Category: Activities: Local

Happy (Rotary) New Year is party prefect

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SRC Minutes LogoPresidential Changeover
Forth Residence
East Greenbush
June 30, 2016

Members Attending (20): Terry Brewer, Debbie Rodriguez, Roberto Martinez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Andy Leyhane, David Taylor, Ray Hannan, Charlie Foote, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Marco Koshykar, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Carole Spencer, Melissa Bill, Dick Drumm, Phil Kellerman.

Guests (11+): Maggie Forth, Jeremy Forth, Kara Leyhane, Deb Dewey, Betty Brewer, Lois Hannan, Mary Drumm, Craig Forth, Amanda Forth, Alice Senrick, Lauren Koshykar, and a gaggle of kids.

PRESIDENTIAL CHANGEOVER

Changeover
Terry Brewer passes the president’s gavel to Debbie Rodriguez as officers Pat Bailey (secretary), Roberto Martinez (president-elect), and Murray Forth (treasurer) provide the backup scenery.

It’s official. Today is the beginning of the new 2016-17 Rotary Year, and the gavel has been passed.

At our annual “Presidential Changeover” dinner, held Thursday evening at the Forth residence, Terry Brewer turned over the presidency to Debbie Rodriguez.

In addition, Roberto Martinez now is president-elect, and John Sawchuk vice president. Treasurer Murray Forth and Secretary Pat Bailey returned to their offices, and carryover at-large board members Jim Leyhane, Bill Dowd, and Jim Butterworth have been joined by Andy Leyane and Ron Annis on an expanded board.

We had a turnout of 31 adults — including five members inducted this year — and a gaggle of kids, the latter of whom took advantage of the pool and play area. Hosts Maggie and Murray Forth provided the basics of the picnic, with guests supplementing with appetizers and desserts. The club extended its thanks to the Forths for once again hosting a signature club event.

On his last day as president, Terry presented a variety of awards to club members. Earlier, he had presented Murray with an award at the District Conference for his ongoing service. On Thursday, he did the same with separate awards for April Dowd and Bill Dowd. Awards were presented in absentia to A.J. Amato for his youth work and Shannon Romanowski for her work with the new breakfast meeting  group.

Attendees were reminded of two ongoing efforts:

  1. The 2nd annual “School Supplies Drive” will begin on Friday, July 1, with Bill Dowd again coordinating the push to collect items for needy students in the Rensselaer City School District. Members have been emailed about the push, and full details are on the website.
  2.  Our “Summer Casual Schedule” of events will begin next Thursday, July 7, with a cookout and pool party at Jim Leyhane’s residence. Check the website calendar for other events and details.

Here are some other scenes from the “Presidential Changeover” event:

April Award
April Dowd receives the Gift of Life Leadership Award.
Bill Award
Bill Dowd receives an award for his ongoing website and social media efforts.
Murray Award
Murray Forth displays an embossed decanter President’s Award.
Davids Table
This table pays rapt attention to the awards presentations.
Alistair & Kara
Kara Leyhane sends son Alistair into orbit — sort of.
Goodies Table
The goodie table gets plenty of attention.
Abondanza
Abbondanza!
Jim
Jim in a lighter moment.
Itty
Itty-Bitty and friend.

 

Fountain
A casual chat by a placid fountain.
KoshyCarole
Carole Spencer and part of the Koshykar clan.
Lifeguard
Papa Craig Forth playing lifeguard.
New Rotarian
Mama Amanda Forth accompanied by the SRC Rotary Club president for 2038.
Pat Debbie Alice
Pat and Debbie chat with guest Alice Senrick (right).
Peter
Yes, Peter is a happy man.
Pool Group
 A future Navy SEAL Team in training.
Slide
A perfect 10 for style!
Terry Shirt
Terry with the Rotary-emblazoned jacket and golf ball he received as “parting gifts.”

Looking for project ideas? Try the Rotary Showcase

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Tracker
Here’s what can  happen in a single year.

It may sometimes seem like all the good public service ideas have been taken. Don’t fool yourself. Energetic, imaginative Rotarians around the globe keep coming up with ways to improve the world.

