It's been a really hot week here in the valley but we were cool and cozy inside the Redwood as 23 Rotarians gathered. Frank greeted us, smiling as usual!

 

Jack led the Pledge and we sang the first verse of America the Beautiful. John shared some words of inspiration: Happiness comes from what we do, Fulfillment is why we do it! Jack noted that he and Skip were the dress code winners in their matching pastel stripe shirts - keeping it cool! Our 5 guests were Anna and Uryu, who will be heading home in the next couple weeks, and Lyra who just arrived home from her exchange time in Thailand! Our speakers tonight were Melissa Simmons, Ricky Price and our own David Dial.

 

Announcements: Liz cheered when Jack announced that Sherry will be our new Program Coordinator! * Jack sent congratulations to NCS graduates, especially to Interact seniors and the Rotary Scholarship winners: Brad Clawson Memorial - Jacob Betrus, Bruce Clawson Service Above Self - Ben Hebding, Duane Schultz Memorial - Abigail Hall and Tony Long Memorial - Grady Grove. *  We received Thank You notes from Ben Hebding, NHS Principal Nicole Green for the Rotary scholarships, and from Joan Luther for BVT for our donation. * The District Grant we applied for was approved! The $2000 goes toward construction of a wash station at Camp Onseyawa. * The Gavel Dinner is next Monday evening at Brew & Brats. Fellowship starts at 5:30 pm, catered dinner is at 6 pm. See Skip to RSVP or sign up via the email from John with payment by Zeffy.

 

Our speakers were here to tell us about Naples Pride Celebration on Saturday, July 26 from 1-6 pm starting at Memorial Town Hall. Melissa grew up in to Naples starting in 1986 and moved back here in 2020 with her 5 kids, now between 19 and 26 years old. Ricky lives in Bristol and teaches legal studies at St. John Fisher. They have taken part in Naples Pride day, now in its 4th year. The annual event celebrates and cultivates community and solidarity in LGBTQIA and allies in Naples and the Finger Lakes area. The aim is to build awareness of issues of importance to the LGBTQIA community by engaging in dialogue with community members.

Data from the Trevor Project shows that young people in the LGBTQ+ community are 4 times as likely to attempt suicide as their peers. They also face bullying, depression and parental rejection at high rates. The celebration includes information tables, music, vendor sponsors and a potluck. David will be performing in his alter-ego, Rhonda. A march will proceed from the park to BVT and back around 3-4 pm. Funding for the event is donated mainly by local individuals. It was noted that Rotary is firmly committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. 

 

The Ace of Hearts was down to the last two cards! The $592.50 will go to either the winner or into the Club account today. The lucky ticket was #771, in Jo's hand. She selected the Jack of Hearts!  It was suggested that a new sound system would be a great purchase for the Club.  We are all winners! We will start over next time.

 

Happy Bills went to the students receiving scholarships, Anna and Uryu's time with us and best wishes for their future, Lyra's homecoming and next year at FLCC, the great Naples Pride program, Camp O grant, Naples Grape Fest committee meeting, graduation parties, Grady's Rotary award and Nancy heading to her lake home.

 

Sue shared a Rotary Moment quoting Mark Twain: "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness", and "Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime". 

Jack shared Rotary Moments from Patrice and Bo at the RI convention in Calgary: they toured a 100 year old Mountie station nearby where the Mountie shared that he was a Paul Harris Fellow. Pat and Bo are at the conference with 54 couples in the RV Fellowship!

 

Jack concluded the gathering with the Four Way Test and rang the bell at 6:54 pm. See you at the Gavel next week!