Although persistent rainstorms drove us indoors for the evening, Dick and Mary Drumm hosted a sumptuous picnic-style pulled pork dinner on Thursday, the first official event of our 2017-18 Rotary Year. Additional appetizers and desserts from the guests made for a very wide variety of treats.
Next Thursday’s “Summer Casual” event will be a pool party and cookout at the Forth residence in East Greenbush. Please RSVP to mmforth51@gmail.com no later than Tuesday and, if you plan to attend, please bring a small appetizer or dessert. Kids welcome!
Here are a few scenes from this week’s event (which also served as a Gift of Life fundraiser):
The lack of an indoor American flag didn’t prevent new club president Roberto Martinez from improvising for the Pledge of Allegiance to open our event.Bill Dowd, on the mend and back among us, and his ever-vigilant keeper April.OK, who gets first crack at the desserts?A serious chat over some frivolous food.A little something for everyone.Andy Leyhane displays his one-handed dexterity.Why is everyone so serious? It’s a party!Staking out the cushy seats.And, staking out other cozy chairs.Nothing like a good nosh to fuel conversation.Family & Friends.A couple of budding farm hands: Alistair Leyhane and …… Ashton Leyhane take make-believe turns at the wheel.I’ll do without the wheels, thank you.Is the “Monochrome Crew” discussing Roberto’s shirt?
The illustration above shows what our our “Summer Casual” schedule looks like for July and August. If you plan to participate in any of the family-oriented events, please be sure to let the event organizers know of your plans ASAP so appropriate accommodations can be made for food, beverages, and/or tickets.
This coming Thursday, for example, Dick and Mary Drumm are hosting a summer country picnic at their Valatie residence. Everyone has been sent directions and contact information, so if you have not yet let Mary know you’ll be attending — and how many people will be in your group — don’t forget to do so no later than this Tuesday evening. And, please bring a small appetizer or dessert item to share.
As far as other cookouts and/or pool parties, Murray and Maggie Forth will be hosting at their residence on July 20, Roberto Martinez will be hosting at his residence on August 3, Jim and Andy Leyhane will be hosting at Jim’s abode on August 10, and Ray Hannan will be hosting at Eastwyck Village on August 24.
As to field trips, Debbie Brown is asking people to make reservations through her for the August 17 performance of “Monty Python’s Spamalot” at the Mac Haydn Theatre in Chatham. And, Terry Brewer is handling tickets for the July 27 ValleyCats baseball game and pavilion picnic at Bruno Stadium (it’s “Rotary Night” again this year for all 7190 clubs). No unreserved tickets will be provided at the gate. See Terry ASAP if you have not yet reserved your tickets ($26 each).
We will have no club activity on August 31, but will resume our weekly dinner meetings at Quigley’s restaurant in East Greenbush on Thursday, September 7.
Holiday Greetings to SRC Rotarians, Friends & Family:
As you know, we have no club activity this week because of the July 4th holiday, but we’ll be back in action next Thursday, July 13.
That’s when Dick and Mary Drumm will host a 6 p.m. event at their home in Valatie. Mary asks that everyone plan to bring a small appetizer or dessert to supplement the main menu. And, please be sure to let her know if you plan to attend, and how many will be in your party (this is a family-oriented event) so she can accurately plan the food.
RSVP deadline is next Tuesday, July 11. You can call 784-2521 or e-mail the Drumms at RMDrumm176@aol.com.
Directions: Take I-90 East to Exit 12. Turn right on Route 9 South toward Kinderhook/Hudson. Go under the railroad overpass, then at the stoplight turn right onto Herrick Road. Take the first left — Fox Hollow Road — and the Drumms’ house is the third one on the right.
PASS THE GAVEL, AND THE DESSERT — Outgoing President Debbie Rodriguez and incoming President (as of Saturday, July 1) Roberto Rodriguez, holding gavel, show off a special cake (scroll down for a better view) designed for the event.
Presidential Changeover Dinner
at Peter & Debbie Brown‘s residence
Castleton, NY
June 29, 2017
Members Attending (17): Debbie Rodriguez, Roberto Martinez, Pat Bailey, Murray Forth, A.J. Amato, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Dick Drumm, Julius Frankel, Charlie Foote, Maggie Forth, Ray Hannan, Phil Kellerman, Jim Leyhane, Bonnie Nasca, Phil Nasca, Carole Spencer.
Guests (5): Ann Amato, Mary Drumm, Effie Frankel, Lois Hannan, Jeremy Forth.
NEW MEMBERS — Phil and Bonnie Nasca, who joined the club several months ago, were formally inducted as our last new members of the 2016-17 Rotary Year by inductor Jim Leyhane and President Debbie Rodriguez. Jim spoke to them about our club history, Rotary International, our efforts to eliminate polio, other club projects, meeting requirements and the Rotary 4-Way Test. Debbie provided Rotary pins and window decals to Bonnie and Phil.
