Month: March 2020

SRC to continue meeting, with caution

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Screen Shot 2020-03-13 at 11.24.02 PMKeeping the coronavirus pandemic in mind, the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club has decided to continue its Thursday dinner meetings for now.

However, the club is encouraging anyone feeling ill or who is in the categories of those most susceptible to the virus (over age 60; compromised immune system; other underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes) to stay home if they feel uncomfortable about the potential of exposure.

Screen Shot 2020-03-13 at 11.25.52 PMEveryone is encouraged to follow the basic precautionary guidelines being issued by local, state, and national health agencies:

• frequent thorough hand washing with hot water and soap (at least 20 seconds);
• avoiding large crowds where potential contamination is greater;
• covering up when sneezing or coughing to avoid affecting others;
• regularly wiping down work surfaces with disinfectants;
• avoid touching your face, mouth, ears with unwashed hands, etc.

You can find an excellent set of guidelines online from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

Time’s almost up for dinner raffle ticket sales

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The drawing for the winner of the latest Cafe Capriccio wine pairing dinner as a club fundraiser is scheduled for Thursday’s dinner meeting at Quigley’s. No need to be present to win.

But, you still have time to buy or sell tickets at just $20 each for a special private-room dinner for 12 people, valued at $1,300, designed and prepared by chef-owner Jim Rua.

If you haven’t picked up tickets from Andy Leyhane or Murray Forth to buy or sell, please call them to do so ASAP. If you already have sold tickets, please get the money to Murray as soon as you can.

(And, speaking of Andy, he’ll be emceeing a session of  musical trivia after dinner on Thursday. Think of it as a one-category warmup for the 6th annual “Great North American Whizbang Trivia Contest” Bill Dowd will be presenting on May 7.)

Here’s the flyer we have been circulating about the dinner raffle. Enjoy!

2020 Dinner Raffle

 

Freedom From Fistula event postponed

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Screen Shot 2020-03-13 at 10.25.09 PMBecky Raymond, SRC liaison with the Freedom From Fistula Foundation, and club president Phil Kellerman today participated in a meeting of the FFFF Planning Committee via Skype.

It was decided to postpone the scheduled April 20 foundation discussion and fundraiser at the UAlbany School of Public Health at SUNY Albany in light of the school’s recommendation that all on-campus activities be postponed for at least 45 days due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Because students will not be on campus again until late spring, the group decided to wait until the fall to attempt to hold event.

Phil said that although presidential term will expire before then, he would like to continue to be involved with the FFFF committee.

 

Meeting Clipboard: 3/12/20

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

Members Attending (12): Phil Kellerman, Murray Forth, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Debbie Rodriguez, Pat Bailey, Dean Calamaras, Dick Drumm, Charlie Foote, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Wells Packard.

Guests (4): Tony and Debbie Morris (potential members), Dennis Cicchino and Jeff Morris (Boy Scout Troop 41).

MEETING NOTES — President Phil Kellerman presided, welcoming members and four guests, including potential members Tony and Debbie Morris. … The main topic of discussion was about our future dinner meetings in light of concern over the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In an email poll of Board members, several recommended suspension of meetings, others were in favor of continuing. After discussion at the meeting, it was decided to (a) continue meeting pending any further health-related concerns, (b) Phil will talk with Quigley’s owner John Walsh about us ordering off the menu if fewer than 12 people attend, and (c) speakers would be invited and given the opportunity to decline if numbers are small. …

Murray Forth reported that sales of raffle tickets for the March 28 wine dinner at Cafe Capriccio are slow, but we have raised enough to at least cover the cost of the event. The drawing is scheduled for next Thursday’s meeting. … Dean Calamaras reported that the district’s Gift of Life child underwent successful cardiac surgery at Albany Medical Center on March 11. …

Until further notice, members are asked to hold off on bringing Easter basket items to the meetings until we clarify the status of the project with Circles of Mercy. We will contact Circles of Mercy to ask about its needs instead and suggest that food items or money towards necessities might be more useful, especially since schools could be closed because of the coronavirus problem and lunch programs curtailed. On another topic, Circles of Mercy will hold a “Walk for Mercy” on Saturday, April 4, and is looking for sponsors. Contact Ray Hannan for more information. …

Phil has spoken to the IRS about our tax exempt status (one hour on the phone). It appears we will need to file missing annual reports. He, Murray, and Terry will work together to complete the required documents and file them. … Our SRC Recycling & Shredding Day remains scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Wainschaf Associates in Rensselaer. Details are on the event flyer that has been distributed to all members several times. …

Peter Brown reported that the Capital Region Nordic Alliance (CRNA), the adaptive sports program for disabled vets, is seeking a sponsor for a CRNA athlete to participate in the European Trail Orienteering Championships 2020 being held in Finland. About $500 is needed, and we already have raised $380 through the weekly money jug contributions. … We need at least two members to attend the April 4 District Training Assembly / Grants Management Seminar to be able to file for grants. … President-elect Dick Drumm said he would be unable to attend this week’s Empire Multi-District PETS training in Syracuse. …

Roberto Martinez reported that Julius Frankel is out of hospital rehab and is doing well at home. … Roberto also gave a short talk about the “new” flu and its symptoms, etc. … Wells Packard reported that the Rotary Youth Exchange still is on, and students will be traveling as expected in the late summer and fall. … Next meeting: 6:15 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Quigley’s. The scheduled program will be musical trivia with Andy Leyhane. Members are reminded to check the website calendar page for program assignment dates/speakers/topics and to contact webmaster Bill Dowd as soon as they have a program lined up so he can publicize it.

