• The weather:  Salubrious

• The food:  Scrumptious

• The conversation:  Scintillating

• The water:  Well, it was both hot and cold, depending on whether you were in the hot tub or the pool.

Put it all together and it was “Cookout By the Pool I,” the first of two such events on the “SRC Summer Casual” calendar, with Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez generously co-hosting the event at Jim’s residence on Thursday evening.

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(“Cookout By the Pool II” is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, August 23, at the Forth residence. Please be sure to RSVP to Murray and/or Maggie by August 20 if you plan to attend.)

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We had a strong turnout Thursday evening of Rotarians, family, and guests of all ages, including a special appearance by old friends Phil and Ann Eagan.

And, plenty of people dropped off donations to our annual “School Supplies Drive” we’re running in conjunction with the Greenbush YMCA for needy students in the Rensselaer, Schodack, and East Greenbush school districts. Remember, you can drop off items at the Y during regular hours, or at the club’s August 12 or 16 events. (Check the website calendar for details. And, click here for the shopping list.))

Here are a few scenes from Thursday’s event, captured by Bill Dowd and Roberto:

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