Held at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061

Members Attending (15): Andy Leyhane, Murray Forth, Carol Orvis, Bill Dowd, Phil Kellerman, Peter Berry, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Pat Bailey, Charlie Foote, Jim Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Ray Hannan, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras

Guests (1): Valerie Rapson.

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MEETING NOTES: President Andy greeted members and guest Valerie Rapson of the Dudley Observatory. … Bill Dowd reported that our scheduled April 13 shredding and recycling day was being jeopardized by a free recycling event the Rensselaer County government has scheduled for the same day. He suggested postponing our event until May to avoid competition that could hurt this major fundraiser. The consensus was that we would follow his suggestion and he and Murray Forth would work on rescheduling the necessary recycling companies and publicize a new date. We also decided to expand the list of what items we will accept to include batteries which most such events do not accept. We have a buyer for such items. …

Phil Kellerman handed out an announcement about a benefit concert the club is sponsoring to aid the Oley Foundation, a nonprofit that provides education, advocacy, and networking opportunities to people living at home on IV nutrition and/or tube feeding. (Phil works for the local Oley office.) It will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at Quigley’s when the performers and Phil debut their just-completed CD. (The members-only dinner will be held from 5:45 to 6:15 p.m.) Suggested donation to the foundation  from members of the public in attendance is $10. … Doris Calamaras mentioned the possibility of several small fundraising ideas — customized pens, gift teas. They will be discussed at the next Board meeting. …

Jim Leyhane reported the Saturday, May 11, defensive driving course at Quigley’s now has enough people enrolled to become official although registration  for the 11 a.m. event remains open to Rotarians and others. Please see Jim if you are interested. …Becky Raymond and Bill Dowd will represent SRC at this Saturday’s District 7190 Rotary Grant Management Seminar in  Schenectady. … Next Wednesday, April 10, is the reservation deadline for the Rotary Home Cooking dinner being hosted by Dean and Doris. Please contact them if you wish to attend.

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Charlie Foote introduced our guest speaker, Valerie Rapson of the Dudley Observatory in Schenectady. She was appointed head astronomer there in 2015. Valerie has a Ph.D. from the Rochester Institute of Technology in astrophysical sciences and technology. Earlier, she earned a bachelor’s degree in physics and astronomy from the University of Rochester. She also has extensive research experience and is an expert in astronomy education for people of all ages.

Valerie explained the changing mission of the Dudley, which was founded in 1856 in Albany on what was known as Goat Hill, near what now is the Arbor Hill Elementary School. A successor observatory was built in 1893 on South Lake Street on land that today is home to the Capital District Psychiatric Center.

Over the years, the Dudley transitioned from research to education as celestial sciences changed and small ground-based observatories became less important. It moved to the Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci) in Schenectady in 2013, and in 2015 entered into a partnership with miSci to provide astronomy programs and education.

Valerie explained the numerous outreach programs ranging from working with students to holding observation sessions and other programs for seniors and the public at large. The Dudley also allows non-staffers to access its archives for research. Among the many documents and books are hard-copy versions of every one of its Astronomical Journal magazines published since the 1860s.

However, the Dudley hasn’t completely gotten away from being a functioning observatory. Last summer, a modest observatory building was constructed to house a 14-inch computerized telescope. And, Valerie said, a long-range goal is to build a new domed observatory and classroom to house the reassembled 1893 Pruyn telescope currently  in storage.

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Held at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061

Members Attending (17): Andy Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Doris Calamaras, Dean Calamaras, Ray Hannan, Bill Dowd, Roberto Martinez, Carol Orvis, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Debbie Rodriguez, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Becky Raymond, Phil Kellerman, Dick Drumm, Maggie Forth.

Guests (5): Ruth Samuels Russell, Ruthann Flick, Jessica Beskid, Zaid Shehzad, Jeremy Forth.

