I received a note from our outbound exchange student, Brenna Wright, via Facebook that I wanted to share with all of you.  She's doing great, as you will see from her words and photos!  (Please click 'more' below to read her note and see more photos)

We are in need of volunteers to help out with our winter fundraiser--Ice Castle Parking!  Our club is covering two-hour shifts on Saturday, February 14.  If you are willing to help out, please contact Sue Hammond about scheduling a time slot.  Friends and neighbors are welcome to join you--we need at least two adults for each time slot.  Thank you in advance for your help--we made over $1,000 last year!

Our inbound exchange student, Yasmin Melim Bento, joined us at our club meeting today and gave a presentation on her native country Brazil.  Yasmin's program was fun and informative, and she did a great job.  Her English speaking skills are wonderful, and we are very proud of her progress in that area.  Thank you for joining us, Yasmin!

(Click 'more' below to see more photos from her program)

There was much excitement at our recent club meeting as we welcomed our January Scholars of the month, from: Brocton Central School, Kenya Stanton; Chautauqua Lake Central School, Forrest Hunter; Sherman Central School, Gabriel Rater and Stephen Walczak; Westfield Academy & Central School, Savannah Rowan.  As always, we were amazed at the scholastic achievements and school/community service activities that the students devote their time to. Pictured below are the students with their awards:

Pictured here are Jim Wakeman, Foundation Chair, and W-M Rotary Club president, Pete Bills.  Jim presented at our recent club meeting, regarding the Pencils For Kids project.

At the weekly meeting just a couple of days before Christmas, W-M Rotarian, Adele Harrington spoke to the club about another community service group she is involved in: Moose International and Women of the Moose.  Collectively, the Moose supports Mooseheart School and Child City in Mooseheart, IL, and Moosehaven Retirement Community near Jacksonville, FL.  The local Moose Lodge #118 supports both of those, as well as many other local, national, and international charities and causes.  For more info, visit www.mooseintl.org or stop by the Westfield Moose Lodge's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/westfieldmooselodge118 

Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club rang in the holiday season with the annual Holiday Banquet at the Bark Grill in Westfield.  The Westfield Academy and Central School "Westwinds" and "Apemen" under the direction of Grammy-winning teacher, Kent Knappenberger, provided entertainment for the evening.  Please see the album titled "Holiday Banquet 2014" along the right side of this page--there are several photos of this wonderful evening!

Our December Board meeting was held at Mike and Adele Harrington's home, where we had a mini-Christmas party!  Attending Board meetings is a great way to learn about what our club is doing, and Rotary in general.  The meetings usually run about an hour or a bit longer, and a make-up is given to everyone who attends.  If you're available at 6:00pm on the third Tuesday of the month, check with a Board member about where the meeting is being held, and stop by!

Due to the snow storm at the end of November, resulting in the cancelation of our meeting, we had eight (yes, EIGHT) busy, intelligent, and talented students in our midst for this week's meeting.

Due to the snow storm at the end of November, resulting in the cancelation of our meeting, we had eight (yes, EIGHT) busy, intelligent, and talented students in our midst for this week's meeting.

The Westfield Moose Lodge and Women of the Moose chapter adopted our Club's "Pennies for Polio" jug for the month of November.  During that time, the jug gathered $88.90 in donations.  In addition, the WOTM Chapter had a bake sale for the second half of the month, generating $187, all of which was donated to End Polio Now--bringing the total of donations to $275.90!  The generosity (and appetites!) of the Westfield Moose members and friends will help with polio eradication in the world, and we appreciate their support for the second time this year!  Pictured below, Rotarian and WOTM Senior Regent, Adele Harrington presents W-M Rotary Foundation chair, Jim Wakeman, with the donations.

We have one spot left in our proposed slate of officers for the upcoming 2015-2016 Rotary Club year: Vice-President (President-Elect).  It isn't as intimidating as it sounds, as the members of our own Westfield-Mayville Club are so supportive--particularly the experience that the past-presidents can provide.  In addition to our local membership, there are endless resources at the District and International levels.  For example, here is a link to the District 7090 Presidents-Elect page: Click Here.  If this is a role you would consider taking for our Club, please contact Pete Bills or Dave Travis as soon as possible, so that the nomination process can move forward.  Thank you in advance!

At our November 25th club meeting, we had an informative visit from Kris Kane, owner and winemaker at 21 Brix Winery.  Kris shared his experience and journey, returning to the third-generation family farm and becoming a winemaker.  Kris was welcomed and introduced by Rotarian, Dave Travis.

This was an exciting week for our Rotary Club, as we were honored to be a part of the dedication ceremony at Chautauqua County Family Court!  Student artists from Brocton Elementary School submitted their artwork to be put on display throughout the corridors of the Family Court in Mayville.  The Rotary Club of Westfield-Mayville donated $200 for the purchase of frames to display the extraordinary artwork for the students.  Click 'more' below for additional details, and please see the photo album (along the right column of the home page) for more pictures from this special event.

Our November 11 meeting featured a heartfelt Veteran's Day rendition of club singing, "America", and acknowledging our Veterans in the group.  Following the sing-a-long and expressions of gratitude, Doc Hamels gave an animated presentation about Chautauqua Sunrise--a weekly talk show that airs in Chautauqua County. It originates from the Access Channel 5 studios in Mayville, NY and is Hosted by Doc.  Click 'more' below...

