T

he meeting was called to order by President John Arnold. We all sang America the Beautiful and said the Pledge of Allegiance. Tom Pendergast gave a special Thanksgiving prayer.

Visitors & Guests: Judy Williams introduced the visitors and guests: Chris R., a potential new member and a guest of Joe McCarthy, and David Schultz, Judge Jack’s son.

Business:

·  President Arnold gave a short history of Thanksgiving, concluding with a “joke”.

·  Mark Strodel provided information on the upcoming Old Newsboys event on December 11th and 12th. There will be sign up sheets next week and a notice sent out by email during the week.

·  Dave Ziemba reminds us all of upcoming bell ringing for the Salvation Army on December 18th and 19th at Shoppingtown. The shifts will be two hours each and sign up sheets will be available shortly.

·  John Shepard announced that if people still want kindling, he knows that both Dr. Cadin and Dr. Nozynski still have some. You can contact them directly.

·  Polio eradication donation forms are available at the desk on sign in and leaving. We have committed the club to a $2000 donation this year. Please make checks payable to “Rotary Foundation/Polio”

·  Joe McCarthy gave a short review of the Rotary Foundation dinner held recently at Dibble’s. Over 80 people were in attendance—it was a stimulating and inspiring evening. Remember that a donation of $50 will be matched by a similar amount from the club, making your total donation $100. Also check with your employer to see if they have a matching funds policy.

·  FOUR MINUTE TALK: Leo Eisner gave us a short biographical sketch, starting with his early days in Trenton, NJ, his student years at Bucknell, and his Syracuse years, dating from 1966. He wants to thank the many people that have reached out to him friendship over the years, and especially those at Dewitt Rotary.

·  SPECIAL HISTORICAL REMEMBRANCE AT THANKSGIVING: Judge Schultz noted that the Gettysburg Address was given on November 19, 1863. It is a short speech of 272 words, lasting barely 2 minutes. Yet it has become, in the words of Winston Churchill, himself one of history’s great orators, as the “greatest speech in the English language.” We should all give thanks for the many sacrifices that were made by the brave men and women who came before us.

Today, as over 100 years ago, we are again fighting to uphold our freedoms and our way of life. Let us “resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government: of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Respectfully submitted,

Michael F. Miller