It seems like our Rotary Club had “gone to the dogs” today, as we had a lot of canine visitors at today’s Noon Meeting! That being said, the many pups and one kitty helped to makes today’s turnout of members and guests just marvelous! Pres. Matt opened the meeting, inviting us to join him in saying The Pledge. Bruce M. not only provided the image of Our Flag, he also gave a very heartfelt Invocation. “Heavenly Father, Dear Mother,” said Bruce. “It’s Monday. We’re alive. We’re breathing. We’re blessed. Amen!” Today we welcomed guests, Jake Hall and Sharon. Along with the 27 members, and two guests, there were several pups, one kitty, and a “stuffed” pup as well! Susan introduced her newest family member, Reggie. Sherry had Dee-Dee with her. Skip had Judy’s “stuffed pup”. Tom had Mr. Milo. Nancy had Quincy. Karen had Tanner. Laurie had Jackie. Rose had feline friend, Sir Ocelot. Marty’s and Jill’s pups were snoozing! All in all, it was quite the “Menagerie”, as the furry friends came in all sizes!
Patrice gave a summary of today’s Board Meeting. The Trout Derby went very well this year, with our making a net profit of about $2200. Many thanks to Micah and Sherry for all their hard work in bringing about these great results. Jack has proposed that the Naples Rotary Club participate in the Great Lakes Watershed Clean Up, which has been extended through July 1st. It’s possible that the Naples Rotary Club could help to clean a portion extending from Naples Creek to Route 21. Jack will investigate this possibility further, and he will update the Membership. Alex has offered to prepare sandwiches for the helpers, so that might serve as a drawing card to “pitch in”. Thanks, Alex! Jack also talked about the possibility of holding a Districtwide Golf Tourney in May of 2022. Reservoir Creek would serve as the location for the event, which would be very centrally located. Jack has talked with Holly and Tony about this, and he has been granted approval from DG Linda Kohl. Jack hopes to form a committee which would plan for this proposed event. The Board examined the various committees in the club, along with the current chairs. Matt will create a chart listing all the committees, chairs, and their duties, via a Google Doc. He will send it as an E-Mail to the Membership. The Board approved the proposal for Karen and Bruce to switch roles this coming Rotary Year. Bruce will be President for the year 2021-2022, and Karen will be President for the year 2022-2023. If you’ll remember, Matt and Tom did the same during these past two years. Karen will continue in her role as Program Planner. Two new members have been proposed by Sherry. The Board approved their applications. Mike J. will E-mail the details to the Membership for its approval. A NCS Faculty Member has expressed an interest in chairing and forming an Interact Club. A non-Rotarian is permitted to chair an Interact Club, along with a co-chair, who must be a Rotarian. Marty is our Interact Contact Person. We will discuss and explore this possibility further at a future date.
Marty gave an update on the Great Grape Derby. He thanked all those who have agreed to sell tickets. He especially thanked John and Sherry, Jodi, and Vicky for arranging “pick-up” locations to acquire tickets. We have been encouraged to click on “like” on the Face Book Page that has been created for the event. Tickets will be sold until the start of the Derby. When returning your tickets, Marty has asked that we arrange them in numerical order, which will help greatly. Please send the money to Marty as well. Bruce is willing to “Live Stream” this day, also! He needs a couple of volunteers to help with this undertaking, and he will coordinate his efforts with Marty. Thanks, Bruce!
Rose gave an update on the Bristol Valley Theater. Each year, the BVT needs folks to host actors. Basically, this means supplying a place to live for the actors between May and August. The stipend is $37 a week, per person, and one also receives a Season Ticket to BVT. More information is available on the BVT Website, and one can E-Mail Karin, as well.
Jack talked a bit more about the Great Lakes Watershed Clean-Up. He would like us to participate, and if we could get from 5 to 10 people to help, that would be great! A date and a plan of action will be determined. Jack will spearhead this plan.
Jack noted that the proposed Districtwide Golf Tournament will be similar to a Ryder Cup in format. Teams would be placed together, paired from two different clubs. Those who are interested in being a part of the Planning Committee should contact Jack at his E-Mail, which is JackF374@G.Mail.Com. “It will be a fun and worthwhile event for all!” exclaimed Jack.