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MEETING NOTES: President Andy Leyhane welcomed Rotarians and our guests, including a contingent from the Questar III New Visions program. …A recent Board decision to stop the monthly breakfast meetings due to poor attendance resulted in the need to amend the club’s Bylaws in the areas directly relating to those meetings — approved meetings, quorum requirements, and new-member requirements. All members had been sent proposed language via email at least 10 days earlier as required to allow a vote, then sent a followup email, and the language also was posted on the website. Bill Dowd moved, and numerous people seconded, a vote in favor of the changes. It was approved without dissent. (Click here to see the updated Bylaws.) …

Andy asked for, and received, member approval to make a $250 grant to help underwrite the costs of the Greenbush YMCA’s annual appreciation dinner for the Capital Region Miracle League that provides a variety of athletic programs for people with disabilities. The Y is seeking volunteers from SRC, Danes Rotaract, and anyone else interested in helping set up and serve the dinner. … Seats still are available for the “Rotary Home Cooking” Hungarian beef dinner being hosted at 6 p.m. Saturday, April 13, by Dean and Doris Calamaras. Please contact them by email or by calling 518-477-4694 if you would like to attend. … That same day, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., we will hold our latest “Recycling & Shredding Day” at the Wainschaf Associates warehouse facility in Rensselaer behind Target. We have a fair number of volunteers signed up to staff this major fundraiser but can always use more. Please contact Murray Forth if you are interested. …

Next Thursday’s meeting is the deadline for contributing items for our annual Easter basket drive. Coordinator Debbie Brown reported that the YMCA will assemble 50 baskets, the Cub Scouts 25 baskets, and SRC members and Danes Rotaract any contributions beyond that in time to meet the deadline for the Circles of Mercy organization.  … District 7190 will hold a multi-faceted training day in Schenectady on Saturday, April 6. We need a minimum of two SRC members to attend the grants training portion of the day, and Becky Raymond and Bill Dowd have stepped up to participate. However, because we need a minimum of two and in the past have had last-second dropouts, it would be best to have one or two more. Please contact Bill if willing to attend. …

The Danes Rotaract group has extended an invitation for SRC members to join them in a short work session from 10 a.m. to noon this Sunday at the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, 965 Albany Shaker Road, Latham, near the Albany International Airport. … Jim Leyhane is taking reservations for a driver education course (open to non-Rotarians as well)  set for 11 .m. Saturday, May 11, at Quigley’s. The price is $35, and we’ll chip in a few bucks each for pizza and soft drinks. If you want to earn a discount on your auto insurance, see Jim ASAP. … Next Thursday’s meeting will feature Dr. Valerie Rapson, outreach astronomer from the Dudley Observatory. … The SRC Board of Directors will meet following the regular meeting on Thursday, April 18.

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Ruth Samuels Russell, PhD, a specialist in pathobiology and molecular medicine who works with students in the Questar III New Visions “Scientific Research & World Health” program, introduced a trio of high school seniors who described their work in the curriculum and their plans for future study.

They were: Jessica Beskid and Ruthann Flick of Averill Park High School and Zaid Shehzad of Shenendehowa High.

They all are involved in scientific research involving large problems and how they affect the population. At the end of their course. they receive up to 15 college credits. While Ruthann will be attending Binghamton University in the fall, Jessica and Zaid have not yet finalized their college plans.

The New Visions course is a highly selective college level educational experience offered to academically advanced high school seniors living in the Capital Region. It involves hands-on lab research in emerging biotechnologies, scientific literacy, and global health.

Their home venue is the UAlbany School of Public Health at the Health Sciences Campus in Rensselaer, although they maintain connections with their home schools. Students examine emerging biological research efforts and global health issues. They support their studies by reading some of the literary works that changed the world and by studying current scientific and medical journals. Students work independently and collaboratively to explore solutions to real-life issues.

In summary, their work as presented:

Jessica: Studied endocrine-disrupting chemicals on the increased prevalence of hypothyroidism in America (mostly white women, runs in the family).

Zaid: Studied the environmental impact on AFM (acute flaccid myelitis), which usually occurs in children (average victim is a six-year-old boy) after an upper respiratory infection. It can cause some paralysis, and there is no known preventative. Easily confused with polio. It is a very rare disease that has gone up to 500 cases since 2014, after being seen only once every decade or so. Very little research has been done on it. His next project is to study thrombosis in cancer patients and why anticoagulants don’t always work well to prevent or break up clots.

Ruthann: Studied how does exposure to organophosphate pesticides before age five affect neuro-development of children. The pesticides have been around since World War I. Victims tend to be male because the cortical layer of brain develops slower in boys than in girls and cannot protect as well. Her next project is to study the blood/brain barrier and increased impaired permeability after strokes (87% of strokes are ischemic).

