Month: January 2020

Meeting Clipboard: 1/30/20

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

Members Attending (18): Phil Kellerman, Pat Bailey, Terry Brewer, Bill Dowd, Murray Forth, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Dick Drumm, Ray Hannan, Jim Leyhane, Kevin Leyhane, Wells Packard, Carol Orvis, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Becky Raymond, Debbie Rodriguez, Ray Hannan.

Guests (2): Jack Conway, Joshua Smith.

MEETING MINUTES: President Phil welcomed members and guests. … He reminded members that Bill Dowd has refreshed the supply of Clynk recycling bags and bar code stickers that help support ShelterBox and encouraged participation in the redemption-and-recycling program via Hannaford supermarkets. … Murray Forth noted that raffle tickets are being made available for the club’s 3rd Cafe Capriccio private wine dinner. …

Bill Dowd reminded members that discounted reservations for the club’s 60th Anniversary Party, scheduled for Thursday, March 5, are available through Valentine’s Day — $45 for adults, $10 for children under 12. After that, reservations are $5 more per category. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to contact Bill and make payment to Murray. … Terry Brewer reported that we are soliciting lane sponsorships and participants for our Foundation Bowl-a-Thon, scheduled for Sunday, March 1, at the East Greenbush Bowling Center. … Our next recycling/shredding event is set for Saturday, April 18. Members are asked to share the flyer via social media. …

Wells Packard presented an update on the Rotary Youth Exchange program, which he is working to resuscitate this academic year and next. His primary effort is to to establish a support system of host families through local schools. … Next week’s program will be Dean Calamaras with a travelogue on the “Tides of Fundy.”

PROGRAM: “The State of East Greenbush”

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Jack Conway

Jack Conway, just entering his second — and, as he proclaims, his final — term as supervisor of the Town of East Greenbush, presented his view of the “State of the Town.”

Jack concentrated on the rebirth of Columbia Turnpike, particularly its expanding lineup of ethnic restaurants he said he believes creates a more cosmopolitan tone from the addition of Asian fusion, Indian, and other ethnicities he said contradicts the idea that East Greenbush has no good restaurants. Rather, he said, there are at least 50 different choices.

Conway also provided details on a number of housing developments under way or proposed, and the broad scope of new businesses and the economic boom in development payments from corporations such as Regeneron that has paid more than $1 million to the town in recent months.

He also paid homage to several SRC members, calling Terry Brewer the best school superintendent in the county during his tenure with the East Greenbush Central School District and Dr. Dick Drumm as a compassionate businessman and veterinarian.

 

 

 

Recycling/shredding event set for April

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Time to start getting all those papers, electronics, etc., you want to get rid of. And, it’s time to let your friends, colleagues, neighbors, and everyone else know we’re at their disposal (see what we did there?) to help them clear out those unwanted items from their garages and basements. Share the flyer, share the knowledge.

2020 Recycling Flyer

 

You can help spread the word about our ‘Foundation Bowl-a-Thon’

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Here again is a copy of the official flyer for the “SRC Foundation Bowl-a-Thon” we will be holding on Sunday, March 1, to benefit the Freedom From Fistula Foundation and the Oley Foundation.

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All members have been sent a (corrected) copy of this flyer. Please circulate it as much as you can to help publicize the event to the public — on social media, office bulletin boards, schools, grocery store notice boards, etc. We encourage people to put together 4-person teams from their churches, schools, places of work, neighborhoods, families, etc.

We also are seeking lane sponsorships at $100 each. Sponsors — businesses, individuals, etc. — will have their names displayed over the lanes, and they will be placed on the SRC website sponsors page for a full year. If you wish to become a sponsor and/or can sell a sponsorship, checks made payable to “SRC Rotary Club” should be given to Treasurer Murray Forth.

Thank you for your efforts in supporting our community services.

 

Meeting Clipboard: 1/23/20

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

Members Attending (14): Phil Kellerman, Pat Bailey, Terry Brewer, Bill Dowd, Murray Forth, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Dick Drumm, Ray Hannan, Andy Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Kevin Leyhane, Wells Packard, Charlie Foote.

Guests (1): Jean Carazza.

MEETING MINUTES: President Phil Kellerman welcomed members and guest Jean Carazza. This gathering was one of the periodic Club Assemblies intended to discuss club matters. … We began with setting February 20 — a date on which there will be no regular meeting because of school vacation week — as the date for the next Board meeting. Phil will contact all Board members to arrange location and details. … Discussion was held on restating our policy on financial responsibility for dinner guests. It was emphasized that program presenters will be guests of the club, but non-presenters will be required to pay for their dinners rather than having the club foot the bill. All members who schedule presenters are asked to determine precisely who and how many people are involved in the program and (a) be sure dinner coordinator Debbie Rodriguez is informed, and (b) be sure the presenter knows any otherRotary Home Cooking loogo people attending are responsible for paying for their meals. … The annual Rotary Home Cooking series of member-hosted dinner events will take place this year. We have three such events accounted for — to be hosted by Wells Packard, Terry Brewer, and Murray and Maggie Forth — with specific dates and themes/details to be announced. Historically, hosts have created themes for their events ranging from historic menu recreations to wine-centric events to whimsical themes. …

