Charlotte Shelburne Rotary Club

Wednesday, September 1, 2010, 7:30 a.m.

Trinity Episcopal Church Community Room

Welcome

President Linda Gilbert welcomed everyone and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Dave Rice gave the devotional and included a special mention of Rotarian Chuck LaClair who had heart surgery this week – and expects to be back to meetings very soon.

Guests were introduced – David Gladstone of the Burlington Club and long-time Charlotte Shelburne member Larry Williams, as well as guest speaker Natalie Neuert.

Rotary Thought

Linda told about a new Rotary Club in Miami, Dade County, Florida, which meets at the Metro Zoo and attracts members who find its central location and facilities very convenient. Might be a great place for a make-up!!

Announcements

• Sept. 8 – District Governor Bill Thompson will be our guest speaker
• Sept. 9 – board meeting
• Sept. 15 – the RYLA students will attend with RYLA committee leaders Judy Christensen and Tami Jo Dickinson.

Car Raffle

And remember the Car Raffle is scheduled for Nov. 12. Ric Flood is already circulating Pumpkin Tickets – the easy way to encourage people to take a chance and support this important fund raiser by buying a $10 ticket that could win you a $250 ticket and a chance on the car … plus a great meal and fun evening.

Our Hero

Linda Barker has been nominated for the United Way of Chittenden County Local Hero Award. Good luck, Linda, at the award breakfast next week!

Thank you

A lovely letter from Terri Patrin, expressing her appreciation for the Paul Harris Fellowship presented to her at the Changing of the Guard meeting at the end of June. She reiterated how important and rewarding her international service as a member of a medical team that goes to third world countries to provide sophisticated care for people in need, and how vital it is in breaking down barriers and building trust as a basis for world peace.

Sergeant at Arms

Don Condon, assisted by Linda Schiavone, assessed fines and encouraged happy fine contributions.

• Dennis Webster – happy for Don’s joke (sorry if you weren’t there, you’ve missed it – be sure to be there next week for his next joke) 
• Joyce Errecart – happy it’s still summer
• Jimmy Fayette – a happy fine for himself and for Gary Marcotte
• Linda Barker – happy
• Larry Williams – happy to be present
• John Hammer – happy Larry was at the meeting
• Ric Flood, Jim Spadaccini and Gary Bergeron – also happy to see Larry – especially Gary who was sponsored by Larry when he joined Rotary
• Terry Kennaugh – heading off for a multi-week trip on Erie Canal – his sail boat is now a canal boat
• Paul Bohne – missed the pledge
• Dave Rice – reiterating the news of Chuck LaClair’s three stents and his excellent recovery
• David Gladstone – happy to be here
• Howard Seaver – celebrated his 42^nd anniversary – and has eliminated his commute by moving his office to his home in Charlotte – still using the file cabinet he bought from Larry Williams at CopyTek when he set up his first office – Larry assured him it would last 1,000 years
• Michele Lash –late fine – and proud of Linda Barker
• Michael Lash – survived 2,200 miles taking his daughters to school
• Linda Gilbert – happy that she took a swim in Lake Champlain – the temperature is 79 or 80.
• George Ewins – has completed a tour called “Travels with Lily” which included a confrontation with someone insisting Lily needed a leash. George thinks his rejoinder was a winner.

Lucky Draw: Guest Natalie Neuert drew the number that belonged to John Beal, but John drew the wrong card from the pack (it’s getting smaller) and missed the $669 pot (it’s getting bigger!)

Guest Speaker

Natalie Neuert is has been with the Lane Series since 1994. She joined the organization as Manager, and this spring was named Director, succeeding long-time director Jane Ambrose. Before working with the Lane Series she was marketing manager with the Vermont Symphony and she has also taught at St. Michael’s College.

The Lane Series is one of the UVM Arts Team which includes the Osher Life Long Learning Institute (focusing on learning programs for the 50+ community around the state), the Aiken Lecture Series (which will feature Gwen Ifill at Ira Allen on Sept. 30), a new International Film Series (with four Film Noir classics on the playbill for this year).

Lane Series was founded in 1955, thanks to a gift from the family of George Bishop Lane, with the goal of creating a performing arts series of a quality that was not known in the area at that time. The programs have always been diverse, unique in their commitment to being small groups in a small recital hall where the audience is in close communication with the artist, and free of the pressures of pop culture. The Lane Series also benefits from its close connection to the University, with the potential for academic input and research. The Lane, she said, is very different in its mission from the Flynn, although she said they are friendly competitors and do cooperate on some programs.

The budget for the Lane is one-third endowment (conservative management of the original $400,000 has kept them free of serious financial stress), one-third ticket sales and one-third fund raising including an annual fund appeal, and support from individuals who support their special interests. They also have corporate sponsors.

The Lane Series, because of its expertise in presenting programs, also offers courses in arts management and festival management.