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Held at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061

Members Attending (12): Andy Leyhane, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Bill Dowd, Debbie Rodriguez, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Jim Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Carol Orvis, Peter Berry, Roberto Martinez.

Guests (3): Jack Conway, Dennis Cicchino, Jeff Morris.

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MEETING NOTES — President Andy Leyhane presided and welcomed guest speaker Jack Conway and BSA Troop 41 reps Dennis Cicchino and Jeff Morris. … Reminders of two Saturday, April 13, events — our “Recycling & Shredding Day” at Wainschaf Associates warehouse in Rensselaer (behind Target) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the “Rotary Home Cooking” Hungarian dinner being hosted at 6 p.m. by Dean and Doris Calamaras. We need volunteers to work the recycling event. Please contact Murray Forth if you’re willing to help out with this major fundraising effort. And, if you are interested in attending the dinner, please contact the Calamarases ASAP via email (dcalamaras@verizon.net) or phone (518-477-4694). … Jim Leyhane is organizing a driver safety course to be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11, at Quigley’s. The cost will be $35 per person. Completion of the course will result in receipt of a certificate that usually earns a substantial three-year reduction in one’s auto insurance rate. This class, taught by a professional driving safety instructor, will be open to non-Rotarians. Anyone interested is asked to contact Jim. …

Easter basket project coordinator Debbie Brown reminded everyone that items to go into the baskets need to be brought to either or both of our next two meetings, or items may be dropped off at the Greenbush YMCA during normal business hours. Jim and Roberto Martinez reported that items sufficient for 25 baskets have been dropped off for Len Leonidas’s Cub Scouts to assemble, and Debbie Rodriguez said Rotaract is willing to have several members assemble baskets as well. (Not sure what items to buy? Simply click here for the shopping list.) … Bill Dowd, our club’s ShelterBox liaison officer, reported that ShelterBox workers were among the first responders in Malawai, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe in the wake of cyclones and floods currently devastating that region of East Africa. He thanked all who financially contribute to ShelterBox. … Anyone who was a sponsor of the recent Community Recognition Awards dinner is asked to turn in their $100 payment to Treasurer Murray Forth no later than March 31. …

Quigley’s owner John Walsh and his wife dropped in to express appreciation for the work SRC members did in renovating the meeting room. As a gesture of gratitude, John said,  a free dinner will be provided at next week’s meeting. Members also were reminded that we need to have a quorum (12 members) at that meeting to allow us to vote on Bylaws modifications. Details have been emailed to all members in accordance with the 10-day advance notification requirement. … Our speaker next Thursday will be Ruth Samuels on “Teaching Gifted High School Students.”

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Jack Conway, first-term supervisor of the Town of East Greenbush, was our speaker. He discussed the learning curve necessary for someone such as he, a non-politician, to work into the position. He said he was greatly helped by hiring a staff of people who were well qualified for their positions, rather than simply being political appointments.

He outlined changes made to professionalize the town administration, get the police department certified, purchase a fleet of police cruisers using money from criminal property seizures rather than tax dollars, make improvements in town infrastructure, and work to encourage and attract new businesses to the town.

Conway also noted that, despite much public misconception, only about 20% of taxes anyone pays goes to the town. The vast bulk goes to the school district.

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Scoutmaster Dennis Cicchino (wearing hat in photo above) visited to present his annual report on Troop 41 activities. SRC has been a financial sponsor of the troop since its inception in 1961. Dennis said there now are only six Scouts, but because two of them are Den Chiefs with Cub packs, they expect them to funnel new members into the troop over the next two years. Meanwhile, the troop maintains a busy schedule of camping events, field trips, and public service efforts such as bottle collecting, food pantry drives, and community cleanups.

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Held at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061

Members Attending (14): Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Bill Dowd, Debbie Rodriguez, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Jim Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Phil Kellerman, Charlie Foote, Carol Orvis, Carole Spencer, Peter Berry, Roberto Martinez.

Guests (2): Russ Myer, Nina Seviyaga.

