Newburyport Rotary - Newburyport Clipper

President Geri opened the October 5th meeting and asked Russ, Zack, and John to lead us in singing "God Bless America". We then dined on beef stew or pasta with grilled tuna. After lunch, Karl Gray was asked to lead us in singing #20 in the song book - "Take Me Out to the Ball Game".

Guests and Visiting Rotarians

Zack read our long list of quests. Marj Lynn (former Newburyport Rotarian and now retired), Scott Simmons of the Biddeford - Saco Club (and our guest speaker), David Benstream of Peterborough, John Horne of Dedham, and Joe Cleary and Hy derBogosian of Haverhill.

Student Guests

Two seniors from Newburyport High School were with us today. Amanda Werner, Vice President of the Interact Club, and Catherine Vetne, Secretary of the Interact Club.

Amanda is an ice skater and a member of Team USA. She will be competing in Milan with Precision Skating. She plans to apply to Miami University and Ohio, majoring in business.

Catherine is an artist who has won prizes for her artwork. She plans to do a double major in English and Art at a Boston College. Both girls are also on the Marshall Staff.

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Happy Birthday to Grace Connolly (10/2) and John Connolly (10/7), and to John Budzyna (10/7. Anniversary wishes to Richard Bernier, John O'Bara, and Buster Donahue.

Scooter Fines

Mark Audette had to leave early and paid a scooter fine. Later, Kate Kelly left and she also paid a scooter fine.

Badge Fines

Arlene collected $2 from everyone who forgot to wear their name badge.

Announcements

Geri said that anyone who signed up to pick up students will have to go through a security check.

Happy Dollars

Marj Lynn (guest of Arlene Santa Fe) was happy to be back for a visit, but Jim Hughes told her that fines were $10. Her daughter will be performing in an opera at the Firehouse on October 28. Arlene said the YWCA had their Octoberfest which raised $35,000.

Program

Scott Simmons is the Chairman of the Rotary youth Exchange Program which deals with students who are 15 to 18 years old. it is a year long program in two parts - the inbound aspect, where a Rotary Club would host a student from another country; and the outbound aspect where we send students overseas.

With the outbound program, the club would pay $250 and the parents $3,000 (which is essentially airfare). With the inbound program, the club would pay $2300 which gives the student a stipend of $100 per month. They also have a short-term exchange program which is only six weeks, usually the summer months, and that would cost the club nothing. It would be two students exchanging lives, homes, and parents for six weeks. Students would have to learn the language of the country they are going to. If anyone knows of a student who would be interested, let Scott know.

Geri presented Scott with a Rotary mug of candy.

Raffle

$27 was won by Scott Vandersall