From The Top
 
President Frank opened the meeting with the pledge and grace by Gus Fishel. Noelle Campbell visited today, expressing thanks for the many, and continuing, donations and services our club provides the Gerald J. Ryan Outreach Center.
 
Food Drive Volunteers – Many thanks to this month’s food drive volunteers: Jim Kanzler, Mikel Hoffman, Frank Seibert, Chris Cunningham, and Michael Simon.
 
Bread Run Volunteers – More thanks to our bread run volunteers who collect and distribute bread and other baked goods six days a week, every week, every month of the year: Michael Simon, Angela Charron, Warren Light, Chris Cunningham, Neil Weingarten, Tom Whelan, John Stellin, George Murray, Josie Bryant, Karl Titcomb, Frank Seibert, Neil and Jeanne Weingarten.
 
Announcements
 
New Club Officers – The incoming Babylon Rotary Club officers for the 2018/2019 Rotary year will be: Co-Presidents Charlie Spencer and Scott Lockwood, President-Elect Jim Kanzler, Vice President Josie Titcomb, and Secretary Victoria Lever. We’re looking forward to another great year – good luck to all!
 
Arbor Day – Our Annual Arbor Day ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 26th at the Paul J. Bellew Elementary School (the school next to the library) in West Islip. Festivities begin at 9:45 AM. All are invited to join in as the kids eagerly adopt their seedlings and are mesmerized by Scott’s discourse on the importance of trees and conservation.
 
As in recent years, the good folks at the Babylon Beach House prep and package over 1000 seedlings for distribution to all of the third-graders in each school district in our service area. During this nearly fifty year, Babylon Rotary tradition, tens of thousands of trees have been distributed and planted; many large specimens can be seen throughout our local community today.
 
This month about 1400 seedlings will be distributed to kids in 15 elementary schools in Babylon, West Babylon, North Babylon and West Islip school districts. Please be sure to ask Scott, Alice or Josie how you can help.
 
Dirty Sock Run – Project Chair Chris Korte has scheduled the first planning committee meeting for the Dirty Sock Run for Wednesday, May 2nd, 11:30 AM at Lily Flanagan’s Pub. Since this Sunday, August 12th event is our only major fundraiser this year, it’s vital that all members get behind the project and attend the meeting.
 
Special Program Scheduled – We will host a special presentation on the Good Samaritan Stroke Center, Tuesday, May 22nd at 5:30 PM in the Babylon Public Library. This meeting replaces our usual (4th Tuesday of the month) Happy Hour/Networking meeting. 
 
Gift of Life – Rotary Gift of Life Long Island is holding their Annual Dinner Dance on Wednesday, May 23rd, starting 6:30 PM at the Timber Point Mansion. In addition to making a donation and providing raffle prizes, our club is paying for a table at the event. If you would like to attend,  please contact Frank Seibert (fjseibertcca@hotmail.com) asap.
 
Board Meetings – Due to scheduling conflicts, the BRC board meetings will be held on the third Wednesday in May and June.
 
Scholarship Luncheon – The BRC Scholarship Awards Committee has completed its deliberations, and our Annual Scholarship Luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, June 13th. This is always an inspiring meeting, and all are encouraged to attend.
 
Golf Outing – Project Chair Neil Weingarten reports that our Annual Golf Outing will be held Tuesday, July 10th at the Willow Creek Golf Club in Mount Sinai. As in recent years, this will be a joint event with the Rotary clubs of Bay Shore, Islip, and Syosset-Woodbury. Details to follow.
 
Rotary Foundation – All are reminded that our club subscribes to the Rotary initiative of “Every Rotarian, Every Year,” whereby all club members are encouraged to donate $100 each year to the Rotary Foundation. To help meet this goal, members are asked to contribute $50, and the club will match it with another $50. The simplest way to make your donation is through the Rotary International website (rotary.org); just click on “GIVE” and follow the prompts. If you’d rather write a check, or have any questions about donating to the Rotary Foundation, please contact Jim Kanzler (jim@meta5.com) or Frank Seibert (fjseibertcca@hotmail.com).
 
Today’s Meeting
 
We held a Fellowship Meeting today. President Frank reported on the results of today’s board meeting, lots of discussion, and plenty of time to chat with fellow members.
 
Next Week’s Meeting  
 
Our next meeting will be a Happy Hour/Networking meeting, 5:30 PM on Tuesday, April 24th at Primi  Italian Steakhouse, 999 Montauk Hwy., West Islip (just east of Robert Moses Causeway, on north side). This will be a joint meeting with the West Islip Chamber of Commerce.
 
Our next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 2nd, 12:15 PM at Lily Flanagan’s Pub. The guest speaker that day will be Kelly Brock; she’ll speak to us about Nutrition and Mental Health.