Twenty-one Naples Rotarians were joined by five Canandaigua Rotarians for our lunch gathering today. The rainy fall chill didn't dampen our spirit of camaraderie at the Redwood!

 

President Jack led us in the Pledge and followed with the second verse of the Star Spangled Banner. The true and simple words of inspiration were: WORK HARD AND BE NICE TO PEOPLE. Yes!

 

Frank introduced our guests from Canandaigua: Mary Green, Dick McGavern, Kathleen Draper, Dave Hutchings and Club President Kent Gilges, who was our speaker.

 

Announcements today: The Bylaws committee met and are progressing well on updates * The election process for officers and board members for Rotary year 2026-2027 will be starting in November. * We received a Thank You note from Grady Grove for his college scholarship. * Light Up Naples meeting will be this Wednesday at 6 pm at the Alliet home, 174 South Main. All are welcome! * World Polio Day is Thursday at Brew & Brats, 5:30 - 8pm. Bring a dish to share. District reps and Interact students will be attending and friends are welcome too. 

 

Kent was here to tell us about a Rotary International Global Grant that Canandaigua is working toward. A few years ago, his wife met a woman from Uganda who brought her child to URMC for care. She learned that the main problem for people of Uganda was poor nutrition. Food was not scarce but bad diet was the cause of much illness and death. Since she returned home to Uganda, the mom - Pross Nalwanga, has started a program to help change that outcome. The focus is to educate moms, girls and women to improve nutrition.  Mirembe Vocational School will create a nutrition certificate program, teaching better ways of eating. Trainees will share that knowledge with healthcare workers and schools, who can pass it on to the communities. 150 families is the beginning goal. "Birth Boxes" containing 1-2 month supplies would be given to new moms completing the courses. The budget for the program is $79,000. Canandaigua Rotary and the Seguku Rotary in Uganda have committed to the project. They are seeking other Rotary Clubs and Rotary Districts to join them. Rotary International will match up to 80% of District funds. The fund raising process is from now until spring, then moving ahead in early 2026. Naples Rotary will consider joining at our next Board meeting.

 

The Ace of Hearts was $221 today. Patrice had the magic ticket #9443. She chose the Jack of Spades. 

 

The Happy Bills today went to the Canandaigua Rotary's project, Brenda's son visiting at the lake and a new car in her future. Sherry also got a new ride for vacations to Florida. There was happiness for the rain today. Judy and Skip wore their October Breast Cancer Awareness shirts. Nancy's son is 60 today. David showed his support for Naples Brewing by buying a hat before they close soon.

 

Rotary Moments included a Rotary Guest Speaker mug, circa 2015, that Jack and Sharon found. John and Sherry enjoyed dinner with current members and potential members over the weekend. Kent invited us to join Canandaigua's Casino Night on November 1st to support Family Promise's home. It is at the Canandaigua Hotel, 6-9pm.

 

We finished with the Four Way Test and adjourned at 12:45pm.