Morrisville Rotary Club

Members present at the Stonegrill Restaurant and Pub at noon:  Tim Sargent, Sharon Menard, Deanna Wood, Tricia Follert, Becky Gonyea, Marcia Marble, Rudy Loyola, Gary Nolan, Mary Metcalf, Cindy Locke, Marci Henderson, Dawn Archbold, Mel Patashnick, Sherry Lussier, and newest member Valerie Valcour .

Guests:  Assistant District Governor Barbara Lafleur, River Arts-Steve Ames, and Cambridge Rotarian Chuck Hogan. Marisha Kazeniac, Adrianna Gonzalez, Eduardo Bacha and Yuniel Fonseka are from the VT Caribbean Institute.

Happy Dollars were collected by Sargent at Arms, Cindy from:  Tim-(happy to see all here today),Sharon, Rudy-(golfing with Dr. Phil), Mary- (2 new members), Barbara-(happy to meet the group from Cuba), Gary-( Thank you to Dr. Phil for cleaning the  Fisher Bridge Rest Area), Tricia-(happy to be here), Sherry-(is a new Foster Parent), Marci-(a showing is scheduled for her home), Dawn-(United Way now owns the Valcich building), Dr. Phil- (this is great weather for gardening), Chuck-(Congratulations to Gary for completing his term on the Lamoille Economic Development Board, Valerie-(finished the Rotary membership application)  and Cindy.

Fine: Chuck fined Rudy for stopping Tricia and asking her to take him to Copley Country Club to play golf with Dr. Phil recently. Rudy lost the vote, spun the wheel and paid his $1.00 fine.

Tim fined Chuck for winning two fines.  Tim lost the vote, spun the wheel and paid $1.00.

Sad Dollars: Chuck for Jason not being here with this great group today.  Dawn for the recent deaths of Maurice Farmer, his mom, and two local young people.

Old Business:

a. Coat Drive Update- Street sign is to Great Big Graphics for updating-Thanks to Dawn -Posters are to the elementary schools, Realtors, LVCC, United Way, Rotarians – Ads are in the Transcript and articles (Denise, Thank you) are in N&C and Stowe Reporter – Coats can be left at DeNoia’s from Oct. 19 thru Nov. 2^nd.

b. Marcia and Deanna are in the MDA  Fundraiser October 21 for Lamoille County. Motion made to donate  $100.00 for Marcia and Deanna each from Community account.   Vote was approved and two checks will be written.

c. Dictionary Project:  Dictionaries are ordered for the 8 area 3^rd grader schools and should arrive in 2-4 weeks.  Help for distribution will be appreciated.

Polar Splash: Cindy will contact again area non profits to see if they wish to partner with Rotary for the 2012 dip in Lake Elmore.  Lamoille Family Center did their presentation last week.

ADG Barbara Lafleur reminded Rotarians of the upcoming Leadership Seminar coming to Rutland, VT.

Cindy and Tricia are planning to attend one in NH in the spring.  All Rotarians are encouraged to attend one of these sessions or the District Assembly or District Conference.

Speaker:  Steve Ames from River Arts introduced his guests from the Vermont Caribbean Institute: Marisha Kezeniac  and from Cuba: Adriana Gonzalez, Eduordo Bacha and Yuniel Fonseka.  Maricha’s group is seeking to connect Vermont and Caribbean communities through the arts. Their mission is similar to Rotary in creating global connections.  VCI was started in 2004. It was noted that a Rotary

Club in Cuba was the first non-English speaking club in Rotary. In the 1940’s there were 44 Cuban Rotary Clubs.  Fidel Castro changed that.

The Ludwig Foundation of Cuba was started in 1995 by a German art collector who was interested in art within Communist countries.  Grants and scholarships given to young artists such as those with us today.

