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Welcome to the Rotary Club of Williston-Richmond, VT!


SERVICE ABOVE SELF

We meet In Person & Online
Thursdays at 7:30 AM
Via Zoom and in person
Williston Federated Church
44 North Williston Road
Williston, VT 05495
United States of America

Be our guest! Club meetings feature interesting speakers, club business, shared
inspiration and social networking. For a Zoom link, email us at
rotaryclubofwillistonvt@gmail.com. Or join us in person at the Williston
Federated Church Fellowship Hall.
Join Us Online [Login to view details]
Venue Map
Are you interested in a way to give back to your community?  We're welcoming
volunteers to join our many local service projects.  Whether you have just a few
hours or time for a weekly commitment, Williston-Richmond Rotary invites you to
join us in activities to help others and support our community. 
 
Do you know of a need in our community?  We want to hear from you about how we
can help.  
 
Contact us! To find out about volunteer opportunities and to share your ideas
for how we can serve, email us at RotaryClubofWillistonVT@gmail.com.
 
News
Williston Fire Department Receives Rotary donation to purchase lifesaving
Cyanokit

 

The paramedics of the Williston Fire Department have acquired a new tool to help
save lives.

Thanks to the initiative of Captain Prescott Nadeau and Lieutenant Tony
Simanskas the department is pioneering the availability of a medication to treat
victims of smoke inhalation for field application in Vermont.

Cyanokit is the trademarked name of the kit which contains hydroxocobalamin, an
antidote used in the treatment of cyanide poisoning caused by smoke inhalation
during a structural fire. Delivered intravenously to victims, the medication
binds with cyanide in the blood to form a substance that the body can safely
excrete through urine.

To their knowledge, they are only the second fire department in the state to
have acquired and been trained in its use.

Read more about it at:
https://www.willistonobserver.com/news/williston/williston-fire-department-gains-lifesaving-tool/article_ed6e5cea-b88c-11ed-9088-e7d0ebbbc24b.html
Williston Chief Foley speaks to Rotary

 

 
Williston Police Chief Patrick Foley spoke to the club on January 19.  The
town’s police department is currently fully staffed with 17 officers including
three women. Chief Foley shared that the department is engaging a consultant to
help look at what the staffing needs of the future are likely to be 5, 10, 15
years from now given the expected continued growth of the town. He also spoke
about the shared dispatch arrangement with the town of Essex that has created
greater efficiency and coverage following the loss of dispatch services provided
by Vermont State Police. 
2nd annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance

 
A performance by KeruBo was a highlight of the club's 2nd annual observance of
Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Photo by Luke Awtry
 
The Williston-Richmond Rotary Club hosted a second annual observance of Martin
Luther King Jr. Day on January 16. Organized by Debbie Ingram, the virtual event
featured inspiring remarks by members of the Williston Racial Equity Partnership
and Richmond Racial Equity, as well as MMU high school student Kennedy Jensen
and other area residents, each providing their perspective on the significance
of Dr. King's work, words and legacy. Dennis Francis spoke of key messages in
King's "I Have a Dream" speech; Denise Noble spoke of the need for those who
hold white privilege to learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable; and
Peet Grobler, who grew up in apartheid South Africa, noted the comparisons
between Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King. Burlington-based
singer/songwriter Kerubo offered a stirring musical performance of "Black and
Blue." 
 
A recording of the 45-minute event can be viewed on YouTube. 
Rotary supplied STEM kits and Wonderbooks popular at library

On December 15, Youth Services Librarian Bonnie Lord spoke with us about the
resources our club has donated to the Dorothy Alling Memorial Library. STEAM
(Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) themes supported by
these materials have included chemistry, “Dynovember” and robotics. Solar Bug
Kits purchased with Rotary funds enabled children to make paper bugs that walk
around powered by tiny solar panels. 
Supporting Education is one of Rotary International’s nine global causes and the
Williston-Richmond Rotary Club has supported education and literacy in our
community by funding youth library resources, books for the WCS Connecting Youth
Mentoring Program and materials to establish Little Libraries built by WCS
students.

