Well, another messy year is nearly down the drain. So, don your party hat — and probably your face mask, depending on what you plan on doing — and jump into 2022 in just a little over two days from now.
We’re not sure what the world has in store for us in the new year, but we do know some of the things the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club has lined up.
Such programs as a travelogue to a forgotten city, the resumption of our annual trivia competition, and presentations by a variety of speakers all are on tap. You can get the details by regularly visiting our club calendar online.
And remember, we’re always looking for more programs. Just check the calendar to see what’s available, then contact Becky Raymond or Kevin Leyhane to lock in the date you want and provide them with the details.
Meanwhile, begin the countdown, and … Happy New Year!
Well, that’s what Tiny Tim said at the conclusion of the classic 1951 film “A Christmas Carol.” But, Ebeneezer Scrooge had more memorable lines.
For example, this all-encompassing commentary that tells us all it’s never too late to become a better person:
“I don’t know anything. I never did know anything. But now I KNOW that I don’t know anything. I never did know anything. But now I know that I don’t know. All on a Christmas morning.”
And, as we all continue to evolve and gain wisdom, a very Merry Christmas to all of us.
Just a part of the bounty of gifts you donated this year.
Imagine thinking your young children would be waking up tomorrow morning to a very sparse Christmas. Now, imagine as a single parent receiving a call from Circles of Mercy, telling you not to be concerned, the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club has come through once again.
That’s what happened thanks to our “Adopt-a-Family” effort for 2021, with a big boost from the Greenbush YMCA. Two moms and six kids are receiving a variety of “needs to have” and “nice to have” items donated by the generous folks of both of these organizations, and a few of their friends.
To all who helped in one way or another — wrapped gifts, gift cards, pickups, deliveries, etc. — thank you, thank you, thank you.
Have you wondered about our collective environmental impact from recycling through Clynk?
The accompanying graphic gives you a bit of an idea. That’s in addition to the money we raise for ShelterBox (our most recent contribution was a check for $500.)
Remember, all you need to participate in our Clynk effort is an official collection bag (buy ’em at any Hannaford customer service counter), a bar code sticker (get ’em from Bill Dowd) and … oh, yes, some redeemable beverage containers.
No need to rinse or sort the glass, metal, or plastic containers. Simply stick them all in the same bag, stop in at a Hannaford market, use the bar code reader and drop the bag in the chute. Voila! Money for ShelterBox and less clutter in your house.
So, pack up all those holiday beverage containers. And, you don’t have to be a Rotarian to join the club’s effort.
After a year off because of you-know-what, the “SRC Holiday Party & Basket Silent Auction” returned on Thursday evening, with a large group assembling at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant for dinner, fellowship, and some catching up among people who hadn’t seen each other in a while.
In addition to the fun, we raised more than $600 for the club treasury through the silent auction.Thanks to all who contributed themed baskets, and to those who bid on them.
Another one of the highlights was the official induction of Tony Morris as a member of Rotary, with Jim Leyhane doing the honors. Tony has been part of SRC for a while, but COVID restrictions delayed the formality. Welcome, Tony!
The dinner was the last SRC event of 2021, but we are lining up plenty of activities for the new year. Just make a practice of regularly checking the website calendar page to stay in the loop.
Meanwhile, here are a few more scenes from the evening captured by Bill Dowd and Roberto. Special thanks to Debbie Brown for providing the floral table decorations. And, thanks to Roberto Martinez and Jim Leyhane for arranging the dinner.
It may look something like The Last Supper, but it isn’t. We’ll have more.
Tony raises the flag after his induction by Jim.
Bidding early, bidding often.
Tangible proof that the basket fundraiser was paying off.
Mary Drumm and the Brewers catching up.Bill & April Dowd pose for the camera.Phil Kellerman and Andy Leyhane exchange beer tips.April visits with (some of) the Leyhanes.Roberto Martinez and his infectious smile.Tony & Debbie Morris await his induction.Debbie Brown ponders a bid.Pat Bailey and Chuck Rodriguez deep in financial discussion.Some more relaxed chat.
The Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be sending a $500 check to a Kentucky Rotary club to go toward relief efforts in the wake of devastating tornadoes there.
Any individual Rotarians and friends of Rotary who wish to send checks in any amount large or small are asked to:
(1.) Make checks payable to “Mayfield Rotary Club”
(2.) Enter the phrase “Tornado Relief” in the memo line
(3.) Mail checks to John William Carrico, Administrator, 300 Wexford Court, Paducah, KY 42003
A brief discussion at Thursday’s Zoom meeting about Gift of Life mentioned a featured article in the Times Union about GOL and local Rotarians helping a child in Uganda.
For those of you who didn’t have the opportunity to see the article, you can access it online by clicking here.
MEMBERS ATTENDING (15): Debbie Rodriguez, Kevin Leyhane, Bill Dowd, Becky Raymond, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Charlie Foote, Ray Hannan, Andy Leyhane, Phil Kellerman, Dean Calamaras (by proxy), Doris Calamaras (by proxy), Carol Orvis (by proxy), Peter Brown (by proxy), Debbie Brown (by proxy).
GUESTS (1): Lois Hannan.
President Debbie called the Zoom meeting to order and noted the presence of a quorum with the help of proxies.
MEETING NOTES:
• Bill Dowd reported that we are close to filling the gift list for our “Adopt-a-Family” effort on behalf of Circles of Mercy. Several members stepped up at the meeting to handle most of the remaining needed items. The updated shopping list is at the bottom of this post. Items marked in red are taken care of; the few remaining items can be purchased, wrapped and labeled, and dropped off at Circle, 10 Washington Street, Rensselaer, no later than December 15. Please call ahead (518-462-0899) to be sure office is open.
• Roberto and Jim reported that the menu for the annual “Holiday Party & Theme Basket Silent Auction” at Moscatiello’s on Thursday, December 16, has been finalized: choice of chicken Caesar salad, chicken Marsala, or eggplant parmagiana. Salad and cookies will be included. Price is $30 per adult. Children will be able to order off the kids’ menu. Reservations are requested no later than Monday, December 13, by calling or emailing Roberto (518-396-7250 / rrmtz@aol.com) or Jim (518-428-1732 / leyhane@aol.com). And, attendees are reminded to bring a themed gift basket, proceeds of which will go to the club treasury.
• Becky Raymond reported that the NYSCR Danes Rotaract Club we sponsor has scheduled a “Moon Bee” work session for Tuesday, February 15, to assemble feminine hygiene kits for the Mooncatcher Project. At present, it will be for students and faculty at the UAlbany School of Public Health.
The second of two scheduled dropoff dates for donations to our annual “Adopt-a-Family” drive for the holidays was scheduled for today at Moscatiello’s.
How did we do? How many people showed up?
Drum roll, please!
1
That’s right. Exactly one person showed up at the 5:30-6:00 p.m. session.
This year we have only one family, a small one — a mom and two kids — to buy for. (We had accepted two families proposed by Circles of Mercy, but the Greenbush YMCA volunteered to take the other.) Nevertheless, we have a significant number of items on the recommended shopping list still unfilled.
We’ll be discussing the situation during Thursday’s 7 p.m. Zoom meeting to see what we can do to return to our usual level of holiday giving. Meanwhile, here’s the latest update as of 7:30 p.m. this evening. Items in red are taken care of, all others still are needed.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 