Greetings Rotarians!  Past-President Mike Plageman stepped in today’s special guest President!  We kicked off today’s meeting by inducting our newest member, Max Levy.  Max was first introduced to our Club when he spoke to us on behalf of the American Red Cross a few months ago.  Please take the time to introduce yourselves to Max and to make him feel welcome.  Today’s speaker was Steve Wark, Director of Communications from Vermont Gas Systems.  Steve explained that Vermont Gas Systems is the only public utility company in the state that provides natural gas.  It currently boasts over 47,000 customers in northwestern Vermont. Steve discussed his company’s recent efforts to expand its gas service to Rutland and Addison Counties and to eventually provide service across the lake to International Paper Company. He explained that some communities have voiced opposition to this expansion and the potential locations of the proposed gas lines.  For more information about Vermont Gas Systems and its proposed expansion, please visit its website at:

 

We are now less than a month away from the Essex Rotary Golf Tournament!  Presently, there are 13 hole sponsors and 13 cart sponsors who signed on last year that have not been confirmed for this year.  If we can get those companies on board, we will exceed last year’s sponsorship totals.  This is our Club’s biggest fundraiser, so we ask that members please help in securing these last sponsors!  Per usual, a tournament brochure is being included with this newsletter.  Committee Chair Dave Johnson also reminded us that the deadline for sponsors to get ads in to be put on cart and hole signs is June 1^st.

 

 

            Please mark your calendars for the evening of Wednesday, June 25^th.  Our Club will be holding its annual Changeover Dinner at The Essex on that date.  This dinner will be held in lieu of our regularly scheduled meeting that day.  As we did last year, awards will be given out for Rookie of the Year; Rotarian of the Year and the Unsung Hero of the Year. In addition, the Club will also bestow the first ever Service Above and Beyond Awards to deserving Rotarians.  Descriptions of each of these awards will soon be on the website, so we would ask that you please consider nominating any worthy candidates.

 

Upcoming Meeting Schedule:  Wednesday, May 21, 2014 – Next week we will be our annual scholarship presentation!

 

For the complete list of upcoming speakers and general information about the Club, please go to our website at www.essexrotary.org  Be sure to also check out our Club’s Facebook page at:

 

                        https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rotary-Club-of-Essex-Vermont/102267529834020

 

 

       Yours in Rotary,

 

Jason Ruwet