This Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 6:00pm the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be having its weekly meeting at Moscatiello’s on Route 4 in North Greenbush. Joining us as guest presenter from “Americorps Vista” will be Quisqueya Witbeck. If you are unable to join us un person you may do so remotely using the link located on our website’s calendar page. Looking forward to seeing everyone on Thursday.

This Thursday May 15, 2025 the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be holding its weekly meeting at Moscatiello’s on Route 4 in North Greenbush at 6:00pm. Joining us this week will be Charlee Stead from the St. Paul Center. Ms. Stead handles all of the poperty manager responsibilities for the tenants. Unfortunately this week we will not be offering a hybrid meeting and the Zoom link will not be working.

Menu choices for the week include: Rustica Salad with Chicken, Meat Lasagna, or Portabella Mushroom Ravioli. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.

This Thursday, May 8, 2025 the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be holding its weekly meeting at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s located on Route 4 in North Greenbush. Joining us will be Mark Yurkiw and he will be speaking on “Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine.” If you unable to join us in person you may do so remotely using the Zoom link located on the calendar page of our website. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.

This Thursday, May 1, 2025 the Southern Renssealer County Rotary Club will be holding its weekly meeting at Moscatiello’s or Route 4 in North Greenbush at 6:00 pm. The focus of this evening will be on club membership and it will be hosted by Terry Brewer and Carole Heaney. If you are unable to attend in person you may do so remotely using the link located on the calendar page of our website.

Dinner choices for the evening include, Chicken Ceasar Salad, Penne Pesto, Spaghetti with Meatballs. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.

This Thursday April 24, 2025 the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be holding its weekly meeting at Moscatiello’s on Route 4 in North Greenbush at 6:00 pm. Joining this evening will be Sara Owens from Oncallfamilyhealth.com, who provide in-home health care services for Albany, Rensselaer, Columbia, Schenectady, and Southern Saratoga Counties. Once again if you are unable to join us in person you may do so remotely using the zoom link located on the calendar page of our website.

Menu choices for the evening include Rustica Salad with Chicken, Veal Parmesan, or Baked Ziti. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.

Carol Heaney, her husband Tome Heaney and Debbie Rodriguez delivered the baskets to the Circle of Mercy this afternoon. Richard Zazycki, President of Circles of Mercy, says “thank you” to all.

Minutes: Rotary Meeting, April 3, 2025

An SRC Rotary meeting was held in person. Attending were Roberto Martinez, Ray Hannan, Pat Bailey, Phil Kellerman, Dick Drumm, Jim Lehayne, Terry Brewer, Murray Forth, Laurie Pferr, Kevin Lehayne, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown and Andy Lehayne. Carole Heaney participated via Zoom.

Roberto thanked Deb Rodriguez for taking last week’s minutes. Roberto also welcomed our newest members: Laurie Pferr and Christine Fowler.

Guest speaker was Marguerite Pearson, Marketing Director of the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society.

Marguerite said that she worked for Animal Protective Services for 15 years and has been with the Humane Society for 9 years. In 2019, the Society got a new building which enabled the organization to expand it services greatly.

The agency now has 70 staff and two full time vets with an annual budget of around $5 million. Private donations make up the majority of their budget. They now have an X-ray room and had 2049 adoptions last year of cats and dogs. The agency rescues abused cats and dogs, does surgeries and has a behavioral and enrichment program to bring pets back to health. Volunteers walk dogs and field trips allow dogs to get exercise. About 76,000 pet meals are provided each year. The agency works with law enforcement to take in severely abused pets. Children are invited to volunteer to read to the pets.

Marguerite invited members to tour the facility. 

In regular business, Roberto reminded everyone to think about bringing a guest to the membership dinner on May first. Terry said that we should target potential members who are new and those that used to be members in the past.

Roberto also reminded the group about the upcoming April 5th downtown CNY Conference and said that he, Jim, Phil, Murray, Deb and Peter would be attending. Deb and Peter would be presenting about the water well project in Kenya. Roberto and Jim will set up a exhibit table to sell soap to raise money for scholarships.

Phil gave an update on the annual bowl-a-thon on Sunday April 6th. He said Maple Hill School signed up 12 bowlers. Along with Stretch Zone and friends and families of the club, Phil expected that 35-40 bowlers would show up. He said over $1,000 had already been raised via sponsorships for the Anchor Food Bank.

Roberto encouraged members to continue to purchase Easter Baskets for the Circles of Mercy Easter Drive.

Phil said that there has been considerable publicity about the benefit concert on April 26 at the East Greenbush Methodist Church. He said that representatives from the St. Paul Center would attend to speak about the shelter for homeless women and children.

Andy reported that our club Facebook site is up and running, and is able to post club activities. Phil said that it was important to get more “friends” to the site to generate more exposure of what our club does.

Peter had very good news about the water well project in Kenya. He said drilling had begun and that water had been found. He shared a photo of church members surrounding the drill in celebration.

Another meeting with the East Greenbush School District will be held on April 22nd to discuss our involvement with the Backpack Program. Kevin said a “Fun Run” to raise money has been tentatively scheduled for June 13th.

August 7th has been scheduled for a Valleycats game.

Pat reported that five members have signed up for the defensive driving class on May 17.

Roberto said he wanted to schedule a board meeting soon.

This week the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be holding its weekly meeting at Moscatiello’s located on Route 4 in North Greenbush at 6:00 pm. The format of this meeting will be a general club assembly focusing on our upcoming projects. If you are unable to attend in person you may also join us remotely using the link located on the calendar page of our website.

This meeting will also serve as one of the last opportunities for the club to collect Easter Baskets for or Easter Basket Drive to support Circles of Mercy. So if you have a basket or need help assembling it bring it Thursday night.

Looking Forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.

This Thursday, April 3, 2025 the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be hosting its weekly meeting at Moscatiello’s on Route 4 in North Greenbush. Joining us will be Marguerite Pearson, The Director Marketing and Communications for the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. As usual if you are unable to join us in person you may do so remotely using the Zoom link located on our calendar page.

Only 2 weeks left to donate to the Circles of Mercy Easter Basket Program. We are collecting coloring books, facial tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, hair combs and brushes, small stuffed animals (age 1-12), toys, small games, small books, and different types of wrapped candy.

Meal choices for the evening include: Chicken Rustica Salad, Lasagna, or Cheese Ravioli. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.