**Needham Rotary Club**

 April 22, 2014

Location: Needham Sheraton Hotel

Pledge of Allegiance: President Glen led us

Song:  God Bless America; Led By: Roberta

Prayer: Led by Darrell Minnich

Announcement:

·  The Realty Fair will on held on Friday  May 16th – looking for help.

·  Mae Hardenback spoke of the NHS program to donate 20,000 meals to countries around the world with starvation.  She was soliciting cash donations and manpower to assist in packing these meals on May 14th at the high school.

·  Ted reported on two gift of life recipients upcoming: 2 year old Valeria from El Salvador and 16 year old Daniela from Panama. 

Guests:

  • Gary Zeller,  potential Needham Rotarian
  • Mae Hardenbach a Senior  from the Needham High National Honor Society.
  • Jason Hartz, our speaker

Happy Dollars: Lots for the weather, our guests, HTBH and the marathon.  Doug for a new grandson and Ted for the two new gift of life recipients. .

50:50:  $198 is now in the pot, but Scott picked the 4 of hearts; sorry Scott!

Birthdays: None

Presidential minute:  None this week.

5 Minute Rotarian of the Day: Bob Cocks told us of his          experiences from Bates College, to the Navy, to a successful career as a banker, and now in later years a Real Estate agent. He has two children, both of whom are married with children. Bob’s passion is music. He sings in the church choir, as well he has sung with the ‘Center Streeters’ in Dover, and that is what he really enjoys. We are fortunate to have him as a member!

Guest Speaker: Our speaker, Jason Hartz is a Sandler sales trainer who held an open forum with us in getting us out of our comfort zone to improve our businesses.  His business is in Waltham.  

Joke of the day: First, from Louise…

An airplane was about to crash; there were 5  passengers on board, but only 4 parachutes.

The first passenger, Holly Madison, said, ‘I have my own reality show and I am the  smartest

and prettiest woman at Playboy, so Americans don’t want me to die”.  She took the first pack and jumped out of the plane.

 

The second passenger, John McCain, said, “I’m a Senator, and a decorated war hero from an

elite Navy unit from the United States of America.”  So he grabbed the second pack and jumped.

 

The third passenger, Barack Obama said, “I am the President of the United States and I am the smartest ever in the history of our country, some even call me the “Anointed One”.

So he grabbed the pack next to him and jumped out.

The fourth passenger, Billy Graham, said to the fifth passenger, a 10 year old  schoolgirl,“I have lived a full life and served my God the best I could.  I will sacrifice my life and let you have the last parachute.

 

The little girl said, “ That’s okay, Dr. Graham.  There’s a parachute left for you.

America’s smartest President took my school backpack.

Next is Doug’s contribution… Francis Norton woke up Sunday morning and realizing it was an exceptionally beautiful and sunny early spring day, decided he just had to play golf. So... he told the Associate Pastor that he was feeling sick and convinced him to say Mass for him that day.

As soon as the Associate Pastor left the room, Father Norton headed out of town to a golf course about forty miles away. This way he knew he wouldn't accidentally meet anyone he knew from his parish.

Setting up on the first tee, he was alone. After all, it was Sunday morning and everyone else was in church! At about this time, Saint Peter leaned over to the Lord while looking down from the heavens and exclaimed, "You're not going to let him get away with this, are you?"

The Lord sighed, and said, "No, I guess not."

Just then Father Norton hit the ball and it shot straight towards the pin, dropping just short of it, rolled up and fell into the hole. It WAS A 420 YARD HOLE IN ONE!

St. Peter was astonished. He looked at the Lord and asked, "Why did you let him do that?"

The Lord smiled and replied, "Who's he going to tell?"

Neither received standing ovations.  Better luck next week.