Here we are on a cloudy, intermittently rainy  Sunday afternoon, wondering what the weather will be on the most important day of the upcoming week.

That’s Thursday, in case it hadn’t occurred to you. That’s when Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez will co-host a “Summer Casual Event” at Jim’s residence. The Weather Channel is forecasting sunny, clear skies and a high of 81 degrees, an altogether pleasant summer day.

We’re looking forward to this family-friendly event with all the necessary face masks and social-distancing (bring your own lawn chairs if you want a little more seating flexibility). The pool will be open for anyone wishing to take a dip. The dinner menu will include roast beef, turkey, broccoli salad, and mac and cheese. Attendees are asked to bring their own beverages, although our in-house brew guru (brewru?) Andy Leyhane will make some craft beers available.

Some people made their early reservations during last Thursday’s ZOOM video conference, but we need a complete and accurate headcount no later than Tuesday morning. You can RSVP to Jim (leyhane@aol.com, 518-477-4881) or Roberto (rrmtz@aol.com, 518-479-0305). Price: $15 per person, kids under 12 free.

Also, don’t forget to bring along your donations to our “School Supplies Drive,” being coordinated by Debbie Rodriguez for Circles of Mercy. Items also may be dropped off at the Drumm Veterinary Hospital on Columbia Turnpike any day during normal business hours.

We’ve shared the recommended shopping list via email to all members, as well as numerous times on the club’s website and Facebook page. The absolute last day to make contributions will be Thursday, August 20, in the Quigley’s parking lot before our 6 p.m. meeting there. Debbie will not be participating in the meeting, so you’ll need to hand over your donations to her before it begins.

P.S. Anyone who has not yet submitted their check for 2020-21 dues, which were due by July 1, can do so at Thursday’s event.

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Held via Zoom video conference

Members Attending (12): Dick Drumm, Bill Dowd, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Andy Leyhane, Ray Hannan, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Kevin Leyhane, Charlie Foote.

MEETING NOTES — President Dick called the meeting to order, with a quorum present. … Co-hosts Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez provided details about next Thursday’s “Summer Casual Event” at the Leyhane residence. All social distancing protocols will be in place, including individual serving spoons for the buffet line. The menu will include roast beef, turkey, broccoli salad, and mac and cheese. Attendees are asked to bring their own beverages, although Andy Leyhane will make some craft beers available. The pool will be open, and kids are welcome at the 6 p.m. event. Price: $15 per person, kids under 12 free. The reservation deadline is Tuesday morning, by contacting Jim (leyhane@aol.com, 518-477-4881) or Roberto (rrmtz@aol.com, 518-479-0305) …

Bill Dowd said he will have a supply of CLYNK bags and tags available for pickup at the Thursday event. … Member Julius Frankel is currently in Albany Medical Center for observation after a fall at home. All good wishes appreciated. …

Dick reminded everyone to bring donated items for our “School Supplies Drive” for collection next week. (Items also may be dropped off at the Drumm Veterinary Hospital on Columbia Turnpike any day during normal business hours.)

The shopping list recommended by our partners at Circles of Mercy:

• Pencils (regular lead #2 and color)
• Pencil sharpener
• Erasers (for pencils)
• Pens (black or blue)
• Dry-erase markers (assorted colors)
• Pocket folders (assorted colors)
• 3-ring binders (in 2” and 3” sizes)
• Loose-leaf paper (college ruled)
• Graph paper
• Spiral subject notebooks (1-, 3- and 5-subject, college ruled)
• Subject dividers (for 3-ring binders)
• Plastic zipper pencil cases / boxes
• 3-x-5” index cards
• Highlighters (yellow)
• Rulers (regular with metric)
• Kleenex tissues
• Hand sanitizer (small bottles)
• Post-It Notes
• Backpacks (no rollers/no wheels)
• Ear buds (inexpensive, for computer use)
• Flash drives (all sizes)
• Scientific calculators (Texas Instrument TI-84)
• Hole reinforcement labels
• Combination locks (for gym lockers)
• Sharpie markers (any color)

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Event coordinator Debbie Rodriguez this week dropped off the first load of donations from SRC’s annual push to aid the “School Supplies Drive” at Circles of Mercy.

The last of our donations must be delivered to Circles no later than August 20 to allow time to package and distribute supplies to needy kids in the Rensselaer City School District. There are a number of ways you and your families and friends can participate in the effort before that cutoff date.

(1.) Drop off donations you purchased from the recommended shopping list at the Drumm Veterinary Hospital any time during normal business hours at 1639 Columbia Turnpike.

(2.) Drop off donations at any the next outdoor social, scheduled for August 6 at the Leyhane or Martinez residence.

(3.) Debbie will be in the parking lot of Quigley’s before our Thursday, August 20, meeting to accept donations. She will NOT be attending the meeting itself, so please be sure to look for her in the parking lot before 6 p.m.

