Jim Pecora, historian and edutainer, on Red Man’s Capital Seat - Nashoba

 

 

Jim is a realtor and real estate got him interested in this topic.  He showed us a realtor’s map of Chelmsford and pointed out how many roads meet in Chelmsford.  He wondered why so he studied Native American history and local geology to find out.  Through his research he found out that the rivers in the Chelmsford area had lots of fish and the Native Americans had prolific fishing grounds at these rivers.  He also learned that when the glaciers retreated from the area, they created special geological areas that were beneficial to the Native Americans.  Nashoba Hill is one example and means “hill that shakes” because of the little earthquakes it makes.

 

Next meeting on May 29, 7:15 a.m. at Colonial Candies

 

Membership question for May 29: Name at least 5 activities that our Rotary Club has created or participated in since its inception.

Hint: go to http://nashobarotary.org/

 

Club Announcements:

  • Local projects:
    • Wings & Wheels: Please sign up for the Nashoba nights: June 19, July 17, August 7, and August 28.
    • Wine tasting fundraiser: please give Natascha money and any unused tickets.
    • Stow Springfest was on May 17.  Chris reported that it went well.  We provided service to the event, promoted Rotary, recruited members, and promoted Wings & Wheels.  Dana, Bob, Mary, Rich, and Barbara volunteered at this event with Chris.
    • RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) Conference: Volunteers are needed to help at the RYLA Conference over the June 27-29 weekend at Worcester State.  Contact Bob to volunteer!
    • Women in Rotary 25th anniversary bash: July 17, 7-10 p.m. at Nancy’s Air Field Café.  Contact Natascha for more information.
    • Spirit of Hudson is August 16. Nanci reported that $6,000 has already been raised!  Print advertising will begin in mid to late May.  Contact Nanci to help plan, volunteer or find sponsors for this event.
    • Healthcare Fair on October 20 at NRHS!  It will be a Reality Fair with healthcare providers in attendance.  Contact Jim for more info.
       
  • International projects:
    • We Are One project: See page 14 of the June 2014 issue of the Rotarian for a description of our dental project in the Dominican Republic with the Rotary Club of Santo Domingo Innovador!
       
  • Foundation Minute: Richard reported that the truck for the mobile dental clinic in the Dominican Republic is undergoing conversion now.
     
  • Membership Minute: Barbara Myles told us that she inadvertently signed her two cats, Purry and Yummy, up for a biggest loser weight loss competition earlier this year.  Purry won the competition with his two pound weight loss and Yummy came in third with his one ounce weight loss.  (Some of the cats gained weight!)  Barbara said that she felt a little bad because while she was starving her cats, she gained a few pounds…
     
  • Membership Corner:
    • This week’s two-part question was,
      1. What does RYLA stand for? (Rotary Youth Leadership Award)
      2. What is its purpose? (Develop leadership skills)
         
  • Member Announcement: Next year Laura will be the District Public Image Chair!
     
  • Activities galore!
    • RYLA Conference support: June 27-29.  Contact Bob for more information.
    • Women in Rotary 25th anniversary bash: July 17, 7-10 p.m. at Nancy’s Air Field Café.  Contact Natascha for more information.
    • Spirit of Hudson: August 16.  Contact Nanci to volunteer.
    • Healthcare Fair on October 20 at NRHS!  Contact Jim for more information.
       
  • Dues news:
    • To cover RI and district dues, we’ll be increasing dues to $150/year ($75 semi-annually) starting July 1, 2014.

 

Other Club and General Rotary Announcements (Capitalized events earn points for our club!)

