Don’t forget the superintendent of schools, Mark Mason, will be with us next Wednesday, the 29th. All are welcome (family, spouse, friends). If you are coming with more than yourself, please let me know ASAP. We have also invited a few extra guests so a head count will be needed for Pier 44 by Monday. This is also a good meeting to bring a potential new Rotarian. I am nearly done my Presidency and my goal of 5 new members is looking like a pipe-dream. If we cannot make it we should seriously consider our future viability.  Pop Quiz: call me with a number, even if it is ONE, and you will not be fined for not reading your newsletter!

 Not to be forgotten is the D.A.R.E. graduation on Tuesday evening.  It begins at 7 pm in the High School Auditorium. Note the new venue (perhaps an old one). Also, as this does not replace our regular meeting it can be used as a make-up when you need one. This is one of our benefactors so please join us!

 Wednesday night was the South Shore Council’s annual holiday dinner. The food was outstanding (as usual) and our table great company (Me, Joe, Audrey, Jack, Paula, Dietrich, Walter, Bart, Alden) We had room for one more! The entertainment, “Broadway Lights” was delightful. I am disappointed that there is no structured “sharing” for this event. I am also annoyed with the funding of the party (by club, not per capita). I will be sending a letter to the council, to be delivered by Walter next month for their consideration.

 The Board of Directors will be meeting on Walter’s Birthday at my house at 7:30 am.

 Please remove the Sr. Dinner from your calendars for Feb19.  The Sr.’s are on a field trip all day that day. We have rescheduled St. Lukes but are awaiting a response from Paul Mitchell re the 26th. Bart, we need a program for the 19th. Sorry about that....

 FROM THE PRESIDENT (still):

As I noted above, I need to get busy on new members. I realize I have to be the role model and that I must lead by example, so you can fine me, Dietrich, if I do not bring someone for the 29th. And, I will fine anyone else who does not bring a visitor (potential member) by the end of February. I am also prepared to give 50% off your next dues bill if you are successful bringing in a new member by the end of April. I would like to see our club get a citation at the District Conference but to do so requires some WORK. More on that Club Night, February 12th.

 I thought we collected money for 5 wheelchairs at Christmas. Alas, it was only enough for 3.5 chairs.  Therefore, one more challenge: I will match any donation you make at the next meeting designated for a wheelchair. Being a rehab nurse I am especially sensitive to the reality of wheels as legs. Think about not being able to use your legs to get around (never mind your car!) and realize how critical a wheelchair might be. I know I have hounded you all to death this year for money. Please do not respond to this as another squeeze.  It is just something I care about and if anyone cares to pitch in I will double the effort. The district hopes to collect money for 244 chairs, one container, to Cape Verde. If we fill a container we can join it for delivery should we wish to do so. As of Saturday, at the President’s mid-year meeting they had money for 94 chairs.