“Good afternoon everyone, on this dark and rainy Monday!”
So exclaimed President Matt, as he welcomed us to our third meeting of October. After a week of glorious color and sunshine, it was inevitable that a rainy, yet necessary, “gloomy” day would come. There was a bit of a “hold-up” at the start of the meeting, so Marty entertained us with a cute joke about a hamburger introducing his girlfriend, “Patty” to his parents. Thanks, Marty, for the chuckle!
Skip then reported on the Lucky Ducky Derby, which was held last Saturday. There was a great turnout of Rotarians at the event, as well as volunteers to help “stuff” the ducks. “We had our race in shallow water!” reported Skip, but everything worked out just fine. (Typically, the Race is held in May.) We made about $645 Skip noted, and he thanked Bill G. for his help. The winner of one $100 prize returned the money to the Club, so that was an unexpected surprise! Some of Skip’s family members were taking home cash, so that made us all wonder if there was a bit of “fowl play!” Laurie had prepared a neatly-made display of the winners, which can be used again next year.
Matt led us in saying The Pledge, while Alex gave The Invocation. She thanked Our Dear Heavenly Father for all His blessings. Matt added that it was nice to see everyone last Monday at the Evening Meeting, as well as today. In addition to the 26 members present, at today’s meeting, there were two members, Penny and Micah online. We welcomed the lovely Sharon, wife of Jack, and Jennifer Emmons, today’s speaker.
Matt asked Patrice to give a summary of today’s Board Meeting. The Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports were accepted and approved. Susan elaborated a bit about our financial standing. Currently, we are about $7000 short of “catching up” to the $12000 projected lost revenue from the Grape Festival. Many thanks were expressed to Skip and Judy for holding the Chicken BBQ, and later, the Lucky Ducky Derby, as these two events helped to bring us even closer to our goal. Thanks to Sherry for being “at the helm” of additional fundraisers, as well. Susan also thanked Jane for her auditing help.
There was some discussion about the Evening Meetings, which have resumed, recently. Will prices remain the same? Matt will talk to Jack about this. Typically, we have had a “Happy Hour” in the past from 5:30-6:00. Of course, safety is a concern at this time. There will still be a “Sign-up List” for those wishing to attend, and there will also be a “Waiting List” for those who wish to come to the meeting, in the event that someone would have cancelled.
Matt passed out a Members List, and The Board went over this list with him. Many Board Members agreed to contact various members who haven’t been coming to the meetings since we started meeting in-person. We will touch base with them, and check on how they’re doing, as a means of member outreach. Next week, there will be two folders at the Entry Desk. One will be labeled “Lunch Money”, and the other, “Fines and Happy Bills”. This addition will, hopefully, assist members who prefer not to, or forget to send their checks, (for Bills and Fines), in the mail.
Karen had talked with June Nolan from the Open Cupboard, and they had asked the Naples Rotary to help provide turkeys for needy families during the Thanksgiving Season. We will donate $200 to this cause. If more monetary help is required, we will “pass the hat” at a future meeting.
John French has graciously offered to host the World Polio Day Observance at Brew and Brats on Wednesday, 10/28, at 6:00. The actual WPD is October 24th. Those wishing to attend are encouraged to sign up ahead of time. John added that the restaurant will be open for those wishing to “grab a bite”.
We will donate $100 again this year to the firemen to purchase Halloween candy and treats for the children of the village. As far as our “Holiday Plans” are concerned, this year will look different, of course. We will talk about this at a later time.
The Happy Bills and Fines were as follows. We all enjoyed Tom’s refreshing program about his Airbnb. Steve has appreciated the beautiful Fall colors this year, (a nice dividend during these tough times), and the great steaks at Brew and Brats. It was great to see Bill S. this evening, as he has missed some meetings. Carrie’s and Bill’s boys are doing Fall baseball. Skip and Judy are proud of their grandsons. John F. gave a big “thank you” to Steve! Pres. Matt gave a shout out to John F. for covering for Bruce tonight, handling the Facebook Live equipment. BTW, John noted that the World Polio Day is October 24, but our observance will be at a date to be determined.
