Please bear with us as we work on getting the Canaltown Crier back on line.  It may take us a while to work through the new system, but we are working hard to get back to communicating with all of you.

            COVID has taken its toll on us and we need to at least get you the information coming from our meetings so here is a synopsis of the last few ZOOM meetings.

          Set me start with the AWESOME Holiday Zoom meeting hosted by Sheryl and Colin Vega back in December 9^th .  After much delay with the Clements getting on line the club gave delayed awards (normally handed out at the Changeover Picnic in June).  Maurina Schmidt was awarded the Rotarian of the Year for all her hard work all the time, but especially during this crazy COVID year!   Mark and Kim Clement were given the Margaret Brooks award for their dedication to all facets of Rotary.  The Board of Directors recently voted to award certificates for future awards and the honoree gets to pick a charity to receive a $100 donation from Pal-Mac Rotary instead of a costly plaque.  Mark and Kim’s plaques were already made up, but Maurina selected the
Green Angels to receive the donation!

            After the awards Sheryl led the club through some fun games including Holiday Trivia and Bingo!  Great fun!  Thanks Sheryl and Colin.

            Most of the Zoom meetings have centered around Fines and Happy Bucks and the club has donated generously.  President Yost budgeted for $1,000 in this area and our members have already donated over $2,000!   We have been either very happy or very naughty.

          The Weekend Wellness program that gives food to needy students to make it through the weekends is doing well and our volunteers are set through February.  If you would like to help, contact Leslie Vecchiotti to sign up.  Leslie will also be looking for volunteers to help with the multi-district  Rotary Great Lakes Clean-up on April 24^th (Earth Day).  Rotary Clubs adjacent to the Great Lakes will be working on cleaning their regions near the waterways.

            The  Murder Mystery Dinner is once again postponed due to you-know-what.  We are hoping to reschedule for sometime this fall.  The Dessert Gala is postponed and changed to an on-line Bake-sale for sometime in late March before Easter.  We need volunteer bakers and deliverers.  If interested contact Sheryl Vega or Kim Clement.

 

Maurina and the Clements with their awards.  Please excuse the quality of the pictures.  A picture of a picture from an article in the Macedon times by Jeff Crawford.  Thanks Jeff!

 

     

The WWP (Weekend Wellness Program) presented by Eddie Chapman 

The Pal-Mac Rotary Club presented a $2,000 check to the WWP, which used to be called the backpack program.  The WWP receives the food from Foodlink including special dietary needs. About 107 bags of food are delivered per week, at this time the need has increased. Bags are colored coded and teachers discreetly delivered these bags to the students lockers during the school day. It takes about $1,200.00 a month to keep this program active and well funded, The Pal-Mac Rotary donates annually to this very important program for our community. This Friday, April 24th will be our next delivery date to the  Pal-Mac High School at 9:15am and helping hands are always welcome. Please remember to stay within our new regulations; gloves, masks, and social distancing. Stay Safe everyone!  

 

A very Happy Birthday to; Eric Chapman “he turned the big one” and Jon Simunic (17 years old)

 

Jan Simunic and Maurina Schmidt (president)                   

           At our January 8 meeting Jon gave us a wonderful presentation about his home country of the Czech Republic including his home town, favorite foods, hobbies and scouting.  Jon has one sister who is an exchange student and his parents are hosting an exchange student from Mexico.  Jon lives in a suburb of Prague and has a one hour commute each day by train, bus and walking to get to school. 

            Jon loves Taco Bell and feels that the Pal-Mac school lunches are too small.  He enjoyed his trip to Universal Studios where he experienced his first huge roller coaster.   He also noted that at home Halloween is just celebrated by carving pumpkins.  He loved dressing up as a unicorn this year! 

           We were also introduced to Jon's next host parents Kim and Jamie Johnson.

            

  

Jon and new family Kim and Jamie Johnson

 

 

           On January 22 Marylou Reisdorf  gave a program about the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation.  She and her husband Jim (who was a purple heart recipient and has since passed away) started hosting annul retreats for Purple Heart recipients suffering from significant mental or physical injuries as a result of the service to the US.  Events for veterans and spouses include hunting, relaxing wine tours or  brunch in a spa.  It is a local event held via donations from the public. 

           If you would like to find out more about the WWIA Foundation you can visit the website at www.WWIAF.org and click donation on the toolbar,  You can also write a check to WWIA and mail to: Mary Lou Riesdorf

                                                                                 WWIA Associate

                                                                                  2391 Murphy Lane

                                                                                  Macedon, NY 14502

                                                                                  585-455-7044

Mary Lou and Jim Riesdorf                                             Flier about the retreat