The Summer days are rolling along, and though times are a bit different now, this promises to be a busy week for Naples Rotary! Happiness and positivity ensue, as we plan for upcoming Walk of Life events. PP Tom led us in today’s Pledge, as we stood for The Salute from our respective sites. There may have been a virtual song in our hearts, as Andy gave The Blessing. “Lord, may your grace abound in each of us,” he said. Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming guests, DG Linda Kohl, who was our speaker, DG Nominee, Ralph Brandt, and the lovely Sharon. There were 28 members in attendance.
Pres. Matt welcomed us, and then he announced that it was a busy agenda for the Naples Rotary Club. He thanked everyone who took the time to reply to the recent survey he had sent out. One of the items on the survey was to determine our “comfort level” at the Grape Fest, but since it has been cancelled for this year, that is not a concern at this time. In terms of having a live meeting, Matt noted that there was an even distribution of responses. (This item will be on the agenda at next Monday’s Board Meeting.) In terms of upcoming programs, there have been some great ideas. Matt hopes to form a committee to generate and plan for future programs throughout the year. He will send out invites, via an E-mail, to those members who may interested. Kudos to Karen, as she has arranged programs through August! Those upcoming programs can be found on our web page, but also in the right column of this meeting report.
Skip and Judy reported on the Chicken Barbecue, which was held last Saturday, 7/11. Skip thanked Suzanne, who provided the site. He thanked Carrie, Bill, and Karen, who also helped. Skip noted that 200 dinners were sold, and a profit of $605 was made. Susan added that if anyone still wanted to contribute, he/she could add “Chicken BBQ” to his/her check. We took some dinners to our kids, and they said it was yummy! You can’t beat The Grove Boys’ cooking, that’s for sure!
As mentioned earlier, it’s a busy week! Jodi spoke next about WOL happenings. She has this year’s T-shirts on hand, and she will be selling them at Joseph’s and Rennoldson’s. She also has some available from last year. They are all neatly packaged for your safety. The shirts will also be available at Desserts and Songwriters this Thursday, 7/16. The tickets for “Cock-A-Doodle Poo”, to be held 8/8, are $15 each. For safety’s sake, the numbers will be assigned this year. The Fun Run/Walk will be held this coming Saturday, 7/18, as will the Putt for Life. The Fun Run/Walk will begin and end at Lynnie Lou’s. (Two more volunteers are needed to help).
Mike talked about the 4th Annual Desserts and Songwriters. It will be held outdoors at Brew and Brats, this Thursday, 7/11. Safe spacing will be arranged, thus, reservations are encouraged! Instead of a set, one song at a time will be done. Mike and Bruce Wayne will be two of our own entertainers! Another singer will sing songs of a deceased friend. Sherry added that the desserts this year will be commercially packaged for our safety and enjoyment. Luminaries will be available also, for sale, at $5 each.
Sherry gave an update on the WOL Online Auction. Twenty-three bids have come in so far, and over $800 has been raised. We are encouraged to make a bid on one or more of these tasteful items. There are 20 items featured online, and there will be a few at the Desserts and Songwriters to bid on as well. Much is happening this week, and it is all for a worthwhile cause, so hopefully, many of us can show our support!
We were delighted to have DG Linda Kohl join us today, and it was a pleasure to hear from her, as she described her outlook for District 7120. Linda, who has been a Rotarian for 15 years, and who is a very-involved public servant, has enjoyed “connecting” with many Rotary Clubs, as she has been making visits throughout the area. She is part of the Penfield Rotary, and she shared with us how important the environment is to her. She was happy to add that Grants will become available for environmental initiatives, and that it will be “an exciting new endeavor”! “How do we grow our Rotary in the midst of the Pandemic?” Linda asked. Challenges certainly present themselves, such as training for the PETS. Yet, through online connectivity and Zoom Meetings, much can be accomplished! (“Naples has stepped up!” Linda commented.) We are a large District area-wise, yet we have been able to be all together through online meetings. The first District Change-Over Dinner was accomplished on Zoom! Linda suggested another way to keep connected, and that was by having each “area” hold a meeting, with one club acting as “the host”. Great discussions could be generated, as individual clubs could talk about what they are doing currently, and it could result in better communication! Linda hopes to attend some of our upcoming events. Some questions from the Membership followed her presentation. DG Nominee Ralph Brandt noted that there was a “Hybrid” Zoom Meeting in Bloomfield at the Veteran’s Park…some were online, and some were in person. These unusual times certainly inspire our creativity and imagination, that’s for sure! On behalf of us, PP Tom expressed many thanks to DG Linda for spending some time with us, and for proving that “Rotary Opens Opportunities!”
What a nice intake we had today, in terms of our Fines and Happy Bills! We were pleased with the program, and Linda’s vision for the coming year. We are looking forward to this week’s Walk of Life Events. We feel blessed to be a part of the Naples Rotary Club. (It seems we are being proactive during these challenging times!) Here are some individual reasons for joy. Blanche, Alex, and Frank each have new cars! Sherry and John, and Jack and Sharon are celebrating their anniversaries this month! (Seven years for John and Sherry and 46 years for Jack and Sharon!) Jodi and her family had spent some quality time in the Adirondacks. There had been a few missed meetings…Marianna, Andy, and Bruce M. Holly and Tony had their whole family home for the weekend! Brenda gave a “thumbs up” to Matt for helping the NCS System to navigate through these uncertain times
Marty had the Rotary Moment for us today. These were moments that made him “feel proud”, as Marty put it. On the “Local Level”, at Christmastime, Marty felt grateful that we, (Naples Rotary), were able to help those in dire need in our community, (through Operation Santa), and on the “National Level”, there was the concept that we should look beyond patriotism, and that we should resist the tendency to “react in superiority”. That idea was embraced in 1950…70 years ago!!
Frank also added that Camp O, is on! Distance learning will take place, and currently, there are about 40 kids signed up! Hopefully, this will be a week of great “connection” for all of us Naples Rotarians! Hope to see many of you fellow members at the various events being planned! Unt
