Another beautiful day in our Naples valley brought us all together in service to our community! John rang our gathering to order, we rose to say the Pledge and Jack led us in God Bless America. John's invocation followed.

 

Members numbered 21 today with guests Sharon, Tom Pawlak, Nancy's friend Bill in person and Bob Brancato joining us on Zoom. Our speaker today was Kath Wissinger on Zoom from Virginia.

 

Bob Brancato thanked Naples Rotary Club for our recent donations to Hospeace House. Our donation will be doubled during this time of matching funds from the Wildflower Foundation. So far about $50,000 has been received! Funding of operations is currently stable and new volunteers are being trained. They hope to open a second bed in the next few months.  This coming Saturday, 5/20 at 7 pm, is the Monte Carlo Night, a major fundraiser at the Maxfield Hose Co. Memorial Hall. The Canandaigua Lake Trout Derby also donates to Hospeace. It takes place June 3-4 with a Fundraiser Dinner at Brews & Brats at 6 pm on May 31st!

 

Kath Wissinger and her husband Skip are friends of Liz and retired National Park Service employees. Kath has been an active handbell player, teacher and conductor for 30 years. She taught 4-8th graders at a private school in Virginia and currently conducts the Mosaic Handbell Ensemble of adults. Since handbell music is not plentiful she has written a number of scores and publishes them herself at ringTrue Publishing. Her slides showed the variety of handbells available - small to large and chimes that can add to the different sounds in handbell music. During Covid times, handbells were one of the best instruments for group participation in music. Her school created an outdoor pavilion. Each player could wear a mask and have space between them, unlike other musical endeavors.  After her presentation, Kath answered questions about the cost of handbells (very expensive!) and why gloves are often worn by players (optional for her, conductors decision). The bell ringers in our club (Jack, Sharon, Cindy and Rose) were inspired anew to get Trinity Bells ringing again soon!

 

John gave a quick recap of the days' Board Meeting.

We are still looking for a vice president for the coming year. David will be joining our club on 6/5/23. Pickleball courts are currently being built at the Community Park.

Naples Rotary is involved and the Town will be maintaining them. The Strategic Planning committee will be meeting at 1:30 with Ralph Brandt.

 

Rotary Day of Service 5/20 with continue with clean up at Rose Ridge Cemetery. Watershed Clean-up is 5/27, meeting at Jack's house at 9 am. The Memorial Day float will be put together on Sunday 5/28 in Rose's driveway at 4 pm. Let Liz know of any veterans who could ride in the truck. Parade starts at 10 on Monday.

 

Tom Pawlak thanked Rotary for all our support, both monetary and physical in the past Pawlak golf tournaments. This year's is scaled back but will still have an auction and prizes, including a $10K hole-in- one. A women's division is a new addition. Help is still needed for the event which starts at 1 pm on June 16th. Give Tom a shout to sign up!

 

One More Thing today was a video about Interact. Our Interact group is in year two and has focused on 2 major projects: community and international. We will be hosting an Exchange Student from Brazil in the next school year! She will arrive in August.

 

Camp Onseyawa is gearing up for the first year at Camp Whitman near Penn Yan. We will be helping with setup there on Sunday August 13 from 9-12 or so. Volunteers and a truck are needed. The district Grapevine will feature the Capital Campaign needed to enhance cabins, update electric and other improvements needed for the campers there.  The Camp O golf tournament is June 6th at Silver Creek golf in Waterloo area. Micah has maps and info and noted that counselors are also needed.

 

Naples Historical Society is kicking off their season with a presentation by Wayne Buchar on the history and future of the Naples Red Mill on Mill Street. It will take place on Thursday 5/18 at 7pm at Bristol Valley Theater. Refreshments and champagne reception included. He will also present this to Rotary in October.

 

The Great Grape Derby raised about $1300. Thanks to Skip and all the helpers that day.  Also thanks to Sherry for the website and posters and to Rose for selling tickets ahead.  There was a good crowd.  Next year the "grapes" will be dumped from a Main St bridge!

 

The Ace of Hearts was a whopping $10.  Kevin had the winning ticket but pulled the 9 of Hearts. Happy Bills were given for the presentation by Kath, Nancy's granddaughter's graduation from Brockport, Mother's Day, PGA volunteers, GGD volunteers, and Interact's involvement in a charity basketball tournament on Wed. that benefits Hospeace House.

 

John's Ralph Waldo Emerson quote today: "Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously.  And because all things have contributed to your advancement , you should include all things in your gratitude."