What do you really know about the Rotary Foundation? Like, what does it do with the money we donate? What kind of local return do we get on our investment? In general, how does it work?

Sue Austin, District 7190’s Foundation point person, and Jim Leyhane of our own Foundation & International Committee will team up to provide an overview and answer any questions you may have at this week’s dinner meeting.

The menu will include Quigley’s popular pork roast, plus chef’s selection of sides, antipasto salad, bread, dessert and beverages. And, of course, the cash bar is available.

As usual, you need to make your reservation no later than Tuesday evening. What’s different is that you’ll need to send your email to Lois Hannan who is subbing for dinner coordinator Debbie Brown for several weeks. Lois can be reached at rayhannan110b@yahoo.com.

Here’s who has signed up so far:

Sue Austin (guest speaker)
Pat Bailey
Terry Brewer
April Dowd
Bill Dowd
Dick Drumm
Charlie Foote
Murray Forth
Ray Hannan
Phil Kellerman
Jim Leyhane
Becky Raymond
Debbie Rodriguez

Murray and Maggie Forth were the hosts of the latest “Rotary Home Cooking” series event, a surf-and-turf dinner catered by SRC member Jim Mendrysa’s Talk of the Town catering service on Saturday evening.

Enjoying a menu of steak, lobster tails, potatoes, asparagus, chocolate mousse and coconut cream pie were Mary and Dick Drumm; Terry, Betty and Geoff Brewer; Jim Leyhane; Carol Orvis; Pat Bailey; Nicole, Brian and new baby Natalie Anne Forth; Murray, Maggie and Jeremy Forth, and Roberto Martinez.

A few scenes from the event:

Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
April 12, 2018

Members Attending (12): Andy Leyhane, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Debbie Rodriguez, Dick Drumm, Ray Hannan, Bil Dowd, April Dowd, Charlie Foote, Phil Kellerman, Terry Brewer.

Guests (4): Lou and Pat Rubenstein, Kevin Leyden, Pamela Sawchuk.

Announcements/Business

OPENING — President-Elect Andy Leyhane, presiding in place of Roberto Martinez, welcomed members and guests. Twelve members were in attendance, the minimum for a quorum.

THANK YOU — The club received a thank-you note from member Carol Orvis for the sympathy card and floral arrangement sent to her after the death of her younger brother.

NEW MEMBER INDUCTION — We will be welcoming new Rotarians and Rotaractors in a joint induction ceremony at our Thursday, May 3, dinner meeting. Membership pins have been awarded for everyone on the list. … Rotaract held a happy hour social at Wolff’s Biergarten in Albany on Monday evening that raised more than $200 for the Freedom From Fistula Foundation. Click here for details.

RONALD McDONALD HOUSE — We still are lining up the kitchen volunteers for the April breakfast and May dinner SRC teams will be preparing at the facility. A final invitation to participate has been sent to the Danes Rotaract club. If we do not hear from them ASAP, we will ask club members to fill out the roster so planning can move forward.

TREE PLANTING PROJECT — As part of District 7190’s portion of the Rotary global tree planting project, we will work with Columbia High School in refreshing the Star of Hope memorial area at the East Greenbush Public Library. And, members are encouraged to plant a tree as an individual effort.

SHELTERBOX SPECIAL OFFER — Bill Dowd, the club’s ShelterBox liaison, reported on a special matching funds effort scheduled for May 1 and 2. Each dollar, up to $100 per person, pledged online during that specific period will be matched by a foundation. He noted that many SRC members do not contribute to ShelterBox each year because they may think they have to purchase an entire $1,000 box. However, he emphasized that even a donation of $1, $5, or $10 is appreciated, and this special matching funds plan will double the impact of each dollar given. Details are available on the club website by clicking here.

ROTARY HOME COOKING — Reservations are full for this Saturday’s surf-and-turf event being hosted by Murray and Maggie Forth. The May event in the series will be “An International Wine & Cheese Tasting” at Roberto’s residence, co-hosted with him by Bill Dowd and Jim Leyhane. Please contact any of those three people if you would like to attend. Guests are welcome.

ROTARY’S GOT TALENT / RECYCLING DAY — The talent show and social event being sponsored by the District’s Next Gen Committee on Thursday, May 3, at Lucky Strike in Crossgates Mall, is seeking program advertisers. Terry Brewer moved, and Bill Dowd seconded, that we buy a half-page ad. However, during discussion April Dowd suggested we take out a full-page ad using the flyer for our “Recycling & Shredding Day III” event that will be held the Saturday after the talent show. She said that will help us reach a broader cross-section of potential recyclers. The amended motion was passed without dissent.

