With rituals complete, twenty Barre Rotarians and four guests helped themselves to a buffet of salad, meatballs, gnocchi, zucchini, garlic bread and cookies. President Liane was first to toss a buck in the basket disguised as a Happy Dollar in celebration of seeing all the faces at the meeting. She gave another in announcing the steak cookout to take place at Karl’s on August 1^st. Bertil was next with a Happy Dollar in recognition of fifty years of marriage to Gladys. He then went on to propose a fine of one-and-nine on Karl for parking that “big black truck” in a handicapped spot. Karl said that he had not seen the sign and that he was sorry. Fine passed anyway. Doug Bullett gave a Happy Dollar because his nine year old granddaughter is visiting for three weeks. Tony finally got to his feet to propose a fine of one-and-nine on Sue for making him feel like a reaper. Without much of a defense, the fine passed. He then offered a Happy Dollar for winning two Red Sox tickets as the result of a drawing for “power red” donors sponsored by the American Red Cross. Another dollar was offered because of the pride Rotarians at a NECI event felt after extolling the virtues of the Rotary Foundation and the good work that it does around the world.

 

 

There was a brief discussion of breakfast details which included a volunteer status report, setting up on Friday, posters and placemats. Then a brief return to fining occurred as Tom proposed a fine of one-and-nine on Tony for hiding his badge. With another weak defense, the fine easily passed. Tom, who is part of the Boy Scout monument effort, asked for space at the breakfast to sell cobblestones to be used in the construction of the plaza at Depot Square where the statue will be located. Cobblestones are $100. Contact Tom or see him at the breakfast to purchase one.  Request granted. Caroline still has tickets for the breakfast if you need more of them. Doug Bullett, our summer resident, took ten. Hey Doug! She then gave a progress report on the Summer Street Mural Project. The budget is $6,850; $4000 dollars has been raised. Applications have been submitted for a District Grant and a Vermont Arts Council Grant. The committee is seeking corporate sponsors. An initial design has been completed and will be sent to members.

 

 

Various Rotarians introduced our guests: Lauren Polk, Acting Director of the Aldrich Library; Matt Villemaire from the Willston-Richmond Rotary Club; Bruce Fisher from the Ellsworth, Maine Rotary Club; and Doug Bullett from the Bon Air, Virginia Rotary Club. Sue also announced that Reta Sanders is officially a member of the Barre Rotary Club. Tony’s back: one-and-nine on Ted for getting Bruce Fisher’s name wrong (Bill). Bruce came to Ted’s defense as did Tom pointing out that we should never fine Ted because of all the work he does. In the midst of all this, Karl proposed a fine of one-and-nine on Sue for not doing her job by not introducing Doug Bullet with the other guests. He was introduced by Sue in ritardo.  Regarding Bruce Fisher, Sue claimed that she was given the incorrect name. With the discussion going into chaos mode (Tony’s favorite flavor) and with time fleeting for our guest speaker, President Liane took command and declared that the fines passed and introduced the speaker by asking him to introduce himself.