SUMMATION — Outgoing President Debbie spoke about our past year and mentioned the many activities, fundraisers and speakers we welcomed. Our income was in excess of $14,000 and expenditures just over $13,000. … Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, and Terry Brewer were thanked for their part in creation of the polio history video, and each received or will receive an “Academy Award” certificate. Also, in honor of their achievement, the club is providing every member with an “End Polio Now” button and asked to spread the word, and buttons, to friends and family. … Debbie thanked the club for an excellent year. The club gave her a Rotary jacket as thanks for her work this past year. The gavel then was passed to Roberto for the 2017-18 Rotary Year.
MEETING/EVENT SCHEDULE UPDATE — The members present agreed to not hold a meeting on August 31, and to resume the weekly dinner meeting schedule on Thursday, September 7. A schedule will be provided to each member.
THE MENU — After appetizers, an excellent dinner of barbequed ribs and salmon, potato salad, cole slaw, and a green salad was followed by a large cake with the Rotary logo and “Thanks Debbie” and “Congratulations Roberto” written in frosting.
SUMMER CASUAL EVENTS — We will not meet during the July 4th week, but will assemble for a picnic at the Drumm residence on Thursday, July 13. Please be sure to let Dick or Mary know well in advance if you plan to attend. … Debbie Brown asked people to make reservations through her for the August 17 performance of “Monty Python’s Spamalot” at the Mac Haydn Theatre in Chatham. … And, Terry Brewer is handling tickets for the July 27 ValleyCats baseball game and pavilion picnic at Bruno Stadium (it’s “Rotary Night” again this hyear for all 7190 clubs). No unreserved tickets will be provided at the gate. See Terry ASAP if you have not yet reserved your tickets.
FINAL INDUCTEES — Inductor Jim Leyhane and outgoing President Debbie Rodriguez formally welcome our last two new members of 2016-17, Phil and Bonnie Nasca.IDYLLIC SETTING — A piece of nature stars in Peter and Debbie Brown’s garden.HAPPY SMILES — Jeremy Forth and Ann Amato at left join members (l to r, from middle rear) A.J. Amato, Carole Spencer, Pat Bailey, Debbie Rodriguez, and Jim Leyhane.3 & 3 — A trio of members — Maggie Forth, Julius Frankel, and Dick Drumm — joined by a trio of guests — Lois Hannan, Mary Drumm and Effie Frankel.Phil Kellerman, Phil Nasca and Bonnie Nasca enjoy a quiet moment.Others may be distracted, but the always-smiling Charlie Foote knows where the camera is.A perfect setting for fellowship.
This Thursday will be our last dinner meeting at Quigley’s until the fall, so if you’re a fan of the restaurant’s popular roast pork dinner you’ll want to submit your RSVP.
After dinner — which will include salad, chef’s selection of sides, bread, dessert and beverages — Jeff Tooker, assistant chief of the East Greenbush Fire Department, will speak on his personnel’s role in the community. While they have an obvious role, they often are called upon to go above and beyond.
As always, the deadline for emailing dinner coordinator Debbie Brown at mdbrown@nycp.rr.com is Tuesday evening. And please, be sure to let her know if you plan to bring guests.
Here’s who has signed up so far:
Jeff Tooker (guest speaker)
Pat Bailey
Jim Butterworth
Charlie Foote
Murray Forth
Julius Frankel
Ray Hannan
Phil Kellerman
Jim Leyhane
Roberto Martinez
Debbie Rodriguez
This week’s Third Thursday breakfast meeting has been cancelled because of low reservation numbers.
Meeting coordinator Terry Brewer thanked Shannon Romanowski for co-hosting the monthly meeting series at the Greenbush YMCA. He will let SRC members know when the series will resume.
For those Rotarians who usually attend only the monthly breakfast meetings, a reminder that we hope to see you at our annual Presidential Changeover Dinner. It is being hosted by Debbie and Peter Brown at their Castleton residence at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 29. Please be sure to let Debbie know if you plan to attend.
The Third Thursday of June pops up this week, and one of our own will be presenting the breakfast program. Shannon Romanowski, who is both speaker and host, will speak on “Emergency and Crisis Preparedness.”
What are your safety plans. How often do you plan for your own safety and /or business operations? Is this a good time to review where you stand in crisis management? This is an interactive conversation that will run from 8 to 9 p.m. at the Greenbush Area YMCA, so come prepared to share your plans.
If you plan to attend, please be absolutely sure to email Terry Brewer by clicking hereand replying no later than Wednesday evening.
