“I should’ve started with a Gavel ring!”

Said President Matt, as he did his thing.

For weeks, that Gavel was not to be seen,

And for its return would come a bit of “green!”

All kidding aside, President Matt opened Monday’s Noon Meeting with his customary enthusiasm and exuberance, as he welcomed us, and our guests to our last meeting of September. We joined him in saying The Pledge, then Diane said The Blessing, as she gave thanks to The Lord for our being together today, and for the beautiful weather we’ve been having.

Pres. Matt introduced today’s guests, Josh Dominick, (our speaker), and his Mom, Sue. Also, Sharon was with us today, and Micah Moore, who would become a member. In addition to these fine guests, and 25 members, John F. announced that Brenda and Penny were joining us on Face Book Live.

Today’s program was entitled “Life In China”. The programs have been excellent, and Pres. Matt thanked Karen for her fine efforts in arranging such interesting presentations.

Skip, who has proposed Micah Moore, as a prospective member, spoke on his behalf. Micah’s Dad, David, had been a member of the Naples Rotary, as had his grandfather, Bill, for many years. Rotary seems to have been a part of Micah,s family, and he sees this as an opportunity to be more active in the Naples Community. The Induction Team welcomed Micah, as our newest member, and Pres. Matt presented him with a copy of the Four-Way Test. A hearty round of applause followed Micah’s Induction. We will hear a bit more about Micah, at a later date, when he will share more about himself with the Club. We extend our warmest welcome to him!

There were several announcements before today’s program. Matt informed us that our meeting was being broadcast on Face Book Live, and those joining us could insert their comments. Beginning next month, (October), we are going to be resuming our Evening Meetings two times per month. We will be meeting on the second and fourth Mondays of the month, which will give our day workers an opportunity to attend a couple of meetings per month. It will be great to see some friends we haven’t seen in a while!

• Matt read a follow-up note from the Margery Coughlin Pawluk Cancer Fund, thanking us for our donation.
• The Lucky Ducky Derby is coming up soon, and Jodi has extra tickets for sale in case anyone is interested.
• John F. announced that the Rotary Calendars have been submitted!
• There was an E-Mail from Mike J. about Cub Scout Pack 40. Naples Rotary has been their sponsoring organization, and Mike is their liaison to our Club. They are having a fundraiser, and we are encouraged to support them either by making a purchase or a donation.  

Patrice and Shanna attended the Fall 2020 District Literacy Seminar, via Zoom, on Saturday, 9/26. The Fairport Rotary Club hosted this year’s Seminar, which was entitled “Literacy Opens Opportunities”. The FRC has strengthened the literacy capacity in their community by creating a program called “Learning Links”. This program reaches out to young students, as well as adults, in an endeavor to strengthen their literacy skills. Working in at the “Pines of Perinton” tutors help these folks on a volunteer basis, to elevate their language and reading skills. On that note, we can be thinking, as a club, of literacy ideas for this year, within our community. Shanna noted that our Little Library has been getting a lot of use during the pandemic.

Skip needs some volunteers to help at the Lucky Ducky Derby on 10/10. Jane will be in charge of the “Leader Board”, and she will require a few helpers as well. Thanks to Nancy, Blanche, Laurie, Rose, and Alex, for offering to help. The Eastern Cities Fellowship Dinner will be virtual this year, due to Covid 19. Pres, Matt would like us to “put on our thinking caps”, to try to come up with some creative ways in which we could “participate” at this year’s dinner.

“Life In China” was brought to us today by former NCS student, Josh Dominick. Josh, who was a foreign exchange student, said that he was grateful to be with us today. His slide presentation began with a Chinese “character” that symbolized

1. the hem of clothing,
2. the edge of an object,
3. a reasonable cause, and
4. a chance for people to meet, and experience events.

Josh remembered as an NCS student, how his participation on the Swim Team and in Band helped him to become more outgoing. He recalled the encouragement given him by Swim Coach, Jack Stover. His parents, along with the school, were very accepting and supportive. Margo Ulmer, his Global Studies teacher, had posters all around the room, and this sparked his interest in China.

The time he spent in China “opened opportunities galore”, Josh told us, and his many beautiful slides punctuated that statement! One of his most recent endeavors has been traveling by bike, for example. Josh admitted that Covid 19 has helped him to focus on some of the most cherished things in life such as family, projects, sharing, food, and natural beauty. At the conclusion of his exceptionally interesting talk, he presented Pres. Matt with two elegant, embroidered silk paintings for the Naples Rotary Club. Many thanks to Josh for sharing your wonderful experiences with us today!

Many of today’s Happy Bills were in appreciation of Josh, and we are happy to have Micah join us as a member of the club.

The Fund-Raising Committee met this afternoon, and many great ideas were generated. There will be more information forthcoming.

Jodi’s “Rotary Moment” could be an “Eternal Moment”, and it was so heartfelt and so eloquent that Pres. Matt thought it would be worth sharing in The Grapevine. See the sidebar to the right.