Members Attending (11): Kevin Leyhane, Phil Kellerman, Dick Drumm, Maggie Forth, Murray Forth, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Charlie Foote, Pat Bailey.
Guests (3): Mary Drumm, Jeremy Forth, Jack Bailey.
A planned outdoor get-together was driven indoors by inclement weather, but SRC members and guests alike enjoyed the fellowship and a dinner of chicken marsala, lasagna, and salads from La Bella’s Restaurant, Bar & Pizzeria of Valatie, plus finger snacks and desserts brought by guests. Members expressed their thanks to Debbie and Peter Brown for hosting the “Summer Casual” kickoff event.
Next up on the “Summer Casual” event is a sitdown dinner at the Calamaras residence. Reservation deadline is today, July 9, so please contact Dean or Doris if you would like to attend but haven’t yet replied.
Meanwhile, check the schedule for remaining “Summer Casual” events and reservation deadlines, and keep scrolling down for some views of Thursday’s event captured by Roberto indoors and in the garden.
HOT OFF THE PRESS (appropriate for summer, if not for today’s cool, rainy weather), we have details of another “Summer Casual” social event for members, family, and friends of SRC.
President Debbie Rodriguez and Secretary Pat Bailey will co-host a “Pizza & Ice Cream Party” at the Rodriguez residence, 121 Lape Road, Nassau, at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 29, for all fully-vaccinated adults and their kids.
The pool and other child-appropriate stuff will be available for this family-friendly event.
Please RSVP to Debbie (debannrodyahoo.com) or Pat (baileyps26@gmail.com) no later than Monday, July 26.
P.S. If you’d like to attend the Browns’ event on Thursday, RSVP by today if you haven’t already done so.
Sunday marks the 245th birthday of the United States of America, but only the 94th anniversary of July 4 becoming our official independence day holiday.
Dates, of course, can be fluid things. The first official motion in the Continental Congress to declare independence from Great Britain was made by a Virginia delegate, Richard Henry Lee, on June 7, 1776. The actual vote in the Continental Congress to secede was taken on July 2. It wasn’t until two days later, July 4, that representatives of the original 13 colonies voted to accept the Declaration of Independence.
The process is replete with oddities involving New York. A few examples:
• Robert Livingston was the New York delegate on the five-member committee appointed after Lee’s proposal to draft a formal statement justifying the break with Britain. However, most of the writing was done by its youngest member, Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. Curiously, their “Declaration of Independence” does not contain the word “independence” except in its title.
• The same Robert Livingston did not initially sign the Declaration because he claimed it was too soon to take such a step and was back home in New York when it was ratified in Philadelphia. (Interestingly, for various reasons several other leading “founding fathers” also did not sign, among them George Washington, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison.)
• Philip Livingstone of Albany, a first cousin once removed of Robert Livingstone and one of three Livingstone family members who were among the colony’s 56 delegates to the Continental Congress, is the only one of the trio who signed the Declaration of Independence. The other New York signers were Lewis Morris, Francis Lewis, and William Floyd.
• The New York delegation did not at first ratify the Declaration. In fact, it didn’t vote on any proposals, claiming its colonial government had never provided full instructions on what stance to take. It eventually did vote on July 15 to ratify, claiming instructions had finally been received.
Well, here we are in July, the first day of the 2021-22 Rotary Year and the official start of our “Summer Casual” period that carries us through the summer. A perfect time to get reacquainted in person after the long lockdown.
We hope all fully-vaccinated adults and healthy small kids will be joining us for the variety of picnics, sitdown dinners, diner visits, etc. on the schedule (two field trips involving baseball and theater already have been sold out.) To participate, simply check out the schedule below and RSVP to the appropriate folks by the deadlines to save a seat.
A picnic at the Browns’ residence in Castleton is next up, on Thursday, July 8, so be sure to RSVP to Debbie or Peter no later than this Friday, July 2, so they have an accurate headcount.
And, Dean and Doris Calamaras have just provided details of the July 15 sitdown dinner they are planning at their East Greenbush residence with RSVPs needed by July 9. Here are the details and the menu for that gathering:
Social hour 5-6 p.m., dinner at 6. Dean and Doris are covering the cost of the appetizers, dinner, and deserts, but are asking attendees to donate would they would like to the club treasury — $15 to $20 per adult and $5 per kid suggested.
