March 13, 2009 Meeting

Pledge, Song, Invocation

In a surprising break from tradition, acting president Peter Cotch asked our guest speaker Barbara Brown to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Marie led us through a chorus of “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” and our most famous Irishman, James X Joyce O’Greeley recited from memory “An Old Irish Blessing.” For those of you who missed it, and, unfortunately, that included the majority of the club, here it is:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

VISITORS AND GUESTS

We welcomed our guests who were Barbara from the Lawrence History Center, Andrew Santos from Enterprise Bank, and Pam Leach who is an associate of Kerry’s at the Red Cross.

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS

Alan announced that there would be a reception at Butler Bank on March 26th from 4-6 PM for the “Citizens Who Care.” All are invited to attend.
Please R.S.V.P by March 19,2009 to Rosemary Radulski, 978-623-8000 ext 303. or rradulski@butlerbank.com

RAFFLE

Barbara Brown continued her starring role when she pulled the Ace of Clubs from the deck and won $10. Alas, poor Andrew was her foil with a ten of diamonds.

FINES AND HAPPY DOLLARS

With St. Patrick’s Day only 80 hours away, poor Jim Greeley had many errands to run, but he did a magnificent job as Fine Master before he made an early exit. He started with his own $5 for our speaker, for Joan, and for everyone else at the table. Matt Gold gave some dollars to announce the next highlights in his singing career which includes a performance at Milton Academy as part of a chorus. He also noted his 24 hour visit to his mother in Brooklyn where I think he said he helped her get her computer back in operation. Marie gave a dollar to celebrate out speaker. Unhappy with the lack of volunteers, but still smiling, Jim started patting, or perhaps physically coercing, several reluctant Rotarians into coughing up some dollars. A nonplussed Peter Caruso gave, as did David Sollars who had time to recover enough to state that he was not, as earlier alleged to have been, responsible for Pam’s tardiness. However, he was responsible for his own lateness. He also said that missing in action Matt Haymer is publishing a book. While your editor suspects it has to do with “The Law,” no subject was given. Holding the feedbag under Rick Stern’s nose, Jim remembered how Rick has been at practically every meeting since the club started, but last week – last week Rick was absent! Steve Druth, without too much intimidation from Jim, gave to celebrate his daughter’s singing and performing. At this point in the meeting, a strange creature appeared at the podium. Too big to be a leprechaun, it looked a little like our acting president, only it had on shiny white gloves and hat with bling shamrocks all over. While it seemed like it wanted to be thought of as Irish in origin, it said something about Purim. Its gleeful demeanor cast off shadows of rum or gin. Whatever, it shortly retreated from view and our own colleen, Deedee, told of a fundraiser for Challenge Unlimited on March 28th at the Links Restaurant at Andover Country Club with Celebrity Bartenders Gerry Callahan (WEEI Sports Radio) and Dan Roche (WBZ-TV) just back from Spring Training. Another Andover Rotary colleen, Kerry, joined in the fun and the session ended when Mr. O’Greely encouraged Mark to admit that after only 6 weeks on the job, he has been promoted to “Director of Technology” at his new place of employment.

PRESENTATION

Peter Cotch introduced our speaker, Barbara Brown, who has just been appointed Executive Director of the Lawrence History Center. Barbara told us about the center which was originally founded as The Immigrant City Archives by Eartha Engler thirty years ago. The city of Lawrence, incorporated in 1847, was the final and most ambitious of the New England planned textile-manufacturing cities developed by the Boston entrepreneurs who launched the American Industrial Revolution. It was planned by the Essex Company, a group of venture capitalists who wanted a planned city. The center has over 10,000 documents, records of urban re-development, and photos of every assessed property. The city’s decline throughout the last half of the 20th century is also documented. More details about the center and the history of Lawrence can be found at http://www.lawrencehistorycenter.org/. It was suggested that the club hold a meeting there and Barbara was welcomed the idea.