February 4, 2026 Newsletter

Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Meeting Summary
February 4, 2026
Guests:
  • Desiree Stango from Berkeley Veller (Prospective member)
Main Topics Discussed
1. Opening & Welcome
  • Meeting began with an invitation pledge of allegiance.
  • New guests and prospective members were warmly welcomed.
2. Acknowledgments & Volunteer Assignments
  • Gratitude expressed for last week’s servers and various volunteers.
  • Server Assignments:
    • This week: Will Shakespeare
    • Next week: Nick Dubois
  • Scribe Leader Assignment:
    • This week: Josh (with AI support)
    • Next week: Mona
3. Fundraising – Dinner Raffle
Summary
  • Dinner raffle tickets have been distributed; each member received 15 books to sell.
  • Ticket Drawing: March 18 (as printed on ticket); "Five for $20" offering.
  • 1st Prize:
    • $200 movie/stay at Latchis, $100 Marina, $100 Peter Havens, $100 Terraza, $50 TJ Buckley's
    • 3 Other Prizes
  • Selling Tips:
    • Facebook is recommended for quick sales—post photos of ticket fronts and backs, offer Venmo as payment.
    • Other local clubs are generous purchasers (e.g., the Noon club).
    • Members struggling with sales can reach out for help; multiple “super sellers” are available for advice (Mona, Kevin, Nick, Veto).
    • Members are permitted to buy their own tickets.
  • Acknowledgments:
    • Any donations secured for the raffle should be communicated to Diane (with a brief summary). Diane will handle donor recognition posts.
    • Regular check-ins to help members complete sales.
Notable Figure/Dates
  • Drawing date: March 18, 2026
  • Ticket packs: 15 books per member (30 for super sellers/volunteers)
  • Goal: Sell within slightly over a month
4. Bingo Night & Concessions Fundraiser
Summary
  • Date/Location: Saturday, February 20, New Brook Fire Station
  • Food/Contribution Needs:
    • Crockpot of mild chili
    • 2 dozen cookies
    • Shredded cheese
    • Chicken & tuna salad (separately prepared)
    • Rolls for sandwiches
    • Cake, bundt cake, or tray of brownies
    • Optional: an additional raffle basket since we already have three
  • Volunteers: Four people already signed up for bingo/concessions/raffles.
  • Schedule:
    • Food drop-off at 4:00pm (doors open 4:30pm)
    • Bingo starts at 6:00pm
    • Workers asked to be there by 4:00pm; finish after intermission/cleanup (usually out by 8:00–8:30pm)
    • Raffle drawings and 50/50 drawing held at intermission.
  • Other Clubs: Collaboration in the works with Stan from the noon club on food/concessions for additional dates (not yet scheduled).
  • Funds: Typical bingo night raises $400–500 (for general funding, not scholarships).
  • Marketing: Chosen date allows ticket sales for the dinner raffle during the event.
5. Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Books Program for First Graders Kevin and MJ
Summary
  • Goal: Distribute personalized books to all local first graders at Brattleboro elementary schools, Oak Grove Academy, Green St., plus Dummerston, Vernon, Guilford, and Putney.
  • Scope: 150 first graders.
  • Investment: $2,250 required (books $15 each, 20% publisher discount applied), $1,000 allocated in current budget.
  • Funding Gap: Need to secure/finalize up to $1,250 more (discussion scheduled for board meeting).
  • Contingency: If cap is $2,000, one school might be excluded.
  • Timeline: Spring 2026 distribution, pending board approval.
  • Renaming Initiative: Proposal to honor John Penfield (the program's inspirer) by renaming the books program after him (feedback sought, decision not urgent).
  • Sample Book: Effort to circulate a physical or digital sample for members/board review (pending outreach to MJ, who may be away until the end of February).
6. International Service & Scholarships- Tristam
Summary
  • Honduras Scholarship:
    • New recipient: Nydia Michel Buendia.
    • Nydia boards at school due to distance; motivated by her mother's health challenges (partial paralysis) and absence of a father.
  • Millie Horn Cloud Community Foundation:
    • Funds received ($700) for plumbing completion - Noon club contributed.
  • Haiti Hand-Wash Project:
    • February 7 is flagged as a potentially disruptive day for Haiti (official power transition date, possible unrest expected).
7. Club Announcements and Reminders
  • Board Meeting: Scheduled for tomorrow, February 5, at 7:15am at Nick's office at 28 Vernon Street Suite 312.