Please RSVP to 518-477-4694 or to dcalamaras@verizon.net with the names of all attendees, your phone number, and your hard- and soft-drink preferences. Reservations limited to the first 18 guests to sign up.
The Menu:
• Hors d’oeuvres
• Fresh fruit salad
• Baked glazed ham with little new potatoes, and green bean casserole
• Bread & butter
• Dessert selections, including cakes, pies & brownies
SRC Immediate Past President Phil Kellerman has set up a Go Fund Me page to aid an acquaintance in Nicaragua who is a polio survivor in need of assistance.
“Berta Zamaro, age 50, needs physical therapy and a new brace,” Phil says. “She is suffering falls and injuring yourself. Berta is the sister of a very good of mine who is an ESL [English as a second language] teacher in Georgia.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the effort may do so by clicking here. Phil has set a goal of $7,500 for Berta.
Also, anyone wishing to donate to Rotary International’s efforts to continue its global polio vaccination efforts that have helped to nearly eradicate the dreaded virus from the world may do so by clicking here. Donating this way will result in having your dollar amount tripled.
Incoming president Debbie Rodriguez and outgoing president Dick Drumm share a moment.
MEMBERS ATTENDING (14): Dick Drumm, Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Bill Dowd, Pat Bailey, Maggie Forth, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Kevin Leyhane, Andy Leyhane, Charlie Foote, Ray Hannan.
GUESTS (Numerous): Mary Drumm, Stewart Wagner, Lois Hannan, Jeremy Forth, various Leyhanes and Drumms, etc.
The torch, figuratively, has been passed.
Charter member Dick Drumm closed out his presidential term by turning over the club reins to Debbie Rodriguez for her second go-round at the club presidency during the annual Presidential Changeover picnic at the Drumm residence Thursday evening.
Debbie officially takes office on July 1 for the 2021-22 Rotary Year. The remainder of the Board:
President-elect: Kevin Leyhane
Vice President: Terry Brewer
Immediate Past President: Dick Drumm
Treasurer: Murray Forth
Secretary: Pat Bailey
At-Large Directors: Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Dean Calamaras, Becky Raymond
Dick Drumm congratulates Bill Dowd as club “Rotarian of the Year.”
• ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR — During the business portion of the event, Dick provided a brief synopsis of his year, thanking everyone for their support during a particularly difficult period. He also cited Bill Dowd as the club’s “Rotarian of the Year,” selected for his ongoing work as the club’s webmaster and social media coordinator, his efforts to maintain club continuity through a program of Zoom sessions, acting as our ShelterBox coordinator and fundraiser, Adopt-a-Family coordinator, and various other support efforts.
• FINANCIAL UPDATE — Treasurer Murray reported that the club has, through both club and individual members’ donations, given more than $18,000 this year to various charities and organizations. He also reported that our new donor advised fund (DAV), formally called The Dr. Richard Drumm Fund, has a $22,000 principal and total worth of $22,463.
• MEETING VENUE RESEARCH — Murray said our former meeting venue, Quigley’s Food & Drink, is close to finalizing a sale, according to owner John Walsh who has retired from the restaurant business. … We still are looking into possibilities with the East Greenbush Fire Department and the Crisp Cannoli restaurant or will discuss possibilities with QUigley’s purchaser. We also are considering alternating in-person and Zoom meeting beginning in September.
•NEXT MEETING — We are off next week leading into the Fourth of July weekend. Our next get-together is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 8, a picnic hosted by Debbie and Peter Brown that kicks off our “Summer Casual” schedule for July and August. Please be sure to contact them ASAP if you are fully vaccinated and plan to attend.
Scenes from a picnic:
Outgoing President Dick displays his plaque and Rotary fleece gifts
While some people have paid their 2021-22 dues, this is a friendly reminder for everyone else that your dues for the upcoming Rotary Year must be submitted by June 30.
Checks, payable to “SRC Rotary,” may be given to Treasurer Murray Forth, or mailed to Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club, P.O. Box 71, East Greenbush, NY 12061. Please be sure you mail your dues in enough time for them to be received by the deadline.
