Happy President’s Day, and Happy Mid-Winter Recess to all! February, being a short month, yields to the promise of Spring which March brings, and that’s not far away! Those of us at Brew and Brats, and those of us on-line joined President Bruce in saying The Pledge. Jack chose to lead us in singing the National Anthem in honor of the Olympics. In giving the Invocation, Judy asked The Lord to help us be patient and kind, and to persevere in spreading peace and hope. Today’s Program was given by John F., and it could have been called a “Potpourri” because, in it, was a little bit of everything! There were 22 Members in attendance, including those in Zoomland, and there were no guests today. The Rotary Moment was provided by Albie.
“It feels like the first day of Spring!” exclaimed Pres. Bruce as he commenced the Meeting. Apparently, that 50-degree temperature rendered everyone a little more hopeful that Spring is around the corner!
Patrice gave a summary of this morning’s Board Meeting. The Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports were approved. A letter from Mike J., requesting a one-year leave of absence, ending in 2/2023, was accepted. Mike will still be involved with the Grape Fest of 2022. The nomination of Charlie Grove as our RYLA Representative was approved. A note from Kit Corti asked that we give Bill a call once in awhile to keep in touch. Tom noted that promotion for the Grape Fest has begun. We hope to share the event for Hospeace on our Rotary Page. We could possibly chair their event. Bruce will coordinate this. Tom said that 15 table reservations have come in for the Parrish Hill Barn Gala. A table of 8 costs $600, with $75 per person. There are 30 tables in all, which would make space for 240 people. PE John has been charting out his Rotary Year, and the Calendar for 2022-2023. To date, we need to have a couple more Club Assemblies before President Bruce’s term is up. The Spring Dinner will be April 25th. Skip is our “Point Person”. More information is to follow. We are looking to have our Meetings return to the village. One possibility is the Naples Hotel, which has high-speed Internet access. We will check with The Redwood about their getting the proper bandwidth. According to Laurie, the dues are coming in nicely since the installation of Venmo. Its reporting functions have made bookkeeping much easier. The Accounts are also in good shape. There will be no Meeting on Memorial Day. A card of condolence from the Club will be sent to Nardine upon the loss of her sister. Micah has officially stepped in to help Frank with Camp O. It is time to nominate a project to submit for the Successful Projects Awards. We have until March 28th. The Rotary Foundation Gala is 2/23. Arbor Hill will donate an Auction Basket for the District Training Assembly.
There were several updates today. Micah talked about the Trout Derby. Things will be a little more traditional this year! There will be the Weigh-In at the Fire Hall. There will be Catch and Release, with more details to follow. Updates will be forthcoming on Face Book, and in the Penny Saver. Micah and Sherry are spearheading the Trout Derby this year. Help from volunteers will certainly be appreciated!
Skip noted that the Spring Dinner will be the second Evening Meeting of April, which is April 25th. The location is to be determined. Further details will follow.
Frank talked about Camp Onseyawa. He gave the dates for the Golf Tournament and the Camp Set-Up. The Camp Experience will be from 8/15 to 8/26, and it will be for all the kids. More staff will be needed in the kitchen. The Annual Dinner will be 10/14. Micah will be helping Frank this year.
Tom talked further about the Grape Country Gala at the Parrish Hill Barn. There will be 30 tables available, of which 15 have already been reserved. There will be space for 240 people, so be sure to let Tom know if you plan to attend. The Gala will be 9/22 from 6-11 PM. Wear your boots, jeans, and cowboy hats! (There will be vegetarian options too, in terms of food!) Hee-Haw!!
Pres. Bruce advised us to be thinking about next year. If you would be willing to provide a Program, a Rotary Moment, or the Invocation, that would be very much appreciated! BTW, Skip did an impeccable job as “Greeter” today!
Now it was time for PE John to give us an overview of things to come, that is, the Events of 2022! The 61st Rotary Trout Derby is getting closer and closer! We thank Kim Torpey for the graphics in the attractive logo that she has created for this year’s TD. One can sign up at Sutton Spoons or the Fire Hall. The TD is, of course, on April 1st, and that is the day to “throw your lines in at sunrise!” The trophies are already in, and one can get buttons and stickers at Caruso’s Café, or Sutton Spoons. We can be supportive in providing donations and our time. “Every event becomes sustainable,” added John, “and this event is in the budget!”
Next, John went on to report on the Walk of Life, which benefits the Margery Pawluk Cancer Fund, and Hospeace House. Sherry and Rose are the “Point People” on the WOL Committee. Is it possible that we could do the entire WOL, with its components, during the month of July? This is something that we could consider. It could be a “dynamic event” throughout the entire month, comprised of T-shirts, Putt for Life, 5-K Run/Walk, Desserts and Songwriters, Dog Parade, Disc Golf, Chicken BBQ, Pork BBQ, Pinwheel Sale, and Cowpie Bingo. Now, doesn’t that sound like a “Jubilant July”?
Here are some more upcoming dates that John shared with us. The District Training Assembly is coming up in April. We are encouraged to register for this event for which there is no fee. It is an opportunity for fellowship, as will be the District Conference a little later! Membership Monday is on March 7th per a recent memo from Karen Parkhurst. It promises to be very entertaining, and one can participate from one’s laptop. The Rotary International Convention will be from 6/4 to 6/8 in Houston this year. Jack tagged on in saying that the District Conference will be from 4/29 to 5/1 this year in Oswego. Seven from the Naples Rotary Club are going thus far! “A dream without a plan is just a wish!” said John. Perhaps this is a prompt for each of us to try to participate, a bit, in some of the wonderful things that are happening within our vibrant club! Thanks to John for all the updates for our calendars!
There were many reasons to be happy today! Perhaps the warmer weather and the sunshine could’ve been a factor in raising people’s spirits! We appreciated John’s Overview of Events to Come, which really helps us with our planning! Rose was glad that John was able to step in for her, and she was thankful for the Prattsburgh Plumbers! The Groves and the Millers are very proud of Charlie and Grady for their swimming accomplishments. Frank felt that our Meeting was entertaining. We sure were glad to “see” him back with us! Tom gave kudos to Bruce and John for their technical expertise. Pat paid a Fine for forgetting to mention those handsome plaid shirts that were donned at today’s Meeting! Bruce “said it all”, as he compared our Club and its Membership to a “vivid painting”! “It’s a vibrant club!” added Jack.
It was Albie’s first Rotary Moment this noon, and what a treasure house of good thoughts he imparted, as he recollected that he has been a member only a few short months, and that being a member of Rotary has impacted him greatly. He recalled that back in 1996, he had to end a 25-year career with General Electric due to health issues. He had to take an early retirement, and he underwent a heart transplant. Albie and Jo Anne had to work to create a new life, and it was then that his artistic and creative abilities seeped in. He was able to paint on canvas and do what he liked. Twenty-six years later, he is still here, continuing life’s journey, and painting a picture, which creates the future! Albie is thankful to be a part of Rotary, as he feels that being a member of such an organization helps to continue to “paint that picture”! We are very glad to have Jo Anne and Albie as members!!
Next week, we look forward to having NCS Spanish Teacher, Annalisa Chapman, join us. She will be talking about the newly formed Interact Club at NCS. “Good -bye and God Bless!” said Pres. Bruce, and with that, he concluded the Meeting. See you next week! 😊
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