Rotary Runs planning on a steady track

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From President Philip Kellerman:

On Thursday July 11, Jim Lehayne, Roberto Martinez, and I traveled to the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Chatham to scope out the site of the proposed “Rotary 5K/10K Runs and Festival of Good” for October 10, 2020.

While the proposed fundraising runs and other family activities are over a year off, there is a considerable amount of work to do to prepare, and Jim and Roberto have already spent a considerable amount of time in discussion and planning. Thank you to them.

After viewing the fairgrounds and our lengthy discussion, I am comfortable that we can pull this off. However, we will need everyone to play a role, and if it succeeds the event can generate money for our chosen charities.

At our first official dinner meeting of the 2019-20 Rotary Year — 6:15 p.m. Thursday, September 12 —  we will have an update from the planning committee so we all have the opportunity to ask questions and give comments.

 

Time to chip in for the annual school supplies drive

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Screen Shot 2019-07-12 at 12.04.19 PMIt’s time for SRC members, family and friends, to once again help less-fortunate students prepare for their return to school — yes, it’s getting that close! — by participating in the annual Circles of Mercy Back-to-School Supplies Drive.

The program, as in other years, focuses on all high school grades (9-12) and on pre-school students, and SRC is always a major contributor. The shopping list recommended by Circles of Mercy:

• pencils (regular lead #2 and color)
• pencil sharpener
• erasers (for pencils)
• pens (black or blue ink)
• markers (dry-erase and Sharpies, 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
• 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/wheels)
• hole reinforcement stickers
• combination lock (for gym lockers)
• flash drives
• ear buds (for computer use)
• scientific calculators

Donations can be dropped off at the following two SRC Summer Casual events, after which we will deliver them to the Circles of Mercy headquarters in Rensselaer in time to meet its August 19 deadline:

Thursday, July 25 — “Pool Party & Cookout,” Jim Leyhane residence, East Greenbush, co-hosted by Roberto Martinez.

Thursday, August 8 — “Picnic at Fox Hollow,” the Drumm residence in Valatie.

 

‘SRC Summer Casual’ events under way

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Screen Shot 2019-06-03 at 4.29.32 PMThe first event in the annual “SRC Summer Casual” schedule of July and August events  — a dinner and chatfest arranged by Ray and Lois Hannan — was held at the Schodack Diner this evening. Proceeds from the dinner go to the club treasury.

The remainder of the schedule:

Thursday, July 18 — ValleyCats pro baseball game and pavilion picnic at HVCC’s Bruno Stadium. $26 per person covers meal, souvenir ‘Cats baseball cap, and reserved seat for the game. Event coordinator: Terry Brewer.

Thursday, July 25 — “Pool Party & Cookout,” Jim Leyhane residence, East Greenbush, co-hosted by Roberto Martinez. EG Student Advisory Council as special guests. Bring an appetizer or dessert. $15 per person or $25 per family. Contact Jim Leyhane at 518-477-4881 to RSVP.

Thursday, August 1 — A performance of “Ragtime: The Musical” at Mac-Haydn Theatre in Chatham, preceded by dinner at Yiannis at the Chatham House. For reservations for either or both, contact Debbie Brown at mdbrown@nycap.rr.com or 518-732-7178.

Thursday, August 8 — “Picnic at Fox Hollow,” the Drumm residence in Valatie. Contact Mary Drumm at rmdrumm176@aol.com or 518-784-2521 for reservations.

Thursday, August 15 — “Sundaes on Thursday (+ food),” co-hosted by Pat Bailey and Debbie Rodriguez at the Rodriguez residence. Contact Pat at pbailey7@nycap.rr.com or 518-766-0215 or Debbie at 518-766-3451.

We still have the week of August 22 available if anyone would like to host or arrange an event. If so, please contact Phil Kellerman or Bill Dowd.

Meanwhile, here are some scenes from the Schodack Diner event. To get a full accounting of who participated, be sure to check out the man in the mirror taking pictures.

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Roberto (in yellow shirt) records a table for 10.
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Murray, Phil, and Jim get to work out on the buffet.
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Hosts Ray and Lois offer the photographer some great smiles.
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Phil sporting the new official sunglasses of the SRC presidency.
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The man in the mirror materializes for a little dessert.