(4.) You can send a check in support of the effort to Circles of Mercy, 11 Washington Street, Rensselaer, NY 12144. Be sure to write “SRC School Supplies” in the memo line of the check. Such donations are tax deductible.

Thanks to all who were among the earliest donors, and thank you in advance to those who still have to do their shopping. The shopping list recommended by Circles of Mercy:

• Pencils (Regular Lead #2 and Color)
• Pencil Sharpener
• Erasers (For Pencils)
• Pens (Black or Blue)
• Dry Erase Markers (Assorted Colors)
• Pocket Folders (Assorted Colors)
• 3 Ring Binders (in 2” and 3” Sizes)
• Loose Leaf Paper (College Ruled)
• Graph Paper
• Spiral Subject Notebooks (1, 3 and 5 Subject – College Ruled)
• Subject Dividers (for 3-ring binders)
• Plastic Zipper Pencil Cases / Boxes
• 3”X5” Index Cards
• Highlighters (Yellow)
• Rulers (Regular with Metric)
• Kleenex Tissues
• Hand Sanitizer (Small Bottles)
• Post-It-Notes
• Backpacks (No Rollers/No Wheels)
• Ear Buds (inexpensive, for computer use)
• Flash Drives (all sizes)
• Scientific Calculators (Texas Instrument TI-84)
• Hole Reinforcement Labels
• Combination Locks (for gym lockers)
• Sharpie Markers (any color)

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The second of four SRC “Summer Casual Events” took place Thursday evening after some back-and-forth decisions that scheduled, then postponed, then reinstated the outdoor BBQ at the Browns’ Castleton residence.

A dozen Rotarians plus eight spouses and offspring were in  attendance, with appropriate masking and social distancing. And, as the saying goes, a good time was had by all.

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• This was the first opportunity to drop off donated items for our annual “School Supplies Drive.” If none of the social-event dropoff dates works for you, you can drop off donated items any time through Wednesday, August 19, at the Drumm Veterinary Hospital, 1639 Columbia Turnpike, Castleton. You can find the recommended shopping list on the website.

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Our next event is a brief Zoom video conference meeting at 6 p.m. next Thursday, July 30. Members will be emailed the links to participate.

Meanwhile, here are some scenes from Thursday’s event. Our thanks to Peter and Debbie Brown for organizing and hosting the cookout.

 

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UPDATE: Although a postponement announcement was emailed to all who had RSVP’s for tonight’s outdoor event at the Brown residence, that has changed.

Here’s the word from Peter Brown:

“After much consideration and many false starts, it our decision to have the picnic tonight.  You are all invited to come at 5 o’clock with your drinks and enjoy a socially safe conversation and/or swim.  Kids please come and swim.

“Debbie and I have a very specific plan for keeping everyone safe.  Our house has a large enough downstairs area to be able to spread us out and maintain a safe social distance inside if the weather should force us to move inside.  We will be set up to dine both outside and inside.  Jim Mendrysa will feed us at 6 p.m. So, if you come at 5 we will have plenty of time for socializing and swimming.  If you feel this is not safe you certainly are not forced to come.  However, I have discussed the plans with Dick Drumm and with Debbie Rodriguez and received clearance.  We are very much looking forward to seeing you!!  Last night we got very little rain and none before 8 p.m.”

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The first of four dropoff dates for our annual “Back to School Supplies Drive” is coming up on Thursday, July 23. That’s when Debbie and Peter Brown host an outdoor picnic.

(Incidentally, if you haven’t called in your RSVP to the Browns for the catered event, the deadline for doing so is this Sunday. Go here for details of the event.)

The school supplies push is for needy students in the Rensselaer City School District. We have been partnering with Circles of Mercy to be involved in this worthy project for seven years. Debbie Rodriguez is this year’s coordinator.

The other dropoff dates:

• August 6: Outdoor social at either Leyhane or Martinez residence.
• August 20: Social distancing dinner at Quigley’s.
• August 27: Outdoor social at Bailey residence.

(NOTE: If none of the four dates works for you, you can drop off donated items any time through Wednesday, August 19, at the Drumm Veterinary Hospital, 1639 Columbia Turnpike, Castleton.)

The shopping list recommended by Circles of Mercy:

• Pencils (Regular Lead #2 and Color)
• Pencil Sharpener
• Erasers (For Pencils)
• Pens (Black or Blue)
• Dry Erase Markers (Assorted Colors)
• Pocket Folders (Assorted Colors)
• 3 Ring Binders (in 2” and 3” Sizes)
• Loose Leaf Paper (College Ruled)
• Graph Paper
• Spiral Subject Notebooks (1, 3 and 5 Subject – College Ruled)
• Subject Dividers (for 3-ring binders)
• Plastic Zipper Pencil Cases / Boxes
• 3”X5” Index Cards
• Highlighters (Yellow)
• Rulers (Regular with Metric)
• Kleenex Tissues
• Hand Sanitizer (Small Bottles)
• Post-It-Notes
• Backpacks (No Rollers/No Wheels)
• Ear Buds (inexpensive, for computer use)
• Flash Drives (all sizes)
• Scientific Calculators (Texas Instrument TI-84)
• Hole Reinforcement Labels
• Combination Locks (for gym lockers)
• Sharpie Markers (any color)

If you do NOT plan to attend any get-together or cannot utilize the Drumm Vet drop-off point, please contact Debbie Rodriguez to arrange a dropoff or pickup of donations: 518-766-3451 or debannrod@yahoo.com.

