Thank you to Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez for hosting the pool party and meal of filet mignon, baked potatoes, corn, garlic bread, and cowboy beans. This was a fundraising event for scholarships.
Next week’s event hosted by Phil Kellerman is a tour of the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society Facility at 4:00 pm on Thursday July 31. Please bring donations of pet food at this time.
This Thursday, July 24, 2025 the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be holding its next Summer Casual Event. This week’s event hosted by Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez will feature a meal of filet mignon, baked potatoes, corn, garlic bread, and cowboy beans. This is a fundraising event for the club with a cost of $30 per member and $40 per family.
Next week’s event hosted by Phil Kellerman is a tour of the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society Facility at 4:00pm on Thursday July 31, 2024. They Mohawk- Hudson Humane Society is seeking donations of pet food at this time.
Thanks to Murray for setting up tonight’s event. The weather participated and the food and company were great.
Phil reported visiting the Food Pantry and leaving off some supplies earlier today.
Next week, the summer event is a Poolside Fillets Fundraiser 7/24/25, 6pm, 8 Elmwood Drive. Funds raised will go for our community events. Price per person will be $30 per Rotarian or $40 per family and guest. The event is sponsored by Jim and Roberto. Jim and Roberto will need a head count by Monday morning in order to notify the butcher off additional attendees and purchase the fillets. You can call or email either Roberto or Jim. Bringing appetizers is an option but there should be plenty of food and drinks. Dinner will include fillet mignon, baked potatoes, beans, bread and ice cream. The pool will be open. Regrets also helpful so we don’t need to keep reaching out.
Tickets for the Valley Cats were passed out to those in attendance. We have a few extra that can be purchased. Please contact Deb Rodriguez if you have interest.
See everyone next week!
Phil
Dear Members:
I hope your summer is going well.
I want to thank those members who participated in the tour on July 10th at the new facility for the homeless elderly by the St. Paul Center. Tracy Pitcher, Director, gave a great tour and members donated books and other household items.
Don’t forget dinner at the Boathouse Grill in New Baltimore this Thursday at 6 pm. If you have not signed up please contact Murray today to reserve a space.
On the 24th our annual dinner fundraiser and pool party will be held at Jim Leyhane’s at 6pm. Please left Roberto or Jim know if you are attending by end of day this coming Thursday so they can order the fillets.
On Wednesday July 16th, a webinar will be offered entitled “Artificial Intelligence for Rotary” from 7-8 pm. The session will explore how AI can enhance club operations, brainstorm on club projects and amplify outreach efforts. Go to www.cnyrotary.org/events for more information
See you soon!
Phil Kellerman, President
I hope everyone had a great 4th of July!
This Thursday, July 10, 2025 at 4pm we are invited for a tour of the new facility for the homeless elderly by the Saint Paul Center. The Center is located at 3 Cerone Commercial Drive off of Wolf Road (Frank Adams Jewelers on the corner).
Please meet at 3:45 pm in the parking lot. The facility is in need of donated books and household items. After the tour we can meet for drinks and socialization.
Next Thursday, July 17, 2025 we will be meeting at the Boathouse Grill at 80 Shady Harbour Drive in New Baltimore. If you plan on attending this event, please let Murray Forth know so he can make an accurate reservation. Looking forward to seeing everyone at this event.
There is no weekly meeting this week, June 26, 2025 or next week July 3, 2025 due to conflicting events and the 4th of July Holiday. Remember membership dues are due July 1st, so if you haven’t paid please make arrangements with Murray. We will meet again July 10, 2025 when we take a tour of the St. Paul’s Center at 4pm.
The Presidential Change Over was held at Debbie and Peter Browns home. Thanks to them for hosting and cooking hamburgers and bratwurst and desert! The event was well attended and included family members as well. Roberto Martinez welcomed everyone on this Juneteenth National Holiday. He began the program by thanking Team Rotary for all the accomplishments this past year. He said it was a privilege to have followed Peter Brown. This included doing good while having fun. He recognized almost everyone in making this a successful year. Roberto then passed the President’s role on to Phil Kellerman who highlighted strategies to keep the club moving forwards. Jim Leyhane inducted Laurie Pferr as a new member of the Club.
This Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 6:00 pm the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be holding its weekly meeting. This week’s meeting is being hosted by the Browns at 18 Clove Road in Castleton-On-Hudson. This week’s meeting will serve as our annual Presidential Change over, where Roberto Martinez will pass his gavel to Phil Kellerman as he assumes the roll of club president for the second time. The meeting will feature the induction of 3 new members and a tour of the Brown’s gardens. This is also the start of our summer casual fund raisers and the cost of dinner is $30 per person and $40 for a family. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.