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MEETING NOTES: Phil Kellerman presided in Andy Leyhane’s absence. He welcomed members plus guests Russ Myer of the Capital Region Nordic Alliance and Nina Seviyaga who was visiting to learn more about Rotary. … Tonight was the unveiling of the refurbished meeting room (and here) — complete with a celebratory cake (see above) — and all who were involved in the project were thanked, with particular note made of the work by Murray Forth who built storage space and a display case. … Terry Brewer was thanked in absentia for his work in leading organization of the recent 3rd annual Community Recognition Awards dinner. No report yet on the profit made from the event. …

Bill Dowd reminded everyone that bags and barcode stickers for people participating in our ongoing Clynk beverage container recycling project are available at every meeting. He asked that anyone interested in participating in the ongoing fundraiser but unfamiliar with the details can check with him and/or check out this video. …. Murray said he can accommodate one or two more people for this Saturday’s Rotary Home Cooking roast beef dinner he and Maggie are hosting at their residence. … Next week we will begin circulating a signup sheet for volunteers to work the April 13 Recycling & Shredding Day. …

Debbie Brown asked members to begin bringing items next week for our annual Easter basket effort for needy local kids. Items also can be dropped off at the Greenbush YMCA which is partnering with us in the effort. Not sure what items to contribute? Just click here for the shopping list. …Our latest class of high school juniors completed the 2018-19 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program, and received certificates last Saturday at the RYLA dinner. We will extend the usual invitation for the students we sponsored, all from Maple Hill High School, to attend our dinner meeting to share with us thoughts about their experience. … Next week’s speaker will be East Greenbush Town Supervisor Jack Conway.

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Russ Myer, founder and director of the Capital Region Nordic Alliance, visited to provide an update on CRNA’s activities in the field of adaptive sports for veterans and others with physical and emotional impairments.

Russ noted that CRNA’s lineup of four sports programs — cross-country skiing/roller skiing; biathlon; orienteering; snowshoeing/trail running — has been expanded to include para-bobsled/skeleton.

As a followup to representing the U.S. in the World Orienteering Championships held in Latvia last year, CRNA will be heading a team in the same event in Portugal this year. CRNA also continues its numerous programs at various sites around the Northeast.

SRC has been a financial contributor to CRNA for the past three years. President-elect Phil Kellerman announced the “Spare Change Jar” program will be dedicated to CRNA during his term beginning on July 1. Since April Dowd began that fundraising program in 2013, incoming presidents designate recipients of the jar.

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Held at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061

Members Attending (14): Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Bill Dowd, Debbie Rodriguez, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Jim Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Phil Kellerman, Charlie Foote, Ron Annis, Ray Hannan, Carol Orvis, Maggie Forth.

Guests (5): David Harris, Wells Packard, Mary Drumm, Kevin Drumm, Jeremy Forth.

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MEETING NOTES — President-elect Phil Kellerman presided in place of vacationing President Andy Leyhane. He greeted members and guests, including provisional member Wells Packard, a former Rotarian in Greenville, Greene County, who has applied to return to Rotary as a member of SRC. … A successful 3rd annual Community Recognition Awards dinner, with Terry Brewer as lead organizer, was held on Tuesday at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant in North Greenbush, although we do not yet have a final fiscal accounting of the fundraiser. Anyone who requested to be listed as a $100 event sponsor but has not yet submitted payment to Treasurer Murray Forth is asked to do so immediately. …

… Debbie Brown has volunteered to coordinate this year’s Easter basket drive for needy kids through Circles of Mercy. As in the past, the club will pay for the baskets, artificial grass stuffing, and clear wrap, while members are asked to donate basket items from the preferred shopping list. (Click here to review it). Shannon Romanowski has volunteered the participation of the Greenbush YMCA, Len Leonidas of the Scouts, and Debbie Rodriguez for the Danes Rotaract group. Debbie B. will update us at next week’s meeting on the effort. … We’re holding a painting party beginning at 10 a.m. this Saturday as part of an ongoing effort to spruce up our meeting room at Quigley’s. All hands would be appreciated. …

Several seats remain for the first Rotary Home Cooking event of the year, a roast beef dinner hosted by Maggie and Murray Forth on Saturday, March 16. Please contact them ASAP if you wish to reserve a seat. The second event in the series will be a Hungarian dinner hosted by Dean and Doris Calamaras on Saturday, April 13. Please contact them ASAP if you wish to attend. We still need hosts for home dinner in May and June. … Our next Recycling & Shredding Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, at the Wainschaf Associates warehouse and offices in Rensselaer. Volunteers to work a shift are needed. Several Danes Rotaract members already have stepped up, but more people are needed. See Murray if you can help.