Screen shot 2016-06-27 at 3.47.42 PMThe impact tracker shown above gives you an idea what has been accomplished in just this Rotary Year. And, we’re always looking for ideas large and small that we can put into action. As SRC Board member Jim Leyhane usually explains to new members during their induction, “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.”

If you’re looking for ideas for a project that may interest you, one you’d like to discuss with your club, check out the “Rotary Showcase” website for inspiration. It has a slideshow of projects, and an easy-to-use dropdown search facility that lets you browse the database by category, topic, location, and other terms.

 

School supplies drive is under way

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School Supply Drive logoMany of you will recall that last summer we conducted a club drive to collect school supplies for needy students in the Rensselaer City School District. There is a particular need there because the poverty level is so dire — the worst in Rensselaer County.

Nearly half the district’s 1,100 students qualify for meal assistance; more than a third of them live at or below the poverty level, which is 10% more than the national average. There is no indication things will get better before the next school year, so Bill Dowd again will be coordinating an SRC Rotary Club drive, beginning this Friday,  July 1. The concentration will  be on items for high school and pre-school students, based on a survey of needs.

Such a drive is in keeping with one of Rotary’s six stated areas of concentration:

Improving basic education and literacy.

“Last summer, we had a successful drive in a very short period — about four weeks,” Bill said. “This time around we’re starting earlier, plus we’re coordinating distribution via the Circles of Mercy family services agency that has tacked an extra week onto the drive period. That extra time, plus the addition of 15 club members since last summer, should assure us of a very successful effort — if everyone pitches in.”

Participation is simple: Purchase or otherwise donate supplies from the following list. Then get them to me over the course of the next six weeks or so, no later than August 21. You can do that by bringing the items to one of our club events, or by volunteering to be a drop-off point from which Bill will pick up the final donations.

The needs:

• pencils (regular lead #2 and color)
• pencil sharpener
• erasers (for pencils)
• pens (black or blue)
• markers (dry erase and color)
• pocket folders (assorted colors)
• 3-ring binders (in 2” and 3” sizes)
• loose leaf paper (college ruled)
• graph pape
• spiral subject notebooks (1, 3 and 5 subject in college ruled)
• subject dividers
• plastic zipper pencil cases/boxes
• 3”x5” index cards
• highlighters (yellow)
• rulers (regular with metric)
• Kleenex or other brand) tissues
• hand sanitizer (small bottles)
• Post-It notes
• backpacks (no rollers/wheels)
• Spanish-English dictionaries
• flash drives (1 to 4gb sizes)
• scientific calculators

Thanks, as always, for your generosity to others.

 

Tuesday RSVP deadline for ‘Presidential Changeover’ event

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Screen shot 2016-06-01 at 11.45.49 AM

This Thursday, we will hold the final event of the 2015-16 Rotary Year — the “Presidential Changeover.” It will begin at 6 p.m. at the Forth residence in East Greenbush, and we’re hoping you will join us and bring the family as Terry Brewer hands over the presidential gavel to Debbie Rodriguez.

It will be a cooperative meal: antipasto salad, pasta dish, and beverages supplied by Murray and Maggie Forth; appetizers serving six supplied by members with surnames A-K, and desserts serving six supplied by members with surnames L-Z.
SRC Gavel Pass

We need a correct headcount, including guests (who always are welcome, and kids will like the fact the pool will be open!). To accomplish that, PLEASE RESPOND TO THE CLUB EMAIL ADDRESS ( SRCrotary@gmail.com ) with a “yes” or “no” and number of guests NO LATER THAN TUESDAY of this week.

Here’s what we have so far.

WILL ATTEND

  1. Murray Forth
  2. Maggie Forth
  3. Jeremy Forth
  4. April Dowd
  5. Bill Dowd
  6. Pat Bailey
  7. Debbie Brown
  8. Peter Brown
  9. Jim Butterworth
  10. Dick Drumm
  11. Jim Leyhane
  12. Andy Leyhane
  13. Charlie Foote
  14. Carole Spencer
  15. Roberto Martinez
  16. Debbie Rodriguez
  17. Terry Brewer
  18. Geoff Brewer
  19. Betty Brewer