Phil and Wells Packard reported on their participation in the recent District 7190 Membership Training Session. Wells noted that key to the effort are use of signage in the community and the meeting venue, and creation of brochures to distribute at community events. It was noted that we have had a brochure Bill Dowd created but have not distributed it for some time. We will review it to ascertain what updates may be needed. Since East Greenbush Town Supervisor Jack Conway is scheduled to be next week’s speaker, we will check with him at that time to see what we need to do to have a Rotary emblem posted on town limits signs. …

Rotary CashWells also reported on the Rotary Youth Exchange program he is working on. He was the RYE liaison for his former club, and is gathering information on club involvement in the 2020-21 academic year exchange. … Terry Brewer reported on a Finance Committee meeting with club member A.J. Amato, a financial planner, to gain information on how to improve our financial record-keeping and budgeting. We will schedule a Financial Committee meeting to put into place a variety of his recommendations, and report back to the club. … The next recycling/shredding day will be held at Wainschaf Associates in Rensselaer on Saturday, April 18. Bill Dowd will create a flyer to be distributed with all details.

60th logoWe will hold our third Cafe Capriccio wine dinner raffle as a fundraiser for the general treasury. The dinner will be on March 28 at the Albany restaurant. Ticket sales will be held on March 19. … Bill Dowd reported that plans are advancing for the SRC 60th Anniversary Party on March 5 at Comfort Inns on Miller Road. Discount reservations are available for members and kids 12 and under through Valentine’s Dat. Details are available online. Terry Brewer moved that we appropriate $500 from the general treasury to support the event; it was secinded by several members and approved without dissent.

 

 

60th Anniversary Party discount prices for kids, earlybirds

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60th logoMarch 5 will be here before you know it. That’s the date of the SRC 60th Anniversary Party, and we’re now taking reservations for you and your guests. The sooner you RSVP, the more you’ll save.

Prices: $45 per adult, $10 for kids 12 and under — until Valentine’s Day. Then, prices go to $50 and $15, respectively.

Simply respond to this email or to event coordinator Bill Dowd to get your earlybird discounts for the 6 p.m. event, to be held at the Comfort Inn on Miller Road. It will cover you for the free wine-and-soft drink bar, lavish buffet dinner, special live entertainment (details to be announced; guaranteed fun for adults and kids!), and a fun evening to mark six decades of public service. A cash bar will be available.

Join us! You’ll be glad you did.

P.S. Thanks to all who already have reserved. Reservation checks, payable to SRC Rotary, may be submitted to Treasurer Murray Forth at your earliest  convenience.

Rotary’s 115th birthday party, and you’re invited

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Screen Shot 2020-01-21 at 10.38.57 PMYou are invited to a very special birthday party.

Rotary will turn 115 this year, and District 7190 will celebrate the milestone with a party including light snacks, music, and, of course, a birthday cake — plus a few surprises.

The details: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, February 23, at the Glenville Senior Center, 32 Worden Road, Glenville. Tickets are just $12 for adults (18 and over), $7 for kids 7 to 17, and those under 6 will be admitted free.

Go here to sign up for the fun.

 

Your countdown to money-saving RSVP is on

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60th logoDid you know there are only 24 days until Valentine’s Day?

But, more important, that also is how much time you have left to make your reservations for the discounted price of just $45 for SRC’s 60th Anniversary Dinner.

After Valentine’s Day, the price goes to $55 per person for the big event.

So, please email BillDowd4Troy@gmail.com ASAP and we’ll save you a place at the table at the discounted price.

If, by some strange quirk of the universe, you have not read the details of our celebration of six decades of public service, here they are:

When: 6 p.m. Thursday, March 5

Where: Comfort Inn & Suites, Miller Road, just off I-90 Exit 10

Who: SRC members, family, friends, and prospective Rotarians

Why: Because we’re celebrating 60 years of community service

What price: $45 per person through February 14, and $55 after that date

The final deadline for reservations is Thursday, February 20. Reservations will cover a wine-and-soft drinks open bar (plus cocktail cash bar), a lavish buffet spread, live entertainment, and a few surprises.

We’re certainly hoping to have as many current members, past members — especially past presidents — and prospective members join us for this very special event, along with family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues who we welcome with open arms. We also will have some visiting Rotary dignitaries.

Come on, get those RSVPs in!

Have you made your 60th anniversary party reservations?

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The 7120 Hannans

60th logoDave Hannan, district governor of the Rochester-area District 7120, and his wife Pam have sent us us their reservation RSVPs for our 60th anniversary dinner. So, what about you?