The meeting covered various topics, including the recognition of Rotary High School Scholarship recipients, discussions about mentoring programs, and updates on community service projects. Members also addressed organizational matters such as upcoming events, membership dues, and leadership changes within the club as we end the Rotary calendar year. Additionally, the group reviewed ongoing initiatives and future plans, including global grant projects, fundraising efforts, and potential student exchange programs.
A moment of silence was offered for the recent passing of long-time member, and past District Governor, Denise DiNoto. Services are scheduled for June 20th and listed on the CNY Rotary website.
This is the last meeting at Moscatiellos until we return after summer programs.
Minutes
Members attending 13: Pat Bailey, Carole Heaney, Dick Drumm, Peter and Debbie Brown, Andy Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Murray Forth, Charlie Foote, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Roberto Martinez, Murray Forth
Guests 9: Joe Kardash, Olivia Hanks (student), Stacy Hover, Rob Santarcangelo, Jen McIntosh, Leah McIntosh (student), Patricia Farnan, Donna LaPietra, Giovanni LaPietra (student)
Rotary Club Scholarship Recipients Introductions
Three Rotary Scholarship Recipients from Columbia High School, Maple Hill, and Rensselaer High schools along with their families and representatives from their schools were present. Phil Kellerman presented Award Certificates and a check for $1000 to the winners. The awardees were selected by their schools. All students exhibited Rotary characteristics or giving back to the community, leadership and doing good in the world. All were appreciative of their mentors and Rotary for assisting with the scholarship awards.
Recipients:
Maple Hill High School: Lea McIntosh
Lea is interested in teaching and looks forward to major in world history and becoming a high school teacher. She will be going to SUNY Gennesio, where her mom also went. She’s dedicated to helping others and enjoying indoor and outdoor athletics, along with academics and student leadership.
Columbia High School: Giovanni LaPietra
Giovanni is a cross-country runner and it a mentor to soccer students. Academically he’s interested in Chemical Engineering and will be attending college in New Jersey.
Rensselaer High School: Olivia Hanks
Olivia is interested in always saying yes and being a part of something bigger than she is. Likes to be doing good in the community and being a mentor. She going to SUNY Oneonta and looks forward to being an elementary teacher.
Presidential Changeover Event
The upcoming presidential turnover event at the Browns, where Roberto will be transitioning his position as President to Phil Kellerman for the new calendar year. The event will include garden tours, the induction of three new members, and a summer casual fundraiser with a $30 per person charge and $40 per family. Roberto emphasized the importance of headcount for planning purposes and mentioned that Peter and Debbie need to be informed of attendees.
Kenya Project Update and Applications
Peter Brown reported on a global grant project in Kenya where a planned well drilling was unsuccessful, but the team is now considering two sites for rainwater collection systems. He mentioned receiving a thank you note from Edith regarding assistance provided to her brother’s funeral expenses.
District Grants: Roberto noted that the District Grant application 2025-26 has been submitted and he will work with Jim to prepare a final report for District Grant 24-25 which will be due by end of July.
Club Updates and Shelter Initiatives
The meeting covered several updates and action items.
Membership Dues: Roberto discussed the need to collect membership dues by end of July, and mentioned that some members have already paid. Murray stated ACH payments for membership dues are now available.
New Member Inductions: The club will be conducting inductions during the presidential changeover.
St Paul’s: Chris Fowler is coordinating donations to a homeless shelter, with plans for a potential music benefit in late August or early September. Carole mentioned she would provide more details about a “Kids Nook” project at the St. Pauls senior shelter after she speaks with their representative. The group reviewed upcoming events, including a tour of the shelter on July 10th. They also discussed a food drive and the need to collect items for the shelter.
Roberto reminded everyone about joining the Facebook page.
Belgian Exchange Program Postponed
The meeting discussed the potential hosting of a Belgian exchange student, but due to a lack of established host families, the opportunity was postponed. The District is still hoping someone can step forward in the District to make it work. Roberto emphasized the importance of continuing to engage with the student exchange program and suggested including it in a strategic plan.
The group also discussed upcoming events, including the Rotary International Convention, where Carole and Tom Reamon will be involved.
Finally, they mentioned the resignation of Rotary International President-elect Mario de Camargo due to family issues, and the need to find a replacement.
This Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 6:00pm the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be holding its weekly meeting at Moscatiello’s on Route 4 in North Greenbush. Joining us this week will be Three Rotary Scholarship Recipients from Columbia, Maple Hill, and Rensselaer High schools along with their families and representatives form their school. The meeting will be well attended and therefore we will not be sharing this meeting on Zoom. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 