Westfield-Mayville Rotarian, Jim Wakeman was recently awarded the Paul Harris Pin--Level 2, for his long-term and dedicated commitment to Rotary causes.  Jim was presented his pin by Club President, Pete Bills.  Congratulations, Jim!!

Our Brocton High School Interact Club is currently seeking new and/or gently-used coats for kids of all ages (including adult sizes).  The coats will be delivered to a local dry cleaning business, where the coats will be laundered and then distributed to needy Western New York families.  Thank you for your ongoing support of the projects of our Interact students!

Along the right side of this home page, there is a heading for "Download".  Below that, click  on "Rotary Meeting Set-Up Teams" to bring up the list for each month.  Thank you!

Our guest presenter on November 4 was Mr. Scott Mekus, certified event planner and owner of Eventz By Scott.  His motto is: “The WOW without the worry”!  Scott plans special events for all occasions from weddings to corporate functions, and estate sales to carnivals.  He can also provide tents/tables/chairs, inflatables/games, and costume characters!

Representing their schools as Scholars of the Month for October were: Mark Nickerson from Brocton High School, Brittany Soto from Westfield Academy and Central School, and Benjamin Reed from Sherman Central School.

Westfield-Mayville Rotarians welcomed a variety of ghosts, goblins, and characters at the Westfield Fire Hall on Halloween night!  Despite the rain, the children and their families paraded down Main Street in Westfield and made their way to the warm fire hall for some donuts and cider, provided by our Rotary Club.  There were smiles galore before they headed on their way for trick-or-treating!

On Tuesday October 28, Emily Davis was our guest speaker.  She covered Little Angels of Honduras, a local not-for-profit organization trying to improve health care for newborns and their mothers in deprived areas of Honduras.

The Rotary District 7090 Annual Convention and “Buffalo Bash” was held the last weekend in October at the Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center.  There were many inspirational speakers and workshops for Rotarians to attend.  Pete and Carolyn Bills, Dan and Katie Smith, and Mike and Adele Harrington participated in this year’s event.

Our “Pennies For Polio” jug is currently being “adopted” by the Westfield Moose Lodge!  There is a smaller version of the jug at the Patterson Library.  We appreciate the community support for this worthwhile cause.  We are ‘THIS CLOSE’ to eradicating this debilitating disease!

Gold Rush 2014 was a huge success with 320 tickets sold and a record-high 50-50 raffle!  See Gold Rush 2014 photo album.

In early October, Dan Smith, Adele Harrington, and Jim Wakeman participated in the District 7090 Grant Management Seminar at Salvatore’s in Buffalo.  The seminar was required for two members of each club in the district to attend, as the process for applying for grants during the Rotary year 2015-2016 was outlined.

At our September meeting, students from area schools were recognized as our Scholars of the Month.  In the spotlight for September were: Antonia (Toni) Foti from Brocton High School, Ashley Crandall from Chautauqua Lake High School, Natalie Houle from Sherman Central School, and Gabrielle Knappenberger from Westfield Academy and Central School.

District Governor, Jack Amico visited our club in September, enjoying lunch and sharing inspiring and motivational stories of his time as a Rotarian.

Our inbound exchange student, Yasmin Melim Bento has arrived from Brazil!  Her first host family will be the Wright Family (also the parents of our outbound student, Brenna Wright, currently in Spain).

Brenna Wright and her parents, Bob Wright and Kyle Brandhorst, joined us for the meeting prior to her departure for a year in Spain!  Brenna’s enthusiasm was contagious and inspiring, and we are so happy she is representing the Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club for the upcoming year!

An Evening at the Brix was a delightful event for Rotarians, family, and friends—including wine tasting, conversation, and upbeat music from Doc and Bill.  It was a successful fundraiser for the club, but also a social event so that Rotarians could spend time together in a relaxing environment.

The 2014 Rotary Auction was a huge success.  Please check out our photos in the photo album.

The Paul Harris Fellow is the highest honor in Rotary.  This year we congratulate our Non Rotarian Paul Harris Fellows Marilyn Hemmer and Steve Mawhir!  These individuals have truly demonstrated the Rotary motto of Service above Self.

Our 2013 Gold Rush was another great success.  We would like to thank all involved.   

Westfield-Mayville Rotary Club welcomes Janet Greene and Michael Harrington

http://www.makeamusical.org/   

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Gold Rush is coming.  Save the date and buy your tickets for Rotary's Gold Rush on Saturday October 18th starting at 6:00 PM in Eason Hall, Westfield.  Tickets are just $30 each for  chance to win the top prize of $1000 plus you get a great Chicken and Rib dinner.  Tickets are available from any Rotarian or by calling Linda Dunn at 326-3012.

Please plan on joining us for a night of fun and entertainment at 21 Brix on Route 20 in Portland on Friday August 15th from 7 pm to 9 pm.  There will be food, entertainment, fellowship and of course wine.  Tickets are only $20 per person.  Please tell all of your friends!

Congratulations to our new Rotary President Pete Bills.  Please check out the pictures from our installation banquent in the photo album on the right.  Also inducted were President Elect Adele Harrington, Secretary Cindy Harper, Treasurer Dave Travis and new directors Tom Berkhouse and Luci Petrella.  Thanks to all who serve for the betterment of our club and society as a whole!