Bonnie Lord, seen here at the Town Fair last May, is youth services librarian at
Dorothy Alling Memorial Library.
A Special Veterans Day

  
 
The annual Veterans Day Observance hosted by the club was made even more
significant this year by including the dedication of a granite bench in memory
of Deb Beckett. The bench was newly installed in the small park that sits
between Williston's Town Hall and Town Hall Annex. This park also houses a war
memorial and brick patio. Club President Sally Stockwell Metro presided over the
ceremony, which featured the reading of the names of veterans engraved on newly
installed bricks, a moving tribute to her mom from club member Ellie Beckett
and remarks from Town Manager Erik Wells and veteran Charlie Magill. 
 
Read more about the event in this Williston Observer article. 
A photo gallery is here.
A Sweet Trunk or Treat

    
 
For the second year the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club and Williston Federated
Church teamed up to provide a fun and safe treat-filled afternoon for area
children and their families. This year, blessed with blue skies and warm
sunshine, we estimate we were visited by over 200 witches, robots, action
heroes, fire and police officers, chickens, strawberries, sharks, soccer stars
and more creative characters. About 15 vehicles and the Town Recreation & Parks
Department offered goodies and a very scary/friendly Tyrannosaurus Rex kept
everyone on their toes. 
 
To see photos capturing the fun, view our photo album.
Wood 4 Good volunteer event


In late October members of area Rotary clubs joined to pitch in at Wood 4 Good,
preparing wood to be donated for home heating. See our photo album of the
industrious group in action.

About Wood 4 Good: 

In 2019, Eric Axelrod and his two young sons, Devin and Logan, discovered they
had more firewood than they needed and decided to give it to members of their
community who needed it. After making a delivery to a particularly grateful
neighbor, Devin told his father, I want to do wood for good every day.

Since the inception of this idea, Wood 4 Good has grown into a fledgling
non-profit with the generous support of local businesses, community members, and
volunteers. This past winter, Wood 4 Good was able to deliver 75 cords of
firewood to families and individuals in need.  It is our hope to continue to
grow and expand our reach.

Wood 4 Good and the Axelrod family believe strongly in the value of building
community, giving back, and the joy that comes from working hard to help others.
We hope you also see the value in the mission of this organization, and join us
in creating a little more warmth in Vermont.

If you need wood, want to volunteer or want to donate, please contact
Eric@wood4goodvt.org

VT State Park Odyssey

 
Rotary club members Lesley Murray and Armand Fournier set out in 2020 to visit
every one of Vermont's state parks. They describe magical adventures, especially
appreciated during the pandemic, as they explored corners of our state that were
previously unknown to them.
 
Many of their visits took place during winter when they found they were among
very few other visitors and could enjoy the quiet beauty around them. Lesley
shared that these experiences were both "centering and restorative."
 
Inspired? The Green Mountain Passport, available for $2 to any veteran or person
over the age of 62, permits lifetime day use of all of Vermont's state parks.
 Day passes are also available to check out at local libraries.
Visit https://vtstateparks.com/index.html for more pass options and park
information.
 
Lesley and Armand's next odyssey?  Visiting every covered bridge in the state.
Blood Drive Success!

 
The Williston-Richmond Rotary Club sponsored a successful Red Cross blood drive
on September 28 at the Williston Church of the Nazarene, generating 32 pints of
donated blood.  
 
The organizations will team up again on December 10 for another blood drive at
the same location. To schedule an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org and
enter WILLISTON or call 1-800-733-2767.
Cyanokits save lives

 
 
Captain Prescott Nadeau and EMS & Paramedic Coordinator Tony Simanskas of the
Williston Fire Department spoke to our club on August 4 about cyanokits.
Cyanokits contain a lifesaving medical injection to treat cyanide poisoning
that can be carried on emergency response vehicles and used to treat victims of
smoke inhalation. Cyanide is often released when everyday items found in most
homes and businesses combust, making smoke inhalation the most common cause of
acute cyanide poisoning.
 
Being able to administer this medication on the scene or while en route to a
hospital can mean the difference between survival and death for fire victims.
The Williston-Richmond Rotary has agreed to fund the first kit to be available
to our local fire department and make this critical tool available to the
community. 

