May 9, 2008 Meeting

PLEDGE, SONG, AND INVOCATION

We seem to be experiencing a string of fine, sunny Friday mornings and on this one President Helene led us through the Pledge of Allegiance, Song-mistress Marie Stultz led us through two choruses of “America” and Len Wilson’s reflections on the purpose of Rotary helped to inspire our days.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS AND GUESTS

We welcomed our guests who included Paula’s grandson Robert, Roger Bell (ADG), Debbie Anthony (guest of Peter Cotch), Gail Jackson, and Cheryl Callahan.

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS

From President Helene:

• The Scholarship Committee has received 14 applications, probably a record number.
• No meeting will be held on Friday, May 23rd, the Memorial Day weekend.
• Bill Buck will be honored by the Yankee Clipper Council of the Boy Scouts with a Distinguished Citizen Award on June 5th. Andover Rotary will have a table at the event. Please see Jim Greeley for tickets.

David Lindsay presented plaques and certificates of appreciation to the sponsors of our auction last November. Among those receiving them were Thai Sweet Basil, Danvers Bank, Bank of New England, TD Banknorth, Wheelabrator Technologies, Agganis Driving School, Enterprise Bank, Andover Animal Hospital, and our own members Bill Iannazzi, Donna Lee Rubin and Ray Cannon.

ROTARY MINUTE

Joan Johnson brought in a copy of the latest issue of the monthly Rotarian magazine. It looked, at least from where your editor was sitting, to have a picture of Dolly Parton on the cover, but for some reason Joan never mentioned Dolly. Instead, she read the letter from Rotary International president, Wilfrid J. Wilkinson. The message he imparted was the message from Mohandas Ghandi. We must model Peace for children. We can come together to face challenges. In order to come together, we need to build our Rotary connections by finding new members. Show that being a member of Rotary means something by reaching out to other people.

RAFFLE

The odds are still long and the pot is still rather small. Neither ticket holder David Lindsay or Peter Caruso were able to draw the Ace of Hearts.

FINES AND HAPPY DOLLARS

Today’s Fine-Meister, Peter Cotch, fined members Dennis Crossen, Joan Johnson, David Lindsay, Jim Greeley, and Richard Brenner for their various sartorial misdemeanors. Paula’s grandson Robert, said that he was happy for the tooth fairy. Due to Peter’s impersonation of W.C. Fields while responding to Robert, Jim Sutton gave a $1 to back Peter down a tad. Like so many New Englanders, David Sollars is happy for the Red Sox, Celtics, and Patriots as well as for his guest. New member Kerry Enright made up in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Peter gave a dollar for the recent volunteers at Lazarus House, Jim Greeley and Dennis Crossen. Jim Greeley was happy for all the Andover Rotarians who showed up to make Zero Waste Day a success. David Lindsay is happy that his daughter is back from medical school and for Peter and Gail Caruso who are joining David and Martha at ballroom dancing lessons. Bill Buck happily reports that the books for the Beverly School in Kenya are all packed. Maria reports that her father, who has been weathering some illness, is now doing better. Debbie Anthony gave $20 to celebrate her soon to be born 5th grandchild and Peter Cotch finished things up with a Happy Buck for his guest.

TODAY’S PROGRAM

David Sollars introduced the speaker for today, Audrey Palermo. Audrey and her partner operate Merrimack Valley Chocolate, merrimackvalleychocolate.com in Bradford. Their mission is “to bring you great tasting chocolate that suits your individual needs.” They want to supply chocolate for all occasions. Whether it is a shower, special occasion or gift, they can help add that special touch of chocolate! They serve the Merrimack Valley locally, but will also ship an order anywhere in the United States. They also make scrumptious cookies, cakes and specialty platters, and will deliver locally in the Merrimack Valley area.

Delicious samples were enjoyed by all!