MEMBERS ATTENDING (14): Dick Drumm, Debbie Rodriguez, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Kevin Leyhane, Andy Leyhane, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Charlie Foote, Tony Morris, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras.

Guests (5): Hannah Grill, Meghan Bennett, Mike Bennett, Michael Harkin, Teresa Herbert.

Roberto welcomed and congratulated SRC Rotary Club Scholarship recipients and other guests.

Teresa Herbert of Maple Hill High School introduced graduating senior Meghan Bennett, who will be attending Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, to study communications. She said Meghan, a member of the National Honor Society, does not seek the spotlight for her efforts. She is and someone who wants to make a difference in the world. Meghan’s focus has been on reducing the stigma of mental illness and spreading awareness. Megan said she has made volunteering a mission.  She has worked with St. Jude since 2016 and raised money for its Children’s Hospital. 

Mike Harkin introduced Hanna Grill, a graduating senior at Columbia High School. She is Student Council president, and someone who always wants to give back to the community without expecting praise. Hanna said she likes to focus on academic achievement and helping the community. She has enjoyed working with pep rallies and cheerleading, spending time working with regional food banks and Equinox. She plans to continue volunteering while attending Marist College in Poughkeepsie. She has not yet declared her major.

Both students thanked Rotary for the $1,000 scholarships, and the group in turn congratulated the students. Roberto passed along scholarship coordinator Terry Brewer’s congratulations since he was unable to attend. Administrators Mike Harkin and Mike Bennett both thanked the SRC Rotary for continuing the scholarship program, and Mike Bennett also expressed appreciation to SRC for supporting students in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program his students attended.

• PRESIDENTIAL CHANGEOVER — Dick Drumm will pass the gavel to Debbie Rodriguez for the 2021-22 Rotary Year at a picnic he and Mary are hosting at 6 p.m. next Thursday at their farm, catered by O’Kenny’s Express of Valatie. Anyone who has not yet RSVP’d and would like to attend is asked to contact the Drumms by Saturday at the latest. Dick asked anyone who wishes to do so bring an appetizer or dessert. He is covering the cost of the caterer, but is asking attendees to donate what they would like, with all proceeds going to the club treasury. Suggested donation is $15 to $20 for adults, $5 for kids. All adult attendees should be fully vaccinated.

• SOLD-OUT “SUMMER CASUAL” EVENTS — Reservations have been closed for two “Summer Casual” field trips — August 5 to New Lebanon for dinner at Mario’s Restaurant and a performance at The Theater Barn; August 19 for a picnic and ValleyCats baseball game at Bruno Stadium. Bill Dowd has asked that those people for whom he has purchased theater tickets send him checks for $33 per ticket at their convenience. Debbie Rodriguez plans to collect $30 per person for the ValleyCats outing at the Presidential Changeover picnic next week.

• OTHER “SUMMER CASUAL” EVENTS — The first event of the summer season — and the first of the new Rotary Year — will be a picnic at the Browns’ residence on Thursday, July 8. Any fully vaccinated people who wishes to attend is asked to contact Debbie and/or Peter ASAP to help them with the planning. … We also have added an event to the calendar — Thursday, August 12, when Ray and Lois Hannan will host and pay for a dinner at the Schodack Diner, with all donations going to the club treasury. (See chart below for the full schedule; please note we have one open date that anyone who wishes can claim to host or arrange an event.)

• MEETING VENUE SEARCH — Dick, Jim, and Roberto had lunch at the Crisp Canoli and spoke with the owner about the possibility of holding our weekly dinner meetings there. They are awaiting a proposal. … Jim also has been in contact with the East Greenbush Fire Department about meeting at the Phillips Road firehouse, which would cost the club $50 per session. Phil Kellerman and Dean Calamaras will help him check out the facility next week.