Posted by Ross Gibson

Not present: Summer here, summer not, more less or more.

Quotes:  (1) “If you could kick the person who is responsible for most of your troubles you wouldn’t sit for a month.” Theodore Roosevelt (2) “A day without sunshine is like……you know, night.”  Steve Martin

Greeter today: Thanks to Ed for pitching in

Our greeter next: Todd Murchison (doing double duty)

Our scribe next week:  Check the website list, Jerry

Announcements

Jason – Update on the dinner raffle.  Big fundraiser for the club: $5/each ticket or 6 tickets for $25.  Five restaurants are participating.  Thanks to Shawna, Jill and Kevin who got the restaurant commitments.  Tickets will have restaurant names on them as well as the beneficiaries such as Project Feed the Thousands.  Tickets will be printed 1st week of August and the drawing will be September 30.  This gives us 45 days to sell tickets.  The goal is for each member to sell 8 books each.  Jason got distracted because Marcy scratched her eye.  Allie suggested that tickets sell better if there is a poster with heightened visibility of the charities

Guests – Kaya Gibson (Ross’ granddaughter), Natalie Ann Dietz, 6th grade and summer camper (Dan’s daughter) and Coretta (Todd’s significant other and/or main squeeze; Todd wasn’t sure).

Cards - 6 diamonds; not in the deck (you know the rest)

Bowl of Life – “He won some beef steaks for making winning free throws in a high school in a game that where his team had only four players at the end of the game.” Tristam guessed  Jason guessed Kevin which was correct.  Kevin told the story which was a repeat of the above ending in “The next day I got acall from guy in town who brought me beef steaks as congratulations for winning the game.”

Brags

Tristam – Reported that  he and Mark found something in common:  Tristam was stationed in Mark’s home town in Southeast Asia when in the service.  He brought pictures of the town to Mark.

Jill – Dad had a mild heart attack but doing great.  He had a stent put in a clogged artery.   He was released from the hospital yesterday and is doing well.

Ross - I bragged for Kate who did an excellent job organizing the Governor’s visit and luncheon last week.

Allie – Suggested a future fundraiser.  She came across an bottle of Fellowship Ale which had a Rotary icon on it and there was an indication that Fellowship gave money to the club.   There was a suggestion from the gallery that we try this with vodka distillery.

Dan – Went to his 1st yoga class which is totally out of the box for Dan.  Dan stated “Pretty good – got stretched.  Incredible.   Pretty awesome.”  Ed shook his head in disbelief but his questions were cut off due to children being in the room.

Kevin – He reconnected with old family friend who lives in PA.  The friend’s daughter planned a trip to Brattleboro and Kevin knew the mom since grade school – connection made through Facebook.  They had dinner at the Marina. 

Todd – (Coretta paid his brag) – Reported he is taking his 1st vacation in years as they are going to bluegrass festival.  He will be back late Tuesday so he can greet on Wednesday AM.

Speaker – Our scheduled speaker cancelled so we were treated to two “This is your life” presentations by new members:

Aviva – She was born and raised by hippies in Western MA.  She always knew that she wanted to help people and became interested in public health.  In college at Ithaca she heard Bill Moyers speak on the mind-body connection – neuro-endocrinology.  After graduation she moved to Washington DC, worked in endocrinology, however she wanted to be the doctor that she would look for for herself.  She went to medical school in Arizona and trained in natural medicine.  She moved to New Haven for her residency in natural medicine.  She started practicing in CT through residency but wanted out of CT.  Traveled around NE, fell in love w/VT, wanted a home and here she is!  She has a passion is to help people and opened her primary care practice to do so.  Her office is off of Putney Road on left as you head north. 

Nick – He is originally from Maine.  He went to UVM, and received a BA in Finance with a Renewable Energy minor.  He started an alternative energy business in college, which grew to become a global company.  Their first commercial sale was in British Columbia and second was in Stowe Vermont.  The company grew and he was negotiating deals all over the world.  Once his wife was pregnant with their first child, everything changed as he didn’t want to travel.  His wife’s family is in this area so they moved here.  Their house up north sold in three days and he started with Edward Jones quickly.  He is passionate about helping people meet their goals and he likes getting thank-you notes from people. Kids: Jackson 2 ½ years old and they are having a baby girl in 3 weeks – Caroline Isabelle Dubois.  Not sure what they will do if ultrasound was incorrect.  Sports – avid sports fan and activist, plays softball here and soccer in the Putney Men’s League.

Adjourned at 8:09am.