The History of the Fourth of July

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The Fourth of July — also known as Independence Day or July 4th — has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th Century and the American Revolution.

On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence from Britain, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson.

From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.

But, there is a lot more to this most American of holidays. Click on the links for a package from History.com:

• A History of Independence Day

• Early Fourth of July Celebrations

• Fourth of July Becomes a Federal Holiday

• A Photo Gallery: The Founding Fathers

 

Visiting the Freedom From Fistula Foundation

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Lindsey Riback (left) of Danes Rotaract and SRC’s John Justino with FFFF’s Angela McCabe.

NEW YORK — A contingent from SRC and Danes Rotaract met with Angela McCabe at the Freedom From Fistula Foundation office at United Nations Plaza on Monday.

Lindsey Riback, outgoing Rotaract president, and SRC members John Justino, the club advisor and director of the UAlbany School of Public Health’s Center for Global Health, and Becky Raymond, one of SRC’s Rotaract liaisons, were on hand to present a check for funds raised by the club. (Becky shot the photo above.)

Discussion focused on collaborative opportunities between Rotaract, the School of Public Health, and the Foundation, and ongoing efforts by SRC to support a Rotary global grant for the maternity center in the west African nation of Sierra Leone.

Are you joining us at these events?

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Each July anScreen Shot 2019-06-03 at 4.29.32 PMd August, SRC puts its “SRC Summer Casual Calendar” into effect, with a series of family-friendly events that allow us to re-energize our Rotary membership, network with each other, and just plain have fun.

We also encourage our members to bring along friends, colleagues, and others to get to know their fellow Rotarians and find out why so many of us choose Rotary membership as a great way to socialize, participate in community service, and give back to their community.

Here’s what we have lined up so far. We urge you to make your reservations and join us.

• Thursday, July 11 — 6 p.m., a private-room dinner and chatfest at the Schodack Diner, 1842 Columbia Turnpike. Hosts Ray and Lois Hannan are covering the cost, but guests are asked to contribute $15 per person or $25 per couple to go toward our club treasury to support our numerous public service efforts. To reserve a seat, contact Ray at ray110b@yahoo.com or call Ray or Lois at 585-315-1385.

• Thursday, July 18 — Tri-City ValleyCats baseball game and pavilion picnic at HVCC’s Bruno Stadium. To reserve tickets, contact Terry Brewer no later than July 13 at tlbrewer12piseco@gmail.com or call him at 518-518-221-4050.

• Thursday, July 25 — Pool Party & Cookout, Jim Leyhane‘s East Greenbush residence, co-hosted by Roberto Martinez. EG Student Advisory Council as special guests. Bring an appetizer or dessert to augment the catered menu of sliders, mini-hit dogs, and sides. Jim and Roberto are covering the meal cost, but guests are asked to contribute $15 per person or $25 per couple to go toward our club treasury to support our numerous public service efforts. To reserve a seat, contact Jim at leyhane@aol.com or Roberto at rrmtz@aol.com by July 22.

• Thursday, August 1 — A  performance of “Ragtime: The Musical” at Mac-Haydn Theatre in Chatham preceded by dinner at Yiannis at the Chatham House. For reservations for either or both contact Debbie Brown at mdbrown@nycap.rr.com no later than July 25.

• Thursday, August 8 —  Picnic at the Drumms’ Fox Hollow residence in Valatie. Contact Dick or Mary at rmdrumm176@aol.com or 518-784-2521 no later than August 1.

• Thursday, August 15 — “Sundaes on Thursday (+ food)“ ice cream social, hosted by Pat Bailey and Debbie Rodriguez at the Rodriguez residence. Contact Pat at pbailey7@aol.com or 518-766-0215 or Debbie at debannrod@yahoo.com or 518-766-3451 no later than August 11.

Would you like to host or arrange an outing for August 22? That’s the one date we have remaining, Simply set it up and contact Bill Dowd at BillDowd4Troy@gmail.com or 518-238-1950 to get on the schedule.

