Our speaker was to have been historian, David Mark, who was unable to attend because of a death in the family. He would have spoken about the “Rise and Fall of Slavery in Massachusetts."  Briefly, Massachusetts was the first colony to legalize slavery (1641) and the first to end it (1783). Slavery never took hold in the northern colonies as it did in the south mostly because there were no labor intensive cash crops. Instead, northern slaves were primarily prestige property for the upper class.
 
Announcements:
  • Foundation (Brian); average contributions to the foundation are higher than in past years. Our goal is to reach $100 per Rotarian, per year. For the quarter, we’re at $34.37. let’s keep it up, considering all that the foundation does for us in supporting our global grants.
  • Wings & Wheels (Laura): Receipts this year are similar to last year’s; we had more sponsors, a bit less from the gate, the food was up; and our expenses were down. The bottom line is $17,500 to $18,000. 26 out of 31 members helped, plus 5 members of the Lions Club. Our web presence was impressive: 3836 web site views, 40 sites list us. Facebook counts that 440 people “liked” us. Our outreach is paying off.
  • Brewfest (Nanci): customers seemed happy with the new space arrangements, and our observation was that they kept it cleaner—less trash on the ground. Attendance was about the same as last year, about 2,000 people. Expenses were much higher, for the tents and payments to brewers; our profits were about 14,000. Next year’s event will be August 12.
  • We’re trying to be in touch with the Lions Club to find out when and how we can help with their fundraising, making and selling cider donuts.
  • Repair café: Ray was invited to be part of a round table discussion on October 17; the following week is International Repair Week. Our next repair café is September 24, at the Sawyer School in Bolton; Westboro’s is October 22.
  • Board meeting 13th.
  • Global grant: Razia’s Ray of Hope: a film about the girls of the secondary school and preparations to open a school of midwifery will be shown at Fenn School on Thursday, October 27. Both the Kabul club and district are now qualified to receive grants. Malawi: The $60,000 has been received by the Lilongwe club. 
  • Thanksgiving baskets: The plan is to deliver a Thanksgiving basket to every senior citizen home in Bolton, similar to what is done by Warm Hearts of Stow. Up to 1500 bags will be given.
  • Birthdays: Dan, and Kathyn Pfau;
 
 
Happy/sad fines:
  • Don: is happy that a ribbon cutting and open house for NAA is happening; and happy that the town has approved the removal of the pile of rocks from the airport. (Everyone is encouraged to take two!)
  • Ron: is happy about his certification as a retirement planning counselor.
  • Bob: is disappointed that the Bolton Fair revenue was down by 35%.
  • Nancy: had her first day off since the fourth of July; and is happy to have seen her granddaughter in Colorado.
  • Laura: was offered the position of zone 32 public image coordinator.
  • Nanci: is glad the Brewfest over; and thankful for everyone who participated in the Healing Garde ‘s Ride to Thrive.
  • Rich: is happy that, with the help of Jacky, his house was sold.
  • Ray: is grateful for recent rain, to help the farmers; and sad that a friend with 3 children suffered multiple strokes.
  • Richard: appreciates all the nice weather we’ve had this summer; and sad that his daughter’s husband’s mother assed away.
 
Program:
 
Our speaker was to have been historian, David Mark, who was unable to attend because of a death in the family. He would have spoken about the “Rise and Fall of Slavery in Massachusetts."  Briefly, Massachusetts was the first colony to legalize slavery (1641) and the first to end it (1783). Slavery never took hold in the northern colonies as it did in the south mostly because there were no labor intensive cash crops. Instead, northern slaves were primarily prestige property for the upper class.