President Caroline opened the meeting with our usual rituals and welcomed nine Rotarians and two guests; Tony introduced his guest, Amy White, and Caroline introduced our speaker Rosemary Rosa.

 

No birthdays or anniversaries.

 

On this day in history: In 1982 Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, about a boy who befriends an alien, was released in theaters and it is widely seen as a classic of American cinema. Bonus question: What is the famous line from that film? “Phone home E.T.”

 

On this day in history: Timothy McVeigh,convicted of the bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995 which killed 168 people in what was then the worst terrorist attack in the U.S., was executed on this day in 2001.

 

💰 A Mixed Bag of Dollars and Announcements

Excited as usual Tony was first up to give a Happy Dollar and inadvertently added to the Secretary’s Report. On this day in history his son, Alex, was born 35 years ago.

 

While he had the floor, he presented the menu for the Changeover Dinner.

Karl was next up with $5 Happy/Sad Dollars. He announced that Mary Anne Parnigoni, wife of Rotarian Ron Parnigoni and  an organizer of the Barre Rotary Home Show for a number of years, has passed away.. He also reported that Bob Blow’s knee replacement operation was a success. He  is doing fine and we may even see him at next week’s meeting. He  thanked the Club for its donation of $5000 to the 143 Main Street Initiative. He reported that $650,000 has been raised and a revised price for the property has been negotiated--$800,000. BADC will have 180 days to raise $150,000.

Eddie rose to announce that he brought a rhubarb-custard pie to share--help yourself.

Dan dropped a Happy Dollar in the basket, happy to report that the People’s Health & Wellness Clinic is the sponsor of tonight’s concert taking place in Currier Park.            

Ted added to the coffers with a Happy Dollar, happy because his oldest granddaughter graduated from Essex High School and is going to UCONN and majoring in veterinary medicine.

 

President Caroline introduced today’s speaker Rosemary Rosa, Acting Executive Director at Turning Point Center of Central Vermont. She is an IC&RC Certified Recovery Coach and a person in long-term recovery. She lives in the Central Vermont community and is passionate about providing support to those with substance use disorders and collaborating with community partners to provide the best wraparound services possible. She believes that recovery is not only possible, but likely if it's rooted in community.

 

Turning Point exists to help people find, maintain and enhance their substance abuse recovery by: providing peer-based recovery support to individuals and families; conducting education programs that aid in building and enriching a healthy life; and maintaining a safe haven for sober recreation and social activities.  

 

Among the services provided by Turning Point include: 1) All Recovery Meetings which focus on the hope found in recovery and connection with others; they are facilitated by trained and certified Peer Recovery Specialists and provide social support for those seeking or maintaining recovery, as well as family members, friends and supporters of those who have been influenced by substance use; 2) Making Recovery Easier (MRE) meetings which are geared toward learning the foundations of 12 step meetings; 3) SMART Recovery is an evidence-based recovery program with a trained facilitator that promotes abstinence; and 4) Recovering Coaching which involves peer recovery coaches who assist others in initiating and maintaining recovery.

Rosemary told us that all staff members are recovering substance abusers. She believes that former addicts have a better understanding of those seeking help at the Center.

 

One of her favorite programs is Foot Patrol which is a community partnership with police departments. She was part of the one in Montpelier started a few years ago. The idea is to have a member of the Police Department and one from Turning Point walk around the city and make connections with people to help increase awareness of community services that are available. She told the story of when she went on one of the patrols, she met the policeman who had arrested her for DWI. They eventually became friends and each gained a clearer perspective of the other's view of substance abuse situations. A Foot Patrol is now operating in Barre. 

 

Rosemary’s talk was interesting and informative and Rotarians applauded the efforts of Turning Point to provide an important service to the community. We showed our appreciation with a warm round of applause and by presenting her with the Four Way Test coin.