October 28, 2008

Our hearts and prayers go out to Tim Coco and his family on the unexpected, but swift passing of his Mom; and to Richard and Linda Sundell as Linda battles for her life. Tim was very grateful for the big spray of flowers the club sent. I saw many Rotarians at the wake last night and I know he felt good about the support. I'm certain also Richard and Linda are very grateful for the kind words and thoughts many members have and will be sending their way. Frankly, it's really hard to switch gears and go on to write much of anything else about club activities, but I'll try.

Thanks to Tracy Fuller, Meghan Shea, Tim Jordan and his three boys (did I miss anybody else?) for showing up at Make A Difference Day on Saturday. With a young passel of Haverhill hockey players, we delivered 87 potted mums to the bedside tables of residents at the Baker-Katz Nursing home over in Riverside. It went so quickly, but it was fun, and I think and hope we brightened a few people's days! Great "Service Above Self" experience for the young stick handlers. Amazingly, these young hockey players had been up since 4:30 AM, having seized ice time somewhere nearby! Even more amazing, they were still zipping around the parking deck playing several hours after we were all done. I hope they slept well Saturday night!

District Governor Tom Elliott has received and signed our Haverhill High School Interact Club's Charter and is forwarding it off to Rotary International for its official recognition. Soon we will do a formal ceremony. Bill Klueber, do you know what I'm supposed to say or do? They will have their own banner, and maybe a bell and gavel. Will they ring the bell, sing "God Bless America," pledge allegiance to the flag, and say an invocation before each meeting? I'm happy for their first President, Colin David. I coached him in PAL Soccer for several years. He's a great kid with a big heart.

What a great picture of Rabbi Ira and Janet Kopel in the Eagle Tribune this week! Front page. Above the fold. Full color. Smiling magnificently. He ought to be really happy!

This is our last week at Evenfall. Let's give Spiro a warm thank you for his gracious and delicious tenure as our host. Thank you so much, Spiro.

See you Thursday.

John

Please help with Ticket Donations

Can you step up to the plate? We need tickets for our raffle and would like to get them now before they are all picked over. Please ask your company, family, and friends for a donation. Make a call today and let Julian Rich or Chuck Marvin know what you can get your hands on. If we have a great selection of tickets this fundraiser will be much more interesting to non Rotarians to cough up some cash for Haverhill charities.

Applications are due by Oct. 30th for young business and professional men and women, ages 25-40, interested in studying abroad through District 7930's Group Study Exchange Program. Applicants cannot, nor can their immediate families, be members of Rotary. This year's GSE Team will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa from late February to late March 2009. Rotary International pays almost all expenses, including travel, accommodations and meals. Four team members are sought for cultural and vocational exchange with their South African hosts. Interviews will be held November 1st.

For more information:
http://www.rotary7930.org/GroupStudyExchange.cfm
or contact Joanne Travers by phone for more information at 978-312-1200.

Last year my wife and I were away for two and a half weeks in August. We had arranged to have our mail held at the Post Office. We returned from being away on a Saturday night. On Monday morning I went to the Post Office to get the held mail.

As soon as I got home I went to the desk and began to pay bills that were in that mail. One of the bills was the regular monthly VISA bill. It noted that payment would be due in Wilmington, Delaware at Bank of America in two more days. Although the check was cashed on the due date it appears that it was not credited to our account until the next day. On the next month's bill of $58.00 there was a late payment charge of $29.00 because of the previous month's bill. I made out the check for $87.00 and sent it.

I also enclosed a note to Bank of America which said: "To the person that applied the $29.00 late charge, I have this to say": "If your father and mother ever decide to get married, I'd like to come to the wedding". My wife didn't think that I should do this but I sent it along with the payment anyway.

About ten days later a letter from Bank of America - VISA came in the mail. My wife brought it in and holding it up said: "OK big boy this is probably your VISA being cancelled for your fresh mouth note to them." It wasn't a note canceling the VISA, it was a note saying that the late charge was being cancelled and would be reflected on the next bill.

As Jackie Gleason used to say: "How sweet it is."

Keep up with what's happening in Rotary District 7930.
You may download a copy of the June 2008 Newsletter or visit the web site:http://www.rotary7930.org