News of this New York State club that practices "Service Above Self"
Author: SRCrotary
A volunteer service club located in Rensselaer County, NY, that is part of Rotary International, the 1.23 million-member international organization of men and women serving their community and their world.
Efrosini “Effie” Galakatos Frankel, wife of former SRC member Julius Frankel, died today in a Boston area hospice after a lengthy battle with brain cancer.
Their daughter, Liza Frankel Guimbard, posted this appreciation on Facebook today:
“Tonight we remember my mother, her life well lived, and celebrate her legacy. She was an accomplished research scientist recognized for her work in muscle tissue diseases; beloved wife of Julius; an incredibly strong and supportive mother and role model; and her most cherished role as Yayah to Sophia and Nicholas.
“We are comforted by the memory of her beautiful, bright smile and love for her family and friends.
“I love you mama. Your smile shines bright in our hearts and memories we were blessed to have together. We are comforted in knowing you are finally at peace.”
MEMBERS ATTENDING (14): Debbie Rodriguez, Pat Bailey, Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Dick Drumm, Phil Kellerman, Murray Forth, Carol Orvis (by proxy), Dean Calamaras (by proxy), Doris Calamaras (by proxy), Tony Morris (by proxy).
GUESTS (1): PDG Larry Jones.
President Debbie Rodriguez called the meeting at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant to order and noted the presence of a quorum.
MEETING NOTES:
• VIKING GYM: President Debbie provided an update on the planned renovation of the Viking outdoor gym created at the Schodack Town Park in 2017 as a co-op Eagle Scout project by the SRC, Town of Schodack, a Swedish Rotary club, and the Top Form physical training company. She reported that Ron Annis, SRC member and Top Form owner, met with Schodack officials tonight to discuss renovation and potential expansion of the installation and will report back to the club. She noted that we may be able to broaden the effort with the assistance of the local Kiwanis and Elks clubs.
• PROGRAMS: The club still is seeking speakers/presenters for both in-person and Zoom meetings. Anyone wishing to reserve a date to provide a program is asked to contact Kevin Leyhane or Becky Raymond.
• FUNDRAISER: The District is planning a wine and whiskey tasting as a fundraiser for anti-polio programs. The date is Saturday, March 26, and reservations are required. Details are on the club website.
• BOARD MEETING — The SRC Board Meeting has been rescheduled for March 10, following the scheduled dinner meeting. The change was made because the original February date conflicted with school vacation.
• PROGRAM — PG Larry Jones, the District’s ShelterBox liaison, was our guest speaker. He provided a slideshow update of the relief agency’s current global outreach work. SRC has been a steadfast supporter of ShelterBox, contributing nearly $27,000 in the past decade toward the agency’s relief work.
District ShelterBox liaison Larry Jones displays a new equipment addition, a collapsible lantern and cellphone recharger.
There is a world of breweries, distilleries, and wineries right in our own backyard. If you have not had the chance to tour the various selections in the area, have we got a night planned for you!
We are going to celebrate two of our neighbors while we raise funds to end polio. And, and if this sells, we’re going to celebrate many more.
Join me for a “Wine & Whiskey Tasting to End Polio” at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 26. Our host will be Galway Rock Winery & Vineyard, located at 998 Saratoga Road, Ballston Lake. We will be sampling three of its wines plus three whiskies from High Peaks Distilling of Lake George.
Each tasting will be presented by the creators themselves, giving you the opportunity to learn more about how each selection is made and what goes into creating these wines and whiskeys.
Registration is $75 per person, which covers the tasting and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Click here to register online. Seating is limited, so grab your tickets early.
You will also have the opportunity to purchase additional beverages or bottles to bring home.
MEMBERS ATTENDING (15): Debbie Rodriguez, Bill Dowd, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Pat Bailey, Dick Drumm, Tony Morris, Charlie Foote, Kevin Leyhane, Carol Orvis (by proxy), Dean Calamaras (by proxy), Doris Calamaras (by proxy), Becky Raymond (by proxy), Peter Brown (by proxy), Debbie Brown (by proxy).
GUESTS: None.
President Debbie Rodriguez called the Zoom meeting to order and noted the presence of a quorum because of the number of proxies.
MEETING NOTES:
• ROTARACT — Debbie reported that the NYSCR Danes Rotaract Club we sponsor is hoping to resume some in-person activities now that UAlbany has eased many of its pandemic-era restrictions. She also said the club has gained a member, and hopes to have precise numbers for us at the next meeting.
• DISTRICT GOVERNOR UPDATE — Bill Dowd reported that the Nominating Committee on which he served last Saturday nominated Gregg Schorr of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake club as District Governor for the 2024-25 Rotary Year. His nomination will be finalized by March 1 unless there are written challenges to his selection. The Committee also approved the appointment of Past DG Fred Daniels to serve as Vice DG for the 2022-23 Rotary Year under DG-elect Denise DiNoto. Fred would assume the top role next year should Denise be unable to carry out the duties of the office.
• DAF UPDATE — We had been scheduled to hear a report from our Donor Advised Fund (DAF) Committee appointed last fall. That panel met separately before tonight’s meeting, but none of its members attended the regular Zoom meeting, so nothing was reported.
