Here’s the flash drive containing our new video “Making Polio History: A Pioneer’s Story.” It will be shared with some key people at the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta next month that will be attended by Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, and Dick Drumm.
Dinner Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
May 25, 2017
Members Attending (16): Debbie Rodriguez, Roberto Martinez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Bill Dowd, Dick Drumm, Maggie Forth, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Ray Hannan, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Julius Frankel, Phil Kellerman, Stewart Wagner.
Guests (8): Mary Drumm, Efrosini Frankel, Jeremy Forth, Robert Parzak, Troop 41 representatives Dennis Cicchino, Frankie Conrad, Mike Manning, and Alex Manning.
PROGRAM: “Toilet Paper and Its Connection To Albany”
Club member Stewart Wagner, an eclectic collector and researcher in various fields, provided an unusual and interesting look at Albany’s role in the creation, production and popularization of something our society takes for granted — modern toilet paper.
Stewart showed slides of the first “official” toilet paper, made in ancient China. but noted that there was not widespread acceptance of the paper globally until the 19th Century. In 1857, a company founded by Joseph C. Gayetty made the first commercial product, originally sold in packs of 500 sheets. The company did not survive.
Sam Wheeler, who was born in Chatham, founded the APW Paper Company and in 1871 secured the first patent for a roll of “wrapping paper,” which it usually was called because the word “toilet” wasn’t used in polite society.
The toilet paper we know of today was an Albany invention. It came in a box and in 1891 Seth Wheeler received a patent for the roll of toilet paper.
Some of Stewart’s remarks were in a lighthearted manner, such as asking the audience whether they put their toilet paper in holders over or under. As noted in the patent drawings, he said, it should be over. That way there is less wasted paper, the roll can be controlled better, and the paper does not slide against the wall as it is being unfurled — something that was especially important in the days of outhouses.
Stewart also passed around a collection of antique paper holders, some of which were simple devices, others with cutting or perforating components. Many bore the names of Albany companies. APW not only made its own paper, it marketed and distributed papers produced by other companies such as the Fort Orange Paper Company in Castleton. He also displayed slides showing a collection of advertising posters and displays.
In addition to the slides, Stewart described how toilet paper is made, that it is important to use one-ply paper in homes and other buildings that have septic systems rather than sewer connections (the thinner paper breaks down more quickly and efficiently). And, he noted the environmental impact caused in one year by the paper manufacturing process — 1.5 million trees crushed, 253 gallons of chlorine used, 475 trillion gallons of water needed, and so forth.
BUSINESS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCOUT TROOP GRANT — President Debbie Rodriguez presented a check for $450 to Boy Scout Troop 41 Scoutmaster Dennis Cicchino as an annual SRC grant to help support the troop’s activities. Dennis introduced Assistant Scoutmasters Frankie Conrad and Mike Manning, and 1st Class Scout Alex Manning, and outlined the activities the Scouts have been involved in during the past year and what they have coming up. He also confirmed that the Viking Gym project currently under construction by Eagle Scout candidate Lorenzo Gonzales at Schodack Town Park with support from SRC, Top Form, and the town will continue to be expanded by Troop 41 Eagle candidates in future years until the project is completed.
ELECTION WRAPUP — Dick Drumm offered a motion, seconded by Debbie Brown, regarding formalizing the club’s Board for 2017-18: “Move that Pat Bailey be approved as Secretary, Murray Forth as Treasurer, and Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Andy Leyhane and Terry Brewer as At-Large Directors for the 2017-18 Rotary Year, in addition to the officers approved on May 18.” The motion was approved without dissent. Apropos the affirmative May 18 vote, as of July 1 Roberto Martinez will become President, Ron Annis and Jim Butterworth co-Presidents-elect, and Ray Hannan Vice President. Debbie Rodriguez automatically will become Immediate Past President and remain a Board member.
CHANGEOVER EVENTS — Peter and Debbie Brown again will host the club’s Presidential Changeover Dinner, scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, June 29 (details to come). And, the District 7190 Changeover Luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 25, at River Stone Manor, 1437 Amsterdam Road, Scotia. The District will put online registration information on its website. (Click here to visit it.)
RONALD McDONALD HOUSE — We have a sizeable contingent lined up to cook dinner for 40 to 50 guests next Wednesday, May 31, at the Ronald McDonald House complex in Albany. Volunteers include Roberto Martinez, Debbie and Peter Brown, Carole Spencer, Debbie Rodriguez, Phil Kellerman, and Julius and Efie Frankel (with Jim Leyhane helping in the purchasing process and Bill Dowd in the menu creation).