WILL NOT ATTEND

  1. Ron Annis
  2. Monika Annis
  3. Rommel Tolentino

REPLIES STILL NEEDED BY TUESDAY

  1. Len Leonidas
  2. Carol Orvis
  3. David Taylor
  4. Ray Hannan
  5. Phil Kellerman
  6. Becky Raymond
  7. Julius Frankel
  8. Stewart Wagner
  9. A.J. Amato
  10. Mike Dewey
  11. Melissa Bill
  12. Dean Calamaras
  13. Doris Calamaras
  14. Shannon Romanowski
  15. Marco Koshykar
  16. Josh Wainman
  17. Matt Smith
  18. Jim McHugh
  19. John Sawchuk
  20. Mike Bennett
  21. Bob Horan
  22. Jim Mendrysa
  23. Rob Mangold
  24. Burke Adams

Thank you for your cooperation. We’re looking forward to a great turnout, and the long-range weather forecast is great.

 

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Party! Party! Plus, prizes and a new prez

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Screen shot 2016-06-01 at 11.45.49 AM

We’re gearing up for our annual “Presidential Changeover,” a special major event set to begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 30, at the Forth residence in East Greenbush.

(And, the pool will be open, a nice touch since the long-range weather forecast is for temperatures in the mid-80s.)

Terry Brewer will be welcoming the 2016-17 Board and presenting several awards before handing over the presidential reins to Debbie Rodriguez. Then, we’ll all chow down and socialize till the Forths get tired of us and turn off the lights.

We are hoping for an excellent turnout — particularly from among our newer members who have been self-limiting themselves to just our monthly breakfast meetings.

We’d love having you join us to become more involved as Rotarians who make a difference in the world rather than just being members of a club.

This event, plus our “summer casual” July-August schedule of family-oriented events, outings, and service efforts, is intended to help you get to know your Rotary family and serve your community in a much more satisfying way. Spouses and kids are always very welcome, and so is your participation.

Here’s the deal. The meal will be a cooperative one. Hosts Murray and Maggie Forth will take care of entree and salad, plus beverages. Appetizers and desserts will be brought by the guests.

Murray’s & Maggie’s Rule: If your surname is A-K you bring an appetizer suitable for 6 people; L-Z brings a dessert suitable for 6. (Each member is asked to bring something; so, member-couples each should bring a dish.)

Here’s who we have so far, and what they’ll be bringing. (If your dish is not listed, please reply to SRCrotary@gmail.com to let us know what it will be so we can avoid duplications.)

And, please, please, please, RSVP to SRCrotary@gmail.com in response to our request for reservations — specifying how many in your party — NO LATER than Tuesday evening, June 28. We need a very accurate headcount for planning purposes, as we’re sure you can understand.

ENTREE/SALAD

• Murray Forth — Antipasto salad
• Maggie Forth — Pasta Alfredo

APPETIZERS (Surnames A-K)

• Pat Bailey —
• Debbie Brown —
• Peter Brown —
• Jim Butterworth —
• Bill Dowd — Mixed tomato basil salad
• April Dowd — Honeydew/Virginia ham bites
• Dick Drumm —
• Charlie Foote
• Andy Leyhane
• Jim Leyhane

DESSERTS (Surnames L-Z)

• Len Leonidas —
• Roberto Martinez —
• Debbie Rodriguez —
• Rommel Tolentino —

If your name isn’t here, we need to know your intentions. Thank you!

Are you ready for ‘summer casual’ fun?

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SRC Summer Chart

This week, we will induct three more members of Rotary. Next week, we will complete the 2015-16 Rotary Year when we gather at the Forth residence for the annual “Presidential Changeover” event.

After that, we’re on to our usual busy summer schedule of picnics, cookouts, baseball, wine tasting dinner, summer stock theater, etc.

For your planning purposes, the chart shown above has one open slot left. Anyone interested in hosting an event or coordinating a field trip should contact incoming club president Debbie Rodriguez ASAP.

For each event, it is absolutely imperative that we have a correct headcount for planning food, seating, etc. To accomplish that, Bill Dowd will be handling the summer reservations schedule. He’ll be sending out regular requests for RSVPs, with a deadline based on what we’ve had throughout this Rotary Year. As always, guests are welcome, especially for these family-friendly events, but WE NEED YOUR HELP in keeping track of the headcount.