The three young Cubans present are representatives of Cubans interested in preserving and protecting the arts and Cuban culture.  They have presented a one day exhibition for young Cuban artists that showcased the inventory of art available today.  Adriana, Eduordo and Yuniel have been giving presentations in their respective specialties of dance, computer art and the fine arts to US colleges including Johnson State College.  They were asked if it was difficult to make arrangements to come to the US and they responded that their visas were processed in only four days.   More information about the Institute is available at www.vtcaribbean.org.

Raffle was won by Mel.  He pulled the King of clubs-not the winner. Chuck invited all to attend a Cambridge Rotary meeting where their 50/50 raffle pot is $1400.

Meeting was adjourned at 1:00pm.

Minutes respectively submitted by Marcia Marble

MORRISVILLE ROTARY MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 28, 2011

Members present at the Stonegrill Restaurant and Pub at noon: Sharon Menard,Becky Gonyea, Roy Marble, Gary Nolan, Mary Metcalf, Mark Sinow, Sherry Lussier,Dawn Archbold, and Jason McArthur.

Guests: Nancy Sinow, Anita Lotto, Steve Lambert, ADG Barbara Lafleur, Rebecca Cooper, and Leah Hollenberger.

Acting Sargent at Arms Anita Lotto collected Happy Dollars.

Fine: by Sharon against Mark for divulging his wife’s age in public. Fine passed, Mark lost.

Stowe Oktoberfest Report by Jason, Dawn and Barbara.

Rotary District has requested our club slate of officers.

Request by District that our club join in the $250,000 Disaster Relief Fund Effort.

Holiday Party: Jason and Tim to co-chair.  Rebecca’s Maple Street B& B was suggested as the location.

Visiting Rotarian, Rebecca Cooper is from Ponte Vedra Beach Sunset Club in Florida, District 6970.

Ken Harvey: Gary reported that Ken’s health is improving.

Mackenzie Pratt Benefit fundraiser: Gary helped with the cooking.

Raffle: Dr. Phil had the ticket and did not pull the winning card.

Minutes submitted by Roy Marble

Click on the Polar Splash link on the right for more information.

Morrisville’s downtown district can grown into the historical building style with the new downtown zoning regulations that allow for better use of the existing buildings. Morristown Zoning Administrator/Town Planner Todd Thomas shared with Morrisville Rotarians the approved changes that he helped draft.    Todd also shared how the pending Route 100 Truck Route presents the downtown with the opportunity to showcase the retail, service and food offerings for the traveler who takes the village route.   The meeting consensus is that as the currently under utilized buildings are renovated and occupied, the increased residential occupancy will enhance the downtown businesses.

Members present at the Stonegrill Restaurant and Pub at noon: Jason McArthur, Tim Sargent, Geoffrey Blume, Sharon Menard, Deanna Wood, Tricia Follert,  Becky Gonyea, Marcia Marble, Rudy Loyola, Gary Nolan, Mary  Metcalf, Mark Sinow, and Cindy Locke.

Guests:  District Governor Marilyn Bedell and her husband Ron, Assistant District Governor Barbara Lafleur, and Nancy Sinow.

Happy Dollars were collected by Sargent at Arms, Cindy from:  Sharon, Rudy, Jason, Marcia, Mary, Barbara, Gary, Tricia,  and Cindy.

Fine: Tim’s Bachelor Party is in Maine this coming weekend and he fined Jason for ‘something’ that will happen.   2^nd by Gary.  Vote was in favor of Jason. Tim paid his fine.

Co-President Jason spoke that he will be able to do the meeting minutes on his Smartphone. Thank you, Marcia, for taking the minutes the past few weeks.

Mail: Cambridge Fun Run is coming up on Labor Day, September 5^th.  Jason and Tim encouraged the group to form a team and participate as Cambridge Rotary has supported us.

Youth Exchange Student: Jason spoke that Host Families are still needed for Ms. Miki Suzuki who is coming to Morrisville on August 14^th. Marcia shared that Brian Coles and family and Heather Bradley and family are considering hosting her.

