Staying informed about Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club activities just keeps getting easier.
In addition to updates via email, Facebook, and our website, you now can stay connected via Twitter — and retweet info to friends and colleagues you think may be interested. (We had a Twitter account several years ago, but put it on hiatus until we got more members involved in social media.)
The Nominating Committee appointed by Club President Terry Brewer several months ago has created a slate of officers for the 2016-17 Rotary Year, to be voted upon by members at our Thursday, May 26, meeting.
The Nominating Committee consists of Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, and Murray Forth.
In accordance with Article 3 of our Club Bylaws, after the committee “presents its slate of officer candidates to the membership, additional nominations may be made from the floor before a vote is taken.” If we have contested offices, a written vote will be taken. Otherwise, the president will conduct a voice vote. Duties of the various offices are spelled out in the Club Bylaws.
You will notice that the offices of president-elect and immediate past president do not require a vote, for obvious reasons. Traditionally, the immediate past president remains on the board for one year.
All those elected will take office on July 1 for the Rotary Year ending June 30, 2017. The order of presidential succession is included in the listing below for your consideration.
The Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club’s next monthly breakfast meeting is scheduled for this week — Thursday, May 19, 7 to 8 a.m., at the Greenbush YMCA, 20 Community Way, East Greenbush.
Club member Bob Horan, superintendent of the Schodack Central School District, will be the speaker.
If you’d like to attend — and please remember that guests are very welcome — be sure to inform club president Terry Brewer by email or by calling 465-0934, or Y director Shannon Romanowski by email or by calling 479-0615 no later than Tuesday, May 17.
The Let’s Share the Sun Foundation‘s mission statement says it “aspires to facilitate the use of solar energy in poor communities around the world where harnessing the power of the sun will enhance the quality of life of those communities.”
The foundation helps install solar power devices in some of the poorest parts of the world, including in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, “places that are rich in their access to the sun but lack fundamental resources.”
We’ll be hearing all about its work at our 6:15 p.m. Thursday dinner meeting at Quigley’s in East Greenbush. The topic may be of interest to some non-Rotarians you know, so feel free to extend an invitation.
Please be sure to RSVP to dinner coordinator Debbie Brown at mdbrown@nycap.rr.com no later than this Tuesday evening, and be sure to let her know if you’ll be bringing a guest so she can provide Quigley’s with an accurate headcount. The entree is lasagna. (And, please remember the per-person rate now is $18, so bring singles to help Murray make change.)
Jim Leyhane has firmed up the date for the latest defensive driving course that will allow attendees, upon completion, to apply for a discount in their auto insurance premiums.
It will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 5, in the conference room at Community Care Physicians, 81 Miller Road, Schodack.
The cost will be $35 to $45, depending on the number of enrollees. To register, the sooner the better, please contact Jim via email or by phone at 477-4881 as soon as possible.
The Lake George Rotary Club will be one of the presenting sponsors of a new summer fundraising event, the “Lake George Polka Fest.”
It’s scheduled for 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at Scotty’s Lakeside Resort, 2896 Lakeshore Drive. Tickets, priced at $10 for adults and $8 for adults over age 65 (kids free), are available online.
Oh, the band shown above? That’s the headliner, the Chardon Polka Band, a decidedly unorthodox group that mixes traditional polka music with pop music and covers of some of the top current pop performers’ work.
Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant 593 Columbia Turnpike East Greenbush, NY May 12, 2016
Members Attending (17): Terry Brewer, Murray Forth, Debbie Rodriguez, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Dick Drumm, Charlie Foote, Mike Dewey, Ray Hannan, Roberto Martinez, Ron Annis, Monika Annis, John Sawchuk, Stewart Wagner, Becky Raymond.
Guests (2): Betty Brewer, Debra Dewey.
NOTE: Corrections included in this version.
PROGRAM: “Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy In the Schools”
Debra Dewey (left) and Betty Brewer discuss some of the items they use in their PT/OT sessions. One of the “sensory integration” items is shown in the inset.
