Stories

I’d recommend that everyone take a look around the room on Thursday. Because it looks like us!

Great organizations do the things that we do. They serve the community whenever there is a need. They offer help with disaster relief in far away places. They operate with great ideals like “Service above Self.”  They measure themselves and their decisions against high standards such as the Four Way Test: Is it the Truth? Is it Fair to all concerned? Will it build Goodwill and better Friendships? Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?

Dear Fellow Rotarians & friends,

Our first Bikes for the World campaign was a tremendous success! Here is an excerpt from an email that our President-Elect Zoltan (aka Z-Man) Nagy had sent earlier this week.   "Our first ever Bikes for the World collection was a resounding success. We collected 185 bikes and over $1,100 in donations. In addition, we made a great impression out in the community with this project!  Thanks to everyone who helped with this event especially those who of you who did the "dirty work" of getting the pedals off the bikes.”

Dear Fellow Rotarians & friends,

Moral victories are usually achieved by staying focused and working through difficulties and challenges.   Haven’t we all experienced this? We’ve all had to stand up to things that were uncomfortable and required courage. Standing up to a challenge is the key.

Dear Fellow Rotarians & friends,

The Rotary Clubs throughout the world have an overwhelming number of members who we would call “Do-ers.”  Do-ers are people who want to make a difference. In their most sincere form, they want to help others wherever they can. They’re not just in a club to do business; they’re in it to make a difference and to leave things better than they found them.

Dear Fellow Rotarians & friends,

There’s a documentary that I’ve seen that has highlighted the personal stories of some of the people who were lost in the World Trade Center attack.  As we observe the eighteenth anniversary of 9/11. I’d like to share a favorite poem that tends to put our lifetimes in perspective.

Dear Fellow Rotarians & friends,

A few years back I was at an event where I heard a speech by best-selling author, Dr. Myles Munroe. It was the first time that I’ve heard him speak. It was also the first time that I’ve ever heard of Dr Munroe. I found his talk to be very warm, engaging, insightful and extraordinary. Below are some thoughts for Labor Day week that were inspired by Dr Munroe.

I’d like to share an interesting story about a dog and a chain.

When my wife and I began dating in the seventies, her family’s pet was a dog named Fluffy. Fluffy was an outside dog for the most part. She was a mixed breed who looked like a combination of Lassie and Petey from the old Little Rascals series.

Dear Fellow Rotarians & friends,

Super heroes can come from all walks of life. Our club has a man who is seldom seen but whose presence is always known and felt. He’s there whenever we need him. He lives by our motto of “Service Above Self.”   Look, up in the sky... It’s a bird… It’s a plane…. It’s Rotaryman! If Superman came from Krypton, then our Rotaryman came from Rotan. (I believe that’s near Belle Mead?)

Dear Fellow Rotarians & friends,

It’s officially a new funnel cake era for the Rotary Club of Montgomery/Rocky Hill.  

In 2018, after many years of dedicated service, Jimmy “Funnel Cakes” Bartolomei has stepped down as the chair of our funnel cakes committee. Funnel cakes have been in Jimmy’s blood for many years. The batter ladle has now been passed to a new generation. The 2019 Funnel Cake season has ushered in the “Reverend Funnel Cakes” era!!

Dear Fellow Rotarians & friends,

How many times in life do we seem to get pulled back, or meet with a disaster and some unexpected problems?  Most successful people have had to endure set-backs and disappointments. It seems that no one is immune from challenging times.

Dear Fellow Rotarians & friends,

For the benefit of our newer members…

The Funnel Cake Sale is a MRH Rotary member’s “Right of Passage.” It’s the “service” part that’s mentioned in the Rotary motto of “Service above Self.” It’s one of the things that makes you a true battle tested Montgomery/Rocky Hill Rotarian!

Dear Fellow Rotarians & friends,

Few things fill me with more pride than seeing a young person on my staff move up in our company.   We have ten centers in our fitness organization and I’m very proud of the fact that over the last few years, several staff members have gone on to become valuable players in our company. Whenever I see them at meetings, I always remind that they are always part of the team P/Fit family.

Dear Fellow Rotarians & friends,

July signifies the start of a new year on the Rotary calendar. With the New Year, there comes new inspirations and renewed ideals for all of us to share. It’s also a very special year for us.