April 30, 2010 Meeting

Pledge and Song

After President Bill Buck led us in the Pledge of Allegiance, the assembled group was coaxed through two verses of "This Land is Your Land," then we were invited to take our seats.

Guests & Visitors

Today's guests included John Jamieson from the Haverhill club; Peter Beaven; Samantha and Jillian Getler, Al's daughters on vacation from school; and guest speaker Neil Fater from the Andover Townsman, a last-minute fill-in thanks to Al.

Club Business

Talent Show - David Lindsay reported on a successful Talent Show last Sunday, April 25, an event that was a collaboration with the North Andover club. Special thanks to Richard Brenner and Brian Mercer who worked throughout the process to the very end, and for "photographer" Matt Gold's efforts. There were participants from all over the region. The winners were a mother-daughter team from Methuen. Plans are already in the works [editor's note: they are??] for another fun-filled event - a great way to make some money and introduce Rotary to the public.

Leadercast Program - reminder that this will take place immediately following our meeting on May 7. Contact Bill if you haven't signed up yet.

Interact - the group will be helping on May 8 with a Neighbors in Need food collection in conjunction with the Postal Service. Reminder that all Rotarians are welcome to visit an Interact meeting at any time. Their meetings take place on Mondays at 2:15 in the AHS cafeteria.

Group Study Exchange participants from England will be presented at a dinner meeting on May 14. Sign-ups are still welcome.

Early Act - President Bill asked for five volunteers to help with a program to be presented on May 21.

Guest Speaker

Neil Fater, editor of the Andover Townsman, graciously agreed to fill in as today's speaker, thanks to the urging from Al Getler, who introduced him. Al told us that Neil is the newly-minted award winner of the Newspaper of the Year - a townie who grew up to run his hometown paper.

Neil began by telling us that he gained his experience while a student at Tufts, which is the smallest college with a daily newspaper. He likened the experience to a 40-hour unpaid job. One perk of the job was the opportunity to attend Red Sox games - not so bad!

Neil said the Townsman goes to press on Wednesdays, making Mondays and Tuesdays pretty intense in working to get all the news assembled. On Thursdays and Fridays there is time to do interviews and to meet and greet the public. Neil says much of the news comes from the people through emails, which are the easy part. He gets some of the news from the police scanner, but he likes to connect with the people on coffee lines and by walking around town. He said he never uses the drive-thru.

He said that the most important stories, i.e., Town Meeting, go on the web right after they occur. Decisions of what to use on any given week are based on balancing important issues, such as Cardinal O'Malley's visit, town meeting, etc., with the regular weekly events.

The Townsman produces this weekly issue with only one editor, one full-time reporter, one part-time reporter, and a sports reporter, as well as a pool of photographers.

Neil touched briefly upon the current state of journalism. He indicated that there is more bias coming from the non-print media. He said his staff can't always get the answer from all parties, but they try not to let personal biases come through. Excellent presentation!

Upcoming Events

Citizens Who Care/Teacher of the Year - Bill urged everyone to work on bringing in auction items this week. Deadline is May 14. The absolute drop-dead date for sponsor ads in the program is May 24. There will be no speaker next week - bring auction items and come ready to raise the money we need to serve the community. Tickets to the event will be ready shortly.

District Retreat is scheduled for May 21-23. Time to get your reservations in.

Speakers for upcoming meetings - get your suggestions to Steve Ventre or Al Getler so that we can continue to have the kind of stimulating and interesting programs that we have had this past year.

And, as always, think of potential new members who can add to our success as a vibrant club!

Raffle

The spread of cards is shrinking, with the elusive joker (the Ace of Hearts disappeared somewhere in the bowels of the piano) still to be pulled. Marie Stultz and Steve Ventre picked the cards, and Marie was the winner of the $10. (I think)

Sergeant-at-Arms

Howard Perkins has been doing yeoman service in filling the coffers with his fines. He picked up some cash from Jamie Lyman, Richard Brenner, Joan Johnson, and himself - for not having submitted any auction items. There were probably others, but this reporter was too busy pulling out her cash and missed a few.

Joan praised her grandson Patrick for his leadership in the BC Let's Get Ready program. Mark Spencer visited Memphis and Graceland; Bob Troiano praised the Talent Show but said there wasn't enough juggling or cow bells - then unveiled his props and produced both right on the spot. Katharine Barr was happy her cellar was dry and that the squirrels are out of her walls. Marie has dispensed with her groundhog!

The ever-generous Jim Greeley put in a 10-spot in enthusiasm for the talent show, the Getler girls (noting that Al married way up), and a great turnout for the show. He also encouraged a great turnout for CWC/EOY. John Colbert confessed that his wife found the tickets for the Talent Show on their bulletin late in the day of the event - oh well, at least they bought tickets!

Peter Caruso praised the speaker and requested less cowbell. Al was happy his daughters could join him, thanked Neil as the pinch-hitter, and praised the talent show and our resident photographer, Matt Gold. Bob LaVoie had a couple for the speaker and the Townsman. Al's daughter was happy to be here and not in school. Helen Nicolopoulos was happy that Jillian was able to come. Matt praised David Lindsay's yeoman work on the show, said his daughter was offered a job at higher pay, and he was pleased about the resolution regarding abuse of pre-authorizations in medicine.

Ray praised the talent show, and Neil, then told us his daughter had worked at the Townsman and was encouraged by that experience to become a language arts teacher. Richard praised David for his work on the talent show. Bill Buck closed the collection with a note about the West Elementary STOP song and thanks to Neil for his presentation.