President Terry Brewer introduced Betty Brewer and Debra Dewey and gave a brief outline of their role in the Averill Park Central School District offering physical and occupational therapy in an educational setting.
Betty explained that she and Debra, along with a speech therapist, are a team that serves 180 kids. They work with students who need to learn a variety of skills, and they utilize tactile items in various shapes and colors, games, and various exercises.
The children they work with have a range of problems, including autism, cerebral palsy, sensory and processing disorders, and other limitations.
Debra explained that they work to instill in the students a mutual respect for others, and attaining a goal of improving and moving on. They work with children as needed and for as long as needed.
A new program in this school year is teaching strategies for coping with habits, not sitting and fidgeting, and so on. The team often uses therapy balls instead of chairs for better posture. They work on fine and gross motor skills, directional skills, exercise on mats, and sitting and getting up correctly. They also include time for play.
One of their main efforts is working on “sensory integration,” which affects multiple areas of muscle, senses, and auditory faculties. They work in a variety of ways — in groups, independently, in classrooms, and separate rooms. They displayed many small tactile items they use with the children,, such as soft, squishy balls, colorful soft items that light up, and pencils with soft grips.
In conclusion, they answered several questions from attendees.
BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
REMINDERS — (1.) The “Pocket Change” contribution jug now is being used to collect money at each meeting for the Freedom From Fistula Foundation. (2.) The club officially has decided to raise $1,400 to “adopt” a school in Haiti as part of the Pure Water Project’s effort there. An initial donation will be made in the amount of $500.
WEB PAGE REVAMP — Since our last meeting, a redesign and relaunch of the club website has taken place, and the new address — http://SRCrotaryblog.wordpress.com — is active. Several new pages are password-protected. They still are in development, and passwords will be distributed to members once the content is finalized.
RONALD McDONALD HOUSE EFFORT — Seven club members cooked dinner for 40 guests at the Ronald McDonald House complex in Albany today. Bill Dowd planned the menu and oversaw the effort, aided by April Dowd, Debbie Rodriguez, Roberto Martinez, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, and Mike Dewey. (Scroll down to see photos of the event.)
GOLFING EFFORT — The club donated $250 for Columbia High School’s golf tournament being held in support of the school’s scholarship programs.
PRESIDENTIAL CHANGEOVER — Our Thursday, June 30, meeting has been designated as the annual Presidential Changeover meeting. Debbie Rodriguez will succeed Terry Brewer as president at that time for the 2016-17 Rotary Year. The event will be held at Murray Forth’s residence in East Greenbush.
NEW-MEMBER INDUCTION — Our second member induction of the year will be held during our Thursday, June 23, meeting to officially welcome members who have joined us since the last induction.
SUMMER ACTIVITIES — At the next meeting, we will begin asking people to sign up to host a cookout or plan a group outing during our“summer casual” schedule when we do not hold formal weekly dinner meetings. The dates are July 7, 14, 21, and 28, and August 4, 11, 18, and 25. Ideas are welcomed.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS — We will conduct the annual vote for club officers and directors at our May 26 meeting.
FUNDRAISERS — (1.) It was announced that the raffle for a sightseeing flight in an antique plane at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome raised $215. Roberto Martinez was the lucky winner of the drawing. (2.) Becky Raymond reported that $6,000 was taken in at the recent Freedom From Fistula Foundation fundraiser. She thanked members who attended.
DRIVER TRAINING — Jim Leyhane, who is arranging a defensive driving training session that will qualify participants to receive a deduction on their auto insurance, said it will be held on a Sunday in June. He asked that anyone who would like to attend but has a conflict on any particular Sunday to let him know ASAP so he can finalize the date.
HEALTH UPDATES — Doris Calamaras is reported to be improving after a bout of pneumonia. … Stewart Wagner thanked the club for its support of he and Lois since her return home from hospitalization.
NEXT MEETING — 6:15 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at Quigley’s. We will have a program on “Let’s Share the Sun,” a program that shares solar energy devices with poor parts of the world.
