Scituate Rotary - Member News

Attendance last week: President Janet, Alden, Bart, Ben, Sue Katz, Judy, Don, Roger and Jack.

Guests attending: Carol Sladen; prospective members Matt MacDonald of Richardson Gaffney Funeral Home and Karen Kelly; Erica Winchester of Hingham Rotary; and Scott Harrington of Scituate, a member of the American Amputee Hockey Association.

Happy & Sad Bucks were contributed by your editor (celebrating a son's and a grandson's birthday on the Disney Magic cruise ship in the Caribbean Sea); Judy (her third grandson is on the way to being born and her daughter's completion of renovation her new home); Scott (for inviting him to the meeting); Matt; and Alden (it's Spring Friday).

Fines: Dietrich was absent and Bart fined himself for starting the meeting late, because of late arrival of his guests!)

Scott has been chosen for the National Amputee Hockey Team which will compete in the international tournament in Helsinki, Finland with teams from Canada, Finland and Russia. He is seeking to raise the $2,000 needed for his participation. Several members and guests made donation. A decision on whether the Scituate Rotary will make a larger contribution will come up at the next directors' meeting on April 7th. Scott is apparently the only player from Massachusetts to to have been chosen. We should also approach other clubs in our district for their donations.

Maura Curran, chairperson of the Scituate School Committee and Margie Sullivan of the 2-1/2 Advocacy Group, asked for Scituate members' support for the Override vote at the town election. A yes vote is required for the town to receive a large portion of the cost from the commonwealth.

Thoughts from the President:

I found the meeting this week painful with all the background noise. And I am not sure what you were able to hear, or not...We were also missing some folks (Paula, Dietrich and Walter, in particular) who helped with the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. And I want to thank you all again for our presence there.

It seems that Scituate’s parade is now competing with South Boston for size and popularity. Judy Rego told of giving out hotdogs for the bank and noted that there would be a big market for them in future parades. We must consider this. We could be making money instead of spending it on parade fees (up $75 this year!) and candy (also nearly $100). Judy, do want to be in charge of the parade next year?

Scott Harrington, of Scituate, came to our meeting to request support for his participation on the National Amputee Hockey Team going to Finland this summer. Scott lost his lower leg in 1985 in a car accident and now lives life passionately skating. He is on the American Team and to hear his story you want to help him in his challenge. We collected money at the meeting from anyone who wished to contribute. Bart wrote a check for $100 on the spot and others threw in 1’s and 10’s to help out. I write this to give those not present the opportunity to contribute. I have Scott’s address and more information about the hockey association and their activities. There is an auction coming up on April 5th where a Stoughton Rotarian will pay for dinner for any other Rotarian coming to the auction. Sounds like a fun evening so I will probably go.

Membership remains our Achilles’ tendon. Bart brought a guest from Richardson Gaffey (Matt Mc Donald). Karen Kelley continues to come on Wednesday’s evenings but as yet is not sponsored.

I purchased hats for the parade which will be kept for future events. But if you want to buy one, the denim with suede rim ball hats are $15 and the white visors are $7. Both have RI logo on the front. I also have a new supply of bumper stickers "Good-Bye Polio/Thanks Rotary" for $5 or best offer.

It is not too late to attend the Conference or Institute! Let me know if you are interested.

The Board has agreed for the club to participate in the "Walk to School" program, but Jack has challenged whether this should be the 100th Birthday project. The challenge is fair enough, but it requires an alternative suggestion, Jack! We have until June 1st to register a project. I do not disagree that a birthday project should be more discrete/concrete/specific. But I am out of ideas. Help!!

Yours in Rotary,
Janet

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