Screen Shot 2020-03-13 at 2.00.05 PM

Dennis Cicchino (right) and Jeff Morris of Boy Scout Troop 41 visited to make their annual report on Scouting activities and their appeal for continued SRC funding.

The cost of summer camp has gone up again, and for this summer will be $545. Murray moved, Roberto seconded, and attendees approved without dissent a club grant of $545 to the troop for that purpose.

 

Now hear this, Thursday speaker set

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Screen Shot 2020-03-10 at 9.05.14 PMYou’ve probably seen the ads for Miracle Ear, but did you know it’s a hearing aid company based in Italy that consists of a network of franchised and corporately-owned retail outlets throughout the U.S. and elsewhere?

We were just informed a speaker for the company will make a presentation at this week’s 6:15 dinner meeting at Quigley’s about the latest auditory technology.

Dinner menu: The entrée is beef tips in gravy, with chef’s choice of side dishes, specialty salad, bread, dessert, and beverages. And,  always, come early for a social period plus the cash bar.

If you plan to join us — and your guests are always welcome if we know they are coming — please be sure dinner coordinator Debbie Rodriguez has received your RSVP via email at debbanrod@yahoo.com by this evening (maybe you can squeeze in on Wednesday morning, but before 10 a.m.). The following already have reserved:

Pat Bailey
Debbie Brown
Peter Brown
Dick Drumm
Murray Forth
Ray Hannan
Phil Kellerman
Kevin Leyhane
Wells Packard
Debbie Rodriguez
Guest speaker

 

Fistula Foundation fundraiser planned

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Fistula PosterThe UAlbany School of Public Health will host a public engagement event to raise awareness and support for efforts to combat obstetric fistulas among sub-Saharan African women.

It is scheduled for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 20, at the school, located at the Health Sciences Campus on Columbia Turnpike in Rensselaer. The event is co-sponsored by the Danes Rotaract and Southern Rensselaer County Rotary clubs.

The event will include a silent auction to help raise funds for the Freedom From Fistula Foundation, a Rotary-supported health organization dedicated to helping women in sub-Saharan countries receive education and medical assistance to combat what is a common gynecological problem there.

SRC members are invited to donate items for the silent auction, and may contact President Phil Kellerman at a club meeting, via phone at 352-262-5421, or via e-mail at philkellerman77@gmail.com.

 

Time to shop for Easter basket items

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Screen Shot 2020-03-06 at 2.04.59 PMIt’s that time of year again, when SRC and others join with Circles of Mercy for its “Easter Baskets for Cate’s Kids” drive on behalf of needy children ages 1 to 12. Last year, SRC pledged 75 baskets but came up with 106!

Circles of Mercy is an outreach center for poor and low-income families which is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy Northeast Community. SRC has partnered with the organization for years on a number of effort, including holiday family “adoptions.”

“Last year, over 150 requests for Easter baskets was met, but given the current economic times, no doubt Circles of Mercy will have not only the same number of children, but possibly more,” says Circles’ director Richard Zazycki.

Easter this year will fall on Sunday, April 19, and we have agreed to meet an April 1 deadline by which to deliver gift baskets to Circles in time to get them distributed to the client families the week before the Easter holiday.

President Phil Kellerman will be contacting some of you about possibly coordinating the club’s portion of the effort and staying in contact with club member Shannon Romanowski at the Greenbush YMCA which is undertaking a companion effort.

Meanwhile, our practice has been to have the club purchase baskets, artificial grass, and transparent wrappings, and ask members to purchase items for the baskets from the shopping list below, getting them to our event coordinator as they are purchased.

Since we’re on a tight turnaround, you may want to begin shopping now. Here’s what is needed:

THE SHOPPING LIST

• coloring books
• crayons
• color pencils
• facial tissues
• toothpaste, tooth brushes, and dental floss
• combs and brushes
• small, age-appropriate (1 to 12) stuffed animals, toys, small games
• reading books
… and, of course, different types of traditional candy

 

And a good time was had by all

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60th logoSixty years officially in the books, thanks to an SRC gala dinner party Thursday night at the Comfort Inn.

In addition to a performance by magician Doug Eash — who performed some close-up sleight of hand magic for the kids in attendance before his main show — the crowd of SRC members, spouses, friends, and guests enjoyed a buffet dinner and awards presentations.

President Phil Kellerman presented awards to a number of SRC members for various activities. Those present to accept were Bill Dowd (also the event coordinator), Murray Forth, Andy Leyhane (two awards), Shannon Romanowski, Debbie Rodriguez, Jim Leyhane (two awards), and Kevin Leyhane. Not in attendance, but receiving awards, were “Rotarian of the Year” Pat Bailey, Becky Raymond, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Roberto Martinez, and Terry Brewer (two awards).

In addition, we heard remarks from two District Governors — our own 7190 DG Larry Jones, and visiting 7120 DG Dave Hannan from the Rochester area.

Here are some scenes from the evening:

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24 hours till 60th Anniversary Dinner

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60th logoThe food and drinks have been ordered, the entertainment acquired, and we’re all set to mark 60 years of community service.

From our club’s founding as the East Greenbush Rotary Club to its current expanded existence as the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club, we have worked together to bring comfort, aid, and enlightenment to all ages through our support of education, health care, youth activities, family assistance, environmental preservation, and much, much more.

So, we’ll see all of you who have made reservations for the dinner, which will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Comfort Inn & Suites, 99 Miller Road, just off I-90 Exit 10.