Please remember, we also have a Thursday evening dinner meeting this week at which we will have a different group of guests. Just scroll down to see the details.
Our final regular dinner meeting at Quigley’s is set for this Thursday before we launch into our “Summer Casual” schedule on June 29 with the Presidential Changeover Dinner at the Browns’ residence.
After a dinner consisting of Quigley’s popular beef tips in mushroom gravy, pasta, chef’s selection of accompanying sides, salad, bread, beverages and dessert, we’ll get right to it, although as always the cash bar will be available before, during, and after dinner.
First, we will be recognizing our annual SRC Rotary Scholarship winners from Maple Hill, Rensselaer, and Columbia high schools, students who have been nominated by their guidance counselors as exemplars of our club’s commitment to “Service Above Self.”
Then, we will hear from Joan Bishop, executive director of theOley Foundationat Albany Medical Center. Her organization supports the lives of patients dependent on home intravenous nutrition and tube feeding. Joining her will be Mary Wootten and her daughter, Natalie.
If you have not yet emailed your reservations to dinner coordinator Debbie Brown, please do so at MDbrown@nycap.rr.com no later than Tuesday evening.
So far, the following people have said they will attend:
Joan Bishop (guest speaker)
Mary Wootten (guest)
Natalie Wooten (guest)
Burke Adams
Pat Bailey
Geoff Brewer
Terry Brewer
Debbie Brown
Peter Brown
Jim Butterworth
Dick Drumm
Charlie Foote
Murray Forth
Butterworth, Jim
Julius Frankel
Ray Hannan
Phil Kellerman
Jim Leyhane
Roberto Martinez
Debbie Rodriguez
Creating framework for the Shaker sign.(C.C. Chen photo)
We had nearly-immediate photo coverage on our website and Facebook page of the recent work project at the Shaker Heritage Site in the Town of Colonie in which SRC participated with three other clubs. (Click here to see it.) However, good works never get stale.
Jack Faddegon, Assistant District Governor for Area 8 and the person who conceived the project, reports:
“What a great day we had two Saturdays ago at the Shaker museum site. The new sign and decorative fence is up and the pasture fence has been repaired. The holes that were a hazard to the animals have been filled, and the vines and saplings have been removed. Now people that come to the site will be greeted by a great new sign, and we are getting ready to move the team of oxen to their new home. Thanks to all of you for this. It was truly a joint venture.”
It takes more work than most people may think to put together a quality video production. At this Thursday’s 6:15 p.m. dinner meeting we will be filled in on what went on behind the scenes during the “Making of the Polio History Video” that made its debut at the recent District 7190 Conference in Lake George.
The dinner menu is Quigley’s popular Chicken Parmesan with antipasto salad, chef’s choice of sides, bread, dessert, and beverages. As always, the cash bar will be open before, during and after diner.
If your name is not on the reservation list and you wish to attend, or if your plans have changed, please email dinner coordinator Debbie Brown (mdbrown@nycap.rr.com) no later than Tuesday evening. (Note: Please remember, if you have made a reservation at any meeting but wound up not attending, we still need your payment. The club has to pay Quigley’s for each reserved seat whether you show up or not.)
Here is who we have so far:
Pat Bailey
Geoff Brewer
Terry Brewer
Debbie Brown
Peter Brown
Jim Butterworth
Dick Drumm
Murray Forth
Julius Frankel
Phil Kellerman
Jim Leyhane
Roberto Martinez
Becky Raymond
Debbie Rodriguez
The CASDA people
P.S. We are nearing the end of our September-June regular meetings at Quigley’s, and will mark our transition to the “Summer Casual” schedule with the annual”Presidential Changeover” dinner. It again will be hosted by Peter and Debbie Brown, at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 29, at their Castleton estate. Please, when the sign-up sheet comes around the table, indicate on it whether you are bringing a guest — or 2, or 3, or more! An accurate headcount is imperative.
Still not sure what is on our “Summer Casual” events calendar? Simply click hereto find out.
Presidential Changeover Dinner
This Thursday will be our last dinner meeting at Quigley’s until the fall, so if you’re a fan of the restaurant’s popular roast pork dinner you’ll want to submit your RSVP.
This week’s Third Thursday breakfast meeting has been cancelled because of low reservation numbers.
The Third Thursday of June pops up this week, and one of our own will be presenting the breakfast program. Shannon Romanowski, who is both speaker and host, will speak on “Emergency and Crisis Preparedness.”
It takes more work than most people may think to put together a quality video production. At this Thursday’s 6:15 p.m. dinner meeting we will be filled in on what went on behind the scenes during the “Making of the Polio History Video” that made its debut at the recent District 7190 Conference in Lake George.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 