Pot size:  $906.00

Winners:  Scott Grover and Roberta Cantor (no winner)

 

 

 

 

Sold By: Rich Eisner

Sold To: Dennis O'Neill

Calendar #0280

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Visiting Rotarians were the speakers from the Amesbury Club, Jack Christian and Mark Bean.

There were no guests.

 

 

 

Mike McLaughlin spent last Saturday at the Woburn Boys & Girls Club as the RYLA Chair for Rotary Youth.  RYLA will take place at Camp Rotary in Boxford on May 30th through June 1st.  Rotarians are encouraged to drop by and see the good work for young people that happens that weekend.

 

Viktoria Talebian reminded everyone that we are back in the Ballroom next week.  Our speaker will be Dr. Timothy Johnson, so Rotarians are encouraged to attend and bring a friend.

 

Bill Henning returned from a vacation in Arizona and New Mexico.

 

Rich Eisner reported on his son's hockey playoff game against Woburn.  Woburn beat his son's team 3 times during the regular season.  At the end of regular time in the first playoff game, the score was tied.  It remained tied through an overtime period and through 4 players from each team in a shootout.  The 5th Woburn player missed and the next player on his son's team scored, winning the game!

 

Mark Shaw thanked John Fisher for nominating him for the Salem Rotary exactly 29 years ago to the day!  Mark has had perfect attendance ever since!  Congratulations, Mark!

 

John Fisher said that Mark and Rich Blazo will make up any shortfall in raising funds....April Fools!  John did tell a funny joke.  LOL!

 

Claudia Chuber spent an evening with her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend at "Heartbeat of Home", a River Dance-like show at the Wang Theater with spirited dances from many cultures and countries, including Africa, Ireland, and South America.  Claudia highly recommends it.

 

Roberta said that her raspberry bush is on its way, so it must be Spring!

 

Bruce Whear is taking his wife, Heidi, on her first-evah cruise. 

 

Brenda Smith paid a fine because last week she called Bruce, "Mr. Whear".

 

Mark Leavitt mentioned that there were 2 clipboards circulating; one regarding signups and volunteering to help at the "Youth to the Point Day" happening on April 10th from 2:45-5:30pm.  On that day, youth in the community will be cleaning up and doing plantings.  Rotarians are encouraged to donate time, money or food items. Food donations are welcome for the celebration at Peabody Park at 5:30pm.

Please meet at Peabody Park on Peabody Street.  There will be clean up/weeding at Palmer Cove Park, plus other projects.  Bring a rake, and wear work gloves.  Please email Liz Bradt at docliz@creaturehealth.com if you can be there.

 

Claudia gave an auction update.  Compared to the 2013 event, in 2014 ads were increased by 2%, there were 26% more guests, the retail value of the auction items increased by 10%, and the net received is $21,600.00.

 

Claudia did exemplary work organizing the auction.  Congratulations on a job well done!  Don't forget to thank Claudia by recognizing her in LinkedIn.

 

Brenda prepared her Presidential Award nominations and in doing so was reminded of how truly vibrant and spectacular our Club is!

 

We qualify for Presidential Award because of our established standing committees, among other reasons.  In addition, we have three outstanding and ongoing programs, that include the Scholarship Fund, the Mentoring with CDC that was started by Liz Bradt, and our youth clubs, including Early Act, Interact, and Rotaract.

 

Brenda has applied for a Zone Award, which recognizes efforts to promote international peace, which is the objective of our Early Act Club under the guidance of Betsye Sargent a The Phoenix School.  Early Act raises money for the Philippines and other areas experiencing natural disasters and difficulties.

 

Brenda has asked John Hall for a special citation for the Early Act Club, which is unique in the Rotary world.  In addition, Brenda has nominated the Interact Club for an award because of all the good work done by it with James Lister's assistance.

 

Rotarian of the month is Claudia Chuber.

 

 

 

 

Happy birthday to John Keenan on April 4th!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The annual Rotary Auction was held on Friday, March 21st.  It was a great success and fun was had by all!  To enjoy some of the photos from the event, here is a link for you to view and choose from those you might like to download:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike McLaughlin introduced Jack Christian and Mark Bean of the Amesbury Rotary Club.  Mike began a "sister city" relationship between the Amesbury Club and Esabalu in Kenya in 1986 using a $350,000 grant from Rotary International.  Jack has traveled to Kenya 12 times.

 

The sister city idea began in 1985 when kids at Amesbury High School decided to raise money during "Amesbury Days" because of the famine in Ethiopia.

 

Jack has been asked by Rotary International to present information about his project to all the Rotary Clubs in our district.  Jack said that the Amesbury Club is a member of WASRAG, a Rotary group whose goal is to improve the supply of clean water and establish good sanitation processes in developing countries.

 

There are 2.3 billion people in the world that live without access to clean water!

 

Kenya is on Lake Victoria, which is the 2nd largest fresh water lake in the world.  This lakes serves as a source of drinking water.

 

On Jack's last trip with Mark to Kenya, they went to the small island of Remba in Lake Victoria near Kenya.  People living on this island would collect 5 buckets of water per person and carry it to their homes.  This was an all day effort of women and children.  Rotary International is working toward putting a spicket closer to the homes.  RI is also teaching people how to collect rain water safely.  When traveling to the island by boat they needed to return by 2pm or risk unsafe boating conditions and high waves.  There are only 15 latrines on the island of 10,000 people, and these latrines are closely controlled.  The island has a 15-20% incidence of AIDS.  Since there is no electricity on the island, John and Mark designed a solar-operated water system.  It was completed in May 2013.  The next trip in November will concentrate on sanitation by building composting latrines.

 

Jack and Mark's group developed a clinic in their sister city in 2007.  Kenya gave the land for the clinic.  But, there is still much to do since up river from the town and clinic a slaughterhouse has been built.  In addition, unusual things happen such as the electric company turning off the electricity without reason!

 

There are many government run water districts.  Jack had a picture of him and President Obama's grandmother who has one in her yard.

 

The Amesbury Club facilitates visitor exchanges and home stays.  AIDS has decreased in Kenya because of US financial assistance.  People may receive free treatment and food.

 

If any of our Rotarians are interested in the November trip to Kenya, please contact Mark Beans at 508-561-3766 or visit AmesburyforAfrica.org.

Dr. Timothy Johnson, ABC Medical Correspondent will be next week's speaker.  Please plan to attend and bring a guest.

 

"April 1.  This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty four." ~Mark Twain