Presidential Changeover 2021

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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

Have you paid your 2021-22 Rotary dues yet?

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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.

How you can get involved with GOL golf

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SRC’s team in last year’s GOL Golf Tournament

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.

Meeting Clipboard: 6/17/21

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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.

Meeting Clipboard: 6/10/21

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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.

Sign up now for ‘Presidential Changeover’ picnic

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Outgoing club President Dick Drumm will be handing over the gavel to President-elect Debbie Rodriguez on Thursday, June 24.

Dick and Mary Drumm will be hosting the 6 p.m. event at their Valatie farm, but they need to have an accurate headcount for catering purposes. Please email them at rmdrumm176@aol.com or call them at 518-339-7459 ASAP to (a) let them know if you plan to attend, and (b) whether you plan to bring one or more guests. Please, fully vaccinated visitors only.

Meanwhile, the chart below lists our “Summer Casual” events that we have planned for July and August. Only two dates are open, so if you would like to reserve one of them to host or arrange an event, please let Debbie know (debannrod@yahoo.com) and/or Bill Dowd (billdowd4troy@gmail.com) ASAP to secure the date.

And, if you’d like to get ahead of the curve, you can let Debbie and Peter Brown know if you plan to join them when they host a picnic at their residence on July 8 after the Fourth of July break. Email them at mdbrown@nycap.rr.com or call 518-732-7178.

Meanwhile, we have two Zoom meetings scheduled — this Thursday and next — at which we will have our 2001 SRC Rotary Scholarship winners joining us. As always, simply go to the website calendar page and click on the link for those dates to access the meeting.

‘Summer Casual’ events filling up fast

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We have just two dates remaining to be filled on our July-August “Summer Casual” schedule, and two events are at or near capacity already.

• The August 5 “Dinner & A Show” event in New Lebanon that will include dinner at Mario’s Restaurant and a musical play at The Theater Barn both are fully reserved. We were limited to 12 people because of pandemic-era seating restrictions.

However, anyone wishing to make a reservation at the theater for “Night and Day: Love Lost and Found Through the Eyes of Cole Porter” — a romantic musical set in a Berkshires mansion circa 1930, told entirely through songs by the iconic composer — may do so on their own by contacting the theater online or by calling 518-794-8989. 

• The August 19 picnic and ValleyCats ballgame at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium, which is capped at 20 people for our group, is just about filled. If you are interested in attending you can check with Debbie Rodriguez at debannrod@yahoo.com to see if any spots are left.

We have two dates remaining for anyone wishing to host or arrange an event: August 12, August 26. Remember, you can host or arrange events any time during the weeks of those dates if something other than a Thursday works for you.

So, here is the updated “Summer Casual” grid:

Meeting Clipboard: 6/3/21

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Hail, hail, the gang’s all here (at last!!!)

MEMBERS ATTENDING (14): Debbie Rodriguez, Bill Dowd, Kevin Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Murray Forth, Maggie Forth, Peter Brown, Pat Bailey, Debbie Brown, Ray Hannan, Phil Kellerman, Becky Raymond, Andy Leyhane.

GUESTS (4): Stewart Wagner, Lois Hannan, Jeremy Forth, Mike Stengl.

This was our first in-person meeting since March 12, 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to Roberto Martinez and Jim Leyhane co-hosting the meeting at Roberto’s residence. Despite overcast skies, the group enjoyed a picnic dinner on the deck and some long-anticipated reacquainting with each other.

We will revert to virtual 7 p.m. meetings via Zoom for our next two sessions — June 10 and 17, at which this year’s SRC Rotary Scholarship students will join us — then gather for an outdoor Presidential Changeover event on June 24 at the Drumm farm when President Dick turns over the reins to Debbie Rodriguez for the 2021-22 Rotary Year.

• DINNER-AND-A-PLAY — Bill Dowd is arranging a dinner-and-theater outing on Thursday, August 5, in New Lebanon. We will have dinner at Mario’s Restaurant at 5:30 p.m., followed by a performance of “Night and Day: Love Lost and Found Through the Eyes of Cole Porter.” It’s a romantic musical set in a Berkshires mansion circa 1930, told entirely through songs by the iconic composer. Because of seating limits all around, we are limited to 12 people — as explained to members in various emails and website postings. Ten spots already have been claimed, so the last two will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis no later than June 10. Although the restaurant party is limited to 12, Bill can try to make theater reservations for anyone who wishes to attend the theater but not attend the meal. (Click here for details.)

• MEMBER-HOSTED “SUMMER CASUAL” EVENTS — Debbie and Peter Brown will host a cookout at their residence at 6 p.m. on July 8; Dean and Doris Calamaras will host a meal at their residence on July 15; Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez will co-host a pool party picnic at Jim’s residence on July 22; Pat Bailey and Debbie Rodriguez will co-host an event-to-be-decided on July 29.

• VALLEYCATS OUTING — Debbie Rodriguez is coordinating a pavilion picnic and ValleyCats baseball game at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium on August 19. Attendance for our group is capped at 20, and we are very close to that number already. So, if you’re interested in getting one of the last remaining spots, contact Debbie at 518-766-3451 or by email at debannrod@yahoo.com as soon as possible. First come, first served. (Click here for details.)

Virtual 5K coming up to aid GOL

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Restrictions on group activities slowly are being removed as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ease, but not all such limitations have been lifted.

So, in an effort to encourage 5K walkers/runners to participate in a Gift of Life fundraiser next Thursday through Sunday, June 10-13, you or any such participants you know can take advantage of a virtual method fo help out.

Details are available online by clicking here. But, if you can’t participate, you still can contribute to the pediatric lifesaving program by clicking here.

P.S. Another GOL fundraising activity is the annual golf tournament. Circle September 20 on your calendar to save the date, with details to come closer to the event.