October 15th Social at First Republic was well attended . We enjoyed pizza and time getting together. We had a surprise guest speaker, Wood 4 Good founder Eric Alexrod. Eric has been featured in Seven Days, in VTDigger, and has been on the Today show with Craig Melvin. He delivered 190 cords of wood to families in need last year. He is hoping to grow the program by 20 percent with the ultimate goal of serving the entire state of Vermont. Eric also talked about the danger of standing dead ash trees and the need to remove them before they become infested with Emerald ash borer. The state is expecting 100% mortality to the ash tree population in the next few years. Eric accepts both cash donations and volunteer support to split , load and deliver wood. For more information go to wood4good.org
October 18th Feed our Starving Children - our Rotary volunteers were part of a shift that packed meals for 135 children for a full year. Thanks to Amy Jackman for organizing this event
Pumpkin Pallooza in Maple Street Park- Thanks to Max Seaton for organizing this 2 part event, which featured 950 pumpkins on staging and throughout the park:
October 22nd - Four Rotarians ( Tim Gendron, Kaitlyn Raymond, Janet Botula and Kurt Johnson) carved approximately 20 pumpkins .
October 25th- Rotarians staffed our booth to give candy to trick or treaters young and old who came to enjoy the pumpkin display.
Heavenly Food Pantry - October 13th and October 23rd - The pantry served 45 families on the 23rd. Thanks to Sharon Dettenrieder for organizing the volunteers who attend distribution and assist families in need.
Communication committee update:
One pager to be used for advertising the club and recruitment - Edith Klimoski’s son is working on this. Asking for it to be ready for printing on 11/10/2025. This will be distributed to our sponsors and local businesses , town halls, etc as allowed by those establishments.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/ UPCOMING EVENTs
Our club members are very involved in community! If you’d like to see your upcoming event posted in the newsletter please contact Donna Johnson by the 5th of the month.
Events which support Rotary goals and committees will be included since our participation is a way to boost our presence in the community.
The Environment Committee participated in the Window Dressers Community Build of storm window inserts used to cut energy costs. Contact Greg Morgan for more information.
Rally for Healthcare Justice will take place on November 8, from 3;00 - 4:30 pm at Five Corners.
Wood4Good Volunteer opportunity on November 22nd from 9-12. We will be working on the woodlot in Jericho , on Cilley Hill Road. Sign up here if you’d like to help: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4EACAD2CABFEC70-59835390-rotary?useFullSite=true#/
Pickle For Prevention, a pickleball event, will be held at The Edge on W. Twin Oaks Terrace on November 22 to raise money for suicide prevention. For more information go to https://pickleforprevention.eventbrite.com
Operation Warm - Winter Coat distribution to schools in Essex Junction, City of Essex, Jericho, Underhill and Westford . Dec 4-Dec 11. See Max Seation
Bell Ringing /Red Kettle Collection for Salvation Army - Dec 5-Dec 6th at Price Chopper in Essex and Essex Discount Beverage. Shifts are 2 hours each, starting at 10am and ending at 6pm. Signups will be available soon. Contact Donna Johnson
Senior Holiday Luncheon at Champlain Valley Expo - Dec 10,2025 . Last year we served 200 meals to Seniors . Contact Bob Mulcahey