  • American Legion: New monthly bingo, first Sunday of each month; recent attendance ~30–35.
  • Historical Society: Completion of the historical society marker project, with markers now installed downtown.
8. Celebrations and Community
  • Birthday Acknowledgment: Jim’s birthday celebrated with a group song; Jim recently celebrated on the beach in Mexico.
  • Brag/Share Time: 
    • Londa - golf camp to Florida
    • Jon- enjoyed solitude to winter Cabin
    • Jon & Sandy- Lithuanian ambassador speaking at Saxtons River Thurs. 5pm
    • Tristam- beautiful walk and spotting a bald eagle.
    • Kevin - Reflected on his folks and finding a letter from his mom. Also happy birthday to Harper- she just turned 5.
    • Josh - proud of his daughter’s bravery with downhill ski racing.
    • Will- teaching his grandchildren to ski at Berkshire East and loving it.
    • Justin- Went to a fun concert Ghost. First person in club to sell two packets - got tickets at 7:15 and sold them at 7:40 with Facebook post.
    • Nick - Jack his son gaining big skills in soccer program out of Manchester.
    • Sorry if other brags were missed
9. Upcoming/Recent Events
  • Ukraine Fundraiser:
    • Date/time: February 5, at 5:00pm
    • Location: Saxton’s River Distillery, 155 Chickering Dr, Brattleboro
    • Speaker: Lithuanian ambassador
    • Note: Members asked to attend at 5:00pm for the ambassador’s talk, not just for the following happy hour.
10. Presentation: “This Is Your Life” Featuring Ben Stockman
Summary
  • Presenter: Ben Stockman (Artistic Director, New England Youth Theater, Brattleboro)
  • Personal Timeline & Background:
    • Born in Northampton, MA, raised in South Deerfield.
    • Parents: Jerry (theatrical electrician) & Janice Stockman (early childhood educator; commuted to Brattleboro).
    • Early involvement in Brattleboro theater through classes with Carol Macy.
    • Became a founding student at New England Youth Theater (NEYT) in 1990s.
    • Directed first play at age 14 (Servant of Two Masters).
    • Active as actor and director through high school
    • Pursued filmmaking at Emerson College; withdrew and returned to education at Lesley College (BA in English).
    • Professional experiences: Marionette artist at National Marionette Theater; preschool teacher (Birch Nest).
    • Graduate study in directing at Ohio University (selected from competitive pool; worked with new playwrights and thesis projects).
  • Professional Trajectory:
    • Moved to NYC post-graduation to direct productions and staged readings until industry shutdown due to COVID.
    • Returned to Brattleboro in 2020 to be near family and work in youth roles (Boys and Girls Club, teaching at NEYT).
    • Created local live comedy game show ("Thorn in My Side") at Hooker Dunham Theater.
    • Appointed as Artistic Director of NEYT.
    • Directed multiple shows, including "Little Women," which was well-received.
  • Other Involvement and Hobby:
    • Vermont Suitcase Company (touring acting troupe).
    • Engaged in Brattleboro’s intramural curling league (“curling” maple syrup jugs filled with cement).
    • Wedding planned for early fall 2027 (works around theater schedule).
Action Items
  1. Dinner Raffle Sales:
    • Members to continue promoting and selling tickets; contact Diane with donor details for social media posts.
    • Periodic check-ins planned.
  1. Bingo Night Needs:
    • Members to volunteer for remaining food/concession items.
    • Confirm final volunteers and baskets.
    • Mona to resend sign-up link if necessary.
    • Coordination with Stan for Noon club partnership.
  1. Books Program:
    • Kevin to bring proposal and budget to board meeting (02/05).
    • Members to suggest names for renaming program in honor of John Penfield.
    • Kevin will attempt to obtain sample book for board presentation.
  1. International Projects:
    • Ongoing monitoring of Haiti situation (post-02/07) for Han-Wash staff safety.
  1. Board Meeting:
    • Scheduled for February 5, 7:15am, at Nick’s office. Members to bring or coordinate pastries.
  1. Upcoming Fundraisers:
    • Ukraine fundraiser: Membership encouraged to attend 5pm remarks by the Lithuanian ambassador.
  1. Brattleboro Historic Society Marker Club Outing:
    • Club should organize a club walk/tour in spring to view historic markers.