We need to collect the money for all of the raffle tickets for the Cafe Capriccio wine dinner our members have purchased or sold.

If you have not yet turned in your money to Treasurer Murray Forth, the deadline for doing so is this Thursday.

Even though we will not be meeting at Quigley’s that evening, Murray will be in the parking lot at 6 p.m. to accept your payments and to draw the winning raffle ticket. Please don’t stand him up. (if you need to contact Murray in advance, you can call his cell at 518-441-8783.)

Obviously, because the state has ordered all restaurants to cease normal operations as of this evening, and for the foreseeable future, the Cafe Capriccio dinner will have to be rescheduled. We will be in contact with the owner to make suitable arrangements.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Effective at 8 o’clock this evening, under an executive order issued this morning by Governor Andrew Cuomo, all restaurants and bars in the state will cease operations except for takeout and delivery orders. That means Quigley’s will not be available to host our meetings for the foreseeable future.

In addition, President Donald Trump’s coronavirus response team this afternoon announced additional restrictions and guidelines, including asking people not to meet in groups of more than 10, and asking people 65 and older to stay home and avoid contact with others.

As a result of these actions, club President Phil Kellerman is calling for suspension of all activities of the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club until we receive further information and advisories from health officials, at which time the Board will evaluate and discuss resumption.

Meanwhile, we suggest everyone check the online information and advice about the coronavirus from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Stay away from crowds, wash your hands, stay home as much as possible, and check on older friends and relatives on a regular basis.

Keeping 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.

Everyone 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.

The note shown above was sent to SRC by former member Bonnie Nasca, whose husband Phil recently passed away.

The flyer shown below provides the details on an upcoming memorial event in Phil’s honor.