May 29, 2009 Meeting

Pledge Song Invocation

President Dave Lindsay led us in The Pledge of Allegiance, Maestro Marie Stulz conducted us in “The Band Played On” and Len Wilson, the Sultan of Sovereign Bank back from the Sarasota Sunrise Club delivered a scintillating, sensitive and sensational invocation (s is the letter of the day) pinch hitting admirably for Ray Cannon.

Guests/Make ups

The man, the myth, the legend Richard Hart Harrington who one of these days will see the light and leave Lawrence and join us. The soon to be co-presidents of the Rotary Early Act Club, Kathleen and Caroline Buck. James Taylor not the singer, but he is president of Wakefield Rotary Club; and Alice Coogan, guest of Rick Downey. Make ups included, Len Wilson, twice in North Andover and about 12 in Sarasota, Florida where he was the youngest member in attendance.

Announcements

1. President Dave read a hilarious email from past, beloved member Henry Broekhoff from Las Cruces, New Mexico. Dave, should probably send this e-mail out to the entire membership, it is that good!!!
2. Two of our finest are being recognized in the upcoming weeks.
   • Jim Sutton will receive the Andover Chamber of Commerce Community Award on Thursday June 4th 7:30 AM breakfast program at the Indian Ridge Country Club-tickets $25.00 per person-contact MVCC at 978-686-0900 for reservations.
   • Mark Spencer is being presented with the Heritage Award by the Andover Historical Society Dinner Ceremony on Thursday June 11th at Temple Emmanuel-Please purchase tickets online at www.andoverhistorical.org/news-heritageaward.htm-tickets are $35.00 per person.

Be great to have as many Rotarians as possible at least one on ideally both of these events. Please contact Dave Lindsay and see if we can put an Andover Rotary Table.

Other dates to remember:

June 10^th
Citizens who care and Andover Educator of the year-5:00PM-Andover Memorial Hall

June 19^th
Installation of the 2009-2010 Andover Rotary Executive Board at the regular Friday meeting time-will begin at 7:15AM. Let’s make a concerted effort to arrive at that time.

July 15^th
Andover Rotary Night at the Lowell Spinners- DeeDee O’Brien will send an email out with specific details.

June 5^th, June 12^th, June 19^th
A portion of each of these meetings will be devoted to live and silent auction items (wine, gift certificates, sports tickets, etc.) and all proceeds up to $1000.00 will be matched by President Dave Lindsay…talk about leaving office in style!!! This “Auction for the Kids” will help fund scholarships, camperships, Challenger Little League Players…young deserving boys and girls who need our financial support. So it’s all good!!! Bring cash, checks. Credit cards and contribute whatever you can. No gift is too small-well actually “no” gift at all is too small because it is non-existent…but any gift will be appreciated.

New Member Installation

Okolo Schwinn-Clanton our newest member was installed and welcomed to our club in one of the more unorthodox but lively installation ceremonies in our 14 year history. Okolo was well given a rousing ovation by the members.

Speaking Program

Paula Evans, an amazing woman wife, mother, grandmother, former banker, current business owner and a person who completely lives the ideal of service above self, spoke to the club and had a video presentation on two of her four RotaPlast missions (Chile and Colombia). This photo essay gave us all a chance to meet children like Christian, David, Jefferson and others who all received various forms of major surgery, primarily for cleft pallets, but also for other significant facial reconstruction issues. We also saw our own Donna Lee Rubin and Vince Rubin (Donna Lee as you know has been the major fundraiser and overall coordinator of almost all RotaPlast missions) and the “Retired Revered” Cal Mutti on his first RotaPlast mission. Next Saturday (June 6th) Paula leaves for her 5th RotapLast mission, this time in Egypt…so let’s all make an effort to attend the Rotary meeting on Friday June 5th and wish her personally good luck.

Raffle

No big winner…next week will be worth $250.00 yet another good reason to attend.

Fines and Happy Dollars

Before the MIT rocket scientist, best photographer in America, Heritage Award winner and hilarious Hebrew, Mark Spencer did fines, a sneak preview of the month long June action was done by the unbelievably charismatic, yet ever so humble Jim Greeley. Our newest member Okolo Schwinn-Clanton, received a bottle of wine and we are 10% towards our “Funds for the Kids”.

Mark had a good time primarily collecting some beautiful bucks and dandy dollars from several Rotarians (Joan, DeeDee, Bill Buck, Dick Downey, Paul Mercandetti, etc. etc.) in honor of our newest member Okolo, Paula’s presentation and upcoming trip, Jim Sutton’s and Mark Spencer’s awards and Dave Lindsay’s generous matching.

Grant Challenge
Richard Hart Harrington, donated in honor of his bride’s 50th reunion from one of the truly great colleges in the world, Merrimack!!! Matt Gold gave mark (and this is truly ironic since both have an embarrassing spelling bee record) a couple of bucks in honor of the National Spelling Bee Champion, as well as for Paula, Mark and Jim.

And this deserves some special notice Peter Caruso past president past ADG and Mr. Four way test, gave $60.00 in honor of his upcoming 60th birthday. This is a mere three weeks after he gave $39.00 for his 39th wedding anniversary. Peter your generosity is improving the image of attorneys! Well at least for this week.

Next meeting Friday June 5, 2009
7:30 Lanam Club… Don’t forget
The “fun” “Auction for the Kids”