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.

Mohawk Hudson Humane Society

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On Thursday July 31st a large group of our members including two additional guests and Colin Tidingen, potential new member, joyed a great 90-minute tour of the Mohawk-Q Hu mane Society in Menands. Lead by director Marguerite Pearson, the group learned much about how the agency takes in cats and dogs, cares for them, provides medical services, and finds homes for many of them. Members also brought donated dry pet food for their pet pantry.  It was a very enjoyable and educational experience.

In other matters, next Thursday is the annual ValleyCats baseball game with dinner under the tent before the game at 5:30 pm. Dinner includes BBQ chicken, BBQ pulled pork, hot dogs, pasta salad, chips, soda and water. Tickets were prearranged and have been handed out.

On Thursday August 14th is the play “Annie” at 2 pm at the Mac-Haydn theater. Tickets were prearranged and have been handed out.

Please note that on Thursday August 21st, Dean and Dolores Calamaras are hosting a Greek night at their house as a fundraiser for Gift of Life. They will be serving up chicken souvlaki with assorted vegetables and Greek pastries.  Members are invited to bring appetizers.  5:00 pm arrival time for drinks. Dinner at 6 pm. Reservations limited to the first 17 people to sign up so please call Dean at 518-477-4694 or email him.  Donation to Gift of Life is $30 for individuals and $40 for families. Thank you to Dean and Doris.

The Board is Meeting Tuesday August I you have topics you would like the Board to consider, please email Phil. Don’t forget to look at the CNYRotary.org website for event updates.

This Thursday’s Summer Casual Event, a Tour of The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society Facility

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Dear Fellow Members:

I hope everyone is staying cool during the summer heat.

Thanks to Roberto and Jim for hosting a terrific summer dinner which raised over $600 for scholarships and club activities.  Check out our website and Facebook page for updates.

This Thursday July 31st the Mohawk-Hudson Animal Sanctuary has invited us for a tour at 4 pm. The address is 3 Oakland Avenue in Menands – right off Broadway. There is a large sign and the shelter is off the road a bit towards the back  Please bring donated dry pet food.  It would be great to have a large turnout.  Please let me know if you think you will be attending.

Thursday August 7 at 5:30 pm is our annual Valleycats baseball game. Food will be provided under the large tent and the game officially begins at 6:30 pm.  Debbie Rodriquez has been passing out tickets for those who reserved them.

Circles of Mercy, of which I am now employed, is kick-starting its Back to School Program which will focus on collecting school supplies for high school students (9-12). The following items are needed: pencils, pencil sharpeners, erasers, pens, markers, pocket folders, glue sticks, scissors, projector/compasses, 3 ring binders, loose leaf paper, graph paper, spiral subject notebooks, subject dividers, plastic zipper pencil cases/ boxes, index cards, highlighters, rulers, Kleenex tissues, hand sanitizer, post-it-notes, backpacks (no rollers./wheels), hole reinforcement labels, combination locks (for gym lockers), electronic items such as: flash drives, ear buds, and calculators.  Jim and Roberto will be supplying backpacks. 

Director Richard Zazycki has asked that as part of my job I help out with the Back to School Program so I would be glad to pick up donated supplies to bring to Circles of Mercy. The deadline is August 22nd for delivery of donations.

The Board will be having a meeting in the next couple of weeks. Please send me items you think we should have on the agenda.

Also, please look at the CNYRotary.org website for district updates and courses.  The District is planning on a get together in Syracuse and I’m planning on attending.  It would be great to have others attend as well. 

Thank you!

Phill Kellerman, President

Summer Casual – Pool Party

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Thank you to Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez for hosting the pool party and meal of filet mignon, baked potatoes, corn, garlic bread, and cowboy beans. This was a fundraising event for scholarships.

Next week’s event hosted by Phil Kellerman is a tour of the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society Facility at 4:00 pm on Thursday July 31. Please bring donations of pet food at this time.

Our Next Summer Casual Event, Steaks by the Pool

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Mallow Hibiscus Beebalms

This Thursday, July 24, 2025 the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be holding its next Summer Casual Event. This week’s event hosted by Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez will feature a meal of filet mignon, baked potatoes, corn, garlic bread, and cowboy beans. This is a fundraising event for the club with a cost of $30 per member and $40 per family.