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By now, everyone has heard about the CLYNK recycling program that lets us turn in deposit-eligible containers to raise money for our club’s annual ShelterBox donations.

Bill Dowd has been distributing the necessary bags and bar-code sticker tags, and will continue to have both available at each of our in-person summer activities.

Remember, all you need to do is drop your empties — glass, metal, plastic, whatever — in one of the approved recyclable green bags, affix the sticker, and drop off the bag of unsorted, unrinsed containers at any Hannaford supermarket returns window (there’s a hand scanner there to use so SRC gets proper credit for the bags).

It can’t much simpler. And, besides raising ShelterBox funds, you’re helping the environment. True, it’s only a nickel or so per container, but it does add up. In the first seven months of participation, we raised $400.

Here’s what the CLYNK recycling company says our impact has been over the past five months:

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The second installment of our pandemic-abbreviated “Summer Casual Calendar” will be a catered outdoor picnic at the Brown residence in Castleton next Thursday, July 23.

Like the recent Drumm-hosted event, this will be a social-distancing one, with everyone asked to wear a mask, bring their own chairs, and their own beverages, and observe all the recommended health protocols. Peter and Debbie will begin welcoming guests at 5:30 p.m., with dinner to begin about 6:15. Price is $18 for adults. Families are welcome.

If you have not yet submitted your RSVP, please do so no later than this Sunday: 518-477-7178.

RAIN DATE: The long-range weather forecast is a bit iffy for this date. Should it be rained out, it will be held the following Thursday, July 30.

The picnic buffet menu, from Talk of the Town Caterers:

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The remainder of our summer schedule:

JULY

30 — Virtual club meeting via Zoom, 6 p.m. (or rain date for Browns’ picnic)

AUGUST

01 — District 7190 “Barrow of Booze” raffle drawing.
06 — Outdoor picnic at Leyhane or Martinez residence (details TBD), 6 p.m.
13 — Virtual club meeting via Zoom, 6 p.m.
20 — Dinner meeting, Quigley’s, East Greenbush, 6:15 p.m..
27 — Outdoor picnic, Bailey residence (details TBD), 6 p.m.

(Go here for the full calendar)

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Held via Zoom video conference

Members Attending (13): Dick Drumm, Debbie Rodriguez, Bill Dowd, Phil Kellerman, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Pat Bailey, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Andy Leyhane, Ray Hannan, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras.

Guests Attending: None.

Miscellany — Members were reminded of the current “Back-to-School Supplies Drive,” being coordinated by Debbie Rodriguez for Circles of Mercy. Donated items from the recommended shopping list should be brought to any of our in-person events through August 20.  … Phil Kellerman reported that Murray Forth has received confirmation from the IRS of receipt of our packet of documents seeking restoration of our tax exempt status. No projected timeline for the review process was given. … Gifts are being solicited for drawings in connection with the Monday, September 21, Gift of Life Golf Tournament, Anyone wishing to donate is asked to contact Doris Calamaras. SRC hopes to have at least one foursome in the event, scheduled for Pinehaven Country Club in Guilderland.

“Summer Casual” events — Peter and Debbie Brown reminded everyone of the outdoor picnic scheduled for their residence next Thursday, July 23. Jim Mendrysa will cater the event. Everyone is asked to bring their own chairs and beverages. Cost will be $18 per person. The Browns will be welcoming visitors for swimming, drinking, and socially-distanced camaraderie — masks required — from 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:15. (The long-range weather forecast indicates rain that day. If the event is rained out, it will be held the following Thursday, July 30). … Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez will co-host an outdoor event at one of their residences on Thursday, August 6. Details are being developed. … We will hold a dinner meeting at Quigley’s at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, August 20, to try out a socially-distanced seating arrangement. … Pat Bailey and Debbie Rodriguez will co-host an outdoor event at Pat’s residence on Thursday, August 27. Details are being developed.

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We will hold an abbreviated SRC business meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, via the Zoom video conferencing system.

All you have to do is go online and be sure you use the Meeting ID number 865 3447 8230 if requested.

We hope to see you then. As we have shared with all members, we will be alternating Zoom meetings with social get-togethers. The full schedule is available as always on the SRC website’s Calendar page.Click here to access it.

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