The Christmas Books for the Elementary Children have been ordered! Laurie and Patrice met over the weekend to select titles for the children in Grades 1-6. Many thanks to Laurie for helping to select three beautiful hardcover stories for the UPK and Kindergarteners! Many thanks also, once again this year, to Budding Readers, for donating the selections for these two levels. We will discuss with Matt as to how the books will be prepared and distributed this year. P. S. Many thanks to Shanna, as well, for all her help in the past years with this wonderful endeavor!
Rose gave an excellent summary on the progress of the Light Up Naples Committee. The Committee has met three times, thus far. The LUN Event will not be focused on just one night alone, this year. Liz will be sending a letter to local businesses, asking if they wish to participate. It is our hope that each of these businesses will do some individual decorating, as well! The plan is to have Main Street, Naples, be decorated from Neapolitan to Bristol Valley Theater. Plans are to decorate the community on these days: 11/28, 11/29, and 11/30. Clear plastic balls, that can be decorated, are going to be ordered, and they will be available for purchase at 5.00 each, at Rennoldson’s. There will be a volunteer schedule to help sell these ornaments. Within the village, there will be a decorated tree at Periello Park, and Jodi’s Memory Tree at Beth Flory Park. There are 67 snowmen available, some of which need some “touching up”. Derek Hallancia, from Neapolitan, is going to check with his church family to see if they can do a Live Nativity again this year. The LUN Event is scheduled to last from 12/5-1/5, and it is the Committee’s hope that more people can be persuaded to decorate (their homes and businesses) this year.
A heart of compassion…a heart of caring…a heart of courage; these words describe Jennifer Emmons, who was today’s special guest and speaker. Jennifer, who is a dedicated nurse and Executive Director at Naples’ Hospeace House, described her experience “on the front lines” during the Pandemic. She told of how her son Hayden came home from school back in March and told her about the virus. She closely watched the News Updates, realizing the seriousness and severity of this Covid 19 Outbreak. She thought about the health and safety of the volunteers at Hospeace House and she knew it was necessary to let them go. Encouraged by Mayor Schenk, and supported by other directors from area comfort care homes, Jennifer knew she just couldn’t “stand by” when she heard of the situation downstate. She needed to go and touch it, feel it, and learn about it, as she expressed to us. She needed to answer this call for help. Her sons showed their support as they gathered to say “Good-Bye”, and to wish her Good Luck before she set off on her mission of hope.
She initially was set to work at the Psychiatric Section and Behavioral Outreach Clinic. She then worked at the hospital, where lots of research is being done, as we were told. It was heart-breaking for Jenny to see the people lined up outside the hospital waiting for treatment. She also recalled how supplies were dwindling at the ICU, and how Naples sent so many supplies to help many, many nurses! Jenny used what she had gleaned from Hospeace House, and she was able to teach many people about hospice care. Jennifer’s advice is, “Be compassionate!”
In retrospect, we can all look back on that picture of Jennifer in the May/June 2020 Edition of the Neapolitan Record, wearing her full, protective garb. Then we can surely agree that there lies within this remarkable woman, a heart of true compassion! “A most powerful story!” exclaimed Pres. Matt. Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing your story with us. You touched our heartstrings too.
It came as no surprise that every Happy Bill given today was in appreciation of Jennifer, and all that she has done to bring comfort to others. Pres. Matt has appreciated the work that Liz, Rose, and Sherry are doing. Bo’s and Sherry’s phones each put out a little signal at today’s meeting too!
Sherry had a great Rotary Moment to share, as she reflected on the Lucky Ducky Derby. She thought about all the work that goes into this event, and she recalled the excitement of the kids, as they lined up along the creek, watching the ducks “swim!"
Have a great week, everyone! Hope to see many of you at next week’s Evening Meeting, when we will get a snippet of Naples “Nostalgia” from Blanche.
