A lucky Sturbridge resident has won the Lottery Ticket Basket.  The winning number was 234.  The Club will use the proceeds for scholarships and community projects.  Thank you everyone who purchased tickets.  We appreciate it.

Jason Camuti from the Westborough Rotary Club attended the meeting with DGN Steve Sager.  They are working with District to visit all the clubs and share their expertise.  In their presentations they spoke about Public Relations / Public Image for Rotary as well as sharing helpful tips on increasing and retaining membership.

Otto, Steve Sager, Jason Camuti

Jason Camuti

Honorary Rotarians Glenys Hachfeld, Kim Jenkins, Mitzi Kingman and Pauline White were presented with a gift and a Holiday door swag as a token of the Club’s appreciation.  The four were recognized respectively for their continuing hard work on various projects, planning and conducting fundraisers, planning and hosting events and providing public relations and publicity.  Their actions exemplify Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self and the Club is forever grateful.

Glenys Hachfeld and President Otto

Kim Jenkins and President Otto

President-Elect Dave Zonia, Mitzi Kingman, President Otto

Pauline White and President Otto

Three people were pleasantly surprised when they were presented with Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognition.  Rotarian Henry Skarani received his third PHF and his wife, Doris, was presented with her first PHF.  Rotarian Peter Zeh received his second PHF.  There are 65 PHFs in the Sturbridge Club which does not include the 16 who have received multiple PHFs.  Congratulations Henry, Doris and Peter!

PDG Klaus, Henry and Doris Skarani

Peter Zeh, PDG Klaus, President Otto

The Nominating Committee proposed the slate of officers for the Rotary Year 2017-2018 and the membership unanimously approved them.  It’s going to be another great year!

President:    David Zonia

President-Elect:    Austin Jenkins

Secretary:    Kelli Robbins

Treasurer:    Lorraine Herbert

Congratulations on accepting this honor!

The Holidays are for merriment and fellowship and the Club had a great deal of both at our gathering held at a members’ home.  There was lots of fabulous food and the joke Yankee Swap gift exchange resulted in much laughter and multiple exchanges.  It was another successful social event where we always have so much fun!

Santa Carl (far right) led the Yankee Swap.

It was a fabulous District Christmas Party held at the beautifully decorated Publick House in Sturbridge where 95 attendees enjoyed the festivities.  Eighteen Sturbridge Rotarians and guests attended.  All attendees brought Teddy bears for the local State Police.  The food was great, the speeches were short, and the fun was enormous.  The Tantasqua High School “Choraleers” led by Derek Ternullo entertained with Christmas Carols.  Thanks to PDG Klaus and Honorary Rotarian Glenys Hachfeld for expertly planning this event.

DGs Pat and Skip Doyle

President Otto giving welcome remarks.

The Teddy Bears.

Sgt. Kevin Williams of the Brookfield Barracks with Klaus.

The Tantasqua “Choraleers”.

PDG Klaus Hachfeld and wife, Honorary Rotarian Glenys.

It was a fearsome battle but the Shepherd Hill Rams continued to dominate the Homecoming Game winning for the fifth year in a row against the Tantasqua Warriors with a score of 55 to 0.  Undeterred by the Rams’ strength, the Warriors pushed on in the true spirit of the holiday tradition.  Ken Jones, Club Secretary and who coordinates this activity, is shown with Rams’ coach Matthew Morway (right).  President Otto is shown with the coach and team captains accepting the 2016 Rotary trophy.

We recently received an inquiry regarding the Scholarship Fund for Wendell Wright.  As you may recall, Wendell, husband of Rotarian Dorothy Wright, passed away on August 16 this year.  Per his obituary, it was Wendell and Dorothy’s wish that donations in Wendell’s memory be made to the Rotary Club of Sturbridge Scholarship Fund.  A separate account has been set up for this scholarship which would provide school supplies for kids who cannot afford them.  In case you have misplaced the information, contributions to this Fund can be mailed to:  The Rotary Club of Sturbridge, P.O. Box 357, Sturbridge, MA  01566 and indicate “Wendell Wright Scholarship Fund” on your check.  You may also give a check directly to Lorraine at a Rotary meeting.  Thanks for supporting Dorothy.

Wendell (far left) receiving a Paul Harris Fellow recognition in 2014.