 

 

Club awards scholarships to deserving HS seniors

 
On July 21 our club hosted the three recipients of this year's Rotary
Scholarships who each will receive $1500 toward their pursuit of education
beyond high school. Pictured above from left to right, Tyler Morehouse, Grace
Andrews and Amelia Worth each spoke to us about their ideas for how the club can
serve our communities. We were impressed with their thoughtful recommendations
and effective communication skills. We look forward to seeing how they continue
to grow and contribute to a better world.  
 
To learn more about their ideas and plans for the future, read the story in the
Williston Observer. 
Charity Clark speaks to club

  
 
On July 14 the club heard from Charity Clark, a Williston resident and candidate
for the Democratic nomination for Attorney General of Vermont. Charity was hired
as an Assistant Attorney General in the Public Protection Division by former
Attorney General Bill Sorrell in 2014. Beginning in 2018, she served as Chief of
Staff under Attorney General T.J. Donovan.
Deb Beckett Memorial 5K

  
A spectacular morning and a spectacular turnout for the July 2 Deb Beckett
Memorial 5K hosted by the Williston-Richmond Rotary. The event, which benefits
the Rotary's charity fund, attracted 72 runners and 25 walkers who completed the
course cheered on by family and friends. Special guest Champ, the Vermont Lake
Monsters' mascot, got everyone revved up for a great race. 
 
For race results/times, click here.
 
For more fun photos, visit our photo album.
 
Local news coverage in the Williston Observer is here.
WCS students create "Little Libraries"

      
 
A wonderful collaboration between the students in the Swift Sustainability
Action Project, the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club and the Williston Federated
Church has resulted in five new "Little Libraries" placed around Williston. 
 
Williston Central School students Clay Nicholson, Sunshine Haines, Jaden Jiang,
Zach Pratt, Myrah Ngu and Lainey Campbell constructed the "Little Libraries,"
while the Rotary club provided funding for materials. The libraries are well
made and will provide free access to select and leave books for members of our
community throughout the year. One of the libraries, installed at the edge of
the Williston Federated Church parking lot adjacent to the Williston community
recreation path, will be maintained by the Rotary Club.
 
The students wrote a story about the libraries published in the Williston
Observer: https://www.willistonobserver.com/mini-libraries-are-coming-to-williston/
Arts the theme of May speakers

    
 
May speaker chair Barbara LeWinter helped us celebrate the visual arts, music
and theater with three fascinating guests. On May 12 we were joined in person by
Kat Lawliss, adult art coordinator at the Davis Studios in South Burlington. Kat
led the group through creative drawing exercises that anyone of any skill level
can enjoy. Soovin Kim, co-artistic director and Robert Whipple, executive
director of the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival shared the history of the
festival and many highlights of the upcoming season on May 19. The arts-themed
month of speakers concluded with Cristina Alicea, producing artistic director of
Vermont Stage in Burlington. 
Remembering: Memorial Day Observance 2022

  
 
On Monday, May 30, the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club hosted a Memorial Day
observance at Williston's War Memorial located between Town Hall and the Town
Hall Annex. Speakers included Rotary President Lesley Murray, Rotary member
Debbie Ingram who provided an invocation, and Town Manager Erik Wells. Phil
Stevens offered a dedication to newly installed engraved bricks honoring
veterans with ties to Williston. Selectboard Chair Terry Macaig read the names
of over 120 deceased veterans. The gathering was enhanced by the bagpipe
music of Haven Metro and closed with the playing of taps by Luke Buehler, a
student at Williston Central School. Among those recognized with new bricks was
longtime Rotary member Ken Stone, seen above standing near the brick that honors
his service as a captain in the U.S. Air Force.  More photographs can be seen in
the album posted here:
 https://portal.clubrunner.ca/1453/PhotoAlbums/memorial-day-observance-2022
Green Up Day & Town Fair May 7

 
Green Up Day 2022 provided a good opportunity to get outside and help spiff up
Williston's roadways.  And our booth at the Town Fair that day allowed for lots
of friendly conversations with our neighbors. We had such a good time, we're
planning to host a booth at upcoming farmers markets this summer!
 
        
 
       
 
 
Two Club members named Paul Harris Fellows

      
 
The Rotary Club of Williston-Richmond was delighted to recognize two members as
Paul Harris Fellows during meetings in April.  Rotary club president Lesley
Murray awarded a certificate and special pin to Martin LeWinter on April 7 and
to Sally Stockwell Metro on April 21.
 
