Canaltown Crier - July 2016

Posted by Jim Bush & David Read on Aug 01, 2016

Changeover Picnic

The Changeover Picnic was held on June 28th with the outgoing President and his replacement in rare form. Introductions to every member were accompanied by personal thanks from Mark Clement complete with details on their various (and many) contributions to the welfare of our club and its goals. The dish-to-pass dinner was somehow more scrumptious than ever, with the cooking ably tended to by chefs Bob Yost and Dave Morrell.

Awards & Recognition

Paul Harris Fellow - presented as President's Choice (by Kim Clement) - to our own "Cliff Claven", Tom Breen. This well-deserved recognition was given "with appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world". No small part of his influence on club understanding has been his long stint as Crier Editor, which entails accurate note taking, creative writing and what we might call a certain "e-dexterity". Tom's track record of participation and volunteerism could serve as a model for new Rotarians in any club. We're proud to have you on our team, Tom! Thank you, and congratulations!

Tom Breen named Paul Harris Fellow

Rotarian of the Year - by popular vote - went to Bob Sloan, who has demonstrated since joining in 2002 how a member can juggle career and club activities and keep them in even balance with all the demands of family life (with two kids). Just a few of his activities include reading to the kids for Rotary, Green Angels Charity, cooking at the Fair, passing out dictionaries, co-managing the Purple Painted Lady Parking Project. Along with these and other demands on his time, Bob has been our main mover and shaker for everything connected to Camp ONSEYAWA. That would be enough for most mortals, but Bob seems to be one of those human dynamos who rarely says "no", and we'll leave it at that except to congratulate Bob again on achieving the coveted "Rotarian of the Year” recognition. Well done, Bob! Thank you for your great service.

Bob Sloan receives Rotarian of the Year award.

Margaret Brooks Distinguished Service Award was presented by Jim Bush to Bob Yost, along with a summary of how the award was begun and how its recipient is chosen. Suffice it to say recipients (which are not chosen every year) have some large shoes to fill. "Exceptional integrity, leadership, model" are some of the terms involved. Twice a Past President, R-L Concession Chairperson for 13 years, Board of Directors since 2005, uncountable hours behind the scenes for Hill Cumorah Pageant management, Dependable Fair Booth worker, Dollars for Scholars, Camp ONSEYAWA rep for many years, and, well, you get the idea. He's a busy boy! Hearty congratulations were heard all around for a well deserved Rotary recognition, and the award plaque was presented by Margaret, herself.

Bob Yost receives Margaret Brooks Distinguished Service Award

And a final recognition, the day before their 31st wedding anniversary, came in the form of Presidential Recognition from Mark to Kim Clement. His remarks included reference to her many Rotary and non-Rotary activities, but the most important ingredient in the recognition was wrapped in love and respect with the words, "I love you, I thank you, and you are my rock". With that, he introduced our newest President, (Kim), who received the gavel along with applause generous enough to be split two ways - between an outgoing (good description!) president and an incoming one.

President Mark, your leadership over this past year has been enthusiastic, creative, considerate, effective, and to say "FUN" seems understated. Thank you for every minute that you invested in the "Club that has fun and gets things done". You made it a great year and an honor to belong to Pal-Mac Rotary.

Outgoing President Mark Clement and a close relative, Kim, who is our new Club President for 2016-2017.

Recent Meeting Summaries-

7-6-2016 Kim's Shake-down meeting - (Annual "Skip Rotary Day") - Not really, but attendance was sparse, and President Kim took it in stride, as this date typically finds the fewest Rotarians in attendance because of summer vacations, gearing up for Hill Cumorah, etc. Kim offered some goals she has for her presidency, including a "foreign word of the week" idea for us to get and keep communications flowing with our new Exchange Student. More to come!

Mark coughed up happy bucks for about 5 things. His presidency was over, 4th of July at Kim's parents, Chris Santelli's fireworks, Sloan's cottage trip, and granddaughter coming. Anne Morell paid for the fireworks as well, plus a buck for Kim's year. Chris Santelli donated some bucks to atone for missing some meetings; Eric Chapman has made trips to Williamsburg, Jamestown, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, ball games of a large scale. Jim Bush paid to say goodbye to Mark and hello to Kim.

