July 13, 2016

Michelle is standing in for President Damon

In attendance: Summer here, summer not

 

Quote: Pokémon Go – “Pokémon Go has done more for childhood obesity than Michelle Obama has for the last eight years.”  Random Twitter post

Thanks to our Greeter, Ali, who fined herself for not greeting.  Next week, Bethany will be greeting and Tristan will be scribing. 

 

Guests (names may not be fully correct) – Lisa Fitzgerald (prospective member), Amber Thibodaux and Meredith Canyon

 

Student Rotarian – Bethany is still attending!

 

Josh announced the schedule for Frisbee golf starting this weekend.  He passed around a schedule.  Please sign up with Josh or with the on-line sign-up.

The District Governor is visiting at the end of the month.

Speaker assignments were sent via e-mail.

Thank-you notes received from Rescue and two scholarship recipients and passed around     

 

Birthdays – None.

 

Cards –   Our guest Meredith won $30.

 

Bowl of Life – “Spent two years living on an aircraft carrier.” – Jason but everyone knew.  “I don’t like chocolate, cantaloupe or the color red.”  Josh – Amelia – Jen – Sadie – Drew – Diane – Kevin – Nick – Mark (correct)

 

Sadie – For everyone at Rotary Romp this past Monday.  Next one will be in August

Jon – For trip to Lithuania with daughter Alexa and for owning a hearing aid.

Ali – For Rotary Romp and the people who attended.  Also, for new garage doors and thankful Ed was not there, for her daughter who is going to Madagascar.

Marcy – For nephew and wife who had a child.

Jim V. – For Rotary Romp, for Jon’s daughter Alina who walks his dog and for wayward skunk on Main St. who tangled with his dog.

Tristan (through his proxy as he is teaching) – Serving pizza at Lilac Ridge tonight from 5 to 7 tonight.  Also for a Groundworks fund raiser, 80’s dance music party.

Jim M. – For his assistant Jen who had a 9lb. baby boy.

Amelia – Won’t be here for the next three weeks as she will be vacationing in the Outer Banks.

Will – BMC Board member and BMC will be moving to the current Winston Prouty Center on Guilford Street.

Sadie – Into The Woods performance includes some Rotarian kids; amazing show.

Drew – Went on annual sea kayak trip up north and took his wife this year and he is still married.

Kevin – Propose a fine for anyone not wearing a pin.  Also, for daughter Sarah who is starting he nursing career today at Grace Cottage.

 

Guest Speakers – Marcy introduced our speakers Amber Thibodaux and Meredith Canyon from the Southern Vermont Therapeutic Riding Center.

SVTRC has been in existence since 2010.  Started with one staff and one rider.  Now have two employees and lots of riders.  Have moved to Wilmington with a presence in Newfane.  They see a vast array of people who need their services, ranging in age and in need.  Currently have three horses who are incredible beings; they are the mirror of our beings.  Horses are able to read people’s emotions and feelings and respond accordingly.

Meredith spoke as a participant though she is also a SVTRC Board member.  She discovered SCTRC three years ago.  She did not grow up around horses however with MS she developed a need for these services.  She looked around a service and found it by Googling.  Initially she was one of two adults in the program as it was mostly younger people.  She finds it really fantastic as it allows you to really clear your mind and be present with the riding.  When she started, she asked “what’s in it for the horse?” and found it is very beneficial for the horse.  She has found this a profound experience physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  She also spoke about the benefit for younger people who benefit immensely from the program.  She mentioned the program is growing and they are looking for staff, participants as well as volunteers.

Amber mentioned that they are PATH – Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International which certifies all of their professional staff.  PATH is a large organization with many member ‘chapters’.  She explained some of the techniques and specific skills that are worked on in training/riding session.  The program is funded through lesson fees ($40/half hour) and through donations.  Each half hour costs them $66 so they need to make up the $26 difference through a variety of fund-raisers.

Ali bragged for the work SVTRC has done for kids at Kindle Farm.  Amber spoke about critical strategic relationships e.g. Kindle Farms, Landmark College, local schools, etc.

Adjourned at 8:23am.