Literacy Grant application:  Deanna was asked if she will continue to lead this Rotary Program with her answer being ‘Yes.  Club members were asked to support Deanna.  Past Club efforts have only involved 3-4 members and a much more inclusive effort is needed.  Deanna will go ahead and ask area non-profits to present their requests on August 24^th.

Polar Splash: Cindy will prepare by September to present the planning to date for the 2012 dip in Lake Elmore.

Discussion of definition for a Rotary make up meeting:  needs to include at least five Rotarians either having a meeting or doing a Rotary Project.

Speaker:  DG Marilyn Bedell presented Tim with this year’s theme Banner.  She shared brochures for the 2012 District Conference to be held May 18-20, 2012 at The Mountain Club on Loon Resort in Lincoln, NH.  Seminars and speakers will cover maternal health and literacy as well as an enjoyable Moose watching van trip, a boat trip or dinner train ride.

Marilyn’s message began with her childhood memories of growing up in an active Rotary household and included her Rotary membership starting in the early 1990’s right after women were allowed to join.   She carried to us the RI Presidential message for family and health issues as well as ‘ good communities build good Nations.”

Club Presidents need to adapt to change with meeting times, projects, technology ie, Facebook, that may be risky but do promise success in our Rotary Club.   MEMBERSHIP starts with an invite.  Constant rebirth is necessary thru youth memberships.

Rotary Foundation: Paul Harris Fellowships are one of the major sources of funding for RI Projects- Polio Plus, water projects, literacy grants, microcredit loans and grants to Clubs and District Projects.  Large and small donations all help.

A polio immunization costs $0.60.  Polio is still present in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Children are being saved by Rotarian’s efforts.

Raffle was won by Cindy Locke.  She pulled the nine of hearts-not the winner.

Meeting was adjourned at 12:55pm.

Minutes respectively submitted by Marcia Marble

Members present at the Stonegrill Restaurant and Pub at noon: Jason McArthur, Tim Sargent, Geoffrey Blume, Phil Chiaravalle, Ted Lambert, Phil Grant, Sharon Menard, Becky Gonyea, Marcia Marble, Rudy Loyola, Gary Nolan and Roy Marble.

Guests: Janice Bradley from the Lamoille Sheriff’s Dept., Sherry Lussier from Green Mt. Tech Center, Dawn Archbold from United Way, and Andy Makel and Harrison Antognioni from the Rock Crushers Professional Hockey Team.

Happy Dollars were collected by acting Sargent at Arms, Tim Sargent. Sharon, Phil Grant, Ted, Dr. Phil, Rudy, Jason, Marcia and Becky.

Fisher Bridge Fishing Access: Dr. Phil shared that he has spread rock salt to eliminate the weeds from the walkway.

Family Center: Becky shared news about:

1. Climb for Kids Fundraiser is on September 24^th.  They are seeking sponsors at the Summit, Peak and Base levels.  In their initial event last year, 100 hikers netted $3,500 for the Family Center Programs.

2.  Lamoille Family Center 35^th Anniversary is next Tuesday, August 2^nd and all are invited.

3. Diaper Drive is on this month and they are especially in need of clean or new diapers in sizes   4, 5, and 6 and pull ups.   Contact Becky at 888-5229 or bjonyea@lamoillefamilycenter.org for more details.

Correspondence:  Meals on Wheels is asking for funding support.

VYCC: was last week’s speaker. Tim made the motion to send them $100.00, 2^nd by Sharon. All in favor.

Exchange Student: Ted is asking interested host families to contact him as soon as possible. Miki Suzuki,our 16 year old girl from Japan is due in Morrisville about August 14-18^th for the coming year at PA.

