District 1070 to the USA

A Friendship Exchange group of thirteen Rotarians and spouses from six clubs in the District travelled to New Hampshire and Vermont in the USA after a visit from District 7850 here in early summer (see details above).

The “fall” leaf season was in full swing when we arrived and the tree colours were at their peak. Temperatures during our two-week visit ranged from 30C to below freezing. The landscape also varied, from the White Mountains in the east to Lake Champlain in the west. Our hosts lived up to the famous American hospitality and we poetically presented our District at the Rotary meetings. In return they shared the charitable work that many Rotarians are doing there at home and abroad.

Here is a flavour of the delights that we experienced, many of which have Rotary connections: breakfast at a pancake house, a tour of the Vermont state house in Montpelier by a state senator and a tour of the University of Vermont (UVM) by a former state governor. This was where Paul Harris grew up and studied on which subject a past district governor gave a presentation

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We also visited a pioneering automated diary farm generating its own energy from methane gas by composting most of its waste products. / We visited the huge Mount Washington Hotel where the Bretton Woods agreement defined a post-war financial system, and also a visit to the Von Trapp Lodge (Sound of Music) where one of the family was signing books and memorabilia for visitors.

Small businesses included a hand-made furniture and pottery compound in Stowe, VT run by a descendent of Ernest Shackleton, Charlies Shackleton and his wife. Another example was a small business in Middlebury (VT) making silk bow ties and flowers by hand.

We visited the simulation lab in Dartmouth Medical Centre which uses interactive robot “patients” including “babies,” to help train medical staff.

Another Venue was the birthplace and memorial for Joseph Smith (see photo at the very top), who was initiator of the Mormon religion and forerunner to Brigham Young.

We all had a worthwhile visit and made some long-lasting friendships on the exchange.