Tuesday RSVP for Thursday dinner and new-member induction

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Screen shot 2016-06-12 at 2.53.11 PM

If you have not yet done so, please be sure to email Debbie Rodriguez at debannrod@yahoo.com no later than Tuesday your RSVP for this Thursday’s dinner meeting at Quigley’s.

As we all know, we will be formally inducting our 13th, 14th, and 15th new members of the 2015-16 Rotary Year, the most newcomers of any of the 41 clubs in District 7190. District Governor Milan Jackson is scheduled to attend. Our guest speaker will be Fred Daniels, who will become District Governor-elect on July 1.

salmon
Our menu centerpiece.

This is a perfect opportunity for all of you who joined the SRC Rotary Club earlier in the year to be on hand to show support for your fellow “rookie Rotarians.”

Our menu centerpiece will be baked salmon, accompanied by vegetables, a specialty salad, bread or rolls, dessert, and beverages (tea, coffee, water, soft drinks). And, as always, Quigley’s cash bar is available to all.

Meeting of 6/16/16: ‘Scholarships & Leadership’

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SRC Minutes LogoMeeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
June 16, 2016

Members Attending (16): Terry Brewer, Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Charlie Foote, Becky Raymond, Roberto Martinez, Ron Annis, Geoff Brewer, Ray Hannan, Jim Butterworth, Dick Drumm, John Sawchuk, Jim McHugh, Andy Leyhane.

Guests (12): Jenny Horn, Kendle Butterworth, Matt McHugh, Maureen McHugh, Michaela Mueller, Steven Mueller, Shelly Meuller, Jolene Bell, Donna Bell, Schuyler Bell, Kelsey Roman, Randy Sensil.

SCHOLARSHIP PRESENTATIONS

Big Bucks
Recipients of “SRC Rotary Citizenship Awards” presented at the meeting pose with their family members and their “big bucks” $1,000 scholarship checks. From left: mom Shelly Mueller, daughter Michaela Mueller of Maple Hill High School, dad Steven Mueller; mom Donna Bell, daughter Jolene Bell of Rensselaer High School, sister Schuyler Bell; son Matt McHugh of Columbia High School, mom Maureen McHugh, and dad Jim McHugh.

PROGRAM: “STUDENT LEADERSHIP”

Kendle &amp; Jenny
Kendle Butterworth and, behind her, Jenny Horn of CASDA spoke on the “Student Leadership” program.

Club member Jim Butterworth introduced two staffers from CASDA (Capital Area School Development Association), where he is executive director. They were Kendle Butterworth, Jim’s daughter-in-law, and Jenny Horn, who work with an in-progress “Student Leadership”program.

Kendle opened the presentation with a quote from Carl Heyden, of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Youth Leadership 2006:

“If you think about it, youth leadership is the logical home for those orphaned strands of our educational enterprise that deal with character, service, civic engagement, and principled citizenship. It is the missing piece, the one subject that insists upon putting all else in a moral and ethical context.”

Three key elements are at the root of their program: (1.) Providing a place where each student can find a place to belong; student connectedness is directly related to dropout and graduation rates. (2.) Extracurricular and leadership programs have specifically decreased in low-income schools. (3.) They are crucial in low-income schools because extracurricular and leadership programs are the key to upward mobility for students.

CASDA has created and hosted three different workshop themes for students.

“Taking Care of the World and Giving Back to the Community” featured internationally-known author and speaker Jay Rifenbary. “Taking Care of Your Health and Well-Being” featured Paul Arceiro, a professor of health and eercise science. “Taking Care of Your Friends: How to Unmake a Bully” featured filmmaker Mike Feurstein who created the “How to unmake a Bully.”

CASDA plans to host a one-day Student Leadership Institute in October at the UAlbany East Campus in Rensselaer for students from such area schools as Rensselaer, Columbia, Maple Hill, and Averill Park. The schools will be asked to select students showing leadership potential. They are hoping to have Rifenbary make a return visit to be the keynote speaker, have team-building activities led by RPI leadership students, and offer STEM problem-solving skills workshops.

Jim Butterworth said CASDA is seeking support from the SRC Rotary Club because the core elements of CASDA are in keeping with a major Rotary interest.

