Wow! Fourteen members and four guests! Not a bad deal for Emily’s first shot at running a meeting in Erin’s absence. In addition to our speaker, Bryn Heyland, and visitor Nancy Lowenberg, Joe Boyle and Vickie Russell joined us for lunch.
Ed Smith, just back from his annual Christmas Cruise aboard the Queen Mary, levied a late dollar to… wait for it…Connie! Connie graciously responded with a warm Happy New Year greeting. Richard was five dollars happy to be lunching with four women. He also was delighted to see Joe and Vickie and he wished all a Happy New Year. Nancy Lowenberg thanked us for our welcome and expressed a Happy New Year sentiment. Gail also said Happy New Year. George welcomed ”the Russells” and informed us that the select board will be discussing the senior housing proposal on Tuesday evening. (If you support it, please attend!) Emily is gifting her husband with box seats at a Bruins game along with friends. She also says Happy New Year. Then we heard from the “rich table” (you had to be there!)… Pete welcomed Joe and Vickie, said Happy New Year, reported that the flags are safe and sound, the Rotary Park sign is in need of TLC and the tree ornaments are missing (isn’t that a perennial problem?) Pete chastised us for not enhancing the Clynk account. Let’s get on that folks! Joe borrowed $20 from Vickie to express his joy at being with us! Tracy will travel with Chloe to Orlando for business and pleasure. She was very pleased to see Joe and Vickie. Tracy’s mom is dealing with a leg issue. In her owns words, Mary is ”jittery” about a CT Scan she’ll have on Tuesday. Send good vibes please. Kerry Ellen called attention to the Chamber of Commerce mixer next Wednesday at Cornerstone.
Nancy had the 50/50 ticket but drew the 8 of Diamonds and the 2 of Spades. $7 left on the table!
At Emily’s request, I reviewed some of the highlights of the December board of directors’ meeting. I also mentioned that bills were sent to all members for dues and meals earlier this week.
Bryn Heyland was one of two recipients of the 2018 Norm Wilkinson Scholarship. She reported that her first semester at UNE went very well. She is pursuing a nursing major. While only 20 minutes from her home in Wells, she was pleased to find several campus activities that helped her make the transition to college life. One was an annual Day of Service, which was in keeping with Bryn’s admirable record of community service while at Wells High School. Bryn thanked us for assisting her financially in here first year of study.
After hearing from Bryn, Joe Boyle shared a few memories of Norm Wilkinson. Joe’s comments were informative to those of us who never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Wilkinson.
The other 2018 Wilkinson Scholarship winner, Estelle Reardon, was not able to join us but she sent along the following thoughts: “I completed the quarter with As in all my classes. I am currently in the process of founding a student organization known as the Media Literacy Project that endeavors to fight the proliferation of fake news by teaching a media literacy curriculum in local middle schools. I am also a member of Women in Law and a representative on my house counsel. I love Chicago and have met lots of brilliant people.”
In addition, Erin received a very nice note from District Governor John LoBosco. It appears below.
Happy New Year!!!
Ed Seppa