NEXT MEETINGS — On Thursday, April 19, at 7 a.m. at the Greenbush YMCA, Principal Mike Harkin will speak to the breakfast group on plans for ties between Columbia High School and SRC and the Rotary Exchange program. And, at the 6:15 p.m. dinner meeting at Quigley’s, District 7190 Foundation Chair Sue Austin will present “The Rotary Foundation Explained.”

PROGRAM: “What’s New at Albany Med?”

Kevin Leyden is a senior vice president at Albany Medical Center “charged with developing non-traditional partnerships and alliances to leverage existing assets and generate new revenue.”

He reviewed AMC’s position in the region’s medical universe, where it is the only Level 1 trauma center in 25 New York and two adjacent New England counties.

He said AMC President James Barba embarked on an effort several years ago to better serve the 16,000 children treated at the facility each year.

Part of that is to provide them with better care without exposing them to some of the harsher aspects of emergency services. And, part of it is the creation of a new pediatric trauma center to open this summer, the only such facility in the region. The $50 million project has been funded by both private and public money.

That is not the only new initiative at AMC. Three years ago, it began a new effort to become an incubator for bio-tech research to complement its other prongs — being a treatment facility and a teaching college. He showed a video that described the facility — called the Biomedical Acceleration and Commercialization Center (BACC). It facilitates research and development efforts combining engineering, science, health, and technology with partners such as RPI. They are looking to increase partnerships possibly with Siena College, Union College, and others.

Kevin also spoke about the “Executive Health Program” that allows plan members a form of “concierge” medicine within AMC. For a $995 fee, members receive such things as: access to expedited appointment scheduling; a broad range of services such as urinalysis, prostate exam, pap smear and pelvic exam, blood chemistry, etc.; long-distance assistance linking up with medical care while on the road; a “nurse navigator” coordinating their care; and an atmosphere more like a luxury hotel than a hospital.

The new — but already very busy — Danes Rotaract Club at the UAlbany School of Public Health held a successful happy hour fundraiser at Wolff’s Biergarten in Albany on Monday evening.

The event, to benefit the Freedom From Fistula Foundation with which the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club has been aligned for several years, raised more than $200. That’s according to faculty adviser John Justino, also an SRC member.

You can keep up with Danes Rotaract on its Facebook page by clicking here. Meanwhile, here are a few scenes from the event:

One of the largest businesses in the Capital Region is … ?

If you said Albany Medical Center, you’re right. And, it just keeps growing.

Our speaker at this week’s 6:15 p.m. Thursday dinner meeting at Quigley’s will be Caitlin O’Callaghan on the topic of “What’s New at Albany Med?” And, there is plenty that is.

This might be an opportune time to invite a guest to hear Caitlin and to enjoy Rotary fellowship and a meal of lasagna, antipasto salad, chef’s choice of side dishes, bread, dessert, and beverages.

As always, you’ll need to be sure dinner coordinator Debbie Brown has your reservation (via email to mdbrown@nycap.rr.com)  no later than Tuesday evening. Here is who has signed up so far:

Pat Bailey
Terry Brewer
April Dowd
Bill Dowd
Dick Drumm
Murray Forth
Julius Frankel
Ray Hannan
Phil Kellerman
Jim Leyhane
Roberto Martinez
Becky Raymond
Debbie Rodriguez
Caitlin O’Callaghan (guest speaker)

You’re familiar with the idea of matching funds, right? Usually it’s a matter of contributing $100 — or $500, or $1,000, or $2,000 or so on — and some philanthropic person or organization will match the gift.

However, most people may only be able to contribute much less to various causes — say, $1 or $5 or $10. Every dollar helps. But, this year you’ll have a perfect opportunity to make every dollar do double duty by participating in “The Giving Challenge,” a 24-hour fundraising effort that will aid ShelterBox, the Rotary worldwide aid agency.

SRC has a long history of generously supporting ShelterBox, but not all members are in a position to make large contributions. So, “The Giving Challenge” is a great way to give a little but make a greater impact.

Here’s how it works.

Beginning at noon Tuesday, May 1, and running through noon Wednesday, May 2, if you donate simply by visiting the website GivingPartnerChallenge.org the Patterson Foundation will match every $1 raised up to $100 per individual, per household! That means double the money and double the shelter and aid that ShelterBox can supply around the world to victims of natural disasters and conflict.

Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
April 5, 2018

Members Attending (16): Roberto Martinez, Murray, Forth, Andy Leyhane, Pat Bailey, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Jim Leyhane, Debbie Rodriguez, Dick Drumm, Ray Hannan, Julius Frankel, Charlie Foote, Dean Calamaras, Phil Kellerman, Carole Spencer, Stewart Wagner.