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SPEAKER — David Harris, first-term supervisor of the Town of Schodack, spoke to the club, providing an update on some of the changes that have taken place during his brief tenure. Among the major changes are providing body cams for police officers, shooter lockdown drills, equipment upgrades that already are showing financial benefits, increased security at the town government headquarters, and infrastructure upgrades meant to help  entice development in the business sector.

David also answered a variety of questions, including several about the status of the projected million-square-foot complex that will host an Amazon distribution center. He said the latest filing in opposition to the project had been decided in favor of the town and the developer. He said he expects to see the first bulldozer working on the site by early May.

Our guest speaker next week will be Russ Meyer of the Capital Region Nordic Alliance, which provides adaptive sports activities for veterans and others with physical disabilities. SRC has been financially supportive of CRNA for a number of years.

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Held at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061

Members Attending (13): Andy Leyhane, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Bill Dowd, Debbie Rodriguez, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Dick Drumm, Phil Kellerman, Terry Brewer, Charlie Foote.

Guests (1): Peter C. Berry.

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NOTES: Debbie and Peter Brown and Pat Bailey introduced Peter C. Berry, who has returned to the area after a number of years living in South Africa. He had been a member of the Albany Rotary Club and is applying for reinstatement to Rotary as a member of SRC. … President Andy Leyhane is looking for a volunteer to coordinate this year’s Easter basket drive in conjunction with Circles of Mercy. Bill Dowd, who has handled the project numerous times in the past, said he is available to advise anyone who steps up. He also suggested finding a new partnering group for the effort rather than involving Columbia High School. Terry Brewer suggested the eventual coordinator contact Shannon Romanowski at the Greenbush YMCA. The deadline for dropping off completed gift baskets to Circles of Mercy is Monday, April 15. A shopping list has been placed on the club website. (Click here to access it.) …

… Terry, in his role of District Membership Committee chair, will run the upcoming District 7190 Membership Summit. Anyone interested in attending is asked to inform Terry and may enroll online on the District website. Details are available by clicking here. … The first two dates have been scheduled for the annual Rotary Home Cooking dinner series. Several more hosts are needed to round out the schedule. Series details are available by clicking here. … We will be holding a “painting party” beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 9, to finish off the renovations of the meeting room here at Quigley’s. Volunteers should contact Murray Forth or Terry Brewer ASAP. …

… Our next Recycling & Shredding Day is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, again at the Wainschaf Associates warehouse complex in Rensselaer. A full complement of volunteers is needed to staff the fundraiser. Please contact Murray if interested in lending a hand. … Bill Dowd has created a generic SRC flyer to be handed out to the public as a “Rotary explainer.” It will be distributed at various public events, beginning with the upcoming 3rd annual Community Recognition Awards dinner to be held on Tuesday, March 5, at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant. Terry reported that plans are being finalized for that event, which has become a major SRC fundraiser.

SCHEDULING CHANGES: We will not meet next Thursday, February 28. Thus, our next dinner meeting will be held at  6:15 p.m. at Quigley’s when Schodack Town Supervisor David Harris will be the speaker. … In place of our usual meeting on Thursday, May 9, Phil Kellerman is arranging a special live music event and CD release that will be open to the public as a fundraiser for the Oley Foundation for which he works. Thus, we have moved the 5th annual Great North American Whizbang Trivia Test from that date to Thursday, April 25.

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Held at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061

Members Attending (10, no quorum): Andy Leyhane,Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Maggie Forth, Debbie Rodriguez, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Dick Drumm.

Guests (1): Jeremy Forth.

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MEETING NOTES: It was announced that the Board has authorized two financial grants — $500 to the Colonie-Guilderland Club’s Global Grant initiative to support a clean water project in Haiti; and, $2,500 in seed money for our SRC Rotary 5K/10K Trail Run event to be held in October. … For the Run, lead organizer Jim Leyhane reported he is trying to contact Tom Curran, mayor of the village of Chatham, to discuss participation. Earlier, Jim had reported that the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Chatham is the leading prospect to host the event. …

We’re looking for people interested in hosting events in our annual Rotary Home Cooking series of social fundraisers. If you’d like to reserve a date and/or get more information on how the series works, contact Andy Leyhane or Bill Dowd … Today is the final day to submit sponsorships ($100) to Jim Leyhane for our 3rd annual Community Recognition Awards dinner to be held on Tuesday, March 5, at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant. Tickets are $35. Among the honorees will be Murray Forth as the “breakout Rotarian” for his efforts remodeling our meeting room at Quigleys. Most recently, he replaced all the ceiling tiles, removed the ceiling fans, and wired a microphone. …

