The warm temperatures, gentle breezes, and glorious sunshine of these past few days have certainly belied the fact that we are amid November, and we should be experiencing chilly temps, gusty winds, and gray skies that are typical of this time of year. However, we are happy to accept these “bonus days” that come as a little reward when the days of Fall are waning in our beautiful neck of the woods! Coupled with this aspect was the nice turnout of members and guests, who showed up for our first Evening Meeting of November 2021.
Our Greeter this evening was Micah, whose warm smile welcomed us as we entered the restaurant. As the tables in the back dining room of The Redwood slowly began to fill, we socialized a bit before President Bruce called the Meeting to order, asking us to join him in saying The Pledge. We put our hearts and souls into singing “God Bless America” led by John F. Karen gave The Invocation, thanking The Lord for His Blessings, and asked for His Healing Hands to be laid upon those of us who are standing in the need of prayer.
Along with 24 members, we enjoyed the company of six very nice guests. Lisa James, the Program Presenter joined us, along with Sharon, Pat, father of Jill, Charlie, grandson of Skip and Judy, and son of Carrie and Bill, and Jo Anne and Albie, who brought their completed Membership Applications with them! Tonight’s Program was one that we truly enjoyed, as it was about Therapeutic Horsemanship.
After the introduction of each of our guests, we were delighted to learn that Jo Anne, and her husband, Albie are both interested in becoming Members of Naples Rotary! They are being sponsored by Nancy. It is so reassuring to see our club grow both in strength and numbers.
There were several announcements and messages to share with the Membership before the Program began. Tom spoke about the progress of Grape Fest 2022. “We’re pulling things together,” said he, “and you’ll find it exciting!” Transparency, an Executive Plan, and Collaboration are features that will be found in the framework and design of next year’s Grape Fest. There will be a Survey conducted, and the Stakeholders Committee will meet. “We want to be inclusive,” noted Tom. He is on the Board for Explore Naples New York, which is based on businesses helping the Committee. On November 15th, there will be a Meeting to discuss an Action Plan, and to get more people involved during the Winter. Mike Joseph will be spearheading the Committee.
Charlie Grove spoke next. He reported that there is an Interact Club which has started in Naples Central School. Currently, there are 14 members in the club, under the direction of Annalisa Chapman (NCS Spanish Teacher), and with Marty being the moderator. Two of their upcoming goals are to help with the Thanksgiving Dinner at Caruso’s Café, and to help with shoveling snow at Hospeace House. Charlie is an outstanding representative of our Naples youth, and his parents and grandparents are to be commended for having raised such a fine young man! Wouldn’t Joyce be pleased that her dream of an Interact Club has finally reached fruition?
One of our Newest Members, Kristin, was next in line to impart information. This coming Saturday, 11/13, there will be a Silent Auction to benefit Naples Little Bunch. It will be held at the Maxfield Hall, beginning at 5:30, and it will cost $5 per person. Judy has tickets in case you are interested. (Though she is only able to attend Evening Meetings because of her teaching duties, Kristin is proving to be a viable member, as she is “plunging right in” to help Light Up Naples!)
Speaking of Light Up Naples, Rose gave a quick update on its progress. Sherry has put out an attractive flyer on social media which describes in detail all the events that will be a part of LUN, on December 11th. The Snow Globes (intended to be a fundraiser) will be sold at the Apothecary, Rennoldson’s, Luigi’s, and Caruso’s, at $5 each. Judy has also very kindly offered to sell them at school. Things are progressing well, and this year’s LUN Event is sure to be the best yet!
Pres. Bruce announced that PP Tom will preside at next Monday’s Noon Meeting.