  • May 16-18: DISTRICT CONFERENCE – Awards won by our club!
    • Rotary International Recognition of Membership Development Initiatives: Retaining existing members
    • Zone 24-32 Vibrant Club Award – This Award recognizes those clubs in Zones 24-32 that have demonstrated that they have followed and implemented at least 7 of the Best Practices like those suggested in the Rotary be a “Vibrant Club” Leadership Plan and can also document 3 individual unique events/programs/projects that they believe keeps their club vibrant.  Our 3 events, programs, and projects: Reality Fair, Wings & Wheels, Spirit of Hudson
    • District 7910 Youth Service Award
    • District 7910 International Service Award
    • District 7910 Vocational Service Award
    • District 7910 Community Service Award
    • District 7910 Unsung Hero Award: Bob Johnson.  Through Bob’s support, our club has been able to accomplish much this past year.  He truly exemplifies Service Above Self, and we are honored to have him as a member of our club.
    • Rotary International Avenues of Service Citation: Rich Garcia.  Recognizing that the strength of the Rotary ideal is founded on the service carried out be club members worldwide, this citation program provides a means for Rotary clubs to personally recognize a member of the club for outstanding efforts in the five Avenues of Service.  The citation commends the service carried out by an individual Rotarian in the club, thereby reinforcing the importance which Rotary places on personal involvement of each club member in Rotary service activities.
    • Rotary International Presidential Citation with Distinction
    • District 7910 Rotarian of the Year: Karin Gaffney
    • Rotary International Service Above Self Award: Carol Toomey.  Rotary’s highest honor recognizes up to 150 Rotarians each year (this year only 125 winners out of 1.2 million members) who demonstrate their commitment to helping others by volunteering their time and talents.  The nominee must have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service, in any form and at any level, with an emphasis on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others through Rotary.  Service rendered by the nominee through Rotary must have been on a continuing basis.  The award will not be given solely in recognition of one’s performance in an elected or appointed Rotary assignment.  Personal financial contributions to The Rotary Foundation or individual project are not relevant considerations for this award.

 

Non-Rotary/public announcements:

  • Bolton Repair Café: May 31 from 9-1 in Davis Hall at First Parish Church of Bolton.  Contact Ray Pfau if interested in helping.
  • Bolton 5K Road Race is June 14: Anyone interested in sponsoring, donating items to raffle, or participating go to http://bolton5krally.com/.  Proceeds will go to the RFK Center in Lancaster.  You can Like the Facebook page: Bolton 5K Rally.

 

Birthdays:

  • Nancy McPherson: May 19
  • Bill Bosworth: May 23
  • Carol Toomey: May 25

 

Happy/Sad Fines:

  • Kelly: Happy that her husband has a new job.  They are celebrating by taking a vacation to Turks and Caicos!
  • RichG: Happy that he made his last mortgage payment yesterday.  He was also sad that his sister in-law and a friend are very ill.  He also thanked the club for nominating him for the Rotary International Avenues of Service Citation he won at District Conference last weekend.
  • Jacky: Sad that Deb fell down the stairs and broke both feet.  Jacky was happy that it wasn’t her!
  • Nanci: Happy to have such a great group and happy about the awards we won at District Conference.
  • Barbara: Happy that Karin won the Rotarian of the Year Award!
  • Cyndi: Happy we won so many awards at District Conference.  Happy about her trip to Austin for Mother’s Day to see her daughter.  Her Mom came for the celebration too!  Happy to be at District Conference.
  • Fatima: Happy to be here.  Happy that our club won so many awards.  Happy that her two daughters got married recently.  Happy that she accomplished a lot for her business today.
  • Chris: Happy about the great District Conference.  Happy about taking a 100 mile bike ride last weekend.  Sad that his son is coming home on Sunday.  Sad that his daughter is still at home.
  • RichardS: Happy that Fatima is here.  Happy about his year as club president begins on July 1st.   Sad that CT is a hands free law state and that he received a motor vehicle fine in CT.
  • Karin: Happy to be here.  Happy about how the weekend went.
  • Dana: Happy to be back.
  • Don: Happy that we’re repaving the runway in June.  Happy that the Hobbie Cat that has been hanging in the rafters in the hangar for 30 years and that we never used is for sale. 
  • Nancy: Happy that almost all of the plants she bought are planted.  Happy about celebrating her birthday on Monday!
  • Bob: Happy that he was not driving to Boston this evening.  There are multiple problems in Boston (a shooting, a truck stuck on Storrow Drive, a gas main break) contributing traffic headaches.
  • Laura: Sad we didn’t win the Best Club Award at District Conference.  It was an interesting weekend.