April 27, 2016 - Meeting Minutes

Newest Rotarians to the club, Marie Fessler and T.J.Chamberlain gave us their background stories and were welcomed unanimously into membership.

Marie Fessler is no stranger to club members as she has been involved in the Mystery Dinner Theater for over six years.  Born in Pittsburgh, PA, oldest of six children, Marie's father was a civil engineer and surveyed Rt. 70, Interstate, from Pittsburgh all the way to Indiana.  Marie studied Liberal Arts in college, then went on to the Art Institute to study interior design, where she met her first husband.  They moved to this area and had 4 ("wonderful") kids, divorced amicably, and when Marie started attending Zion Episcopal Church, she met husband number 2, ("2nd and last"), who brought 2 kids into the marriage with him.  Now, these 6 kids have brought 3 grandchildren into the union and to Marie's delight, everybody lives within a half hour of each other.  Marie started an upholstery business, ran that for 10 - 15 years, then worked in banking, worked for 2 bishops in the Episcopal Diocese, and volunteered as a life-guard and swim teacher for Pal-Mac, led girl scout troops for many years, and has worked with youth in camp environments for nearly 20 years.  "I'm an incredibly impatient person, I've learned" (waiting for her arm to heal) "and can't wait to get back into action when the kids at school splash me in the pool and I can't reciprocate."  Welcome, Marie.  Anne and Leslie and others have lots of great projects in line for you!

T.J. Chamberlain and his wife, Kim, have lived in Macedon with their 4 children for 10 years, having moved here from Farmington.  Ethan, Ryan, Grace and Adam are in the Pal-Mac School District, and the family is preparing to move to a new home in Palmyra which has about 90 acres, as opposed to their previous 1/4 acre spot in a subdivision.  As everyone is already familiar with outdoor exploration including as much time as they can manage in water-related activities, this new move promises to be right up their alley.  Summers always bring camping time in places like Fairhaven State Park, which T.J. recommends highly.  Born in Penfield, T.J.'s mother remarried and they moved to Springwater, NY, which he described as a "pioneer" time of his life with no electricity at first, a half mile walk to get to the school bus, and conditions that his wife has said, "we will not be recreating at the new homestead."  T.J. has worked in banking, real estate, retail, briefly, and is now back in banking, and has just completed a year with Lyons National Bank.  He also mentioned, humorously, a stint with Chuck E. Cheese, which had members laughing heartily.  Welcome, T.J.!  You're on the fast track to more fun with people who love to volunteer, laugh, and serve their community while doing so.

President Mark mentioned two potential members, Mark Kramer and Stacey Wicksall, who plan to join the club in the near future, so we hope to bring you more happy membership details very soon.

Auction Action: Auctioneer Kim oversaw the sale of wine, cookies and automobile service in a fast-paced auction which garnered approximately $50 for Polio Plus.  Dave Stachnik, Cheryl Ford and T.J. Chamberlain were the big winners. 

50/50   Shirley Bassage drew her own ticket number.  Pure luck, she said.