Rotary Spoke

Today’s weather was cloudy and warm. 

The luncheon was salad, chicken/broccoli/pasta, cold cuts, and cookies for dessert.

We had 31 Rotarians, one visiting Rotarian and 3 guests.  We had 1 visiting Rotarian from the Marblehead club.  Our 4 guests were the esteemed Judge Kimberly Budd, Judge Budd’s law clerk Lyndsay Davis​, Robert Clayman of the Massachusetts Judges Conference and Dave Ehlke from Geek Office Solutions. The meeting was called to order by Pres. Jim.  After the Pledge of Allegiance by Antonios G. one verse of “America” led by Past Sergeant at Arms Charlie V. (we were on key, I think), and the invocation by PDG Jack, we moved on to raffle gifts.  Raffle donations were made by Lexington Rotary Club, Eagle Bank, Patriot Bank, Arlex Oil, Walpole Bank and PP Doug Holmes.  Basically, Lyndsay Davis took home most of all of the loot. The 50/50 Raffle winner was PDG Jack and the amount was $85.00 which he donated to our Polio Plus Fund.

Fines and Happy Dollars:

PP Dan O. gave happy dollars as the Club was on key for both “America” and the Welcome Song. PP Dan attributed our success to PP Murry A.’s absence.

2nd Vice Pres. Susan C. gave happy dollars as her daughter graduated high school and Susan bought a new car. PP Bob O’. gave dollars for his mom. Andrew gave happy dollars as no one was injured when a bulb smashed. PP Doug H. gave happy dollars as his alma mater; Rice University won their 19th straight baseball conference. Steve M. gave sad dollars as his mom recently passed away.  We extend our sincere condolences to Steve and the Mead family. Tables with no guests were appropriately fined.

Announcements:

Pres. Jim read a thank you note from the Lexington Housing Authority for the new raised garden bed at Vynebrook Village. 

PP Spencer Betts recapped the great time had by all at Comedy night.  Even with the costs of the room charge and the comedians’ fees on the increase, the Club still made $13K from the event this year. 

Speaker:

Our speaker today was the Honorable Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court, Kimberly Budd.  Prior to her seat on the bench, Judge Budd was a litigator and then worked for Harvard University in the labor and employment area and then at Harvard Business school.  Judge Budd rotates from court to court within each county on a 3 month basis.  She detailed some of the events within both civil and criminal trials, discussed sentencing guidelines, and told a few stories from some of the cases that she has presided over.   

Marian Abraham