Thirty-three members and two guests gathered this noon for what proved to be a most fascinating and lively meeting; for today was the day when we would learn “a little more” about each of our five new members! Speaking of “new”, even the protocol for the opening part of the meeting seemed a little bit different.
President Tom commenced the meeting, as we joined him in saying The Pledge. After reading a “Yankee Doodle” poem to us, Jack broke out with “You’re A Grand Old Flag”, and to be sure, many of us appreciated its easy-to-sing melody!
Pastor Robin gave The Blessing, as she thanked The Lord for all His gifts, and she asked for His guidance, as we serve others. Our welcomed guests today, as announced by Laurie, were Chris, wife of Wayne, and Sharon, wife of Jack. There was a bit of a “mystery” concerning the gavel! Skip asked Pres. Tom about it, saying, “It’s somewhere in the room!” Well, low and behold, guess who “happened” to have it? One of our new members…Clyde himself! He returned it to Tom, for a fee, of course!
Earlier this morning, there was a Board Meeting, and Patrice gave a summary of the items covered.
- Many of us will try to attend the Eastern Cities Fellowship Dinner on 9/23. That will replace the otherwise scheduled second Evening Meeting of September.
- The Columbus Day Holiday is 10/14. We won’t meet on that day, but instead, we’ll try to attend a Joint Meeting of Area Rotary Clubs on 10/15, which is Tuesday. That event will be at Hunt Hollow.
- Donations for Jessica Witherow can be made on an individual basis to her Go Fund Me Account.
- Based on a request from the Walden School, we have decided to donate $200 to this program.
- John F. shared information on the Water For Uganda Project. It was decided that we will donate $500 to this cause, and the money will come out of Special Grants.
- In terms of Membership, Tom noted that Betty is in the pipeline.
- Due to the busy work schedule that Lauren currently has, Pat will try to submit a short article each month to the District Grapevine.
Tom then gave a Club Calendar overview.
Jodi took the podium, and she highlighted some of the special events from the recent Walk of Life. She commented on how this event was yet another way of our “getting to know each other better” and of our “keeping connected”. She thanked the WOL Committee, the circle of businesses involved, and all the members who helped to make this year’s WOL so successful. In terms of the total intake, which was $12754, Jodi noted that we did equally as well as we did last year. We then viewed a poignant video, compliments of Pres. Tom, which touched on many special moments that were part of that eventful day.
Frank then gave a little summary of how things are going at Camp O. They are on the “downhill slope”, as this is the second and final week of the camp experience for 100 youngsters. Steve, Bo, and Tom, along with Frank had helped to set up, while Adam, Kayc and Alex helped at the “Carnival”. Ten members are planning to go help with a service project this Thursday. Those folks are Karen, Deb, Bo, Pat, Roberta, Warren, Tom, Robin, and Laurie, along with Frank. Tomorrow, Liz is going to bring her “comfort dog”, Bella, to meet the kids!
Just as “Rotary Connects the World, today, within our club, we made a “closer connection” to the five newest members: Wayne, Bruce, Steve, Clyde, and Liz. We were delighted to get to know each of these new friends just a little bit better, as all five told us more about themselves.
Wayne Buchar was first to speak. He, along with his wife, Chris, of 35 years, has raised three sons. He attended the U. of R., and he worked at Xerox. With a background in Engineering, he has always possessed a love of learning. Wayne shared that God, family, community, and country are of utmost importance to him, and that in going through life, he always tries his best.
Wayne's interests include sailing, the saxophone, and of course, history! He is the current owner of the Maxfield Inn, our local B and B. He is also the current president of the Historical Society and talked about The Cleveland House Museum as being a link to the past, and an historic “jewel”. He hopes to help rejuvenate Naples through his efforts, and he sees Rotary as an opportune way to give of himself!
Bruce, McLellan, who is a project manager, and is married to Sandy, has enjoyed getting to know many of the members he has met while attending some of the meetings. He enjoyed hearing “You’re A Grand Old Flag” being sung, as he fondly remembered his dad playing that song on the banjo!
Having grown up in Maine, Bruce comes from a musical family. Growing up, he learned about independence and working together, and he is passionate about wanting to make a better world. Wayne feels being a part of Rotary will help foster and enhance these goals. He would like to do a 5-K (Run) around Thanksgiving in order to help the Walden Project.
Steve Janto has been married to Patty for 37 years, and they have four children and 14 grandchildren! He graduated from Nursing School, and he later became involved in the field of cardiology. After a stint at Rochester General, Steve acquired a position in a pediatric hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. He became Chairman of the Cardio-Vascular Unit. Steve was very instrumental in saving the lives of newborns and young children who had heart conditions.
He was an integral part of a project known as “Tele-Medicine”, whereby decisions could be made about children’s needs, and they could be treated in the area where they lived. Steve has dedicated his life to children, and since he has been in Naples for about two years, he has found another way to be with them. He is a NCS bus driver, and he enjoys seeing and being with the kids each day! His philosophy centers on being with people, and being committed to them.
Clyde Yee, who was raised in Maryland and West Virginia, has his family in Hawaii, thus he calls himself “The Mainland Child”! Interjecting his droll sense of humor, he commented that he can even do a “southern drawl” if asked!
Clyde, who is a criminal investigator, had worked as a law enforcement ranger in various parks throughout the U.S. When he worked for the National Park Service, he met his wife, Liz. They married in 1996 amidst the devastating effects of Hurricane “Fran”, which happened to have been his mom’s name!
He worked as a Special Agent in Colorado, and the Grand Canyon. He retired in 2012, then he moved here in 2014, when Liz retired. They have made their home on Garlinghouse Road, and Clyde enjoys helping the Grove Boys on weekends. Both he and Liz enjoy participating in the Naples Community.
Liz Yee, wife of Clyde, was born in Pittsford, and she always wanted to be a Park Ranger! She was inspired, as a child, by watching The Wonderful World of Walt Disney! She had worked for Bill Bana-sewski, and then she ventured out west, where she was able to have some interesting experiences such as working at a Dude Ranch.
She applied to places, and landed a job in the Grand Tetons.She also spent 3 seasons working in Law Enforcement. Other positions drew her back east, where she worked at State Parks. She later met Clyde, and then followed him out west. Liz was hired as a Patrol Ranger, where she “wore many hats” as she imparted to us.
After 29 years, she decided to retire, and she was hoping to settle in Virginia or New York. She and Clyde “found their Niche” in Naples! She even brought her horse with her! She and Clyde have found the Naples Rotary Club to be “a perfect fit”!
A warm welcome is extended to these five new members! Your rich, diverse backgrounds, and your genuine willingness to serve others will be an asset and a blessing to Naples Rotary!
- Fines today centered around missed meetings, cellphones ringing, late arrivals, and missing badges.
- Happy Bills were for the new members, the program, the WOL, and being a part of Naples Rotary.
- The 50/50 was at $17.00. Diane’s Ticket, #188, was picked. She drew the Five of Diamonds.
- Skip had the Win-Win. Ben Spaid spun 6 hula hoops!
- Carrie says our Incoming Exchange Student from Belgium will be staying with the Lincoln Family.
- Let Skip know by next week if you plan to attend the Steak Roast on 9/9.
- Tom had the Rotary Moment. His little granddaughter, Allie, makes bracelets, and she donated $63 of her earnings to the WOL! A Rotarian in the making!!