• MEETING FUTURES — A brief discussion was held on the pros and cons of resuming weekly dinner meetings. The consensus was to continue alternating Zoom and dinner meetings for the remainder of the year as we have been doing. … Larry Jones, a Past District Governor, will be our guest speaker at next week’s dinner meeting (February 24) at Moscatiello’s. He will be providing an update on the work of ShelterBox globally.
The 2022 District 7190 Nominating Committee, which convened on Saturday, February 12, to interview candidates for the office of 2024-25 District Governor, selected Gregg Schorr of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Club as the nominee.
In addition, the committee approved the appointment of Past DG Fred Daniels to serve as Vice DG for the 2022-23 Rotary Year under DG-elect Denise DiNoto. Fred would assume the top role next year should Denise be unable to carry out the duties of the office.
“If any club would like to challenge the selection of Gregg Schorr based on their club’s candidate, all written challenges need to be received by me no later than March 2,” said current DG Bruce Connellee. “If no written challenges are received by that date, then his selection will be final.”
A reminder that this Thursday we will be assembling at 7 p.m. via Zoom for our club meeting. So, your choice of food, beverage, and attire is anything laying around the house.
While we hope you plan to join us, if you can’t it would be helpful to email your proxy to President Debbie (debannrod@yahoo.com) no later than Wednesday. That will count toward attendance (we need a quorum to conduct any formal business decisions), and allow her to cast your vote as needed. We have no guest program this week, so the session should be relatively brief. But, if you have any topics you’d like Debbie to put on the meeting agenda, please email her, also no later than Wednesday, to be sure you’re heard.
As always, you’ll be able to access the Zoom meeting by clicking on the link for that date on our website calendar page.
MEMBERS ATTENDING (16): Debbie Rodriguez, Kevin Leyhane, Pat Bailey, Andy Leyhane, Bill Dowd, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Becky Raymond, Phil Kellerman, Tony Morris, Dean Calamaras (by proxy), Doris Calamaras (by proxy), Carol Orvis (by proxy).
GUESTS (1): Debbie Morris.
President Debbie Rodriguez called the meeting to order at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant and noted the presence of a quorum.
MEETING NOTES:
• PROGRAM: Bill Dowd conducted his “Great North American Whizbang Trivia Test,” returning after a year off due to the lack of in-person meetings during the worst of the pandemic. This was the 7th year for the quiz. Peter Brown emerged the winner, earning a book on “Bar Trivia.” Congratulations to him, and thanks to all who participated.
• VIKING GYM — President Debbie updated members on a meeting the club had today with the Town of Schodack regarding restoration and potential expansion of the Viking outdoor gym at the Town Park. The SRC-sponsored gym, made of raw wood that had not had the bark stripped, was removed after it degraded beyond repair. The Town expressed interest in rebuilding and further discussion on materials, funding, layout, etc., will be held.
• DG SCREENING — Bill Dowd reported he will be be representing Area 8 clubs on the panel scheduled to interview potential District Governor candidates this Saturday. It will be a two-hour Zoom session.
• INTER-CLUB EFFORT — Debbie said she has extended a feeler to the Kiwanis Club of East Greenbush to explore the possibility of joint projects. We also will invite Kiwanians to attend one of our dinner meetings, and they will reciprocate so we can get to know each other better. Members in attendance expressed support for such a possibility.
• BOARD MEETING — The SRC Board Meeting has been rescheduled for March 10, following the scheduled dinner meeting. The change was made because the original February date conflicted with school vacation.
• UPCOMING MEETINGS — We will meet at 7 p.m. via Zoom next week, February 17. … By consensus, members agreed to hold Zoom meetings any time a scheduled dinner meeting is called off because of inclement weather.
The Rotary Impact Committee, SRC’s newest fundraising group which is putting together a major raffle initiative, has issued its first planning report, from co-chairs Pat Bailey and Phil Kellerman:
“We have chosen to give the proceeds of raffle ticket sales to local food pantries and to the YWCA Women’s Shelter in Troy. Our theme is, ‘Help Rotary meet critical needs of Rensselaer County.’
“We hope to visit various sites such as Kids’Day at the Y, farmer’s markets, Little League events, ValleyCats home games at Bruno Stadium, and possibly June’s Farms or Windy Hill Orchard to sell raffle tickets. We hope to be ready to begin doing so by April 15 and to conclude sales around May 31 with the drawing for winners at that time.
“Prizes still are to be determined, but could include such things as a weekend away at a cottage or resort; a night out at an event; a new gas grill, or a ValleyCats package. We are asking members to let us know if anyone has a cottage or cabin that could be used for such a weekend getaway.”
“Raffle tickets will be priced at $5 each and 3-for-$10. We are also working on getting a banner and other marketing materials.”
The committee’s next meeting will be held via Zoom on either February 21 or March 7.
They are, as veteran Rotary trivia fans might have guessed, what goes into the upcoming “7th Great North American Whizbang Trivia Test.” The friendly competition will be held this coming Thursday at our first in-person meeting of 2022, at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant at 6 p.m.
PLEASE BRING A PEN OR PENCIL WITH YOU. You’ll need a writing implement to jot down your answers and keep a running score.
You’ll be able to fortify yourselves with the cash bar and a choice between Moscatiello’s sumptious chicken Caesar salad or bountiful meatballs and spaghetti as your dinner entree.
As always, no need to RSVP. Just show up and let your Rotary hosts know your entree choice. Also as always, the more the merrier, but we do prefer all attendees to be fully vaccinated and boosted.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 