Harry Martin brought his grandson William as a guest today.
Make Ups:
There were no make up cards received today.
If you missed today's meeting, you have until August 12, 2009 to complete a makeup.
If your days are full, consider a make up at eClub One. Log on to www.rotaryeclubone.org/ and follow the instructions for a make up. You should spend 30 minutes on the site.
Click for
where our members have made up recently.
Don't forget, the meeting of August 12 will not be held at Angelica's. Instead, President Jeff Kruck has requested all members to make up this meeting by attending a meeting at another Rotary Club. Members are also requested to bring some insight back to TBM for discussion.
In accordance with Article VII, Section 1a of the TBM Club Constitution, this make up should occur between July 29 and August 26. Be sure to get a "Make Up Card" from the secretary of the club where you make up.
Camp Rotary
As we sat enjoying the view of Stiles Pond, Bill Shannon commented that he was reminded of when he worked at a Boy Scout camp. He taught crafts in a building known as "Wild Bill's Crafts"
Going to Camp Rotary is taking a trip back more than 40 years when I first worked at Green Acres Day Camp. The rituals chants and skits are so similar. They evoke fond memories.
It is great to see young people from so many different backgrounds having so much fun together.
Bernie Creeden
A small but extremely effective group of TBM members met with the campers at Camp Rotary and shared a "scrumy' lunch of pasta with a very watery tomato sauce and 6"x 6" bread/cheese blocks marinated in butter washed down with a choice of Red Kool Aid or Pond water . I was at the long- wrong end of the table so I usually saw a reduced portion. I never saw such consumption in my life . They were fun to watch .
If you look carefully, you'll find Bob in the center of the picture.
The enthusiasm of all campers was overwhelming. They have a Great time . It was very difficult to carry on a conversation as the accustics are non-existent.
My immediate seat mates were freshmen from Hamilton Wenham (Jason) who was reserved and only answered questions directed at him . He finally smiled when he was called as having a package from home . and Jay , a freshman from Beverly who when upset decided to punch out his camp wall , This was evidenced by a cloth brace around his fractured wrist . . . This brace did not prevent swimming . . but limited his archery session that afternoon . . and was beneficial during food-runs and clean up as the girls helped him.
They felt sorry for him . . . He is a handful . Full of life . . . .
The entire experience was worthwhile and I am glad I attended . . . .
Bob Luscinski
A few thoughts:
Before lunch, we watched the campers at various games and more or less figured out the rules they were following.
TBMers sat at different tables in the lunch hall.
The
TBM visitors were greeted in the lunch hall with a rousing rendition of the camp song ROTARY ROTARY, after which we were served the day's lunch of Tomato Pasta soup, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Punch.
TBM was recognized with thanks for our visit.
A special moment was observed as the names of campers receiving gift packages from home were announced. Cheers and groans from the blessed and the disappointed.
As campers were seated by cabin, each table was called on to perform a skit, on which they were scored, the best scorers at the end of each week being rewarded with ice cream.
John Plate
I brought my grandson, William, who thought it would be fun to see what lunch at an "overnight" camp was like. We arrived a bit early and joined John Plate and Bill Shannon on a bench at the waterfront area. Will was interested in the fact that some kids were treading water while being timed by a lifeguard. They were probably trying to advance in their swimmer status.
As we walked back up the stairs, a large bell was being rung by one of the older campers. This was the call to lunch.
As the campers arrived, a simple game using a soccer size ball and a square set of four numbered squares, painted on the ground, started. This was a pickup game where the ball was passed on a bounce from player to player. A player missing the ball was out, players with lower numbers moved up one and a new player was added to the number one position. This must be a popular game because the queue of prospective players quickly became quite long. In fact, ther were two games going at the same time.
The group of Rotarians and Will watched with keen interest.
Will and I joined the campers and councilor of Cabin 12, the youngest group of Junior Boys. Will, a 7 year old, was a bit shy at first but soon warmed up to the experience. We learned that the youngest campers at the table were 9 years old and that 2 of them had attended camp the previous year when they were 8 years old.
After the campers said Grace, lunch consisted of grilled cheese sandwiches and a tomato soup with pasta in it. Salad was also available to those who wanted it. The groups councilor went for the salad and came back with a very substantial portion. The sandwiches and soup were downed with gusto, along with plenty of "bug juice". One of the 9 year olds explained to Will that there really weren't any bugs in it.
During the meal, the councilor would occasionally say the words "Alley Oop". Immediately all activity at the table would stop and the first camper to move or speak was assigned a cleanup task. Eventually, everyone got a task. Will caught on to this very quickly and the councilor commented that he was doing it best.
I later asked the councilor if he knew who "Alley Oop" was. He didn't have a clue, so I told him.
After the meal, there was a general cleanup and the names of those receiving mail were announced.
The camp leaders also made other general announcements and then called on the various cabin groups with comments about whether the cabin was being kept up as it should be. When each group was called on, they had some sort of a skit or cheer or set of facts that they presented in an all in good fun effort to further impress the leaders. At the end of each groups presentation, they were awarded some number of points. Maintaining 50 points for some number of days was rewarded with ice cream.
Everyone then left in an orderly fashion to go about their camping activities.
Will and I made one last visit to the waterfront and left for home. He said he had a great time!
Harry Martin
Peter being Peter!
Membership Moment:
A strong membership is so important to the overall success of any organization. Growth and retention have to be in the spotlight constantly. As membership chair I have been charged with heading the largest committee in the Club...each and everyone of us. Collectively we can make TBM stronger, more involved in the communities we serve and fun.
When was the last time you asked a friend, a neighbor or business associate to come to a TBM meeting? I admit, it's been a while since I put out an invitation and I have a goal to find one person to join our ranks during this Rotary year.
I ask everyone to please share your thoughts and ideas as to how we can grow the ranks of TBM.
