Newsletter 9-23-08
President Bill Paulson led us in the pledge of allegiance, while Miriam led us in God Bless America and Darrell Minnich led us in prayer.
GUESTS: Kathy Whitney - soon to be a member of Needham Rotary Club.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Karen Wetmore gave an update
on the Bandy Hefler friendship exchange program between English Districts
and our District 7910. This is an off-year for exchange, but a planning
meeting for 2009 is to be held in Leominster on the evening of 9/24/08.
Ryan Damaso updated us on the
Pancake Breakfast scheduled for the morning of October 18th.
Tickets will be available next week.
Darrell Minnich will have a
Thanksgiving Dinner Committee meeting 8:30 AM Thursday October 2nd
at his church at 754 Greendale Ave.
Jim Brown announced that the
visit to the New England Sports Museum will take place on October 27th
with a dinner outing to follow. We will be accompanied by the
Wellesley Rotary Club and travel to the museum by bus. More details
to follow.
Gary Jones will coordinate
the Needham Rotary Quickie Board for the Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital
Needham Gala on Friday evening October 24th. Donation
items are needed.
ROTARY MINUTE:
BIRTHDAYS: None
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Michael Tow for great round of golf; Chuck Levin, Jim Brown, and Ron Sockol for a beautiful day; Erica Bond for 13 years of wedded bliss; Bill Paulson for a Pats game and golf tournament; Chuck Buyer happy to be here; Lois Sockol for stable financial markets; Gary Jones, Louise Condon, Amy Sostek, Ken Davis, George Hoffmeister, Darrell Minnich, Maury Ringel, Greg Cronin, Bob Welling, Miriam Kronish, Bob Dunning to welcome to Chief of Police Tom Leary.
50/50 RAFFLE WINNER:
Lois Sockol had the winning ticket but did not pick the correct card.
The pot now stands at $231.
HUMOR:
George Hoffmeister shared a spelling joke with us.
SPEAKER:
Needham Chief of Police, Tom
Leary, joined us to speak on drugs, cell phones and the police station.
Prior to his talk Chief Leary thanked the Needham Rotary Club for their presentation
of coloring books to the Police Department. The books are used
to occupy the children of parents who are doing business at the Police
Station. In addition they present a good illustration of Dos and Do Not's for the children.
The Chief gave a detailed profile
of Police Station activity with illustrations of specific felony offenses
investigated by the police. The use of cell phones lead Chief Leary
to the larger topic of distracted driving and aggressive driving. His
final point was the November Ballot Question #2, which would legalize
the possession of up-to-one ounce of marijuana. Chief Leary is a strong
opponent of Question #2, saying a Yes vote is an endorsement of drug
abuse and sends the wrong message to our young people.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:
Fri/Sat Sept 26/27: Northeast Link at The Crowne Plaza Hotel,Worcester
Saturday Oct. 4: Harvest Fair
Saturday Oct. 18: Pancake Breakfast
Friday Oct. 24: BID Hospital Gala at the Newton Marriott
Monday Oct. 27: Sports Museum Trip
Tuesday Nov. 18: NBA Annual Dinner
Tuesday Nov. 25: Joint Needham-Wellesley
Thanksgiving dinner at The Sheraton Needham
Thursday Nov. 27: Thanksgiving
Day dinner for Needhamites at Mason's Hall in Needham
December: Salvation Army Bell Ringing Fund Raiser
May 1-May 3rd: District conference in Leominster