Weather:  Downright gloomy!  Grey, overcast, but still golf able, according to PP Dan O.

           

Lunch:  Sliced roast beef, BBQ chicken breast, roasted potatoes and veggies, pasta with tomatoes, sandwich makings, mixed fruit, and chocolate chip cookies!  Hydrate with cold soda, water, or coffee!

           

Opening Exercises:  PP Don M. intoned, “I pledge…” with his usual confidence, while PP Dan O. crooned a melodious “My…” to commence “My country tis of thee.”  PP Don S. brought meaning to bowed heads with a heart-felt Rotary invocation that called us all to serve others.

           

Attendance:  In the depth of summer vacation time 16 Lexington Rotarians, 1 visiting Rotarian (Paul Thibault - PP Burlington), and 1 honored guest (Susan Murphy, Meghan’s sister-in-law.  A Navy veteran.)  As seems to always be the case, my table had no guest, so we paid! 

           

 

 

 

Welcome Song:  Melodious and moving, as usual.  America DOES have talent!  Thank you, Charlie V!

           

Delighted Dollars and Fantastic Fines:  PP Don M. paid or fined someone for the pledge.  (Hearing aid was giving me static.)  Thanks Don!  PP Jim F. gave happy dollars for a nice event a Brookhaven.  PP Bill C. paid a happy dollar to celebrate the U. S. Navy’s skill in landing Marines on beaches, even if the jarheads have to occasionally swim to shore.  Maxim: “Whoever commands a ship commands its Marines.”

           

Announcements:  Pres. Michelle read two thank you notes from the Lexington Historical Society:  One for supporting the society’s endeavors to store and protect its archival collections and one for donating to its World War 1 Centennial Celebration.

She also reminded members of several upcoming events:

           

Classification Talk:  Cleve Coates, who was on the Lexington Police Force with PP Jim K and subsequently spent 20 years on the Massachusetts State Police tactical team, explained his role as a consultant with Executive Protection Programs.  This organization specializes in preparing people to manage all sorts of high risk situations, including active shooters and terrorism.  He helped to investigate the Marathon Bombing and participated in the security of the July 4^th Boston Pops Concert. Cleve is an FBI National Academy Certified Instructor, Consultant and Subject Matter Expert on:  Executive Protection, Counter Terrorism, Threat Risk Management, SWAT/K-9 Operations, Infrastructure Protection, Active Shooter, and Vulnerability Assessments.  He performs assessments of risk in a variety of situations, including churches and with Realtors, and provides training. In response to a question from PP Dan O., Cleve recommended that we should always be aware of our surroundings, scanning the crowd and noting available exit and entry locations.  “Put down the cell phone and pay attention.” He noted that on three Tuesday nights (October 9, 16 & 23) Executive Protection Programs will be presenting a Situational Awareness and Defensive Tactics program from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Lexington Community Center (39 Marrett Road).  $140 per person Cleve is a life-long resident of Lexington and enjoys ice hockey.  At the end of his presentation, Cleve gave some happy dollars to recognize PP Jim K. and his role in Cleve’s life.

 

           

Rotaplast Opportunity:  PP Don M. will be travelling to the Philippines with a Rotoplast team of doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel during the first two weeks of October. 

Rotaplast International, Inc. is committed to helping children and families worldwide by eliminating the burden of cleft lip and/or palate, burn scarring, and other deformities.  Working with local professionals, Rotarians, and other organizations, Rotaplast sends multidisciplinary medical teams to provide free reconstructive surgery, ancillary treatment, and training for the comprehensive care of these children.

Donations of money and new clothing are appreciated.  An operation can be funded for $600, but any amount is appreciated.

           

Raffle Gifts:  Thank you, Busa Wine and Spirits, People’s United Bank, Wounded Warrior Project, and Patriot Community Bank. 

           

50/50 Raffle:  PP Spencer B. won!  $50!

           

DING!  “Tha…tha…that’s all, folks!”

 

                                    Submitted by PP BC (with thanks to my trusted copy editor, PP Dan B.)