Charlotte-Shelburne Rotary - Newsletter

President John Beal opened the meeting with the Pledge, Kris Engstrom gave the devotional and John introduced our guest speaker Megan Camp from Shelburne Farms.

Rotary Thought

A video from Rotary International told the story of Angel and Beltone, a little girl in Africa whose life has been changed by attending a Rotary-supported school. See the video online by going to Rotary International website.

Announcements

5/12 – Mike Clapp will give a classification talk
5/19 – Club Assembly
5/20 – Board meeting
6/4 – Bowl-a-thon
6/11-12 – District Conference in Burlington – with opportunities to help

Bowl-a-Thon

John pointed out that we have spent our charitable budget for the year and it is important to raise funds to fuel the budget for charity for the communities next year.

Ric Flood said if you haven’t received packets of completed (mail merged and ready for your personalized note and mailing) letters for supporters, you should ask him for your packet – and there’s still room for more sign-ups. The more we send the more we get – and the letter has the 2009 Rotary giving record on the back – good information to share with the community.

And three cheers for Gary Bergeron who sold 24 banners to help support the event.

Suggestion: be sure to personalize your letters to potential donors – and including a self-addressed stamped envelope helps too.

District Conference

Steve Dates circulated sign-up sheets for CSR members to help with the Conference at the Davis Center. Choices include helping the Sergeant at Arms, doing a Rebuilding Together project, stuffing bags with take-home goodies, and being dealers at the casino night. And you get a make-up for helping.

Randolph Invitation

The Randolph Rotary Club is hosting a speech by a speaker who won an enthusiastic response at a district meeting with the story of Polio Plus. Steve Dates will have more information on dates and times.

Sergeant at Arms

Kris Engstrom subbed for Don Condon, and began by announcing her own happy fine – she has been asked to officiate at her first wedding.

Other Happy Fines:

Robert Maynes – a record of seven years at the same bank – but with three business cards: Howard Bank, TD Bank North and TD Bank.
Ric Flood – just happy
Michael Lash – he was in Times Square a week before the bomb scare
Pat Sokolowki – a visit to San Antonio, Texas
Roz Graham – having Megan Camp visit Rotary, and plans for the season opening on the weekend – including Mother’s Day House Tours at the Inn at Shelburne Farms
Sharon Beal – lost her badge and her pin
John Hammer – snow forecast for Sunday and more for mid-May – don’t plant your tomatoes
Dave Jonah – also happy Megan Camp visiting Rotary – and he was in Times Square the day before the bomb scare
Trafton Crandall --- the lilacs are out
Eric Hanley – going to help open up the Trout Club for the season this weekend
Steve Dates – two weeks of travel ahead – Atlanta and Club Med
Elaine Dates – volunteered for the Connecticut Rotary District Conference in Burlington – most frequent question: “Where’s the pub?”
Jim Spadaccini – happy
Denny Bowen – in Orlando for thrilling Disney World rides with his grandchildren
Mike Clapp – his neighbor Doris Maeck hosted her 57^th Daffodil Sunday last weekend
John Beal – forgot his pin (Sharon paid on his behalf!)
Bob Sanders – missed last meeting because of a pine tree that came down during last Wednesday’s storm
John Dubie – a pin fine
George Ewens --- the Back Cycler is taking off – interest from several new dealers
Fritz Horton – a week of soaring in Pennsylvania
Gary Bergeron (we almost didn’t recognize him sans mustache!) – those Red Sox!
Terry Kennaugh – the flowers are out like never before
Jimmy Farrell – picked the Derby winner

Lucky draw: Sharon Beal’s ticket was drawn but Sharon chose the wrong card and missed the $370 pot.

Speaker

John Beal and Megan Camp

Megan Camp, Vice President and Program Director of Shelburne Farms

Megan said that the opportunity to speak to Rotary on May 5 was perfect timing: although Shelburne Farms does have programs happening all year round, its seasonal activities launch this weekend and she was happy to tell everyone about the opportunities ahead.

Virtually everyone in the club has enjoyed the Inn at Shelburne Farms. It is the original mansion on the property, built in 1887, and one of the buildings given with the property to the non-profit by Derick Webb in 1984. The renovation of the house to become an Inn, adaptive renovation of other buildings, establishment of the education programs, and many other endeavors in the past 30 year took a lot of hope and resources, she said. Renovation work continues including restoration of the sea wall and formal gardens and the Breeding Barn project.

Besides coming for dinner and overnights at the Inn, Megan suggested coming for a glass of wine or drink at the Inn – just call 985-8498.

Among other interesting facts:

Visit the Market Garden, six acres of fruit and vegetables for the Inn dining room and Farmers Markets
Coach Barn – 75% of its use is by local community groups and organizations
Breeding Barn – cathedral-like space – the largest open span wooden structure in American when it was built – now has been sprinkle red – work currently to secure its wooden frame
Farm Barn – hub of activities – agriculture when it was built – renovated from 1990 to 1993 – now center for education programs, cheese making, the Children’s Farmyard, community concerts, offices of Shelburne Farms, and two businesses who lease space: O Bread and Beeken Parsons Woodworking.
Produce 140,000 pounds of cheddar cheese
Children’s Farmyard is a place for making a connection with agricultural – milk a cow
Harvest Festival – 4^th Saturday of September this year – more than 200 volunteers
Professional development programs for teachers and non-formal educators
Focus on getting young people engaged in their communities – sustainability academy
Work with 150 schools in Vermont, 42 states and 16 countries.