Singing was quite good in spite of low numbers - or maybe because of it.

Announcements and business took up the remainder of the meeting.

7-13 -2016 No meeting - Hill Cumorah

July 20, 2016 - Club History Day

Welcome back, Mila! Visiting with Bailey Cole and family for some summer fun and reminiscences was our 2012 Exchange Student from Poland, Mila Koziarska. She's in college majoring in Eastern Europe Studies (Russian, Ukrainian, Old Slavic languages) and brought us up to date with the same smile we loved when we saw her every week. Great to see you, Mila!

MIA: Tom Breen, Pam Dean, Marie Fessler, Cheryl Ford, Gary Haigh, Debbie LeMoyne, Tina Medina, Dave Pray, Chris Santelli, Dave Stachnik, Cindy Surline, Leslie Vecchiotti, Andy Wahl.

Guests: Shirley Bassage, Bailey Cole.

Anniversaries & Birthdays - Dave & Katie Read celebrated 55 years on Friday, Dave's birthday on the 11th. Nancy Schrader's birthday on the 14th. Bob Yost noted it was the 4th anniversary of his 2nd divorce; Bob Sloan hiked the high peaks in the Adirondacks, plus thankful for recognition as Rotarian of the Year and donated accordingly. Margaret has been to Greenville, S.C with 4 daughters and 2 daughters-in-law.

Program -

Gene Bassage kicked the history segment off with stories about Roger Powers, who started our club, and his influence on getting Newark and Rochester as our co-sponsor clubs. The year was 1950, there were 22 Charter members, and they followed the classification system closely. Usually that meant one member for each profession. But since there were 2 clergymen, they got around the issue by one of them calling himself "Wholesale".

Pat VerPlank was the first woman, and has been our most famous coordinator of floats for Canaltown Days parades, historic posters and displays for District Conferences, as well as publicity at places like the Wayne County Fair. Her artistic skills are obvious in these displays, and she brought a few poster boards today to help tell the history of the club.

Pat VerPlank and Gene Bassage review the history of Pal-Mac Rotary Club

Early members of Pal-Mac Rotary Club

Pat recounted many of her favorite stories from her early years as first woman member, her travels to other clubs, the time her house guests from India provided the meal - except no silverware, as they ate with their fingers. Pat's longtime involvement with the Group Study Exchange could fill several volumes, and her fame as the club's best parade float designer is well-established with those who were members over that stretch of time. Sounds like there may be something "building" for this year, too, after a few years away from the idea.

Gene added a post-Civil War story from his 1960 presidency - when a member was arrested by the IRS for skipping taxes on the booze being manufactured on his farm property. Something about being Gene's relative seems to have helped keep him from the hoosegow. That, plus the fact that he shared his liquid proceeds with a few Rotarians.

Memories of the Garlock House meeting location, then the Presbyterian Church ladies, the fun story of how Gene got into the club, and both Pat and Gene helped new members to appreciate the function and presence of "Luther", our statuesque mascot who stands with a proud array of deceased member's buttons festooning his wardrobe. Bill Dean had a member of the Waterloo club fashion the wooden frame and Pat dressed it with one of Luther Sheldon's favorite sweaters. In a touching gesture today, Kim added the badge of recently deceased Bob Culver to the statue.

So from the club's early days to tributes to the dearly departed, the focus of the meeting was right on target.

And finally, a thank you note from Dick Kirchhoff which is self explanatory and says a great deal about both Dick - and our club spirit as demonstrated by the members named.

"Dear Rotary Club,

I find it difficult to express my profound appreciation to the Pal-Mac Rotary Club for the aid and assistance they have given me recently on 2 occasions. Kim and Mark Clement came and washed my windows. Bob Sloan, Marty Medina and Anne Morrell with several boy Scouts mulched my property for me. This was a fine example of "Service Above Self".

You made me proud to be a Rotarian and thankful for our club.

Thank you,

Dick Kirchhoff"