Guests: None.

Announcements/Business

OPENING — President Roberto welcomed members and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

INDUCTION EVENT — This year’s new Rotarians and members of the new Danes Rotaract Club at the UAlbany School of Public Health will officially be inducted into Rotary at our Thursday, May 3, dinner meeting. Pins have been ordered for all. Murray Forth introduced a motion, seconded by Peter Brown, to have the club pay the dinner fees for all inductees. The motion was approved without dissent. Jim Leyhane introduced a motion, seconded by Debbie Rodriguez, to give the newly-formed Rotaract unit a $2,000 grant to help fund its startup activities. The motion was approved without dissent.

RECYCLING & SHREDDING DAY — The temporary hold on our next recycling-and-shredding day has been lifted. Now that all necessary equipment has been arranged for, we’re definitely back on for Saturday, May 5. Click here for the flyer and details, and please copy and share it as widely as possible.

SERVICE DOG UPDATE — Jim Leyhane reported on a meeting with East Greenbush Central School District officials about the Bell Top Elementary project to purchase and have trained a service dog for a military veteran in need. SRC donated $1,500 from the proceeds of its recent “Bowling for Vets” fundraiser to the project. Jim said plans are moving forward quickly, and the dog purchase should soon be accomplished. The training aspect takes several years.

PETS TRAINING — President-elect Andy Leyhane has completed the three-part PETS (Presidents-Elect Training Sessions) program and is prepared to assume the club presidency on July 1 when current President Roberto’s term ends.

VIKING GYM GRANT — We have received a $500 District grant to help underwrite the cost of the rustic Viking Gym constructed at Schodack Town Park.

BOY SCOUT CAMPING GRANT — Jim Leyhane introduced a motion, seconded by Dick Drumm, to give Boy Scout Troop 41 a $450 grant to help underwrite summer camping activities. The motion was approved without dissent.

MISCELLANY — It was decided, and ratified by members attending, to decline an offer to participate in the East Greenbush Memorial Day Parade. … A speaker is needed for the 7 a.m. Thursday, April 19, breakfast meeting at the Greenbush YMCA. … Although we will not participate in the Rotary Youth Exchange program for the 2018-19 academic year, Roberto will ask members who usually attend only the breakfast meetings about working on having a student in 2019-20. … The Danes Rotaract Club will hold a benefit from 6 to 9 p.m. Monday (April 9) at Wolff’s Biergarten on Broadway in Albany. Proceeds will go to the Freedom From Fistula Foundation. Details are available by clicking here. … SRC will participate in District 7190’s tree-planting project. Jim Leyhane introduced a motion, seconded by Murray Forth, that each member plant a tree in concert with the initiative. The motion was approved without dissent. … Roberto and Jim will serve as SRC’s voting delegates at the Rotary International Convention in Toronto in June.

PROGRAM: “Is the Pharmaceutical Industry Ignoring Alzheimer’s?”

Speaker Andy Leyhane, PhD, a senior chemist at AMRI (formerly Albany Molecular Research Inc.), posed the question “Is the Pharmaceutical Industry Ignoring Alzheimer’s Disease?”

He said there are two theories about the cause of Alzheimer’s. One is that amyloid plaques collect in the brain. In the early 2000’s, pharama giant Pfizer and competitor Eli Lily had produced antibody drugs that showed potential in early tests. However, they failed in phase three testing to show symptom improvement, and trials were ended. One drug was approved in 2012, but it only masked symptoms. Pfizer has ended funding on Alzheimer’s Disease research as of this year.

Merck Co. began phase one testing on another possible drug. By 2016, the drug did show a reduction of amyloid plaques and the testing entered phase three, but it did not have good results either, and in 2017 and 2018 trials ended. Amgen/Novartis does have an ongoing study. And, research at the Cleveland Clinic has shown promise in slowing the disease.

Andy explained that universities and research facilities have ongoing studies to uncover new pathways as they continue to find leads to dealing with “tangles and plaques.” Recent studies also show an overlap with Parkinson’s disease.

Details of Andy’s presentation are available on the club website’s program archives page, accessible by clicking here.

NEXT MEETING — 6:15 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at Quigley’s. The program will be “What’s New at Albany Med?”

The temporary hold on our next recycling-and-shredding has been lifted. Now that all necessary equipment has been arranged for, we’re definitely on for Saturday, May 5. So, please copy and share this flyer as widely as possible.

FEEL FREE TO COPY AND DISTRIBUTE THIS FLYER.