• If you missed this presentation and would like to see the PowerPoint version, go to our Program Presentation Archive.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/BUSINESS

WELCOME — Prior to the program presentation, President Terry Brewer welcomed the guests, and explained some of the community service efforts made by our club on local and global projects.

Screen shot 2016-06-13 at 12.57.33 PMCITIZENSHIP AWARDS — Family members and school staffers accompanied a trio of local high school seniors who received “SRC Rotary Citizenship Awards.” Checks for $1,000 each were presented by Terry Brewer and Debbie Rodriguez to Michaela Mueller of Maple Hill High School, who will study civil engineering at the University of Hartford in the fall; Jolene Bell of Rensselaer High School, who will study dance at the University of Utah; and, Matt McHugh of Columbia High School, son of club member Jim McHugh, who will study biology at Siena College. The students were recommended by their respective schools based on their academic, civic, and extracurricular records.

PRESIDENTIAL CHANGEOVER — The annual event, scheduled for Thursday, June 30, will be hosted by the Forth family. It will include some year-end awards. Murray said the menuRead More »

June 30: Circle that date for a ‘grand finale’ event

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SRC Committee logoJune 30 is a specially significant date for the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club. That’s the time set aside for the annual “Presidential Changeover,” which this year will have a few added touches.

Terry Brewer will complete his presidency by distributing year-end awards and celebrating the efforts and accomplishments of the club during the 2015-16 Rotary Year before handing over the reins to Debbie Rodriguez.

“We would like all club members to attend this meeting, and bring family and friends to celebrate Rotary,” says Terry. “I am requesting that everyone make this a priority meeting so that our full membership of 45 Rotarians meets and celebrates the end of the year and the beginning of a new Rotary year together.”

Murray and Maggie Forth will be hosting the event at their East Greenbush residence, beginning at 5:45 p.m. that Thursday. We will have more information on the June 30 meeting coming to you in the near future.

The slate of officers for 2016-17 recently elected by the club to officially take office on July 1:

PRESIDENT 2016-17
Debbie Rodriguez

PRESIDENT-ELECT
Roberto Martinez
(2017-18 president)

VICE PRESIDENT
John Sawchuk
(2018-19 president)

TREASURER
Murray Forth

SECRETARY
Pat Bailey

BOARD AT-LARGE
Jim Leyhane
Bill Dowd
Jim Butterworth
Andy Leyhane
Ron Annis

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Terry Brewer

 

Tuesday RSVP deadline for very special Thursday dinner

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Screen shot 2016-06-13 at 12.57.33 PMWhat do Matt McHugh of Columbia High School, Jolene Bell of Rensseler High School, and Micheala Mueller of Maple Hill High School have in common?

Each will receive a $1,000 “Student Citizenship Award” from the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club at our 6:15 p.m. Thursday meeting this week at Quigley’s. And, each will be bringing along some guests, so we’re expecting a full house. As always, the more the merrier.

In addition, our program will feature Jim Butterworth, Kendle Butterworth, and Jennifer Horn speaking on the student leadership programs developed by CASDA (Capital Area School Development Association) where Jim is the executive director.

Screen shot 2016-06-13 at 2.14.58 PM
Our main menu item.

Your RSVPs for dinner are requested no later than this Tuesday to Debbie Brown via email (mdbrown@nycap.rr.com).

The menu calls for Quigley’s popular spiral-sliced ham, vegetables, salad, bread, dessert, and beverages. As always, the cash bar is available for pre-meeting conviviality. Please remember the meal price now is $18 per person, and it would be appreciated if you’d bring singles to help Treasurer Murray Forth make change.

Here’s who is signed up so far:

1. Ron Annis
2. Geoff Brewer
3. Terry Brewer
4. Jim Butterworth
5. April Dowd
6. Bill Dowd
7. Charlie Foote
8. Murray Forth
9. Julius Frankel
10. Ray Hannan
11. Jim Leyhane
12. Roberto Martinez
13. Becky Raymond
14. Debbie Rodriguez
15. John Sawchuk
16. Rommel Tolentino
17. Kendle Butterworth (CASDA guest)
18. Jennifer Horn (CASDA guest)
19. Matt McHugh (student guest)
20. Jolene Bell (student guest)
21. Michaela Mueller (student guest)

Plus a number of parents and school officials.