Phil Kellerman is putting together a live music evening as a fundraiser at our May 9 dinner meeting. Proceeds will go to the Oley Foundation. Save the date, and stay tuned for details and updates from Phil. … As announced last week, our Danes Rotaract group will hold a social fundraiser — a happy hour at Wolff’s Biergarten on Broadway in Albany —  from 7 to 9 p.m. this coming Monday; $1 from the purchase of each non-alcoholic or alcoholic drink will go to the Freedom From Fistula Foundation. … We’re still waiting for information on what next Thursday’s program will be.

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CLUB ASSEMBLY: President Andy displayed a list of last year’s initiatives and asked each member to pick the two they most enjoyed.  He then asked how they were  funded and where the money was going. This led into a wide-ranging discussion of concerns about the source of funds to support our many initiatives.

Andy said we may be boxing ourselves into a corner by being too strict on categories and that we may need to be more general.  They group thought it could be OK to have some percentage come back to the club.

Of the initiatives listed, some were funded fully by donations from club members, and some funds came from fundraising efforts.  Unfortunately, even some of the broader fundraisers were profitable only because of member-paid sponsorships.  Efforts are being made for the upcoming 5K/10K Rotary Trail Run to become an event that would raise money  by more than just club members’ sponsorship.

It was suggested that we develop a brochure explaining where club funds could go.  And, it was noted we should resume filling out the initiatives form Roberto Martinez introduced during his presidency to record and preserve a history of what we are doing in the club.

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Held at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061

Members Attending (14): Andy Leyhane, Phil Kellermen, Dick Drumm, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Kevin Leyhane, Pat Bailey, Murray Forth, Maggie Forth, Terry Brewer, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Debbie Rodriguez, Carole Spencer.

Guests (1): Jeremy Forth.

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MEETING NOTES: Jim Leyhane reported on changes in planning for the SRC Rotary 5K/10K Trail Run. It had been scheduled for Schodack Island State Park, but park administration recently rescinded permission because of the projected large size of the event and suggested other venues. We have considered Grafton Lakes State Park, RPI Tech Park, Taconic State Park, John Boyd Thatcher State Park, and the Columbia County Fair Grounds in Chatham. The Chatham venue appears to be the best bet now, and the date would be changed from October 19 to Saturday, October 12, on the Columbus Day Weekend. … Terry Brewer reported on plans for our 3rd annual Community Recognition Awards dinner. It will be held on Tuesday, March 5, at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant. Tickets are $35. After expenses, proceeds will go to the club treasury to support scholarships and youth services. We hope to raise $4,000 through ticket sales and event sponsorships at $100 each. Anyone wishing to donate a business, organization, or individual sponsorship should contact Terry or Murray Forth no later than Friday, February 15. …

… Attendees voted to cover RI payments for members of our Danes Rotaract club. Debbie Rodriguez reported that the students have two activities coming up. They will be hosting their first “Happy Hour” of the spring semester from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, February 18, at Wolff’s Biergarten on Broadway in Albany. As always, $1 from every drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) purchased will be donated to the Freedom From Fistula Foundation. Then, from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, February 23, they will be volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House in Albany, making baked goods for the house residents. They are looking for Rotary volunteers but are limited to four slots, so Rotaractors will be given first preference. Signup can be done by clicking here. … Our program was a Chinese New Year Trivia Quiz created by Bill Dowd. In his absence, it was emceed by Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez. Terry Brewer and Pat Bailey tied for first place. … Next Thursday has been designated as a Club Assembly. President Andy Leyhane will create a discussion agenda.

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Held at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061

Members Attending (13): Andy Leyhane, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Phil Kellerman, Becky Raymond, Roberto Martinez, Terry Brewer, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Ray Hannan, Dick Drum, Kevin Leyhane, Debbie Rodriguez.

Guests (4): Blue Star Mothers members Donna Vickery, Gerri Roth, Dawn Curtis; Lois Hannan.

