The Opening
Acting President Nicole opened the meeting with ten Rotarians reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Four Way Test. Then right on to the secretary’s report.
Since Last We Met
No birthdays or anniversaries.
On this day in history: In 1789 in a letter to Jean-Baptiste Le Roy,
Benjamin Franklin wrote "In this world nothing can be said to be certain,
except death and taxes."
On this day in history: In 1940 Walt Disney’s animated film "Fantasia", starring Leopold Stokowski, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Mickey Mouse and ballet dancing hippopotamuses, premiered at the Broadway Theatre in New York City.
Hear ye! Hear ye!
Eddie reported that he is meeting with students at Spaulding to request volunteers for the BOR Concession Stand. This would count toward their service to the community requirement.
Tony announced that the Gobble Wobble Turkey Trot will take place on Thursday, November 28, 2024. It benefits the community missions of the Barre Congregational Church. These missions include: laundry love, food ministries and senior care facilities.
Nicole had three announcements:
She has managed to secure the BOR for the 2025 Drop ‘N Swap for May 10 and 11, the weekend between ice and turf. For a variety of reasons, this space is preferable over the auditorium.
Community Grants: applications will be available in January; decisions will be made in February; and Pie for Brunch will take place in late March or early April. Looking for an alternate space larger than the American Legion. Suggestions are welcome.
In order to fill the office or President-Elect for 2025-26, Nicole has approached the newer members of the Club to ask them if they would be willing to serve for a three month term. She has received two answers in the affirmative and is now asking older members to serve. Tony volunteered on the spot and now we need only one more person to step up. Let Nicole know if you are interested.
What Brings Them Happiness and Fork Over $$$?
For Eddie it revolves around Norwich hockey. He exuded happiness as he spun a yarn, A Tale of Tickets. With season tickets in hand he was
looking forward to attending one of Norwich’s home games only to be informed by the attendant that he had last year’s tickets. He was, however, allowed admittance. The next night with tickets left at home, the understanding ticket taker let him in again. No wonder he was happy--he got to see Norwich win both games.
Tony was happy about something to do with “election upset,” but I was distracted taking photos of him and I didn’t get the details.
Nicole was very happy (to the tune of $5): because as a result of the election, her ex-husband has rejoined Rotary and is going to run for public office; and about the work done by L. Brown & Sons on a fundraiser flier for Good Beginnings.
We were all happy as Nicole introduced our “Classification Talk” presenter Jan Spargo.
Jan Spargo Reads Her Obituary
Jan delivered her classification talk with a novel approach---as her obituary. She began by talking about people writing their own obituaries
with the rationale of who knows better about oneself than oneself.
Jan (Janice) Donahue Spargo was born January 3, 1953 in Barre. The first girl and the third child of Michael Arthur Donahue and Betty Jean (Oliver) Donahue. She was taken under her father’s wing at an early age and worked on the family farm and helped with roofing, painting, carpentry, wood siding, gardening, animal harvesting, animal care, and other life lessons. Jan attended Spaulding High School and graduated in 1971. While in High School she studied Monumental Drafting, Stone Trades and was one of the few females in Industrial Arts. Jan attributed her future and the love of lettering graphics and signage to a teacher, Mr. Raymond Lesslie, and to artistic guidance from Mr. Charles Bohn. She continued her education in the School of Hard Knocks and her studies continued. Jan worked for New England Tel & Tel as an operator in Montpelier and later, stationed in St. Johnsbury, she became the first female in Vermont to do field installation and repair. Jan married Larry Spargo in 1973 and together they had a daughter Sara Jean. They later divorced but remained friends.
Jan played softball and broomball for the local leagues and worked for Jackson Dairy and Booth Bros. Dairy doing home delivery, CVMC, Bombardier Corp in Barre Town, Plattsburgh, NY, Thunder Bay, Canada and field service in Philadelphia, Washington,DC and Los Angeles. Jan became an EMT for her duties as a night shift supervisor at Bombardier Corp and then joined the Washington Fire Department. Later she became one of the few Vermont female Fire Chiefs. When Bombardier closed in Barre, Jan worked at Jet Service Envelope as product delivery and warehousing. She was asked to join Vermont Plywood in Hancock, VT. as a warehouse supervisor and was told that it may lead to Production Manager. When they suddenly closed, Jan joined Lajeunesse Interiors as a worker and later a field supervisor. She retired in 2020. She totally enjoyed doing artwork for friends and family which included political posters, signs, banners, name signs and wood carved signs, scenery and animals. [Including decorating one of the popular sculptures of the Barre Art Splash.] See photo.
This Editor’s Opinion
That was Jan’s obituary, but that was not her entire talk. She provided us stories and anecdotes, a couple in “ this day and age” we would call “incredulous.” One potential employer told her “we can’t accommodate women” and another, when she indicated her desire to work on the floor, was told the same thing. She worked in the office. As one can see from her obituary, she became a supervisor in a variety of work settings. Jan, in my opinion, was a quiet, persistent model for gender free work positions. Whether it was on the farm, the telephone pole, the factory floor or at the firehouse, Jan was blazing a trail. Thanks, Jan. We are glad you are a member of the Barre Rotary Club.
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