Frank gave an update on Camp O. So far, 30 campers have signed up for this year’s camp experience. The Camp O. Golf Tournament is slated for Saturday, June 12th. As is customary, a Gift Basket is needed for the auction. Sherry and John have graciously agreed to supply a basket this year, which typically has made an extraordinary prize!
“Our Club is alive and well!” exclaimed Pres. Matt as he introduced today’s special guest, and program presenter, Jacob Hall. How does being raised and educated in a small, yet caring community produce a stellar individual, who after receiving a prestigious education, returns to his native home to live, work, and give of himself? That answer was clearly demonstrated today, as Jake, who had been a part of the Naval Academy, shared his experiences with us. As Jake began his presentation, he said that it reminded him of when he was “on parade” with his Dental Health Poster, back in 5th grade. It was his teachers, sports, and school activities that made Naples near and dear to his heart, he told us, as he displayed poignant pictures from his past. He said that the Naples Academy had prepared him well for the Naval Academy! The NA was begun in 1845, and was comprised of several buildings, many of which were connected by tunnels. The taller, central building housed the men, as Jake told us.
It was at the Naval Academy that he learned basic military maneuvers, and military discipline. Upon seeing his family photo, Jake reminisced on how his Mom, Nancy would supply Gatorade to the young men to soothe their voices after rigorous training! He read the Mission Statement of the NA to us, noting that each Midshipman must commit that statement to memory. Many officers and Marines played an important role in influencing Jake as he went through his training. He graduated Second Lieutenant, Second Marine Corps, with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, which is a common background of most of the Midshipmen. During the Summer, Jake had access to excellent professors, as he extended his training. Though Jake’s Class graduated in “a time of War”, (2011), the Inscription, “Not for self but for country” governed his thoughts.
Upon seeing a family photo of Jake, Wendy, and their three children on Easter Morning, we can clearly see how important family and faith are to Jake. He retired from the Marine Corps to live, work, and raise his family, and his community involvement has impacted his life greatly! Surrounded by the love of his family, friends, and neighbors, and inspired by his faith, he considers himself “blessed”. Jake completed his talk by gleaning a quote from the Book of Ecclesiastes, that says, “If I do not have love, it profits me nothing”. Indeed, Jake’s wisdom is a guide for us all! Upon completion of his program, Jake answered some questions from the Membership. Having been raised on a farm, he implied that service and time management are important. Similarly, he noted that our actions, locally, from the Naples Rotary, certainly have a “ripple effect”! Our deepest thanks to Jake for giving such a wonderful program! His Dad, and His Mom would be proud, as would be brother, Phil, who also graduated from the Naval Academy! It was so nice that Sharon, his fifth grade teacher, could be with us today, as well!
Jake’s excellent program, the excellent work of Micah and Sherry on the Trout Derby, and the fine work being done by Marty and Jill preparing for the Great Grape Derby were three major reasons for the Happy Bills to come forth this noon. Additional reasons include a family visit and Earth Day for Alex, a brand new pup, Reggie, for Susan, the collection of old photos that Blanche has been posting on Instagram, and the old photos that Rose has found, that she will give to the Naples Historical Society! Jack also noted that today was the birthday of Founder, Paul Harris! We were glad to have Robin join us, after a few missed meetings!
The Rotary Moment today was brought to us by Tom. It was a “peek into the past”, as we saw a picture of Tom being inducted into Naples Rotary for the first time. Beside him was his sponsor, Bruce Clawson! (That will please Judy and Family when they see that photo!) Tom said that 70 Clubs are pulling together various videos to show at the District Conference in May. We saw the Walk of Life video that Tom created for the Naples Rotary to show at the DC, and it was awesome! Click here to see it. Tom gave kudos to Jodi and Mike J., the Chairpersons of the WOL, who did so much to make it a success, even during the Pandemic! Great Rotary Moment, Tom!
Whew! I think this brings this week’s missive to a close! There was a great deal of information to impart today! Here’s hoping everyone will have a splendid week, and as we observe Earth Day on April 22nd, let us give thanks for being able to live in such a unique and wonderful area as the Finger Lakes! See you all on Monday, April 26th for the Evening Meeting!
