Southbridge Rotary Club s1

SOUTHBRIDGE ROTARY CLUB

_ SERVICE ABOVE SELF HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 THE YEAR IN REVIEW

JANUARY We started our year as we ended our prior year, by meeting at the DOD weekly on Wednesdays at noon. Our opening attendance was somewhere around 60%. The raffle had recently been won so there was not any excitement as we drew cards. Later in the month Terry drew the right Ace and collected $46.00. The voice of the Red Socks, Carl Beane was one of our first speakers and he passed around his World Series rings and some bats. Sadly, some time thereafter Carl passed away. Jeff got a new car. Ken suggested that, instead of a Christmas Party this year, perhaps we could have a “cook out” during the summer at the DOD. FEBRUARY

Ron Chernisky got a new truck. Happy dollars were paid by Eric for his 18th anniversary, Jay paid for skiing in Colorado, Dino for his science article being published. Past President Caron resigned to move to Florida. Ron Carlson went to the Bahamas. Bob K’s. wife went to Hawaii. He also made a presentation on his “Road Scholar” trip. Ron Chernisky brought three of his horses to the DOD for a presentation and daughter Brooke gave a riding demonstration. Sandy offered apples to the horses but they preferred carrots. MARCH

This year’s RYLANs were selected by Dino, Marge & Joan. President John informed the Club that fines would be issued starting next week for anyone not wearing a pin. Ron reported that our young Luis has made it into the first grade. Joe Athanas made a deposit on a condo. Tom paid

1 for his first Medicare routine. Glenn’s daughter Sarah, now at Bryant, made a presentation of Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor.

Our annual Student Honor Day was held this month with Cheryl Osimo the speaker. Twenty five Honors students were present. The RYLANs were in attendance at one of our other meetings and were introduced to the Club. Past RYLAN John Jovan was the speaker and spoke about becoming an Eagle Scout. President John’s daughter, Maddy, was a guest. Ken got a new car. The Club started planning for its 85th anniversary. Sean Mitchell, who was nominated by Joan who inducted as a new member of our Club.. Fifth teen of our members attended the GSE joint meeting at the public House. The team was from India. Happy dollars were paid by Dino for spending the day with Astronaut Cady Coleman, Joe paid for his move to Overlook, and Jay for his daughter becoming a doctor.

MAY Bob & Dino paid happy dollars for going to Provence, France. Bruce paid for 35 years in the insurance business. Terri was appointed EVP at the hospital. One hundred and three cars went through our recycle event, netting us about $3,500.00. A special thank you went to Eric and his staff for their help and support. Ed Carlson announced the winners of our scholarship program. Paul Mills won the raffle. We held our annual Memorial Day flag planting at town cemeteries. Info sheets were provided covering the Venus transit of the Sun, which would not happen again for 105 years.

JUNE The month started with our successful yard sale. Joan reported a profit of $1,500.00. Zeke was admitted to Fairlawn after a stroke. The Bay Path Robotics team made their annual presentation. Paul Mills brought two guests from Australia, one of whom was our speaker. President John missed a meeting to get married. Ken became a granddad. We celebrated our 85th anniversary as a Club at Cohasse on the 29th. 40 Rotarians and spouses attended the great time. The new officers were installed at the event. Their first job was to serve the meal, sort of “He who would be first shall be last”.

2 JULY The new team was ushered in

Paul Jalbert got a new car. Bob Knight paid a happy dollar for his upcoming retirement. Our RYLANs expressed a desire to start a Rotoract Club under our Club. Terri and Ken indicated an interest in helping them. Jeff handed out copies of the new speaker schedule. President John presented an award to all Rotarians with 30 or more year’s service. Rotary logo-ed clothing was offered to the members. One of our meetings was a cookout held on the DOD patio and serviced by their employees.

AUGUST

Phil P. paid happy dollars for 40 years on the job. Bob K. got a new car. Pat paid for his 18th anniversary. Joe A. paid for hitting 79 (his age, not his golf score.) Dino passed out pictures of “Curiosity” landing on Mars. Weekly reports are presented for the upcoming golf day. Attendance one week was 46%, the worst of the year. Glenn made a trip to Rome. John Lafleche was inducted as a new member this month. SEPTEMBER

Dino paid a happy dollar for a trip to Bermuda and for winning a bottle of Makers Mark bourbon at the golf day. He later paid another for having to cancel the trip due to Hurricane Leslie. Lastly, he paid for a conference with Anne Druyan, wife of the late Carl Sagan. Terri paid for becoming a Great Aunt. Glenn paid for the good weather on golf day. He also stated that we had 130 golfers and more member help was needed. 3

OCTOBER

Our annual fall return visit of the RYLANs occurred this month. The membership was very impressed with the eloquence of these fine young students. Someone won the raffle on a week that I was out. Glenn and Terry reported that the golf day netted our Club and the Hospital $11,000.00 each. Dino paid for his 47th anniversary. Glenn made a great presentation of his trip to Italy.

NOVEMBER Tom paid happy dollars for 20 years in Rotary, Joe A. Paid for 35. Marge celebrated her 43rd anniversary. Sadly, we lost Zeke this month who passed away. At his wake, Jim presented his daughter Michelle, with a Rotary pin which she attached to Zeke’s lapel. Glenn celebrated his 25th anniversary this month. Ken shared his trip to the Badlands with us in a power point presentation. Phil P. hosted our annual Turkey Day Football Luncheon at Cohasse. In his presentation Coach mentioned that this was the 92nd year these teams have fought.

DECEMBER Our first meeting of the month was held at the new Senior/Middle High School facility. Eighteen members of the Club attended and were given a tour by the principal. A tip for the year of service was given to the three ladies on our last meeting of the year. The upcoming new officers were read and voted on. The DOD provided a free pork dinner on our last day of the year. Our speaker was representing Shen Yun, a Chinese dance, song and acrobatic group.

See you all next year (unless the Mayans were right)

Vaya con Dios

4 Dino