At the March 4th Meeting: The incoming powers to be leading us in God Bless America.

The Vokettes having a lot more fun than the rest of us singing "You Are My Sunshine". 

Birthdays: No shows: Bill Anderson and Frank Firicano,

Ed Hunter displaying a "Basket of Bucks" for the Happy Dollars collected.

Announcements:

• Bob Sechrist is back!  New hip and all.  His 225 yard drives off the tee will now be 300 yards this year, and Mount Washington will be a walk in the park.  Good to have you back, Bob. 
• Andy Novelline announced that in conjunction with Julia Kwolyk (who is much more photogenic than Andy) there will be a concert April 24, for the benefit of Lawrence Rotary Scholarships.  The night of music will feature the rock group Apollo Sunshine producing "bouncy 60's melodies", as well as a Celtic band named Tri.  The performance will be at the Collins Center for Performing Arts.  This is all for a great cause, and as you will remember, several years ago, because of a dismal performance of our investments, we had to pass the hat to fund scholarships.  This concert is geared toward high school and college students.  So pass the word!

• A joint venture has Merrimack College business students and Lawrence Rotarians working on a business plan to assist our Club.  If you are asked to complete a survey for the students, please accomodate.  
• Rev Mike Shirley reminded us of: "Every Rotarian, Every Year."  Can you spare $100?  The Rotary Foundation goal is to raise $96 million and they are at $40 million.  As they say, a million here, a million there, and before you know it, we have reached the goal!  So write a check payable to "The Rotary Foundation" for $100 (more or less)  and bring it to Mike at a meeting, or mail it to him if you can remember to do that more easily!

• This guy means business.  David Van Dam is still recruiting sponsors for the Chili Fest.  Can you help him out?  And on a lighter note, his organization, Class Inc. is asking us to save the date of June 22 for their golf fundraiser.  
• Another David (Dreyfus) is asking Rotarians to participate in the next Career Day at the Guilmette School scheduled for March 18.  We need more than David and Bill Tarbox to show up.  
• Matt McGarry is reminding us of the Rotary ski day at Killington set for the day before April Fools Day (that would be March 31st).  All inclusive for $100.
• Ron Hill is asking anyone who can participate to show up at Lazarus House on Sat March 13 to help the Interact Students paint, from 10 to 2.
• Diane Shikrallah, chair person of the membership committee, announced a goal of 9 new members to join during the months of Feb and March.  Guess what: there are currently 8 in the pipeline.  Great work!
• Flowery Frank Terranova reminded all to RSVP to Bill Shack for the anniversary dinner on Friday March 26.  Of course that Thursday lunch at the Vocational School is cancelled.  

Meeting Speaker: 

Al Getler returned as our speaker today.  He is the publisher of the Eagle-Tribune as well as the Gloucester Daily Times, Andover Townsman, Derry News, Haverhill Gazette, the Andovers Magazine and the Cape Ann Magazine.  

The thrust of his talk revolved around the 1st Amendment:  Freedom of Speech.  In a recent survey of high school students asking which they would rather protect: the right to have a driver's license, or freedom of speech, the vote was 29 to 1 (in favor of the right to a driver's license).  To the credit of the minority vote, her response was that by preserving the right of freedom of speech, a protest could be mounted for the right to drive, using that freedom of speech! 

Obviously Al enjoys his job.  He emphasized that the paper is there to print the truth, but is also given the opportunity to analyze the news and express opinions.  Of course there will be times when readership is offended.  But this happens with the Freedom of Speech. 

When asked about the future of newspapers, Al strongly responded, saying that newspapers are not in trouble.  Many people get their news from the television, but the local news isn't reported on the TV.  Additionally, the internet is working to the Eagle Tribune's advantage.  They have set up their own TV studio and they issue constant news updates and text alerts throughout the day.

Al Getler and David Dreyfus all smiles!

Thought for the day:

Our table was discussing the multiple lunch sites of the Lawrence Rotary Club.  Question:  Where did we meet before Bishops?  And when did we move to Bishops.  Our source was (naturally) John McCoy!  The answer next week.  

Editor of the Week: S Anderson

Picture of the Week

The happy Lawrence Rotary crowd at Inaka in Lawrence for the 2nd Lawrence Rotary Restaurant Stimulus Package Outing