 

The torch has passed, once again

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Past, present, future — Outgoing President Andy Leyhane (left) and Incoming President Phil Kellerman exchange gifts while President-elect Dick Drumm looks on.

An annual rite of Rotary, the Presidential Changeover, took place Thursday evening when President Andy Leyhane figuratively passed the torch to Phil Kellerman for the 2019-20 Rotary Year that begins July 1.

Witnessing the peaceful transfer of power were Jim Leyhane, event host and Andy’s father, President-elect Dick Drumm (who will move up for the 2020-21 Rotary Year), Board members Bill Dowd and Pat Bailey, April Dowd, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Kevin Leyhane, Carol Orvis, Ray Hannan, Charlie Foote, and a large variety of adult and smaller friends and relatives.

This was the final SRC event of the Rotary Year. After a week off to mark the July 4th holiday, we’ll begin the annual “SRC Summer Casual Calendar.” First up will be a private-room dinner and chatfest at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 11, at the Schodack Diner, 1842 Columbia Turnpike. Reservations, priced at $15 per person or $25 per couple, should be reserved no later than July 4 by emailing Ray Hannan at ray110b@yahoo.com or by calling Ray or Lois at 585-315-1385.

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Brothers Kevin and Andy Leyhane are SRCs newest Paul Harris Fellows.
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Carol Orvis displays a multiple-Paul Harris Fellow award presented by another SRC multiple-multiple awardee, Jim Leyhane.
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Kevin and Phil model indestructible sunglasses that may become the official SRC eyeware.

Summertime recycling push good for everyone

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Clynk BagsSummertime tends to be a time when we consume more beverages — soft drinks, beers, fruit drinks, etc. — that are sold in glass, plastic, and metal containers requiring a deposit.

Redeeming them can be a pain in the neck — rinsing, sorting, bagging, etc. The Clynk redemption program in which SRC is enrolled will save you a lot of trouble and help the club raise funds at the same time.

After a strong start with member participation, we have hit a slump. We’d like to take this opportunity to get back on track this summer.

All you have to do is toss the containers in one of the approved plastic bags with a bar code sticker affixed and drop the bags off at any Hannaford supermarket. No rinsing, no sorting, etc. Just use the hand-scanner at Hannaford’s drop-off window to scan the bar code (that credits SRC’s account). It can’t get much simpler.

If you need the bags and/or bar code stickers, please let me know today or first thing Thursday and I’ll bring some to the Presidential Changeover Dinner set for Jim Leyhane’s residence Thursday evening, (If you don’t plan to attend but still would like to get the bags and/or stickers, let me know and I’ll find a way to get them to you ASAP.)

Recycling is good. Low-effort fundraising is good. What’s not to like?

Thanks for your attention.

— Bill Dowd

 

The Anchor needs your help for summer demands

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SRC Rotary frequently assists The Anchor food pantry in Castleton. Sometimes it is with food items, sometimes with clothing or toiletries, sometimes with money. And, the needs vary season by season.

Here is a screen-grab of the latest request for assistance. If there is anything you can do to help without waiting for our club to create a formal effort, it would be quite helpful.

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Will we see you at the Presidential Changeover?

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This is what Andy looked like when he succeeded Roberto as president last June. Join us on Thursday to see if the presidency has aged him!

Once a year we go through the changing of the guard, and this Thursday is the day.

President Andy Leyhane will pass the figurative baton — and the actual responsibility — to Phil Kellerman as we prepare to end the 2018-19 Rotary Year and usher in 2019-20 on July 1.

The catered Presidential Changeover Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. at Jim Leyhane’s East Greenbush residence. We encourage all members to attend to show support for Phil and offer thanks to Andy for his accomplishments during another busy year.

To that end, please be sure you email Jim at leyhane@aol.com no later than this Tuesday evening with your RSVP so he can give the caterer, Selena’s Cafe, an accurate headcount.

P.S. While this is the final event of the 2018-19 year, we have a busy summer lined up via our “SRC Summer Casual” calendar that will carry us through July and August — pool parties, cookouts, summer professional theater, a pro baseball game, an ice cream social, etc., all created as family-friendly events. Keep watching the club website (http://SRCrotary.org) for updates and details, and watch the calendar page on the site as well.