This Thursday, November 20th, at 6:00 at Moscatiello’s our own Dean Calamaras will be presenting “Exploring the Dead Sea” describing his visit to the Dead Sea, including its origin, events associated with it, and its significance today. If you are unable to attend in person, you may join us remotely using the Zoom link on the Calendar page.
Thank you Dean.
The Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society is in need of cat and dog food donations. If you bring any to the meeting, I will bring donations to the center. Don’t forget to continue to check out the CNY web-site for Rotary information and other activities.
Our Adopt a Family from circles of Mercy is about begin, the wish list will be posted on the website this Thursday.
Pat Bailey and Mary Alice selling pies for the Nassau Library
This Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 6:00pm the SRC will be holding a brief Zoom meeting to discuss our upcoming Thanksgiving Fundraiser. The purpose of the meeting is to give a brief overview of the project, and to answer any questions. The meeting should run only 15-30 minutes in length.
The club will be returning to Moscatiello’s next Thursday at 6:00 pm and Dean Calamaras will be presenting on “The Dead Sea Scrolls”
Attendance: P. Kellerman; R. Martinez; J. Leyhane; P. Brown; D. Brown; C. Foote; Ray; D. Drum; P. Bailey; C. Heaney; L. Pferr; T. Brewer, D. Calamaras, M. Forth and C. Heaney.
Guest: Dr. Kotes, Superintendent, EG School District
Dr. Kotes’ Presentation Notes (Condensed)
Professional Journey
Native of Rensselaer County; background in education leadership.
Career path: classroom teacher → administrator → superintendent.
Experience in several districts (Arlington, Cornwall, others).
Values strong leadership, family support, and lifelong learning.
Graduation Reform in New York State
Focus on revising graduation requirements.
Exploring alternatives to Regents exams (e.g., internships, applied learning).
Goal: prepare students for multiple post–high school paths—college, trades, or workforce.
Growing acknowledgment of the need for flexible graduation measures.
Challenges in Educational Leadership
Preparing students for life and work in a changing economy.
Advocates early conversations about career goals and financial literacy.
Concerned about high cost of living in NY and its impact on school communities.
Education Policy and Systemic Issues
Complex relationship between State Ed Department and Jewish schools; political challenges.
Risks of private entities managing public school functions—resource diversion.
Emphasis on financial literacy, vocational exposure, and career readiness.
Noted ongoing challenges in ESL staffing and changing student demographics.
Project Reports:
Kenya Water Project
P. Brown reported on the meeting with the Kenya Partners. They are waiting for a solution to the girls’ bathroom facilities, and Jennifer from CNY agreed to contact a Rotary Club in Middletown, Connecticut, to help fund them. A plan is still needed to plug a dry borehole, which will cost approximately $700, and a discussion of the structural requirements for the water collection system is required. A follow-up virtual meeting for the Kenya Water Project was scheduled for Monday at 9 AM.
Action: P. Brown invited anyone interested to join the meeting on Nov.10th to contact him for the Zoom link.
Monument Relocation Plans
T. Brewer reported the plan continues to evolve and is slated for completion in April, 2026. Some funding has been procured, but additional funds will be required. Dr. Kotes mentioned that the project involves working with contractors and local graduates to minimize costs and preserve as much of the existing monument as possible.
Action: T. Brewer to report back to the board on needed funds for completion.
District Grant/Backpack Program Update
P. Brown explained that a meeting about the backpack program had to be postponed due to a tragedy at the school, and will now take place on Nov. 17th, 11:30 am. Roberto clarified the various parts of the backpack program, including that the district grant is for storage and shelving, not backpacks.
Board Meeting Update
Phil reported that the board meeting of Oct. 28th, revealed the club is currently taking in less than it plans to distribute, with approximately $15,000 in its checking account and obligations due in January to Rotary International and the CNY District. Board members discussed fundraising efforts in detail. Three concrete ideas were agreed to pursue.
Football Pool
Talent Show
Tag or Garage Sale
Kevin Leyhane suggested using a football pool as an effective fundraiser. He can organize one for the Thanksgiving games. Members discussed the pros and cons of the legal concerns related to pools.
Action: It was agreed that a trial pool would be held at Thanksgiving, followed by an assessment with K. Leyhane.
T. Brewer suggested a dinner/dance event featuring local school music performances.
Action: None Decided
C. Heaney and P. Kellerman are exploring the possibility of hosting a community talent show in April 2026. Members were requested to inquire with family and friends with experience in theater, music, sound, lighting, etc., to advise our team for the event.
Action: C. Heaney will create and distribute a blurb to members to share. Anyone interested in supporting the effort, contact Phil or Carole.
T. Brewer discussed the Café Capriccio fundraiser. Tickets would need to be sold by members. This could raise upwards of $4,000 for student scholarships and other initiatives.
Action: No further decision or discussion reached.
