Charlotte-Shelburne Rotary - Newsletter

This was a special meeting -- an opportunity to recognize the service in the military of many of our members, and a chance to welcome many special guests who came to hear our guest speaker.

In recognition of Veterans' Day, the veterans present were applauded: Don Condon, Fritz Horton, Howard Seaver, Bob Sanders, Denny Bowen, Bill Deming, Chuck Deming, Jim Spadaccini, Don Maynard, and guests Arnold Griffis, Bob Annis and Tad Foot.

Announcements

Speaker on Nov. 18 will be Professor Frank Bryant
Board meeting on Nov. 19
No meeting on Nov. 25

The Club approved the purchase of turkeys to be distributed by the Food Shelves of Shelburne, Charlotte and Hinesburg. A total of 109 turkeys (18 Charlotte, 21 Shelburne, 70 Hinesburg).

Performance

Michael Lash introduced our celebrity guest speaker Rusty DeWees, actor, writer and stand-up comedian ... and keen observer of the business of entertaining.

For those who know Rusty as The Logger with his stories of Vermont characters he has known, told with a classic Vermont back-country accent and skepticism, his talk was an eye-opener. He told the story of his own career, from the little boy whose goal was to be a Greyhound bus driver like his Dad, the jobs he held while he waited to be old enough to work for Greyhound, his curiosity about acting and his early roles in David Budbill's Judevine in Vermont, the six-year education he received as assistant to William Doyle, of William Doyle Galleries, a master of promotion, marketing and business development, his roles in theatre and television in New York and his decision to return to Vermont.

His Vermont career in what he describes as "blue collar comedy meets Prairie Home Companion" includes comedy tours to every part of Vermont and beyond, entertaining at First Night and the Flynn Theatre, producing videos, CDs, DVDs, writing columns for Denton Publications and most recently writing a book, Scrawlins.

His talk (and he also sang and played the guitar) was a great combination: humorous, charming, self-revelatory, and gave a whole new perspective of Rusty and his talent, as well as his community service, speaking to students on living a substance-free life, and supporting good works like Meals on Wheels.

Following the meeting he autographed copies of his book, which is available at Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne.

The Logger will be presenting his Holiday Variety Shows at Lyndon State College, Nov. 20 and 21, Paramount Theatre in Rutland on Nov. 27 and 28, South Burlington High School on Dec. 11, 12, 18, 19 and 20, and Stowe High School on Dec. 31, Jan. 1 and 2.