The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or
who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.
 
Upon receiving her award, Sally spoke of her confidence that giving to the
Rotary Foundation in support of the people of Ukraine would ensure her donation
was put to good use.  
Helping the Easter Bunny

  
 
On orders from the Easter Bunny, our crew of Rotarians prepared some sweet
treats for Williston's annual Easter Parade and Egg Hunt taking place this
Saturday, April 16 at 9:00 a.m. on the grounds of Williston Central School.
 (For more photos of the early morning fun check out the photo album.)
 
We're hopping to see everyone on Saturday!
April Cornell on female entrepreneurship

 
April Cornell, founder and owner of the eponymous clothing and linen company
based in Burlington, joined our meeting via Zoom on March 31 to share the story
of how a visit to Afghanistan in 1975 set her on a path to bringing more beauty
and color into the lives of women around the world. April works with fellow
female entrepreneurs in India and Afghanistan, where she says the textiles
industry is predominantly led by women.
 
Listen for more potentially surprising facts in her inspiring talk at this link.
 Note: April Cornell's talk starts at the 5 minute mark.
Scrambled eggs and smiling faces
 

  
 
The March 24 hybrid meeting of the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club was a double
delight. The morning marked the first club meeting featuring a delicious
breakfast in over two years. 
 
On top of that, the club hosted District Governor Michael Carrier, who shared a
presentation on this year’s Rotary International theme, ‘Serve to Change
Lives.’  He reminded us that, “Rotary is the premier humanitarian and peace
building organization in the world that allows community members (not just
elected officials) to engage in projects and interactions that literally change
people's lives.” He reflected on the Rotary vision statement:
 
TOGETHER, we see a world
where PEOPLE unite and take action
to CREATE lasting
CHANGE across the globe,
in our communities, and in ourselves.
 
The club’s renewed engagement and energy will soon be put to great use when we
host the return of Williston’s annual Easter Parade and Egg Hunt on Saturday,
April 16. Started years ago by Bill Mikell and carried forward by his son, Andy,
the well-loved event is returning after a two-year hiatus.
Warming local hearths and homes

 
Seventy-five area families were helped this past year by Wood4Good, a non-profit
that supplies firewood for heating homes to those in need. Founder Eric
Axelrod spoke at the March 17 meeting of the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club. He
and his two young sons found they had extra firewood in 2019. After donating
their surplus to a neighbor in need, the seed of a bigger idea was born. The
organization now accepts donated wood from municipalities and tree services.
Volunteers help split and stack the wood. After aging, it is delivered to
households throughout Chittenden County and beyond who request help with their
home heating needs. 
 
Wood4Good aims to expand their giving to 140 or more families and is actively
soliciting volunteers and donations. They also hope to hear from those in need
of wood to help heat their homes. https://wood4goodvt.org/
In-Person Rotary Youth Leadership Academy Returns for 2022

 
Application deadline is March 25
 
The 2022 Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) program, taking place June
24-26, will once again be a lively in-person event hosted on the campus of
Northern Vermont University in Lyndonville. 
 
Students gather for a weekend of fun outdoor activities aimed at building
communication and problem-solving skills. As shown in this short promotional
video, the event also includes inspirational speakers, a talent show and a
community service project to support the non-profit Rise Against Hunger.  
 
Sophomores (aged 15-16) from the towns of Williston, Richmond and St. George
-- regardless of where they attend school -- are eligible to apply through the
Williston-Richmond Rotary Club, who will cover all program costs. 
 
Chosen participants will join students from throughout Rotary International
District 7850, which includes parts of Vermont, New Hampshire and Quebec.  
 
The application form is available for download here or by emailing Jude Hersey
at vtheyjude@yahoo.com.  The deadline to apply is March 25. 
Create a lasting tribute to a veteran!

     
 
Honor a beloved veteran in your life with a brick custom-inscribed with their
name and installed by the Town of Williston in the patio at the town’s War
Memorial. 
 
The memorial, beside Town Hall, is the site of public observances each year on
Veterans Day and Memorial Day to recognize veterans who have served our country.
 
