Rotary Spoke 01/12/15

Posted by Diane Piper-Timberlake 
on Jan 12, 2015
 

Lexington Christian Academy Hosts

the Rotary Club of Lexington Luncheon

 
 
 
Today's Weather: Light rain, a balmy 35F (compared to a week ago).
 
Luncheon Fare:       Mixed salad, curried butternut squash soup with fresh cilantro, pasta with tomatoes, capers and parmesan crusted chicken, medley of roasted vegetables, and selection of deserts.
 
Attendance:  Lexington Rotarians 26, Guests 1 = Total of 27
 
Raffle gifts were donated by Walpole Cooperative Bank, Busa Wines & Spirits, Arlex Oil, PP Doug H. and the Rotary Club of Lexington.
 
50/50 Raffle Winner: Lori M. Amount $60
 
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by PP Allan A., 1st Verse of America was led by PE Susan, PP Bob C. gave the invocation.
 
Fines and Happy Dollars:
PE Dominic was fined by both the Treasurer and Secretary for not asking for the attendance report. Diane P. gave happy dollars for returning from her trip to rain free England. Treasurer Donna L. gave happy dollars for her son Chris scoring his first goal for the Minuteman Hockey team Saturday night. PP Don F. gave happy dollars for the Patriot’s exciting win yesterday. His daughter will be leaving to make arrangements for the Super Bowl (a big cheer erupted). PP Dan Busa donated happy dollars for 50 years of the Christian Academy in Lexington. He reminisced of his youth spent using the developing facilities and jumping fences. The Head of the Christian Academy gave happy dollars for the best Rotary Club in Massachusetts.
 
The following announcements were made:
  • Pres. Dave is away on vacation; PE Dominic presided over the meeting.
  • Two thank you letters have been received for the Sand 4 Seniors deliveries and also the Holiday party.
  • Sand 4 Seniors - 2nd Round: Sat Jan 17, convening at the Brookhaven loading dock at 9 AM. 8-10 volunteers needed. Many thanks to the Brookhaven staff, who will pre-fill the buckets.
  • The annual Polar Plunge is only 16 days away! To sponsor the brave few, PP David S., SAA Steve M. and Pres. Dave, go to the Lexington Rotary Club website.
 
Reminder: Rotary meetings will be held at different venues for January and February:
  • 19 January: No Meeting MLK Day.
  • 26 January: No Meeting
  • 27 January: Joint meeting with Lions club. 6:30-8:00 pm at Knights of Columbus Hall
  • 02 February: Minuteman High School. Note there will be a Board meeting.
  • 09 February: Cary Memorial Library
  • 16 February: No meeting President’s Day
  • 23 February: Back to Waxy’s
PP Jim F. mentioned that Brookhaven has raised $3,500 through the sales of the book “A Common Purpose”. The proceeds go to Honor Flight New England, a company which provides flights to the Washington WWII memorial. If anyone knows a Veteran who would be interested in going to Washington, contact PP Jim F.
 
Today’s meeting was held at the Lexington Christian Academy. Kate Young welcomed the Rotarians to the Academy and introduced Maeva Veillard, a student who plays in the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. This coming Sunday Maeva will be participating in Verdi’s “Un Ballo in Maschera” at Harvard. Maeva opened the meeting by playing a short arrangement which was well received.
The Head of Lexington Christian Academy, Timothy Russell, thanked Rotarians for their generous support over the years. The Christian Academy moved from Boston to Lexington in the 1960s and in recent years there has been an expansion in the facilities. The school focuses on educational innovation; preparing students to become future leaders in business, the community and the world in general. Recently two students were accepted at Harvard University. Service is an important aspect of a student’s education at the Academy. Over the years there have been a number of community projects, for example raising money for mosquito nets. Locally, in the Fall both the facility members and students rake leaves in Bartlett Avenue as a thank you to the residents.
The Academy's academic calendar is organized into two semesters plus a 5-day Academics in Action program, which occurs in March. Academics in Action is a time where guest teachers and experts are utilized to broaden students' exposure to real world experience, for example a filmmaker (Narnia) and also cartoonist from the New York Times. If anyone is interested in being involved in the program, contact Kate.
Many thanks to the Academy for the wonderful hospitality. For more information on Lexington Christian Academy's < click the link.
 
Diane P.