Signs of spring are in the air! It was 50° and overcast, but the air so fresh!

 

30 Lexington Rotarians and one guest speaker attended for a total of 31.  Lunch included salad, various cold cuts and breads, etc., with the main hot course being Chicken a la King.  Mmm, good!

 

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Erica E., First Verse of America by PSA Charlie V. and the invocation given by PDG Jack M.

 

Raffle gifts were donated by:  Ray Ciccolo and Boston Volvo Village - a book on Red Sox baseball, Eagle Bank, Patriot Bank, and Walpole Cooperative Bank.

 

Fines were aplenty. PP Dan B. fined PP Spencer B. for his multiple, multiple!!, inaccuracies in last week's bulletin. Then PP Dan started on PP John O’ for his 3/17 bulletin. PP John got hit hard ($50.00), and did not have enough money for any other activities for the day at Rotary!  L  L  PP Dave E. made sure of that!

 

PP Don M. paid happy dollars for the birth of his new granddaughter. Congrats, Don! A happy Andrew B. paid happy dollars for going back to school to get his degree. An emotional request – he was quite emotional – was made by PP Dave E.  When he got back from Florida, he had gotten laid off; following the remarks in the 3/17 Spoke, written by PP John. Latest has it that PP Dave is back on the job!  Michelle G. and Steve K - each had to pay for being late!

 

PP Spencer B. spoke about advertising for Comedy Night. Forms and ads for those wishing to advertise in the program book must be in by May 7.  Any items to be auctioned must be described to PP Spencer.  Approximately 220 tickets have already been sold.

 

VP Domenic S spoke of Patriots' Day. If anyone cannot make it on Monday, April 21, please be at Brookhaven on Saturday, April 19. Let Domenic know your schedule. PP Jim F. said the Old Guard will be arriving that Saturday at Brookhaven at 2:00 PM and that we will be serving them lunch at 2:30 PM. Please be there by 2:00 PM and wear your Rotary shirts to that event.

 

PP David Brother donated two Red Sox tickets worth $160.00, which were auctioned off.  The come-on was that these seats are very close to the Red Sox wives' seats, and up close to the players in the home plate area.  PP Don M. purchased the tickets for $130.00, which will be donated to the club.   He should enjoy the view in several ways!  J  Thank you, PP Don M. and PP David B.

 

ImagePaul Flynn, our guest speaker, was introduced by Program Chair Steve M.  Paul is the Executive Vice President of BDC Capital. WithImage offices in Wakefield, BDC Capital is in the business of innovative financing.  It was started 60 years ago, and works with 28 banks. The monies for the financing come from these banks to BDC, and then it is loaned to the borrower as part of the financing package from the specific bank.  When a business needs money and does not meet the criteria commonly required by those banks which are regulated, the bank can then make the requested amount of money available to the borrower with additional money from BDC Capital, since BDC Capital is not considered to be a regulated bank.  BDC thus complements the various banks loan amounts, so that financing can be complete and go through the particular bank.   BDC also has a subsidiary company, SBA 504.  The SBA 504 option makes available loans for businesses and also real estate and Paul described how that works as well. It was a most interesting presentation about an innovative method that many businesses will be able to use for financing.  Thank you for your fine presentation, Paul.

The 50/50 raffle was won by PSA Charlie V.  The meeting was then adjourned by President Jim.

 

Respectfully submitted,

PP Murry A.