Next week’s event hosted by Phil Kellerman is a tour of the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society Facility at 4:00pm on Thursday July 31, 2024. They Mohawk- Hudson Humane Society is seeking donations of pet food at this time.

Boathouse Grill

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Thanks to Murray for setting up tonight’s event.  The weather participated and the food and company were great. 

 Phil reported visiting the Food Pantry and leaving off some supplies earlier today.

Next week, the summer event is a Poolside Fillets Fundraiser 7/24/25, 6pm, 8 Elmwood Drive. Funds raised will go for our community events. Price per person will be $30 per Rotarian or $40 per family and guest.   The event is sponsored by Jim and Roberto.  Jim and Roberto will need a head count by Monday morning in order to notify the butcher off additional attendees and purchase the fillets. You can call or email either Roberto or Jim. Bringing appetizers is an option but there should be plenty of food and drinks. Dinner will include fillet mignon, baked potatoes, beans, bread and ice cream.  The pool will be open. Regrets also helpful so we don’t need to keep reaching out.


Tickets for the Valley Cats were passed out to those in attendance.  We have a few extra that can be purchased.  Please contact Deb Rodriguez if you have interest.

See everyone next week!
Phil

Boathouse Grill

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Dear Members:

I hope your summer is going well.

I want to thank those members who participated in the tour on July 10th at the new facility for the homeless elderly by the St. Paul Center.  Tracy Pitcher, Director, gave a great tour and members donated books and other household items.

Don’t forget dinner at the Boathouse Grill in New Baltimore this Thursday at 6 pm.  If you have not signed up please contact Murray today to reserve a space.

On the 24th our annual dinner fundraiser and pool party will be held at Jim Leyhane’s at 6pm.  Please left Roberto or Jim know if you are attending by end of day this coming Thursday so they can order the fillets. 

On Wednesday July 16th, a webinar will be offered entitled “Artificial Intelligence for Rotary” from 7-8 pm.  The session will explore how AI can enhance club operations, brainstorm on club projects and amplify outreach efforts.  Go to www.cnyrotary.org/events for more information

See you soon!

Phil Kellerman, President

This Thursday, Tour of the New Saint Paul Center Facility

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I hope everyone had a great 4th of July!

This Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 4pm we are invited for a tour of the new facility for the homeless elderly by the Saint Paul Center. The Center is located at 3 Cerone Commercial Drive off of Wolf Road (Frank Adams Jewelers on the corner).

Please meet at 3:45 pm in the parking lot. The facility is in need of donated books and household items. After the tour we can meet for drinks and socialization.

Next Thursday, July 17, 2025 we will be meeting at the Boathouse Grill at 80 Shady Harbour Drive in New Baltimore. If you plan on attending this event, please let Murray Forth know so he can make an accurate reservation. Looking forward to seeing everyone at this event.

No Meeting This Week

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There is no weekly meeting this week, June 26, 2025 or next week July 3, 2025 due to conflicting events and the 4th of July Holiday. Remember membership dues are due July 1st, so if you haven’t paid please make arrangements with Murray. We will meet again July 10, 2025 when we take a tour of the St. Paul’s Center at 4pm.

Presidential Changeover and New Member Induction

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The Presidential Change Over was held at Debbie and Peter Browns home.  Thanks to them for hosting and cooking hamburgers and bratwurst and desert!  The event was well attended  and included family members as well. Roberto Martinez welcomed everyone on this Juneteenth National Holiday. He began the program by thanking Team Rotary for all the accomplishments this past year.  He said it was a privilege to have followed Peter Brown. This included doing good while having fun. He recognized almost everyone in making this a successful year.  Roberto then passed the President’s role on to Phil Kellerman who highlighted strategies to keep the club moving forwards.  Jim Leyhane inducted Laurie Pferr as a new member of the Club.  

This Week’s Meeting, Presidential Changeover and New Member Induction

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This Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 6:00 pm the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be holding its weekly meeting. This week’s meeting is being hosted by the Browns at 18 Clove Road in Castleton-On-Hudson. This week’s meeting will serve as our annual Presidential Change over, where Roberto Martinez will pass his gavel to Phil Kellerman as he assumes the roll of club president for the second time. The meeting will feature the induction of 3 new members and a tour of the Brown’s gardens. This is also the start of our summer casual fund raisers and the cost of dinner is $30 per person and $40 for a family. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.