NEXT MEETING — 6:15 p.m. Thursday, June 1, at Quigley’s. Alyssa Evans, Student Assistance Counselor at Columbia High School and Goff Middle School, will speak on “Combating Heroin.”
The video “Making Polio History: A Pioneer’s Story” made its debut at the recent District 7190 Conference in Lake George. To help disseminate the word about this important development in educating all Rotarians and the public in general about this insidious disease that has long been a target of Rotary funding and action around the world, we are trying to make the video available to as many people as possible.
This is the story of the disease and the battle against it, as seen through the eyes of a local pediatrician who was among the early anti-polio researchers — Dr. Martha Lepow, seen above in the 1950s.
If you have not yet seen the video, we urge you to watch it now on the new page that has just been added to our club website (click here to visit it). Then, share it with others via Facebook, Twitter, email or any other method you choose.
The video was created through a cooperative effort of the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club, Rotary District 7190, CASDA: The Capital Area School Development Association, and the UAlbany School of Public Health.
• Ron Annis reports on the Viking Gym construction at Schodack Town Park, a co-op venture of SRC, Eagle Scout candidate Lorenzo Gonzalez (shown above), Top Form, and the Town of Schodack:
“So many people helping on the Viking Gym project. A big thank you to Ken Holmes, Schodack Highway Superintendent and Bruce Goodall, director of the town Transfer Station, for arranging wood chips.
“Leo and other Troop 41 Scouts are arranging a final work day for Saturday, June 10, to spread chips and finalize small projects from 9 to 11 a.m. Want to help? Just email Leo at: 17gonzalle1@egcsd.org to let him know.
“We are almost there. The heavy-lift station is being finalized. Three stations to start: Chin up, crunches and heavy lift. Several Eagle Scout projects to follow over next few years should give us a complete gym.”
Those cartoon bears extolling the virtues of their brand of toilet paper in TV ads have nothing on our own Stewart Wagner.
The always-entertaining Stewart will be making a presentation at this Thursday’s SRC dinner meeting on the topic of “Toilet Paper and Its Connection to Albany.” We doubt anyone could not be interested in hearing what he has to say.
To that end, please be sure dinner coordinator Debbie Brown (mdbrown@nycap.rr.com) knows if you plan to attend. As always, her deadline is this Tuesday evening.
The dinner menu will feature barbecued pork, veggies, salad, bread, dessert and beverages. The following members already have RSVP’d:
Pat Bailey
Debbie Brown
Peter Brown
Bill Dowd
Dick Drumm
Murray Forth
Ray Hannan
Phil Kellerman
Jim Leyhane
Roberto Martinez
Debbie Rodriguez
Stewart Wagner
We’ve lined up a very busy final few weeks for the 2016-17 Rotary Year, and a variety of “Summer Casual” events for July and August. The image below gives you a taste — and we’ll be adding others.
To stay up to date so you don’t miss out on any opportunities, simply make it a habit to visit the club’s Facebook page (click here to do so and then bookmark it) and under the “More” link click on “Events.”)
The multi-club work day on Saturday at the Shaker Heritage Site in Colonie got a lot accomplished. And, obviously, it was appreciated. Take a look at this social media post.
Despite rumors that their “surf and turf” menu for a “Rotary Home Cooking Series” dinner might include anything from burgers-by-the-pool to possum-and-tuna, Murray and Maggie Forth pulled off another fine event with salmon and kebabs on Saturday night.
Here are some scenes from the event:
Rotarians from the District’s Area 8 clubs — Southern Rensselaer County, Cohoes, Colonie-Guilderland, and Lansingburgh — descended on the Shaker Heritage Site in Colonie today to do some spring cleaning — and digging, and planting, and painting, and generally sprucing up the grounds.
Below are photos, courtesy of SRC’s Terry Brewer and Colonie-Guilderland’s Denise DiNoto, showing some of the work.
(All photos available in album form on the club’s Facebook page. That makes it easy for you to share them with friends if you have a Facebook account. Click here to visit it.)
Rafaella (Ella) Leal Câncio, our Rotary Youth Exchange student from Brazil, has been experiencing a wide variety of activities during her year at Maple Hill High School. Everything from studying and playing sports to a guided your of the bustle of New York City to participating in Rotary conferences and celebrations, and on and on.
Now, that has been topped off with a social highlight of any student’s year — going to the school prom. That’s Ella second from the right in the photo above. On the far right is Allison Felts, one of our RYLA students this year and daughter of new SRC member Jennifer Felts.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 