Tonight’s Program featured Lisa James, an Equine Specialist from Rise Up Therapeutic Horsemanship, who specializes in equine-assisted therapy and activities. “Rise Up” seems to the perfect name for this program, which seeks to enrich and enhance the lives of its participants, by providing an experience between the riders and the horses, which is unequaled in terms of the bond that is shared. The Rise Up Program provides the participants with an opportunity to interact with the horses both “on the ground and in the saddle”, as Lisa told us. The Program has operated in Bloomfield since 2017, and the “Riding Lessons” take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Lisa recalled how her love of horses began in her mid 40’s when she responded to a “Help Wanted” Ad at a local barn, and she ended up loving it! She earned money to buy a horse of her own, and over time, she began thinking about the aspect of horses interacting with people with disabilities. She began volunteering, and in 2009, she became an official instructor!
In 2014, the Program began in Canandaigua, and in 2017, Lisa “took over”, and called it “Rise Up”! The Program, with three instructors, serves Ontario and Yates County. The horses who were screened were very special, as one would imagine, since they ultimately are meant to “connect” with their riders in ways that one cannot put into words. Riders of various disabilities and ages are suited to this equine experience. The range may extend from various needs such as Dementia, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, or Downs Syndrome, but the outcome is often one of positivity, as evidenced by a story Lisa shared with us. A non-verbal young man had completed his “lesson”, and though he had no words, his stroking of the horse’s muzzle afterwards “said it all”!
The lessons are tailored to each person’s individual needs, and it’s satisfying to the families of the riders to see the progress that is achieved!! Many useful skills are acquired through this interaction between humans and horses such as following directions, the learning of riding skills, and the physical and emotional benefits, as well! Of course, there were certain requirements that were necessary in becoming an instructor such as a Riding Test, Practice Teaching (Under an instructor), a Written Test, and a Written-Out Lesson Plan that would be executed in a 20-minute interval.
After sharing the “Success Story” of one of her clients, Lisa concluded her talk by saying that she wanted to “reach in, and bring out the best in each one, and help them to go forward!” Ironically, it was so special this evening that Jo Anne’s and Albie’s grandson, Alliet, has also experienced the joy of being able to participate in Rise Up Horse Therapy! The lessons range between 30 minutes to one hour depending on the number of riders, but each session with one of the two horses promises to yield some very special results! Many thanks to Lisa for a very “uplifting” program!!
As one could surmise, many Happy Bills were offered this evening because of some very special reasons! We were pleased with tonight’s very encouraging Program on Horse Therapy. We were delighted that an Interact Club has been formed at NCS, and that Charlie has proven to be such an excellent ambassador! It was wonderful to see such a nice turnout of members and guests this evening! Jo Anne, and Albie, we hope to welcome you soon into the Naples Rotary Club! What a great addition each of you will be! The energy level is high, as NCS athlete, Drew Reigelsperger, has reached the State Level of Cross-Country Competition!
Fifty-Fifty: The Kitty was at $92 tonight. John’s Ticket, #970, was selected. John drew the Jack of Diamonds!
Win-Win: Pres. Bruce had a teaser for us tonight! “If I lived in the Southern Hemisphere, in what month would the shortest day of the year be?” That, Dear Friends, would be the month of June!!
Rotary Moment: John F. had a perfect Rotary Moment for us this evening! He said that he joined Rotary because he wanted to make a difference. He quickly learned this adage that each of us must harbor in our hearts: “I can’t do all, but many can do much!”
Tom had a nice tidbit of news to share with the club. “It’s nice to keep track of those that we lose,” said Tom. With that being said, Tom had a lovely picture of Matt and Jackie in her grandfather’s cornfield commemorating the occasion of their engagement! “Matt has met his match!” exclaimed Tom!
“There is much going on!” commented Pres. Bruce. “It’s great to be a part of this club!” “Good night and God Bless!” he added. Considering all that has transpired over the last few weeks, I’d like to share a little message that came from Sharon, if that’s okay. Recently, she sent me a missive that contained these words that seem so connected to these times we’re living in. It’s from a Scandinavian Proverb that goes like this: “Go often to the house of thy friend, for weeds soon choke up the unused path.” Keep connected, Dear Friends, it’s this lifeline that keeps us going! Take Care! See you all on Monday!