Phil announced the opportunity to participate in Circles of Mercy’s Adopt-a-Family program, which will support a family of six with children ages 1 month to 7 years for Christmas. Phil will send an email to all regarding the types of contributions requested.
Next Meeting: The next meeting is Thursday, November 20th at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Also, you can join by Zoom using the link on the websites calendar page.
The next meeting is Thursday, November 6th at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Also, you can join by Zoom using the link on the website’s calendar page. Dr. Kotes, EGCSD Superintendent will speak.
The East Greenbush Backpack Program meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, November 17 at 11:30 am in the Administration Center board room.
Our club Board meeting was held on October 28 at the home of Carole Heaney. It was a good meeting and fund-raising events were discussed. Thanks to Carole for hosting the meeting.
We are still looking for a speaker for our meeting on November 20th. Please let me know if you have someone in mind.
Don’t forget to continue to view the CNY web-site for information and activities.
We are meeting this Thursday, the 23rd at 6 pm at Moscatiellos. Via zoom our presenter will be Tom Romero who will speak on crypto currency. Be prepared for a very interesting talk.
A board meeting will be held at 6pm Tuesday, October 28th at the home of Carole Heaney.
Concerning the Anchor Food Bank, donated food will be collected at Hoffman’s Car Wash in East Greenbush on Saturday and Sunday, October 25-26. In exchange, donors get a free car wash.
Pat Bailey is involved in raising funds for the Nassau Free Library via the sale of great pies. Please contact her for more information.
Richard Zazycki, Director of Circles of Mercy, is retiring at the end of the year. The agency is seeking a half-time interim executive director. If you are interested or know someone who is interested, please let me know for more information.
The benefit by the band Enjoyous for the St. Paul’s Center for the homeless on Friday, October 10 at the Hope Lutheran Church raised $2,800 for the Center.
Our next Rotary meeting will be at Mostaciellos beginning at 6 pm on Thursday October 23rd. Via Zoom, Tom Romero of Gainesville, Florida will be our guest speaker addressing crypto currency.
On Monday, October 13th, a zoom call was held with representatives of the Kenya Water Project, led by Peter Brown. The goal was to move the project forward concerning water collection and replacement of school toilets.
This Saturday,. October 18 at Maple Hill Junior/High School from 9-noon, a Stuff The Bus event will occur to collect donated food for the Anchor Food Bank.
Concerning the food bank, donated food will be collected at Hoffman’s Car Wash in East Greenbush on Saturday and Sunday, October 25-26. In exchange, donors get a free car wash.
Pat Bailey is involved in raising funds for the Nassau Free Library via the sale of great pies. Please contact her for more information.
We will be meeting once again this Thursday at 6 pm at Moscatiellos. Carole and yours truly will host our third meeting about selecting service projects and fund-raising. Thank you to Carole for all her assistance.
Today, the 7th, I spoke to the Scotia Rotary about immigration. I am pictured below with Stacy Mcliduff, Fund Raising Secretary, and spoke to her about her club’s fund-raising activities.
This Friday from 7-9 pm at the Hope Lutheran Church at 470 Winter Street Extension in Troy, the band Enjoyous will be playing their second benefit for the St. Paul’s Center. Suggested donation: $15. There will be a raffle and a silent auction. Please speak to me if you need more information.
On Monday, the 13th, at 9 am EST there will be a zoom call about the Water for Enabelibel Project. Peter has emailed out details to connect. Contact him if you need more information.
On Saturday November 8th Pat Bailey will be helping out at the annual Craft Fair and Pie sale to support the Nassau Free Library. The event will be held at the Chandler Young VFW Hall at 7 Lyons Lake Road in Nassau from 9 am to 4 pm. Contact Pat if you wish to order pies ahead of time. The pies are delicious by the way.
Please remember to continue to check out the CNY Rotary web-site to review the Rotary activities in our district. Roberto will have more specifics at this week’s meeting.
We will be meeting again on Thursday October 9 at 6 pm. Carole and I will be guiding us towards finalization of selected service projects including fund-raising.
In other news, Friday, October 10 from 7-9 pm at the Hope Lutheran Church, 470 Winter Street Extension, Troy, NY 12180. This will be the second benefit by Enjoyous for the St. Paul’s Center. Light refreshments will be provided along with an array of raffle baskets, a 50/50 raffle, and a silent auction. Suggested donation: $15.
On Saturday October 18 from 9-12 A “Stuff the Bus” event will occur at Maple Hill School to collect food for the Anchor Food Bank.
In addition, to support the food bank, On October 25-26, Hoffman’s Car Wash in East Greenbush will be collecting food, and in exchange, you can get a free wash.
This Thursday, September 25, 2025 we will be having our in person meeting at Moscatiello’s on Route 4 in North Greenbush at 6:00pm. During the meeting a proposed budget will be presented and there will be time to discuss our service projects for the upcoming year and aligning those projects to Rotary’s seven major goals. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 