The need was for dinner for 40 — no, not for 4, or 14, or even 24 or 34, but 40 guest lodgers at the Ronald McDonald House complex in Albany.
A team of seven Southern Rensselaer County Rotarians — led by chef Bill Dowd and sous chefs April Dowd, Roberto Martinez, Debbie Rodriguez, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, and Mike Dewey — whipped up a wide range of foods to feed the multitudes on Thursday evening.
The menu:
• Chicken Milanese (thin, boneless chicken breasts, dredged in an egg wash and seasoned bread crumbs, then pan fried in olive oil)
• Sautéed sweet Italian sausage with multicolored bell peppers and onions
• 2 pasta sides: one with a meatless tomato sauce, one with a butter/Parmesan/parsley sauce
• 2 veggie sides: green beans and corn
• A salad of mixed baby greens and romaine lettuce, sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and a variety of dressings
• Several types of fresh-baked rolls
• Assorted cupcakes and cookies
Here are a few scenes from the day, captured by Bill and by Roberto in fleeting moments between chores.
We were welcomed to the Ronald McDonald House by … who else?
April Dowd preps some veggies for a sausage, peppers, and onions entree, and Debbie Brown keeps an eye on the process.What’s Chef Bill about to do? …… Dredge ’em, bread em’, sauté ’em — 40 servings of Chicken Milanese, no problem.Everyone pitching in.Roberto Martinez, one of the happy sous chefs for the day. The final feast!The satisfaction of a meal well done.
Bill and April Dowd dropped in at Faddegon’s Nursery for their annual spring plants and flowers purchases, and checked out the special ShelterBox display there. Here are Bill’s photos.
This is a ShelterBox info nook, complete with a video loop.This is where it’s located — 1140 Troy-Schenectady Road (Rt. 7) in Latham. Nursery owners Jack and Nancy Faddegon are the District 7190 ShelterBox coordinators.And, this is how it’s doing so far.
A pair of “Rotarians by marriage” will be our after-dinner presenters at this week’s meeting at Quigley’s.
Deb Dewey, wife of new member Mike Dewey, and Betty Brewer, wife of President Terry Brewer, will speak on “Occupational and Physical Therapy In Schools.”
The menu calls for sauteed beef tips and mushrooms in sauce, with veggies, salad, bread, beverages, and dessert. As always, the cash bar is open to all. (Remember, dinner now is $18 per person.)
If you haven’t yet emailed your RSVP to dinner coordinator Debbie Brown — at mdbrown@nycap.rr.com — remember the deadline is Tuesday evening for doing so. Please be sure to let her know if you’re bringing a guest so we can have an accurate headcount for Quigley’s kitchen.
Staying informed about Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club activities just keeps getting easier.
The Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club’s next monthly breakfast meeting is scheduled for this week — Thursday, May 19, 7 to 8 a.m., at the Greenbush YMCA, 20 Community Way, East Greenbush.
Jim Leyhane has firmed up the date for the latest defensive driving course that will allow attendees, upon completion, to apply for a discount in their auto insurance premiums.
Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
RONALD McDONALD HOUSE EFFORT — Seven club members cooked dinner for 40 guests at the Ronald McDonald House complex in Albany today. Bill Dowd planned the menu and oversaw the effort, aided by April Dowd, Debbie Rodriguez, Roberto Martinez, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, and Mike Dewey. (Scroll down to see photos of the event.)
SUMMER ACTIVITIES — At the next meeting, we will begin asking people to sign up to host a cookout or plan a group outing during our “summer casual” schedule when we do not hold formal weekly dinner meetings. The dates are July 7, 14, 21, and 28, and August 4, 11, 18, and 25. Ideas are welcomed.
DRIVER TRAINING — Jim Leyhane, who is arranging a defensive driving training session that will qualify participants to receive a deduction on their auto insurance, said it will be held on a Sunday in June. He asked that anyone who would like to attend but has a conflict on any particular Sunday to let him know ASAP so he can finalize the date.
A pair of “Rotarians by marriage” will be our after-dinner presenters at this week’s meeting at Quigley’s.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 