Club Meeting September 25, 2018
Opening and Welcome: President Dick Kisiel opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test. Scott Seabury provided the invocation and led the club singing of “God Bless America”.
Members Present: Dale Baker, Gayle Demko, Jed Dery, Frank DiGennaro, Natalie Donais, Gail Handley, Greg Heineman, Richard Kisiel, Jon Kozloski, Luis Lee, Bob Lowell, Clark Mason, Don Miner, Jack Muska, Ken Pascoe, Ray Perleoni, Roger Pratt, Jay Presser, Charles Roumas, Scott Seabury, Tom Sullivan, Nancy Viggiano and Tami Zawistowski. (23/34….68%).
Guests: Peter LeClerc, Director, Suffield Park and Rec.
Announcements: President Kisiel made several announcements:
Dick welcomed Peter LeClerc to our meeting.
Lobster/Steak Social: October 9 at Fox Hollow Gun Club to replace the weekly meeting. Roger is accepting registration and payment for the $25 dinner; this week - October 3 - is the cutoff date for registration and food ordering. Bilenko’s Farm has again donated corn to the event.
Hilltop Farm Chicken Coop Project: Ray reported last week 20 people participated in the demolition and construction of the area to be utilized for this project. This upcoming weekend should see the siding and shingles completed.
District Conference – Nov 1-Enfield; attendance from each committee would be ideal! Officers should make every effort to attend.
PROGRAM: Dick introduced our speaker, the new Director of Parks and Rec, Peter LeClerc, who began this position in June. Peter would like to modernize the department and plans to survey the youth groups, both travel and high school programs, to learn and understand their opinions regarding sports. He considers the youth sports program invaluable as it imparts socialization, enhances school placement opportunities and offers important life lessons. Establishing a meeting to include a representative from each sports program or council would enhance communication and offer an opportunity to educate both parents and coaches. Peter would like to offer enrichment programs for adults as well as understand the special needs of the community. He has partnered with the Springfield College internship program and an intern will be starting in January.
Town Project: Peter finds Suffield only has school playgrounds available and he would like to see Sunrise Park better equipped for this need as well as improvements to its walking trail for ease of accessibility.
Blue Ticket Winners: Blue ticket winner was Jay Presser with sides won by Don and Jack.
Queen of Hearts: Don Miner had the winning ticket and did not pull the Queen of Hearts. Total winning pot now stands at $730+.
Birthdays and Anniversaries: Jon Kozloski, Don Rawling and Gayle Demko celebrated birthdays.
Adjournment: Dick Kisiel closed the meeting with a group singing of “God Bless America”.
Next week’s meeting – Oct 2 Natalie Donais/ Heidi Partain – September and October Rotary Students of the Month.