We’re hoping to get a solid headcount ASAP so we can let our party planners, chef Jim Mendrysa of Talk of the Town catering, and our special surprise entertainer know how many people they can expect to join us for the gala event.

As noted in prior messages, here are the details:

When: 6 p.m. Thursday, March 5

Where: Comfort Inn & Suites, Miller Road, just off I-90 Exit 10

Who: SRC members, family, friends, and prospective Rotarians

Why: Because we’re celebrating 60 years of community service

What price: $45 per person through February 14, and $55 after that date.

The final deadline for reservations is Thursday, February 20. Reservations will cover a wine-and-soft drinks open bar (plus cocktail cash bar), a lavish buffet spread, live entertainment, and a few surprises.

We’re certainly hoping to have as many current members, past members — especially part presidents, and prospective members join us for this very special event, along with family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues who we welcome with open arms. Please spread the word and get your reservations emailed ASAP to event coordinator Bill Dowd at BillDowd4Troy@gmail.

 

 

 

Meeting clipboard: 1/16/20

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

Members Attending (15): Phil Kellerman, Pat Bailey, Terry Brewer, Geoff Brewer, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Dick Drumm, Murray Forth, Ray Hannan, Andy Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Wells Packard

Guests (6): Ruth Samuels Russell, Ryan Nowak, Madison Rifenberick, Mrs. Rifenberick, Madison Shumpert, Noah Mujalli

MEETING MINUTES: President Phil welcomed members and guests. … He reported that he and Wells Packard had attended the recent District Membership Training session and will discuss the information at the next Club Assembly, set for next Thursday, January 23. … Terry Brewer reported that the new Finance Committee will meet on Friday with A.J. Amato to discuss club investments and bookkeeping practices. …

Screen Shot 2020-01-18 at 3.37.57 PMWells Packard, who has accepted the role of club Youth Exchange Officer, explained that a student from Maple Hill High School has completed the process to be a Rotary Youth Exchange student next year. Now our club must decide whether to sponsor an incoming student as required by Rotary. He said he believes Maple Hill is receptive and will provide homes to the visiting student. This also will be a topic for the Assembly next Thursday. ….

60th logoCo-chairs Murray and Terry reported that lane sponsorship forms will be available next week for the March 1 Foundation Bowl-a-thon to benefit the Oley Foundation and the Freedom From Fistula Foundation. Businesses and/or individuals are invited to sponsor at $100 per lane. … Members are asked to contact Bill Dowd ASAP to make reservations for the club’s March 5 60th Anniversary Party. … Murray issued a save-the-date reminder that the next SRC Recycling & Shredding Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 18.

PROGRAM: New Visions Students’ Science Research Projects

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Ruth Russell with her New Visions students. From left: Madison Shumpert, Ryan Nowack, Madison Rifenberick, Noah Mujalli.

Debbie Brown introduced Ruth Russell, a professor of chemistry, biology, and mathematics. She is the project leader of the New Visions program’s Scientific Research and World Health Program, located at the UAlbany Health Sciences Campus in Rensselaer.

This program involves seniors from high schools in the region who spend five mornings each week researching scientific studies in addition to their usual class load. The program involves 15 to 18 students each academic year.

Ruth introduced four students to explain their projects:

• Madison “Maddy” Rifenberick, valedictorian for Troy High School, discussed mercury toxicity through ingestion or dental fillings and the risk of developing Parkinson ’s disease. Mercury can lead to the loss of dopamine receptors in the brain. Her study shows the majority of her subjects also had exposure to coal and often had a genetic factor. She explained that environmental risks clearly are a concern.

• Noah Mujalli, from Rensselaer High School, discussed his work on the pulmonary effects of hydrogen sulfide contamination from the Dunn Landfill in Rensselear. While the state Department of Environmental Conservation has said that hydrogen sulfide levels should not exceed .010 parts per million, tests show that levels around the landfill often exceed this, yet use permits have been given up to the year 2035. He explained his methods and talked about the risk of tumors and sarcoids (skin tumors)  that increases with higher limits. He recommended that those concerned speak up and attend town hall meetings.

• Ryan Nowak, a senior at Taconic Hills High School, discussed private wells near dairy farms and the risk of E. coli contamination in Columbia County. He said the increase in agriculture, while a good thing, also has added problems due to animal waste, the use of manure as fertilizer, and runoff into local streams. His surveys showed that nitrates were getting into local wells and water supplies, and he discussed possible symptoms of contamination. Ryan also spoke about the use of antibiotics in farming and the concern that this, too, can lead to new, resistant E. coli strains, so more study is needed.

• Madison Shumpert, a student at Shenendehowa High School, spoke on the effects of tetrahydrocannabinol — better known as THC, the primary psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis: i.e., the stuff in marijuana that gets you high — on the development of schizophrenia. Her study covered four countries that have liberal laws on the use of THC products. She said she is 90% confident that the higher use of cannabis can lead to the development of schizophrenia, but study is complicated by the variety of laws and regulations in each country.