Welcome all to a new Rotary Year! We gathered at noon at The Redwood, greeted by Cindy and led by new President Karen! Karen brought the meeting to order with a quiet bell ring and led us in the Pledge. Jack selected "God Bless America" for our song. Patrice wrote a special poem today to celebrate the theme of the 2024-2025 Rotary Year: The Magic of Rotary! It was a wonderful invocation for the year ahead. She is such a talented poet and I hope to post her words here in the future.

 

There are two anniversaries to celebrate in July: John and Sherry's 11th anniversary and Jack and Sharon's 50th later this month! Congrats to you all!

 

Our program today was a Member Spotlight from Craig Smith. He was able to be here this noon since he is on summer vacation from teaching high school in Prattsburgh. Craig is currently teaching 12th grade English and World History. In the past, he also served 10 years as advisor to the senior class play, 16 years as VP of the Teacher's Association and 18 years as Jr/Sr. class advisor. He, wife Kristin and son Parker live in a wooded location in Italy Valley. Kristin will likely do a future Member Spotlight - she is currently finishing up her year as a school counselor. They have been married for 22 years.  Parker will soon be on his way to Sweden for a year as a Rotary Exchange student!

Craig grew up in Second Milo, near Penn Yan with 3 older brothers and one sister. It was a very rural area and he attended a small elementary school in Dresden before going to high school in Penn Yan.  His mom was a professional cake baker, dad was a carpenter who passed away when Craig was only 13. His single mom always encouraged him to try and achieve whatever interested him. In high school he became friends with a Rotary Exchange student from Denmark and joined Interact! After starting college at Morrisville, he found the Friends World program at Long Island U. which enabled him to spend his sophomore year in London. He then studied religions around the world including 3 month stays in Japan, Thailand, India, Nepal, Israel and Egypt! After getting a B.S. in philosophy and comparative religion, he pursued a Masters in Education in History. In grad school in Rochester, he re-met Kristin (who also went to Penn Yan). In the early days of dating, she passed his "Princess Bride" test and the rest is history! At least until Kristin gives her side of the story - LOL!

Parker was born 10 weeks early, spent 2 months in NICU and came home at 3.5 pounds! It was a very scary time but he did well and is now much taller than his parents. His participation in RYLA last year inspired him to travel in the Rotary Exchange program. He'll be leaving in a month.

Craig's hobbies include hiking, gardening, woodworking and a passion for music of many genres. Questions from the group included how students have changed over the years, his memories of travels and an invitation to do future invocations from his broad range of religious learning.

 

The Ace of Hearts today was an exciting $14! Skip drew the Jack of Hearts instead.

 

Happy Bills went for Patrice's wonderful poem, Craig's great program, Grady Grove attending RYLA (with his parents as chaperones), good weekends at Artizanns, and family coming home from Jordan! Sadly, we learned that past president Liz's dad has passed away. Our thoughts are with her and her family.

 

Karen finished the gathering with the Four Way Test and the final bell. Have a great week!

 

Note: Attendance will be taken at each week's meeting. If you participate in other events or activities and want to document your attendance, please email or message Cindy to have it recorded. Or you can enter it yourself in ClubRunner. Thanks!