Dues remain at just $175 per individual member or $350 for “Family” or “Corporate” group memberships covering an unlimited number of members (although such entities have only a single vote on matters coming before the membership). If it is easier for you, dues may be paid in two equal installments, no later than June 30 and December 31. The initial partial payment for individuals is only $87.50, or $175 for “Family” and “Corporate” groups.
As explained in our Club Bylaws: “Club annual dues will be based on dues levels set by Rotary International and District 7190 plus a Club membership fee of $20 above RI and District dues for first-year members and $30 above RI and District dues for all members after their first year. A $5 deduction from each member’s dues will become an annual contribution to the Rotary Foundation. All club fees are subject to modification by subsequent votes of the membership. Fees are payable annually no later than the last day of June, or semiannually no later than the last day of June and no later than the last day of December. Per Rotary International regulations, a portion of each payment shall be applied to each member’s subscription to the RI official magazine.”
RI reminds us that non-dues-paying members may not be counted as Rotarians until at least the next six-month cycle, assuming they then have paid their dues by then. Thank you for your cooperation.
The 22nd annual District 7190 Gift of Life Golf Tournament is scheduled for September 20 at the Pinehaven Country Club in Guilderland.
That might seem a long time off, but planning for such a major GOL fundraiser takes quite a while and it’s just 14 weeks from now.
Dean and Doris Calamaras, SRC’s current ambassadors to GOL, inform us we should be putting together one or two foursomes to compete for honors in the event, even as organizers are seeking volunteer helpers, financial sponsors and donors.
So, if you wish to lend a hand as a volunteer worker on the day of the event, or buy a program ad, or make an outright financial donation, please contact Dean for details.
MEMBERS ATTENDING (14): Dick Drumm, Debbie Rodriguez, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Kevin Leyhane, Andy Leyhane, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Charlie Foote, Tony Morris, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras.
Guests (5): Hannah Grill, Meghan Bennett, Mike Bennett, Michael Harkin, Teresa Herbert.
Roberto welcomed and congratulated SRC Rotary Club Scholarship recipients and other guests.
Meghan Bennett
Teresa Herbert of Maple Hill High School introduced graduating senior Meghan Bennett, who will be attending Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, to study communications. She said Meghan, a member of the National Honor Society, does not seek the spotlight for her efforts. She is and someone who wants to make a difference in the world. Meghan’s focus has been on reducing the stigma of mental illness and spreading awareness. Megan said she has made volunteering a mission. She has worked with St. Jude since 2016 and raised money for its Children’s Hospital.
Hannah Grill
Mike Harkin introduced Hanna Grill, a graduating senior at Columbia High School. She is Student Council president, and someone who always wants to give back to the community without expecting praise. Hanna said she likes to focus on academic achievement and helping the community. She has enjoyed working with pep rallies and cheerleading, spending time working with regional food banks and Equinox. She plans to continue volunteering while attending Marist College in Poughkeepsie. She has not yet declared her major.
Both students thanked Rotary for the $1,000 scholarships, and the group in turn congratulated the students. Roberto passed along scholarship coordinator Terry Brewer’s congratulations since he was unable to attend. Administrators Mike Harkin and Mike Bennett both thanked the SRC Rotary for continuing the scholarship program, and Mike Bennett also expressed appreciation to SRC for supporting students in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program his students attended.
• PRESIDENTIAL CHANGEOVER — Dick Drumm will pass the gavel to Debbie Rodriguez for the 2021-22 Rotary Year at a picnic he and Mary are hosting at 6 p.m. next Thursday at their farm, catered by O’Kenny’s Express of Valatie. Anyone who has not yet RSVP’d and would like to attend is asked to contact the Drumms by Saturday at the latest. Dick asked anyone who wishes to do so bring an appetizer or dessert. He is covering the cost of the caterer, but is asking attendees to donate what they would like, with all proceeds going to the club treasury. Suggested donation is $15 to $20 for adults, $5 for kids. All adult attendees should be fully vaccinated.
• SOLD-OUT “SUMMER CASUAL” EVENTS — Reservations have been closed for two “Summer Casual” field trips — August 5 to New Lebanon for dinner at Mario’s Restaurant and a performance at The Theater Barn; August 19 for a picnic and ValleyCats baseball game at Bruno Stadium. Bill Dowd has asked that those people for whom he has purchased theater tickets send him checks for $33 per ticket at their convenience. Debbie Rodriguez plans to collect $30 per person for the ValleyCats outing at the Presidential Changeover picnic next week.