Speaker: Andy opened with news of the Crusher for Causes Program which pairs up with local nonprofits. Andy is the General Manager and Coach for the new Rock Crushers Hockey Team coming to the Morrisville Green Mt. Arena this winter.  Their season is from October to March with games from Maine to Toronto, Canada.  The 22-23 players are expected to be 24-25 years old and are expected to donate at least 10 hours per week to community service projects. One of which is going into local elementary schools to read with students. They are paid $200/week.  Andy is still seeking adequate housing in the area.  His team is in the Single A division, which is about 3 levels below the National Hockey League-Bruins, Canadians, Flyers, etc.  The arena on Bridge Street in Morrisville is being modified to handle 600-1,000 spectators along with amenities.   Discussion included the extra business to our area motels and restaurants.  Lamoille Valley Transportation in Hyde Park will be busing the team to their games.  Harrison is Andy’s intern for Media Relations who attends St. Michael’s College in Winooski.

Andy is also an agent for several hockey players.  While he is living in the Derby area, Andy hopes to be involved in Morrisville Rotary and other community events. Check out Andy’s website at rockcrushershockey.com

50/50 raffle was won by Dawn Archbold.  She pulled the jack of spades-not the winner.

NEXT WEEK: AUGUST 3 AT NOON:   Speaker: District Governor Marilyn Bedell- Please attend.

Meeting at Stonegrill Pub in Morrisville

Meeting was adjourned at 12:55pm.

Minutes respectively submitted by Marcia Marble

Meeting at the Stonegrill Restaurant Pub in Morrisville: Ted Lambert, Phil Grant ,Mark Sinow, Cindy Locke, Jason McArthur, Mary Metcalf, Sharon Menard, Deanna Wood, Geoffrey Blume, Marcia and Roy Marble, Tim Sargent and Gary Nolan.

Guests: Nancy Sinow, Barbara LaFleur our Rotary District Assistant Governor from Stowe Rotary and Cailie Burns  from the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps.

Happy Dollars were collected by Cindy from: Mary, Geoffrey, Marcia, Barbara, Ted-$2.00, Cindy, Phil-$2.00,  Mark, Roy, Tim, Jason, Gary-$2.00, Sharon, and Deanna.

Miki Suzuki is our Japanese youth who is coming to PA for this coming academic year.  Youth  Exchange Counselor Ted Lambert shared that Roy and Marcia and Sharon will be among the first hosts for Miki. Roy and Ted have or will talk with Jim and Jenn Densmore, Kristi and Todd Krueger and Danielle and Chris Chauvin as possible host parents.

Justice for Dogs:  Tim made the motion to give Amy Touchette’s organization $100.00. Second by Deanna.  Vote was in favor.

Correspondence:  Thank you from the Dictionary Project and the Johnson Food Shelf.

Deanna sent to Bob Richardson and his family a sympathy card for the passing of their daughter.

VYCC began in 1985 to give at risk high school youth an outdoor experience with some related academics to enable them to complete high school.  Caillie Burns is based at the West Monitor Barn on State Route 2 in Richmond as a volunteer coordinator.   The former Whitcomb Farm is the site of the corps’s CSA food and chicken program and their administrative offices and classrooms.  Every summer, a leader with several teenagers (boys, coed, or girls) works at our state parks and other public areas doing needed conservation or trail building projects.

The youth learn math and science skills along the way.  A School Partnership Program has been developed with area high schools or tech centers for all or part of the school year and gives chosen at risk youth hands on and academic skills and self confidence to stay in school.  100 to 400 youth are involved each year.

Lamoille County projects include: Rail Trail-clearing and culvert maintenance, rain gardens and stream maintenance plus working on six miles of the Stowe Mountain Bike Club trails.

Funding comes from state, local, or Federal work projects along with donations, CSA sales and rental of event space at the Monitor Barn. Nearly 6,000 alumni from VYCC have gone onto success in their personal lives as well as in environmental and other fields.    60% of the office staff are alumni!  The East Monitor Barn is the next project with the hope that it will become program classrooms. Cailie can be reached at 802-434-3969 or cailie.burns@vycc.org.

Our weekly ticket raffle was won by Gary Nolan with the 8 of clubs which is not the winning card.

