The Rotary Club of 
Barre, Vermont
 
Chartered 1924
District 7850
PO Box 167
Barre, VT 05641
 
Granite Chips
Stories
VSO Executive Director Makes a Visit




 
 
Welcome
 
Twelve Rotarians, a former Rotarian and guests participated in the rituals and sang the featured song of the week, A Holly Jolly Christmas. Joe expressed gratitude for Liane (former Barre Rotary Club President) being here, his being here and for the brave who lost their lives on December 7th, 1941.
 
Since Last We Met
 
No birthdays or anniversaries. 
 
On this day in history: In 1941, Japanese bombers launched a surprise aerial attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, precipitating the entry of the United States into World War II. 
 
1972---American astronaut Eugene Andrew Cernan commanded the last crewed flight to the Moon, effectively ending the Apollo program.
 
Guest: Tony’s guest, Ava Whitcomb
 
A Constitutional Moment
 
DG Caroline’s focus today was the interpretation of the Constitution. She first referred to a court case in Colorado which a baker refused to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple. In a 7–2 decision, the Court ruled on narrow grounds that the Colorado Civil Rights Commission did not employ religious neutrality, violating Masterpiece owner Jack Phillips's rights to free exercise and reversed the Commission's decision. The Court did not rule on the broader intersection of anti-discrimination laws, free exercise of religion and freedom of speech due to the complications of the Commission's lack of religious neutrality. She went on to cite the language of the 1st, 2nd and 14th amendments which contain words that are broad and subject to interpretation. DG Caroline then presented two theories of constitutional interpretation: Originalism and Living Constitutionalism. Under the theory of Originalism, jurists try to discern the intent of the document’s framers and to apply that intent. They use large databases of documents from historical periods to search out key words and phrases to determine their historial meaning. Supporters of Originalism say that a jurist must always have to start with the words of any law or constitution, which is objectively true. Living Constitutionalism was laid out by Supreme Court Justice Brennan in a 1985 speech: the meaning of the document can evolve in response to changing societal perceptions and demands. Brennan argued that while we look to the history of the time of framing and the intervening history of interpretation, we must ultimately ask: “what do the words of the text mean in our time?” In response to a comment she said that her intent in presenting these moments was not political, but to help each of us make rational decisions regarding rulings on the Constitution. Thanks again DG Caroline for another great Constitutional Moment.
 
The Gift of Giving
 
Tony started off the giving with a Happy Dollar in announcing that there will be a quiz on the DG Caroline’s Constitutional Moments at the end of the year and that George, in his bed, remembered being told of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He added another for his poodle graduating from doggie school.
 
Karl proposed a fine of 1-and-four on himself for finding no tongs, but admitted that he had been distracted and that they hadn’t disappeared.
 
Ted gave a Happy Dollar for a WOW trip to NYC with his wife Barbara and Tom and Linda where they saw the amazing Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.
 
DG Caroline was in the Holiday Spirit and gave five Happy Dollars for: Liane and Ava being here; two for polio and another for the opportunity to provide a Constitutional Moment.
 
Taken by the Holiday Spirit, President Nicole matched DG Caroline’s five with another: for Elise (guest speaker) being here; happy to be done with her class this week; the World Santa Wrap; and DG Caroline’s visit to Norwich’s Rotaract Club. 
 
Joe rose to challenge “who was the first woman in Vermont to become a Rotarian discussion.” His friend Phyllis Andrew considered herself the first woman to be admitted into Rotary. Tony chimed in with “So Noted.”
 
 
 
 
The Towns and Cities are Alive with Music
 
Tom introduced today’s guest speaker, Elise Brunelle, Executive Director of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra (VSO). 
 
Elise began her talk with a financial picture of the VSO. Surprisingly, the ticket sales and sponsorships account for only 32% of the income. The VSO strives for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI). In addition to concerts, the VSP sponsors several programs: Musicians in the Schools as part of STEM education; Youth Composers featuring music composition; VT Youth Orchestra Collaboration with young musicals performing with the VSO; and Master Clef which is a competition for young music composers with VSO world premieres. Concerts this season included: Jukebox Quartet, Classical Series, Visualizer Orchestra, Gloria with the VSO Chorus and Brass Ensemble & Organ and the Montpelier Pride String Quartet Concert. Planned for Washington Country in 2022-2023 are: concerts and youth programs in Warren and Montpelier. Statewide in 2023 programs include: the Summer Festival Tour in six venues; the Brass Quintet & Counterpoint with performances in a number of places, among them Woodstock Newport and Manchester; and the Classical Series (VSO) in Rutland. Rotarians found her talk both interesting and informative and showed their appreciation with a warm round of applause at the conclusion of Elise’s presentation.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
World Santa Wrap Project                                                        
 
On Saturday, December 10, 2022, around 25 Rotarians, including Gen Rotarians, friends, family and The World staff gathered at the Granite Museum to box hats and mittens, wrap and ship 150 boxes each containing a new winter coat with the a hat and a pair of mittens. The Salvation Army was there with their truck to distribute the boxes to those in need in the Greater Barre Area. There was coffee and doughnuts to accompany the start of activities, food for an early lunch and merriment throughout our time together. Thanks to Lenny’s for their contribution and donations from organizations, clubs and individuals for their generous support for this worthwhile event. Thank you to all who volunteered their help in making this event successful and a special recognition goes to Robin Gunes and Finnegan Conner, students at U-32. Robin is an exchange student from Turkey. Great job as runners! 













Until next time…, that’s all folks.




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                       
Club Information
 
KEEP CALM,
JOIN ROTARY
 
 
 
 
 
We meet every Wednesday
at 12:00 at the
Aldrich Public Library
6 Washington Street
Barre, VT.
 
 
District Site
 
 
Call 802.476.07550 for more information
or email President Nicole DiDomenico 
 
 
Speakers
Dec 14, 2022
Five Avenues of Service
Dec 21, 2022
Christmas music with Art Zorn and Lianne Martinelli
Dec 28, 2022
Club Assembly
Jan 04, 2023
Meals on Wheels - What we do and who we serve
Jan 11, 2023
Five Avenues of Service
Jan 18, 2023
Stories of New England
Jan 25, 2023
Club Assembly
Feb 01, 2023
Rotary Speech Contest (10:45-12:15 at SHS)
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Rotary Foundation
 
Membership
 
Immediate Past President
 
Song Leader
 
Youth Exchange
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Other
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Spouse Birthdays
Lynne Addiego
December 10
 
Stacie Boltin
December 30
 
Upcoming Events
Barre Rotary Club's Meeting Dec 14, 2022
Aldrich Public Library
Dec 14, 2022
12:00 PM – 1:07 PM
 
Barre Rotary Club's Meeting Dec 21, 2022
Aldrich Public Library
Dec 21, 2022
12:00 PM – 1:07 PM
 
View entire list
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