February 7 TRI-GEAR REPORT
Members Present: Bob Balentine, Bob Bustard, Ryan Cangialosi, Mauro Cappitella, Irma Chazotte, Bernie Cohen, Pat DiRosa, Jan Doornbosch, Steve Fox, Stuart Gold, Steve Hopper, Fay Logan, Helen Paul, Cindy Rose, George Sherman, Nancy Swales, Phil Wells.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests: Guest Speaker Eric Fuchs-Stengel, former member Paul Janssen (guest of B. Balentine), Mary Ellen Offer (guest of I. Chazotte).
Make Ups: Earning Make-ups at the Jan. 28 Board meeting were M. Albergo, B. Bustard, B. Cohen, J. Doornbosch, S. Gold, F. Logan, C. Rose, G. Sherman, Phil Wells, V. Zherenovsky.
(Please be sure to report your make-ups for our records and to improve our percentage of attendance!)
Sunshine:
Mary Ellen Offer reported that Ralph Padovano has been back at work on several days lately and is in good spirits.
Nancy Swales was happy to report that her son went back to work last week.
President Bob reported that he spoke to Linda Hanlon who is feeling better after a bout with the flu.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who are currently contending with adversity of one type or another.
Happiness:
by G. Sherman
Bob Balentine offered a moving tribute to past member Paul Janssen who will be leaving Park Ridge after having served the community for the past 22 years at the Pascack Reformed Church.
Many members offered happy dollars in appreciation for Paul’s service and wished him well in his new position.
Paul J. was happy for the many wonderful memories he will be taking with him and expressed his appreciation for his involvement in Rotary.
Nancy S. was happy to have had a back stage tour after seeing Jersey Boys with her daughter.
Stuart G. was happy to have Allendale/Saddle River Club’s newest member Eric Fuchs-Stengel here today as our guest speaker.
Mary Ellen O. was happy to be able to come to our meeting again this week.
Irma C. was happy to have her friend and neighbor Mary Ellen with her today.
Mauro C. was happy to report good medical news.
Steve F. was happy for his daughter’s participation in cheerleading competition.
Ryan C. was happy to be celebrating his first anniversary as a Park Ridge Rotarian next week.
Steve H. was happy for the work of the Park Ridge DPW in dealing with last week’s snowfalls.
Announcements:
by G. Sherman
Ryan C. announced that Sunday, September 21 has been designated as the date for our 2nd Annual 5K Run/Walk with Half-Way Hounds.
President Bob reminded members that our next meeting will be Thursday evening, February 13 beginning at 6:00 at Domani in Hillsdale.
Mark Your Calendar with these UPCOMING EVENTS:
by George Sherman
Mon., 2/10 – District Staff Meeting – Trattoria Il Cafone, 7 Ridge Road, Lyndhurst – 5:30-8:00 - $15.00. Register online at http://www.clubrunner.ca/Portal/Home.aspx?accountid=50049
Thurs., 2/13 – Club Meeting at Domani, 387 Washington Ave., Hillsdale (Kings Shopping Center) – 6:00. Guest speaker will be Emery Duell, Esq., representing Lions Club International
Tues., 2/18 – Board Meeting – Pascack Historical Society Museum, 19 Ridge Ave., Park Ridge. Dinner at 6:00; meeting at 6:30.
Fri., 2/21 – Club Meeting – The Courtyard by Marriott, 100 Chestnut Ridge Road, Montvale – 12:15. Guest speaker will be Roland Weimer who will describe to us Bio-Sand Water Filters and the difference they are making in people’s lives.
1/3;1/3;1/3 - Won by Cindy Rose. The Joker has yet to be found however.
Program:
by George Sherman
On Friday, February 7, Eric Fuchs-Stengel, founder and Executive Director of the Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization visited the Park Ridge Club. As a high-school junior, Eric and a few of his friends started this dynamic non-profit in 2008 as a way for young people and their supporters to actively involve themselves in creating a cleaner and healthier environment.
In his passionate and inspirational presentation, Eric spoke eloquently about MEVO’s two main programs. Since its start 6 years ago, MEVO’s Earth Crew has pursued its mission to “Carry out service events that heal the natural environment and engage people in stopping environmental degradation.” Events have included trash clean-ups, trail construction and rehabilitation, electronic recycling drives, handing out compact fluorescent light bulbs, school assemblies, public event booths and more.
MEVO’s second initiative, known as Farm to Live, was started in 2011. Farm to Live plans to utilize volunteer labor to establish and maintain local, organic, sustainable farms throughout the suburbs of New Jersey and New York and to use the food grown on these farms for the benefit of nearby food pantries. Transforming unused space throughout the suburbs into educational organic community gardens, farms have been established on vacant plots of land at Bergen Community College, Mahwah High School, Swan Farm in Ramsey and on property owned by Pony Power Therapies, Inc.
MEVO’s efforts have not gone un-noticed as the group was presented with the Mahwah Chamber of Commerce’s Organization of the Year Award in 2012 and the Russell Berrie Award for Making a Difference.
To learn more about this highly motivated and profoundly dedicated group of young people, visit their website at http://mevoearth.org or go to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mevoearth .