Guess the Number of Beans
After the rituals were completed, Caroline rose to announce the Bean Jar is closed out. She suggested that we have a “guess the number of beans in the jar 50-50 raffle” at the Breakfast. The members quickly gave their approval.
Eating Interruptess
Rotarians were and guests settled back to enjoy their lunches and convivial conversations when there was a slight commotion in the back of the room. We all turned our heads and who did appear--Congresswomen Becca Balint. She was at the Aldrich to answer questions from the media addressing the impacts to Vermont hospital and food assistance systems from the recently passed Republican tax and spending bill. For a brief time she engaged with Rotarians emphasizing the importance of our work and shared values and libraries as centers of the community. Before she departed, President Tony presented her with the Rotary coin. Then on with her tour of the Aldrich. What a pleasant surprise!
Dollars and Announcements
Caroline rose with two $5 bills in hand: one for Polio Plus and another because she was enjoying herself sitting in the “Peanut Gallery.”
Eddie announced that we have given a $50 donation to the Granite Center Garden Club for perennials to be planted at “Reynolds House Garden.” The original donation was a matching $100, but the cost was only $100 and so we matched with $50. The plants were purchased locally at the Paquet Farm.Tony gave an update on the Breakfast. Bob Woodard has ordered the orange juice, milk and the egg mixture. Tony has asked Hanneford to donate 280 pounds of bananas. He thanked Karl for the great job of putting up the particulars of the Breakfast on our website.
Caroline announced that Karl and Charlene have graciously offered their home for our annual streak feed. It is scheduled for Wednesday August 6th in lieu of our regular noon meeting. Details to follow.
Since Last We Met
Birthday: Dan Barlow July 6
On this day in history: In 1995 American psychedelic rock band the Grateful Dead performed their last concert, at Soldier Field in Chicago; lead guitarist and vocalist Jerry Garcia died the following month.
On this day in history: In 1955 Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and His Comets became the first rock-and-roll single to hit number one on Billboard's pop charts. Bonus: The film Blackboard Jungle starring Glenn Ford and Sidney Poitier featured Rock Around the Clock.
The Aldrich Thank You Group ArrivesNancy Pope, President of the Board of Trustees and Kristen Baumann, Director were joined by Assistant Director Garrett Grant to thank Barre Rotary for its 2025 donation. They expressed their gratitude and emphasized how important the contribution is to operating the Library. Cake was served and enjoyed while Garrett made a presentation.
“What’s Happening at Your Library.”
Garrett began with Our Year in Review:
* We had 86,847 people visit both branches.
* This is a 25% increase from last year.
*71,302 books were checked out.
*Added 2,106 books.
What Else is Happening ?
Community Partner’s Desk-community organizations are invited to staff a desk to provide information about their services.
Udemy-searchable online classes available to the public.
Summer Reading Programs and Events.
Authors at the Aldrich including Alan Kessler, Claire Andrew, Katherine Paterson, Sarah Strohmeyer and Peter Cobb.
Rotarians enjoyed the presentation and the cake and appreciate the leadership of Nancy, Kristen and Garrett and gave them a warm round of applause for their efforts in keeping the Aldrich such a vibrant community asset.
