has been in contact with Margo Austin, Interact Advisor, and she thinks that there is some interest at Spaulding in entering the Speech Contest. 
 
Ted announced that Mark Baker, our guest speaker, added to our coffers by making a ten dollar contribution today.
 
Karl, on behalf of the Kiwanis, asked for volunteers to sell tickets at the State Basketball Tournament. He will send out an email with details. For more information or to volunteer, email Paula Dolan at jpdolan23@aol.com,  
 
A Constitutional Moment
 
The question of the day: Does the Constitution specify the number of justices that make up the Supreme Court?  The answer is no. Through the years there have been five, seven and nine, the current number since post Civil War. 
 
After the Constitutional Moment,  Caroline offered three Happy Dollars: one for all of those who stood when speaking, another for being happy to have Karl presenting next week and the third for ?
 
 
 
 
Since Last We Met
 
On this day in history: 1887 The first Groundhog Day is established  in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
 
1876 The National League of Baseball is founded.
 
 
 
The History of the Vermont Flannel Company
 
President Tony  introduced our guest speaker, Mark Baker, CIO (Chief Idea Originator) of the Vermont Flannel Company.
 
Mark grew up on Staten Island. His father was a harbor policeman and his boat was parked next to the infamous Staten Island Ferry. He recalled that he watched the Verrazano Narrows Bridge being built from a vantage point on the water looking up. In 1976 he started selling t-shirts, his first endeavor commemorating the tall ships coming to Boston Harbor. In 1980 he met with Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics to get permission to produce and sell “Do It Again Celtics” t-shirts with a portion of the profits going to Muscular Dystrophy. In 1984 he married, moved to Vermont and sold t-shirts to ski resorts.  He and his wife bought a 1792 house in East Barre that needed work and they are still “fixing it up.” He continued to produce and sell t-shirts until after the Desert Storm one was too late to market. He then moved to flannel, first with a t-shirt and then onto a buttoned  long-sleeve  shirt  and flannel pants that could be worn outside. He negotiated a deal with L. L. Bean that included retaining the Vermont Flannel label on its products. Orders went from three to sixty-three in six months. The company has nine retail stores and ships domestically and internationally.  Mark’s  presentation was lively and full of anecdotes   and Rotarians expressed their  appreciation with a warm round of applause at its conclusion.
 
 
 
 
 
Until next time, that's all folks,,,,

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                        
Club Information
 
KEEP CALM,
JOIN ROTARY
 
We meet every Wednesday at
12:00 Noon at Post 10 of
The American Legion,
320 North Main Street,
Barre, VT.
 
Call 802.479.9058 for more information,
or to email President Tony Campos please 
 
District Site
 
 
Speakers
Feb 09, 2022
Barre City fiscal year 2023 budget and local option sales tax
Feb 16, 2022
Tax laws changes and related items
Feb 23, 2022
Club Assembly
Mar 02, 2022
Tour of Barre Opera House to view new improvements
Mar 09, 2022
Central Vermont Refugee Action Network (CVRAN) working with Afghanistan families
Mar 16, 2022
The benefits of community choir and singing in general.
Mar 23, 2022
What is takes to become a word class athlete
Mar 30, 2022
Club Assembly
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Contact Club Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Club Administration
 
Immediate Past President
 
Ex-officio
 
The Rotary Foundation Chair
 
Ex-officio
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Join Date
Nicole DiDomenico
February 27, 2019
3 years
 
Upcoming Events
Barre Rotary Club's Weekly Meeting Feb 9, 2022
American Legion Post 10
Feb 06, 2022 12:00 PM –
Feb 09, 2022 12:00 PM
 
Barre Rotary Club's Weekly Meeting Feb 16, 2022
American Legion Post 10
Feb 06, 2022 12:00 PM –
Feb 09, 2022 12:00 PM
 
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