The Bulletin -- August 19, 2009 (#1004)

WOOSTOCK REMEMBERED: (L-R) PAUL GRASSO, CORN FORRENCE, BRUCE LAWSON, AND JACK DEE. THE CLUB ROCKED OUT TO MUSIC FROM WOODSTOCK DURING LUNCH AND SWAPPED STORIES OF PEACE, LOVE, GOOD MUSIC AND FELLOWSHIP.

Program: Remembering Woodstock: Club Members Jack Dee and Paul Grasso, and Bruce Lawson of WPTZ.

It was one of the greatest, most pivotal and historic moments in music. As Bruce Lawson put it, “It was a time of monumental change. The country had changed. And maybe we had changed the country.” Woodstock. 1969.

A blast from the past, Jack Dee took the podium sporting his tie-dyed shirt, shades, bandana and Birkenstocks. He set the stage describing the massive crowds unprepared for the weekend of rain. Once the fences came down, Woodstock became a free concert for 400,000 music lovers.

Dee described some of the poignant technological facts. “Up until that time, musicians performed with one microphone to avoid the feedback loop,” said Dee. About a year before Woodstock, the technology changed allowing all the musicians on the stage to be miced. Add to that the new industry of sound mixers, towers of speakers and the natural amphitheater, and an unparalleled musical experience unfolded. Dee said, “The sound quality was incredible. It was also incredible that it continued to work despite the rain.”

Paul Grasso had recently returned from Vietnam when he attended Woodstock. He said, “I was having a little trouble fitting in and adjusting to what I felt were problems that were only mine. It was a little like sitting at the remedial table…” According to Grasso, some thought of Woodstock as a group of people promoting anarchy and the counterculture. But to others who attended, it was more than that. Grasso said, “People shared things. I think there were only six port-a-potties! It was amazing how people came together to care for each other. You know… Don’t take the blue pills. Don’t take the yellow pills.”
The Vietnam War played a major role in Woodstock. The music of that time united people from many different walks of life, and certainly those who were fighting the war.

50/50: Paul Sands won “the pot” following the club’s Remember Woodstock program. The Queen of Hearts gave him $1505! Congratulations Paul! There will be a new deck next week and the pot will begin again at $500.

“I remember waking up one morning and it looked like an old photo of a Civil War battle. People lying in the mud everywhere,” said Grasso. “Then Sha-Na-Na came out in their gold jumpsuits—John Bernardi has one. He wears it often during the campaign.”

Bruce Lawson reflected on being part of the counterculture. He said, “Can you imagine standing there at Woodstock and thinking about the counterculture… And here I am with my tie on at a Rotary meeting?” Lawson revisited a moment sitting among that sea of humanity. To him it was obvious that there was no longer a counterculture. They had become part of culture. He added that the war itself was so controversial families were splitting apart over it. Sadly many of those conversations have been revisited. Bruce wrapped up the program with a sobering rendition of Country Joe McDonald’s “I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ To Die.” He sang, “One. Two. Three. Four. What are we fightin’ for?”

 

 

 

This Week:

• Please come prepared next week (Aug. 26) to buy your Roducky Duck!
• The club will be auctioning off two Battle of Plattsburgh buttons next week (Aug. 26) courtesy of Kit Booth.

Guests: Bruce Lawson (Paul Sands)

New Member Talk: Joshua Kretser Josh was born and raised in the North Country and attended Beekmantown schools through his entire education. After graduating, he attended Nazareth College where he studied Music Therapy. He had the opportunity to join the internationally reknown service organization "Up With People,” and traveled with 150 other singers through 28 countries for a year. At each stop they did a musical performance and community service for the towns and villages they visited. At this point, Josh thought it was time to become rich and famous and so set out for New York City. He tried his hand at singing and acting, which he said is another way of saying he became extremely proficient at waiting tables. Josh attended the Fashion Institute of Technology to launch a more likely career in design. He began working for famous designer Jonathan Adler (Bravo Network—Top Design) and simultaneously began his own business in event planning. Because his entire family lives in the North Country, Josh recently relocated and has opened POD Studio in Plattsburgh. It stands for “Plan, Organize and Design,” and Josh is already staying busy with wedding and event planning, home staging, interior design and organization projects. Welcome to Rotary!

Announcements:

• Wednesday, Aug 26: District Governor’s visit.
• Applications are available to be a team member of the Group Study Exchange going to India in February. If you or someone you know would be a good candidate, please take an application at the door.

Membership Committee; Jack Prim: Jack Prim outlined the process for getting new members involved. A current member brings them as a guest a few times. They receive a membership packet and complete an application, which is reviewed first by the Membership Committee then the Board of Directors. The Board puts the nomination before the club for 10 days via the Bulletin and if there are no club objections they become a “red badge” member. To become a full member they must attend orientation, give their new member talk and attend a board meeting.

Food Shelf Committee; Elle Berger: June’s Food Shelf collection reached $216 (gen. donations) and $440 (special gifts). July’s totals included $302 (general donations) and $10 (special gifts). The total for both months was $968 with $309 going to the Salvation Army and $659 to the Food Shelf. Good work and thank you for being so generous.

Roducky Derby Committee; Ellen Bouchard: Ellen shared updates for the upcoming Roducky Derby on Saturday, Sept. 12. She is looking for volunteers to sell ducks at Walmart on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 29 & 30 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. both days. Also, the ducks are missing! If anyone knows where they are being stored, please let Ellen know as soon as possible.

T-Shirts: Jody Carpenter is passing around a shirt sign up sheet. The cost is $27. Please pay as soon as possible. Checks can be made to CASH or to Plattsburgh Rotary Club.

Another Candle Burning For: Jon Cooper (8/25); Colin Read (8/26)

NEW MEMBER PROPOSAL The following persons have been proposed by the Membership Committee and Board of Directors. If there are no objections registered with the Club Secretary or President within 10 days, the two individuals will be asked to join our club: Name: Terianne Pavone Business: Pine Harbour Assisted Living Position: Community Relations Director Classification Assisted Living — Community Relations Membership: Active Previous Rotary Membership: N/A Proposed by: Kit Booth Name: Jack Helfgott Business: Yipes Signs and Graphics Position: Business Manager Classification Signs and Graphics Company — Manager Membership: Active Previous Rotary Membership: N/A Proposed by: Bob Parks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rotary Fun Fact:
The first Foundation donation was made in 1917 by the Rotary Club of Kansas City, MO in the amount of $26.50.

Trivia from 8/19: The question: Who invented the four-way system? CJ Soper won two Battle of Plattsburgh buttons for his correct answer: Herbert Taylor.

Upcoming Programs: Go to Membership Duties List