Historic Needham-Wellesley Football Dinner

Rotary Club of Needham

**SPECIAL EDITION: NEEDHAM ROTARY VISITS WELLESLEY FOR FOOTBALL DINNER**

We visited the Wellesley Rotary Club for our annual Football Extravaganza, celebrating the great rivalry and friendship between the 2 clubs and towns.

Michael Price, President of Wellesley, lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance; Torrey DeFazio led us in Prayer and Paul McDonald led us in God Bless America, noting that this was the 48^th anniversary of the death of JFK.

 We met in the Wellesley Community Center and there were several relevant announcements:

Guests: Needham Rotary had a very good turn out including Greg Hoffmeister, Mary Tibma and their 2 children. In addition, Joan O’Neil, daughter in law of Yip O’Neil, came as a guest of the guest speaker, Upton Bell.

Announcements:

• Ken Davis has Bruins Hockey tickets for Tuesday January 10^th. Price is $85 each. See Ken…
• The 2012 RI Convention is being held in Bangkok Thailand May 6 to May 9, 2012. Book early!!!
• Remember, Rotary and the Needham Community Council are sponsoring the Thanksgiving Day dinner for all Needham residents who have no other place to go. The Masonic Hall Thursday starting at 4:40 am, with dinner to be served at noon. Set up Wednesday night!
• Karen reminded everyone that the Needham Community Council is asking for $20 gift cards that will be given as holiday gifts to folks who are in need. The preferred stores are:
• Bertucci’s                      New Garden                              Stone Hearth Pizza
• Not Your Average Joe’s  CVS/Walgreens                         Dedham Cinema
• Acapulco’s                    Dunkin Donuts                           Music Store
• Fresco’s                        MBTA Charlie Card                    Gasoline Card

And if it would be easier, just give Karen a $20 bill or a check, and she will buy them. This has turned in to an annual giving event which is terrific! Thanks Karen!!!

• Ron and Lois Sockol have volunteered to have the Holiday Party at their home again this year. Lois and Bill will work out the details and the date.

• to attend.
• Rotary International is sponsoring an educational program on Social Media on November 16 in Woburn. See Bill for details.
• Next week, Jim Brown will pass around a sign up for the Salvation Army Bell ringing on Saturday December 10^th. Check your calendars early!!!

50:50: Wellesley held their raffle, and Paul MacDonald (song leader) won! Congratulations Paul!

PROGRAM:  Fred Garmon, speaker scheduler for Wellesley, introduced all of the leaders and coaches from both the Needham High School and Wellesley High School, as well as the coaches for both teams. The coaches then introduced the seniors form both towns Senior members of the football team. An impressive group of young men!

Guest Speaker:  Upton Bell, former GM of the ‘Bay State Patriots’, former director of player personnel for the Baltimore Colts, and former host (with Bob Lobel) of ‘Calling All Sports’, and current host (with Bob Lobell) on WCRN 830 am on Sunday mornings.

Upton talked about his experiences in the NFL and the experiences of his Dad, who was the first NFL Commissioner and owner of the Baltimore Colts. Fascinating his Dad bouth what is now the Baltimore Colts for $3200 in 1933. I guess that has grown in value! His Dad was also the first person to be inducted into the Football Hall of Fame.

Mr. Bell talked about the value of the friendships that one makes in football at all and says that really is one of the core values of the game.

A great send off for our high school teams from a great athlete!