• OTHER “SUMMER CASUAL” EVENTS — The first event of the summer season — and the first of the new Rotary Year — will be a picnic at the Browns’ residence on Thursday, July 8. Any fully vaccinated people who wishes to attend is asked to contact Debbie and/or Peter ASAP to help them with the planning. … We also have added an event to the calendar — Thursday, August 12, when Ray and Lois Hannan will host and pay for a dinner at the Schodack Diner, with all donations going to the club treasury. (See chart below for the full schedule; please note we have one open date that anyone who wishes can claim to host or arrange an event.)
• MEETING VENUE SEARCH — Dick, Jim, and Roberto had lunch at the Crisp Canoli and spoke with the owner about the possibility of holding our weekly dinner meetings there. They are awaiting a proposal. … Jim also has been in contact with the East Greenbush Fire Department about meeting at the Phillips Road firehouse, which would cost the club $50 per session. Phil Kellerman and Dean Calamaras will help him check out the facility next week.
MEMBERS ATTENDING (11, no quorum): Dick Drumm, Debbie Rodriguez, Bill Dowd, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Ray Hannan, Pat Bailey, Phil Kellerman, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Charlie Foote.
GUESTS (2): Emma Endres, Brandy Cenci.
President Dick Drumm called the meeting to order and welcomed our guests — student Emma Endres and faculty member Brandy Cenci of Rensselaer High School. Emma is one of our SRC Rotary Scholarship recipients this year as part of the Class of 2021.
Emma, who is graduating second in her class, will attend SUNY Plattsburgh in the fall. She plans to major in early childhood education (K-6). In addition to her regular academic regimen, Emma was involved in the New Visions occupational-shadowing program for technical education. A multi-sport athlete (her softball team won its league championship and was undefeated until the final game of the season), she was instrumental in numerous major fundraising efforts to help fund her school’s athletic program which, due to financial cuts, had been reduced from $213,000 to $135,00.
Asked her advice to students planning their future, Emma said, “Follow what your heart wants and what makes you happy.”
BUSINESS NOTES:
• DINNER & A SHOW — Bill Dowd reported that all 12 seats for the August 5 package in New Lebanon have been reserved. Dinner will be at Mario’s Restaurant, followed by a performance of the Cole Porter musical “Night & Day” at The Theater Barn. He noted that although the restaurant group size is capped, anyone else who wishes to reserve a theater seat on their own can do so online.
• PICNIC & BASEBALL — Debbie Rodriguez reported that she has received reservations for 13 of the 20 available seats for a picnic and ValleyCats game at Bruno Stadium on August 19, and has a tentative group that will fill the remaining spots. Anyone still wishing to reserve should contact her ASAP to discuss the possibilities.
• TENTATIVE EVENT — Ray Hannan tentatively reserved August 12, one of our two open “Summer Casual” dates for an event he is working on. Details to come. That leaves August 26 as our last open date. Anyone wishing to host or arrange an event for that date should contact Debbie Rodriguez and/or Bill Dowd to hold the date.
• SOAP SALES — Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez reported they have sold the last of 200 bars of handcrafted, scented soaps as a scholarship fundraiser. They accumulated $1,400+.
• GIFT OF LIFE — Dean and Doris Calamaras announced that the District GOL is seeking candidates for board seats. In addition, organizers of the September 20 GOL Golf Tournament at Pinehaven Country Club in Guilderland are seeking sponsors via program ad purchases and outright donations. Contact Dean for details.
• MEETING VENUE SEARCH — Jim reported that he has been in contact with the East Greenbush Fire Department about making one of the firehouses available at no charge for our weekly dinner meetings. (We would need to find a caterer.) He said he should receive preliminary information on details after an EGFD next week. Roberto said he plans to contact the management of the Crisp Canoli to discuss possibilities.
• SCHOLARSHIP VISITORS — Two more SRC Rotary Scholarship recipients are scheduled to join us via Zoom next Thursday, June 17: Meghan Bennett of Maple Hill High School and Hannah Grill of Columbia High School.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 