2012 Polar Splash: Cindy is talking with a possible non profit partner and is writing up the expectations to be performed by the partner.  Date is to be announced to not conflict with Winter Rotary District meeting.  Tim and Cindy are to inquire about using the Lake Elmore State Park parking lot and park building in order to keep Route 12 free of parked cars.

Motion to adjourn at 12:55PM

Minutes are respectively submitted by Marcia Marble

Present: Tim Sargent, Deanna Wood, Marcia Marble, Patti Coultas, Howard Manosh, Cindy Locke, Tricia Follert, Sharon Menard, Marci Henderson, Phil Chiaravalle, Rudy Loyola, Marc Sinow, Gary Nolan, Geoffrey Blume, Roy Marble

Guests: Sherry Lussier, Linnea William (and Mom), Nancy Sinow, Maria Ward, Donnie Blake, Cailyn and Brad Carriere.

$8 Happy Dollars were collected.

Marc suggested a fine on Rudy for leaving last week early. He and Nancy sat and had lunch with the speaker, which was delightful. Cindy said then everyone who left early should pay, including herself. $5 was collected in fines.

The duck race winners were congratulated and recognized and checks were distributed to those who were there.

Tim said that historically Fisher Bridge in Wolcott received attention from the Morrisville Rotary.  He suggested we schedule a work day there one Saturday in August. Howard said they had mowed it twice and someone was mowing it again today as they went through to other places. He said they would continue to do that this summer. Gary suggested we check on the port-a-let again this year. Tim said he would call Linda in Wolcott about it.

Cindy mentioned we should be part of a sign going into Morrisville now that the truck route was going in. Tricia suggested a grant.

Sharon let folks know that Pablo went home Sunday. She expects to see him back again someday. Tim said that Phil Grant was concerned we only had the first 3 months of the new exchange student’s housing set up and that he wanted the  first 6 months figured out before she came. The deadline is tomorrow. Linnea said they might consider it.

Gary suggested a contribution to the Morrisville Fire Department for their help with the duck pond, in the amount that the Johnson Fire Dept got last year. Geoffrey seconded it and the vote was unanimous.

Dr. Phil introduced Linnea William, the recipient of our high school scholarship. She just graduated from Peoples Academy. She plans to go to Wheaton College in Pennsylvania. Linnea spoke a bit about her goals, including working in Nicaragua as a social worker. She went there during her Jr year with Planting Hope (Montpelier) during the month of April and would like to go back. She is thinking of getting her degree in Psychology with a minor in Spanish.

Tim welcomed Amy Touchette from Justice for Dogs. She introduced Jimmy as her helper.  Amy explained that Justice For Dogs was started in 2007 and is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. They serve the area around Lamoille County and are located in Wolcott. She said they take dogs and cats (stray and feral only), work with them, spay/neuter them, and put them up for adoption. They are an all volunteer rescued group for dogs. They board their dogs at local boarding facilities for free. They work with Stowe Veterinary service for low cost services. They also provide seniors with transportation for pets to/from vets, give food to seniors and the poor to help pets stay in their homes, and investigate cruelty to pet complaints. They provide education for the care of pets and prevention of bites (how to approach a dog, for example). They also provide housing for pets when domestic violent issues require pets to be taken (such as when someone goes into a shelter).  The provide programs in schools. They are a huge resource for information, fielding approximately 20 calls a day!

They have a website: www.justicefordogsvt.org and they use petfinder to market their pets for adoption: http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?&shelterid=VT54&preview=1

Tim thanked her for coming to talk.

The winning ticket was held by Geoffrey, but he did not pick the ace of spades.

The meeting was adjourned at 1pm.

Present at the Stone Grill Restaurant Pub in Morrisville were: Marci Henderson, Phil Chiaravalle, Sharon Menard, Gary Nolan, Cindy Locke, Jason McArthur, Ted Lambert, Mark Sinow, Roy, Marble and Rudy Loyola.

