District Conference

The District Conference began on Friday with opening session at 2.30pm. We gave our presentation during the first plenary session which allowed us to relax for the rest of the weekend and enjoy the company of friends we have made and meet many more.
Steve gave his report to conference during the next session and Friday was devoted to Foundation content. I was able to present DG Chris with the gift from DG Jennifer which survived three weeks of packing and unpacking.
It has already been mentioned we won the Parrot Head night on Friday (must have been for the best performance by an Australian group). Again, the reception we received and warm welcomes have been outstanding.
Saturday's plenary session was Rotary business in the morning, promotion of next year's conference (will the Foundation cover me for a return visit?), District Service Projects and the finals of the District Four Way Speech Contest. The key note speaker was an Olympian, Jeff Blatnick. He was terrific.
Afternoon activities made up the rest of the day with options of hiking, an Olympic experience tour of Lake Placid (including the story and video of the 1980 USA vs USSR hockey match that stopped a nation and a trip to the top of the ski jump), or gold on the resort golf course. The results aren't announced until this morning but I can say the Teresa was a star, hitting a Big Bertha some 225 yards to set up a score for the scramble (ambrose).
As I type this I think Saturday night might still be happening for some folk. My impression is that if you are a Rotarian from Vermont you have inherited the Green Mountain Boys liking for a good time out. Plenty of fellowship abounded in the various after-parties.
The evening dinner was a grand affair with DG Chris chairing a presentation of a Service above Self award and a parade of flags from all the 22 inbound Exchange Students. The Australian GSE team carried in the Aussie flag to a rousing reception.
Today we wrap up Conference and we are off to West Dover, VT for our next hosts.
Still plenty to see and do in this glorious part of the world.
Cheers
David
Sunday - The conference reconvened with an interfaith service and then a large breakfast, during which my Rotary Idol shirt (the Kangaroo Rotary shirt) was auctioned for $250 for the Foundation. Thank you to the generous buyer. The conference concluded with the Youth Exchange program and final remarks. We had to say our goodbyes then to many friends we have made along the way. We will surely see you again sometime.
Our new hosts began our final week by providing lunch in Lake Placid and bringing us to the beautiful mountains east of Bennington, VT to West Dover.