Two brick sizes are being offered for purchase by the Williston-Richmond Rotary
Club:  4” x 8” for $50 and 8” x 8” for $100. Typical content includes the
veteran's name, branch and/or operation and dates of service. Bricks may also
feature multiple veterans and can include an optional emblem of the branch of
service.
 
A portion of the proceeds from brick sales will support the many community
service programs of the Williston-Richmond Rotary Club, such as youth mentoring
and literacy, home heating fuel assistance, park beautification and community
holiday celebrations. 
 
Place your brick order by March 18, 2022, and your brick will be installed at
the War Memorial prior to Memorial Day, May 30, 2022.  An observance will be
held that morning to dedicate the bricks and recognize our veterans. 
 
For more information and to receive order forms call or email Phil Stevens
at 802-734-7477, philipsstevens@gmail.com.
 
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day observance

   
Debbie Ingram                                               Morgan Ackerly
 
The Rotary Club of Williston-Richmond and the Williston Racial Equity
Partnership co-hosted a virtual observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day via
Zoom the morning of January 17. The event attracted over 40 participants and
featured seven speakers who offered reflections on the impact of Dr. King's life
and words, as well as the need for continued dedication to forwarding the causes
of racial equality and justice in our nation. 
 
Rotary member and event organizer, Debbie Ingram, who serves as executive
director of Vermont Interfaith Action, spoke of Dr. King’s role as a prophet who
delivered a message of hope. “[H]e was telling us there is hope as long as there
are people of good will, people who seek to do the right thing, people who seek
to live in right relationship with their neighbor – all their neighbors,” said
Ingram.
 
Additional speakers included Dennis Francis, a member of the Williston Racial
Equity Partnership, who highlighted Dr. King’s guiding principles of love and
selflessness; Cristalee McSweeney, director of the Williston Community Justice
Center, who encouraged the community to do more to change systems that
perpetuate inequality; resident Ginger Isham, who shared the experiences of a
relative who traveled to Alabama in the 1960s and joined civil rights marchers
in Montgomery; Rotary member Pastor Paul Eyer, who noted how the power of Dr.
King's words "elevated an entire nation"; and finally, CVU student and Racial
Alliance Committee member Morgan Ackerly, who shared personal reflections on the
importance of inclusion and representation, as well as our duty to continue
moving forward the societal changes promoted by Dr. King.
Speakers
Kate Alberghini
Apr 13, 2023 7:30 AM
Green Up Vermont
Rick Cote
Apr 20, 2023 7:30 AM
Highpointing - Reaching the summits of the 50 states
Dr. Elizabeth Davidson
Apr 27, 2023 7:30 AM
Holistic healing through nutrition and plant medicine
View entire list...
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IN THE NEWS
Youth mentoring program recognition
MLK Day, A celebration of the dream
A very merry meal
Club members build ramp for woman in Richmond
Honoring Deb Beckett, veterans
Rotary supports fuel assistance program
Area Students Earn Rotary Scholarships
Deb Beckett Memorial 5K
Little Libraries for Williston
Egg-Citing Easter
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Event 2022
Rotary Club's support of Connecting Youth Mentoring Program highlighted
Rotary Earth Day speaker Christa Kemp featured
Club Officers
President
Sally Stockwell-Metro
President Elect
Susan Cote
Vice President
Elizabeth Davidson
Secretary
Philip Stevens
Treasurer
Jeanne Albertson
Past President
Lesley Murray
Sergeant-at-Arms
Marty LeWinter
Rotary Links
Rotary International Efforts for Ukraine
Rotary's response to Covid-19
End Polio Now
Rotary International
Rotary District 7850
Photo Albums
2022 Jonathan Milne Senior Holiday Luncheon
Veterans Day 2022
Halloween Trunk or Treat 2022
2022 Deb Beckett Memorial 5K
Memorial Day Observance 2022
2022 Easter Parade & Egg Hunt
Easter Egg Hunt Preparations
Veterans Day Observance 2021
Halloween Trunk or Treat 2021
Our Rotary
Our Projects
Download Files
Rotary Club of Williston-Richmond brochure
Contact Us
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Williston-Richmond.
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used with permission.

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