Welcome
After a warm welcome by President Nicole, the rituals completed, including Tony expressing gratitude at finding a table for the food, fourteen Rotarains and three guests commenced eating their lunches as the meeting began in earnest.
Since Last We Met
No birthdays or anniversaries.
On this day in history: November 2, 1960. In a landmark British trial, a jury ruled that D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover was not obscene, thereby allowing Penguin Books to publish the work in its entirety; an expurgated version had previously been released.
Guests: Ann Hutchins, Keith Jache and Ed Benoit
A Constitutional Moment
Today’s focus was on presidential succession. The XXV Amendment states:” If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. On July 18, 1947, President Harry Truman signed the Presidential Succession Act. The original act of 1792 had placed the Senate president pro tempore and Speaker of the House in the line of succession, but in 1886 Congress had removed them. The 1947 law reinserted those officials, but placed the Speaker ahead of the president pro tempore. Thanks Caroline, for continuing to enlighten us.
The Basket Fills With Dollars
Myriad Happy Dollars came flowing into the coffers after Bertil’s Sad Dollar for selling his RV. Caroline started with a Happy Dollar for the presence of her guest, Ed Benoit followed by one from Keith Jache in celebrating his and his wife’s 25th Anniversary. Joe put two dollars in our newly acquired Polio Plus Cylinder and another for two successful birthday celebrations, one in Vermont and another in Boston. Eddie and Tony ended this round of collecting dollars; Eddie for the positive experience he had at the Rotary District 7850 Training Seminar and Tony expressing his pride that Caroline is one of the finalists of the Athena Leadership Award. More dollars were added to the coffers when Tom proposed a one-and-nine fine on Tony for a scraggly beard. Because a number of amendments along with the main motion passed, several dollars were generated from this multi-layered fine.
Announcements and Reminders
Tony announced that we have two new members: Keith Jache and Nicolas Storellicastro.
Joe reported that the Speech Contest will take place on February 1st at Spaulding High School between 10:45 and 12:00 pm. “Rain” date: February 8th.
Karl gave an update on the Barre Art Splash. All the money needed for the sculptures and a new mold. Thirty-seven sponsorships have been sold. Ann Hutchins decorated a sculpture in 2021 and will do another for the 2023 Art Splash.
Nicole announced a positive vote on Nicolas Storellicastro to be a member of the Barre Rotary Club.
The Story of Lajeunesse Interiors
Tom introduced our guest speaker to present
Ann started Lajeunesse Interiors in 1980 and along with her husband, Robert, has grown the business from just design services to supplying and installing window treatments, visual display boards, toilet compartments and accessories, gymnasium equipment and various other items. They have grown and changed as the needs of their customers have changed. This is a true success story of a Vermont family owned business.
Ann traced the development of their business from residential, to larger facilities, such as hospitals, elderly care and schools to opening a store on Main Street in 1987. Because of the loss of business during the 1990’s recession, the business was moved back to their home. In the same period, they completed work at Mayo Health Care and for H.P. Cummings. Needing space to handle the increase in business, they purchased a building and renovated it as a warehouse for supplies and to serve as home for their offices. Now they only work with contractors, numbering about fifty and currently they have ninety jobs underway all over New England. Throughout her presentation, Ann showed several photos, mainly of the warehouse, and concluded her presentation by showing a short video. Rotarians found her talk interesting and informative and showed their appreciation with a warm round of applause.