Held at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061

Members Attending (17): Andy Leyhane, Murray Forth, Ron Annis, Pat Bailey, Terry Brewer, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Bill Dowd, Dick Drumm, Charlie Foote, Ray Hannan, Phil Kellerman, Jim Leyhane, Kevin Leyhane, Debbie Rodriguez, Carol Orvis, Jennifer Felts.

Guests (1): Tom King, NYS Pistol & Rifle Association/NRA.

NOTES: Bill Dowd reported that the needs of the 2-person family in this year’s Adopt-a-Family effort with  Circles of Mercy have been met. However, we’re barely at the halfway point of the creation of 50 personal hygiene kits, and responses from the membership at large have been lacking despite several requests for donations and pledges. The deadline for giving them to Bill is next Thursday’s (December 13) dinner meeting. Still not sure of the details on creating kits? Simply click here. (We also have been assured by SRC member/school principal Mike Harkin that Columbia High School is on track to adopt a family of five as part of the effort as requested.) …

… Phil Kellerman continues to sell specialty coffees for the holidays, with a portion of sales going to the Capital Region Nordic Alliance adaptive sports organization our club regularly assists. … Debbie Brown said plans are advancing for the annual Holiday Party & Gift Basket Silent Auction, to be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 20, at Quigley’s. She and Terry Brewer are working with Quigley’s for an upgraded menu for the event. A self-serve wine/beer/soda mini-bar will be available in the meeting room, with cocktails available as always at the main cash bar. Debbie needs registrations ASAP (via email to mdbrown@nycap.rr.com) from all who hope to attend, and asks that anyone bringing guests be sure to notify her of that as well. Proceeds from the basket auction will go to the club treasury to support our many community activities. …

… Next week’s program will be presented by Brad DiPietro, speaking on the New York State Mentoring Program, how it works in the schools, and how individuals can get involved. As always, please RSVP no later than next Tuesday evening to Debbie Brown if you pan to attend.  And, click here for an advance look at the program.

Tom King, president of the New York State Pistol & Rifle Association (NYSPRA), spoke about the numerous activities undertaken by his organization across the state in the areas of gun safety, gun avoidance for children, legislation, women’s self defense and gun training, shooting competitions, Second Amendment issues, and other items.

He also answered questions from the audience, and responded to comments from some,  on the activities of not only the state organization but the National Rifle Association (NRA) of which he is a board member.

Tom, a resident of East Greenbush, noted that the NYSPRA — founded in 1871 — has recently moved into new headquarters on Columbia Turnpike, where it has been renovating a long-vacant building.