What a delight it was this past Monday night to see the back dining room filled with Members, and Guests, right down to the youngest attendee, who was just two: (Little Emory, granddaughter of Marty and Jill)! The dining room at the Redwood was packed, and it was a pleasure to see so many of us there!

We had been warmly greeted by Frank, as we joined the Meeting, and as President Liz rang the bell, she bade us to join her in saying The Pledge. Jack, our song leader, led us in a stirring round of "God Bless America". Sue became very reflective, as she urged us in her opening thoughts, to broaden our horizons, as we strive to serve others and make this world a better place.

We enjoyed having the company of 14 Guests this evening! Here are all the Guests, who in addition to the 28 Members who attended, made a nice collection of 42 folks, who were here to hear Carrie's stellar rendition of the trip to Costa Rica! We welcomed Chip, Stuart, Abby, Emory, Charlie, Grady, Erica, Gia, Heather, Polly, Delaney, Emily, Tim, and Sharon. Many of these Guests were participants in the Costa Rica trip, and each one had a memory to share!

Pres. Liz announced the June Birthdays and Anniversaries. A song of "Congratulations" was sung to Holly, Pat, and Wayne for their June Birthdays, and to Frank and Kathleen for their Anniversary.

Pres. Liz had several announcements to share with the Membership. * The Gavel Dinner will be June 24th at Brew and Brats. Dinner will be provided by Lake Life Catering, and the cost is $30 per person. Skip handed out little memos to each of us for our calendars. Further details were on that little memo, but we will say "Thank You" to Pres. Liz for a year of fine leadership, and "Welcome" to incoming President Karen, who will kick off the 2024-2025 Rotary Year! * A gentle reminder from Laurie came to let us know that our dues are due. * On June 19th, there will be a Naples Parade to take the place of the Memorial Day Parade that was cancelled due to the weather. It will commence at 10 AM (near Josephs' and Wilcox's) for all who are interested. (If it should rain, we'll meet at the VFW.) * The Rotary Day of Service will be on June 22nd. We'll meet at the Hospeace House at 9:00 AM to help with their surroundings. Please bring gardening tools if you are planning to participate. * Cindy has tickets for the Annual Naples Historical Society Spring Raffle. Darryl Abraham has offered to create a piece of his unique artwork, as the prize! The Tickets are 1 Ticket for $10.00, and 3 Tickets for $25.00. * Liz noted that the Club Calendar is in good standing through June 24th.

Recently, this Spring, our very own Carrie, along with Spanish Teacher, Heather Reigelsperger, and some additional chaperones, took a trip to Costa Rica, along with 18 Sophomores and Juniors from Naples Central School. As we could surmise, traveling surely broadens our scope, and helps us to be more understanding of other people throughout the world. This realization surely became apparent, as each of the students, prompted by Carrie and Heather, shared his and her reflections from this amazing adventure!

"Hi everybody!" Carrie greeted us, as she introduced "her crew". Having planned this trip over a year ago, the 18 students, along with five adults, were finally able to embark on the experience of a lifetime! Each participant shared a little snippet of his/her experience and impressions as the colorful photos on the screen reflected each day of this spectacular trip. I say "spectacular" because an adventure of this type definitely affords a young person a unique opportunity to experience, explore, and enjoy another culture, and learn of others, both in how we are different, and how we are alike.

Carrie chronologically mapped out each day that the NCS Group was in Costa Rica, and she had each of the participants say a few words about the experience that was enjoyed with each passing day. Having had to be at the airport at 3:00 AM on the morning of March 30th certainly gave "an early start" to the Costa Rica Adventure, yet everyone was "ready" to embark on a trip to remember!

Each day of the week-long visit to Costa Rica included highlights that the kids would treasure for a lifetime, and each of the students took a turn in describing the details. Some of these memorable events included an "Easter Egg Hunt Costa Rica Style", an Easter Procession, "Rancho Lodge", Pool Time, Iguanas, Volcanoes, a Chocolate Tour, Hanging Bridges, Swimming, Ziplines, Baldi Hot Springs, Fortuna Waterfall, Kayak Tour, Various Restaurants, Monkeys, Crocodiles, 500 Steps and Manuel Antonio National Park! How was that for an action-packed week?

Everyone acclimated to the food, having rice and beans as a daily staple, and yet though that may have seemed a bit "humdrum", Heather noted that the kids had excellent opportunities to use their Spanish, and to enhance their speaking skills. "Pura Vida" was an expression that seemed to have worked for every occasion!

, as noted by Carrie, and many opportunities presented themselves for everyone to speak with their excellent Tour Guide! Carrie was especially pleased that some of her former students were a part of the group! Those young people included Erica, Polly, Delaney, and Emily! Many thanks to Carrie, Heather, Chaperones, and Students! We're so glad that your trip to Costa Rica went so well, and we appreciated hearing all about your adventures!

The Rotary Moment was inserted here, as Jack told of the Service last week for former beloved Member Bill Cooper. Some of the Naples NY Rotary Members had attended his Memorial Service and had found it to be very me

morable. Jack said that T-Bone Farley was to spread some of Bill's ashes on Hole #5...a perfect place for Bill to be remembered! He nearly made it to 100!

It was noted that 14 of us from Naples NY Rotary made it to the Camp O. Golf Tournament last Saturday! John's Team came in first for the men!! Frank also noted that in addition to lots of representation from Naples NY Rotary, another "highlight" from the Golf Tourney were the cookies from Bruce and Betty!!

The Ace of Hearts was up to $327.00 tonight! Only seven cards were left at this point! Ticket # 002636 was picked, and it was that of Judy Manser. Judy drew the King of Spades. We're getting closer...

Here are the Happy Bills that came forth this evening. Elmira Heights District Meeting and Fall Golf Tourney on 9/6 being promoted at Geneseo (John). Parker being connected (Kristin and Greg). Rotary Youth Exchange (Carrie and Bill). Emory, Abby, Jill, Carrie, Bill, Gia, Charlie and Grady (Marty). Bill Cooper's Memorial, Golf and BVT (Jack). BVT 60th Anniversary (Rose). Students (Tim). The Program (All of us).

It had been a most enjoyable evening, with such a great Program, and so many in attendance. It was a pleasure hearing from our students, who benefitted so greatly from the Costa Rica experience, and Carrie, as always, did an excellent job of being the facilitator of tonight's Presentation! We concluded our Evening Meeting, as we recited The Four-Way Test.