Happy New Year Rotarians!  After a two week break, we jumped right into 2015 with a full schedule.  We kicked things off by hosting the first round of the Rotary Speech Contest.  Today’s contestants were high school students, Steven Maloney and Grace Murphy.  Both were asked to deliver a speech about either the four way test or service in the community.  Grace discussed the role of the Red Cross in our community and the manner in which she and the Red Cross chapter at her high school assist others.  Steven was next and he explained how his school utilized the four way test by providing healthier menu options to its students on a daily basis.  It was a tightly contested battle, however, Steven was declared the winner.  He will go on to the next round of the contest where he will compete with other local students for a chance to participate in the Speech Contest at the next District Conference.  In recognition of their efforts, Steven was awarded $100.00 and Grace received $50.00.  Congratulations to both students on a job well done!  Our speaker today was Suzanne Johnson, the Executive Director of Healing Winds.  This non-profit organization strives to provide opportunities to patients and caregivers living with cancer to relieve the stress and anxiety through quality time together on the water.  Selected participants are given the opportunity to set sail around Lake Champlain on board the 28 foot O’Day sloop known as the Jubilee.  All captains are licensed by the U.S. National Coast Guard and the organization is fully insured.  In just a short amount of time, this organization has provided its participants with much-needed excursions and respite from their battles with cancer.  Please visit HealingWindsVT.org for more information about this organization.

 

 

            Our annual Service Above Self Dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, February 11^th at The Essex. We will once again honor selected public safety officials who have gone above and beyond the call of duty this past year as well as this year’s recipient of the “Service Above Self Award”.  A sign-up sheet is currently being circulated at the meetings.  More details concerning the exact time of the event will be provided soon.      

 

Upcoming Meeting Schedule:  Wednesday, January 14, 2015 –Our speaker will be Pam Hemingway who will be on hand to discuss career education at Essex High School.

 

For the complete list of upcoming speakers and general information about the Club, please go to our website at www.essexrotary.org   Be sure to also visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rotary-Club-of-Essex-Vermont/102267529834020

 

       Yours in Rotary,

 

Jason Ruwet