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NOTES: The final income total for the latest Wine Dinner Raffle was just under $2,000 for the club treasury. We sold about the same number of tickets as we did for the initial raffle held earlier in this Rotary Year. … Bill Dowd is in the process of finalizing a flyer for the inaugural SRC Rotary 5K/10K Trail Run. Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez are working on lining up vendors and race sponsors, plus event management details with the Albany Running Exchange for the October 19 event to be held at Schodack Island State Park. The Blue Star Mothers organization, who led tonight’s program, said they would like to help during the race and with setup. …

For our 3rd annual Community Appreciation Dinner to be held on Tuesday, March 5, at Moscatiello’s Family Italian Restaurant in North Greenbush, Terry Brewer is working with Mike Bennett and Columbia High School, along with Jim Leyhane. Sponsorship pledges at $100 per individual or organization need to be in to Jim or Murray Forth by Thursday, February 14. … Becky Raymond reported on the board meeting from our Danes Rotaract Club at the UAlbany School of Public Health. SRC is continuing the “spare change jar” fund drive for the club. Becky said the grad student members are getting more interest from their community and would like to be more involved in co-sponsoring events with our club. They also are putting together a scholarship offering and will be picking a recipient. …

President-elect Phil Kellerman attended the first of three PETS (Presidents-elect Training Seminar) events for the 2019-20 Rotary Year. He said he found the session very helpful, and he may be coordinating some multi-club projects. … Chinese New Year will be the theme for next Thursday’s 6:15 p.m. dinner meeting at Quigley’s, with a special Asian themed menu and a brief fun quiz put together by Bill Dowd dealing with the holiday and the surrounding Asian culture.

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PROGRAM: “No-Sew Blanket Project for Blue Star Mothers”

A trio of members of the local chapter of the Blue Star Mothers military family support group was on hand to lead a hands-on blanket creation effort similar to several we have done earlier.

In the past, we have made blankets to be donated to the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots drive. This time we created four adult-sized blankets for vets at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center. Some scenes from the workshop as contributed by Phil Kellerman and Roberto Martinez:

 

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Held at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061

Members Attending (16): Andy Leyhane, Murray Forth, Phil Kellerman, Jim Leyhane, Bill Dowd, Shannon Romanowski, Debbie Rodriguez, Becky Raymond, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Ray Hannan, Kevin Leyhane, Dean Calamaras, Ron Annis, Dick Drumm, Mike Bennett.

Guests (2): Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, aide Rich Crist.

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SPEAKER: Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin discussed the state of the county, and took questions from attendees.

Among advances he mentioned: a $2 million payroll saving by not filling unessential positions for as long as possible; a saving of about $500,000 by changing companies handling insurance for county retirees without reducing benefits; an improvement in the county’s bond rating from A1 to AA3 which helps improve the viability of bond sales; an approximately $750,000 saving in changing purchasing practices to require more bids, and adding GPS devices to county vehicles to better track activities. He also said he hopes to use some savings to increase the budget for county highway repaving programs, saying “The roads right in front of you are what you see every day and have an impact.”

Among further improvements, McLaughlin wants to continue working with the business community to improve the county’s main commercial corridors — such as Columbia Turnpike and the in-development Amazon distribution center project — to produce revenue needed in a time of ever-increasing costs and unfunded state mandates while maintaining the overall rural character of the county that attracts residents.

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NOTES: The YMCAs in the region are working with the CAP COM Federal Credit Union to help local food pantries restock because of excessive demand caused by Code Blue weather conditions and the partial federal government shutdown.  SRC members can get information on the club website about what is needed. … Jim Leyhane reported that he, Terry Brewer, and Mike Bennett have made advances in planning our 3rd annual Community Appreciation Dinner. The event will be held on Tuesday, March 5, at Moscatiello’s Family Italian Restaurant in North Greenbush. Tickets will be $35 per person, and sponsorships $100. The deadline for reserving sponsorships is February 15 (see any of the three committee members if you wish to make an individual, family, or business sponsorship). …

The drawings for our second “Cafe Capriccio Wine Dinner +” raffle resulted in member Becky Raymond winning the dinner for 12, non-member Peter Lehmann winning the locally-made artisan quilt, and member Roberto Martinez winning the Capital Rep theater tickets. Financial results of the effort to support SRC community service efforts will be reported next week by Treasurer Murray Forth. … Members were reminded to bring their scissors to next week’s meeting when we will create no-sew blankets for clients at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center under the tutelage of the local Blue Star Mothers organization. Invite  a friend!

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