Guests: Nancy Sinow, Rev. Barbara Miller, Alvaro Roel Bellot, our2008? Exchange Student from Spain and Juan Pablo, this year’s Cambridge Youth from Argentina.

Meeting was called to order by Co-President Jason McArthur.

Happy Dollars: Cindy collected from: Sharon, Jason, Gary ($2.00), Dr. Phil, Marci, Marcia and Cindy.

Jason announced that the net proceeds from the Duck Race are between $3700-3800.  He will be preparing a 2011-2012 Budget in the near future.

REMINDER:  With the start of our new Rotary Year, dues should be paid ASAP. Please check with Jason if the 2010-2011 dues are still pending.

Officers are needed:  Secretary and Vice President.  Linda Martin and Marcia Marble/Patti Coultras have been sharing the Secretary duties.   Ask any of these ladies what they have to do and let Jason know that you can help out.

Vice President:  Ask Tim what is involved in this position.

Juan Pablo shared that he has enjoyed his year at Lamoille Union High School with learning to snowboard and playing on the soccer team.  He will return home on July 25^th.

Alvero is studying Biology at his University and will heartily recommend the Rotary Youth Exchange Program.

Youth Exchange Counselors, Ted Lambert and Sharon Menard are seeking Host Families for our incoming young lady from Japan who is planned to attend Peoples Academy. Interested  Host Families and Rotarians can contact Ted  for this young lady’s personal information.   Jason will post on the local Front Porch Forum the need for ideally 3 host families.

Guest Speaker:  Reverend Barbara Miller shared her efforts to present backpacks filled with school supplies to area Youth on August 20^th.  This will be her third year.  Over 800 requests were received in the first year which she was unable to provide for.  2010: 108 signed up and she again offered food at the August event but most left after receiving their back pack.  To date, she has 44 registered with the deadline being July 15^th.  Youth from Head start age thru college are welcomed.  Youth who receive reduced price school meals from Eden, Johnson, Hardwick, Greensboro, Waterville and Morrisville have been notified. The back packs cost $8-12 each with many of the school supplies being donated.

Rev. Miller has received Thank you notes from appreciative youth and families.  She can be reached at 888-2238 or at underthewings@myfairpoint.net for more information or to make your donation to her program.

Food Shelf Collection:  $32.00 was collected with Jason to confirm with Tim as to which area Food Shelf is this month’s recipient.

2012 Polar Splash:  Jason spoke that in August we will work on finding a non-profit partner for next year.

50/50 raffle: Ted pulled the Ace of Diamonds.  Ace of Spades is the winner.

Motion to Adjourn by Cindy.

NEXT MEETING: July 13^th will probably be in the back dining room at the Stone Grill. Program: Duck Race Winners.

Minutes respectively submitted by Marcia Marble

Morrisville Rotarians are proud to announce this year’s Duck Race winners:

The $100.00 winners are: Maria Ward, Marvin Whitcomb, Donnie Blake, Phil Chiaravalle, Cody Vernet, Peter Bourne, Cailyn Carriere, Howard Manosh, and Cheyanne Laboy of CT.
The $500.00 winner is Marty Quinlan and
Gary Nolan won the $1,000.00.

Thank you to all who purchased tickets this year!

Thank you to the Morrisville Fire Department for setting up their fire pond for the ducks at the Morrisville 4^th of July  festivities at Peoples Academy!

A special thanks to our sponsors:  Buck’s Furniture, People’s United Bank, Community National Bank, Concept II, County Oil, Donald Blake Jr., Inc. House of Troy, KA Harvey’s Manufactured Homes, Lamoille Regional Chamber of Commerce, Manufacturing Solutions, Marble Realty, Barbour Real Estate, Century, 21 Trombley Associates, Susan Martin & Company, Red Door Real Estate, Pall Spera Company Realtors, Menard’s Agway, Polow, Polow & Mahoney Law Office, Pyrofax Energy, Sargent’s Law Office and the Union Bank.

Submitted by Marcia Marble