It was another wonderful day to be in Naples Valley!

We were welcomed today at the Redwood by greeter Sue. There were 24 Naples Rotarians and 2 guests.

 

President Judy welcomed all and led the Pledge. Her inspiration was: "Nothing is impossible. The word itself says: I'M POSSIBLE!" Audrey Hepburn

 

Our guests today were summer Rotarian Chip and our speaker Berna Ticonchuk.

 

Announcements: We are still taking orders for Rotary T-shirts. * Copies of Club Goals and our Bylaws are here. Bylaws are also in ClubRunner Documents. * The District Conference in Rochester next June 5th is open for registrations. Five Naples Rotarians are signed up already. Register at: bit/ly/DC-2027. *  Area 4 of District 7120 will meet here in Naples at Bristol Valley Theater on 10/8/2026 at 7 pm. Please RSVP to Carrie or Judy. District Governor Lisa Norwood hopes to greet many members and we will get to know Rotarians from other neighboring Clubs. Desserts and drinks will be provided. * Our August Membership Meet and Greet is Thursday 6-8pm at Lynnie Lou's. Come to enjoy fellowship and ice cream and bring your friends!

 

Berna Ticonchuk is a horticulturalist and certified arborist who has worked at Sonnenberg Garden and George Eastman House. She was a program coordinator and instructor at FLCC. She has served on the Canandaigua Tree Advisory Board and is now a leader for Naples Shade Tree Commission. The group recently became active in March of 2025 as advocates for trees in the Village of Naples. They include Rotarians Kevin Johnson and Skip Miller and seven other Naples residents. They have also attained Tree City USA status which qualifies Naples for grants. Berna asked who knew when Arbor Day is - Skip quickly replied the last Friday of April. That's when we give trees to the elementary students! The purpose of the commission is to hold monthly meetings, maintain a tree inventory, review the village code/ordinance, report to the Village Board annually,  educate the community about tree issues and write a plan for tree management. The first focus is to finish a tree inventory. It includes locations, species, sizes, condition of the trees and any close utilities or right-of-way issues. The first phase includes all village streets between the sidewalk and curb. Route 21/ Main St. is a state highway so it is excluded. Status for Tree City USA requires a tree board, a tree care ordinance, annual budget of $2 per capita for tree care ($1800+ for Naples) and an Arbor Day observance. Additional goals are educational programs, a website and guiding the Village Board and DPW in tree related endeavors. Several questions shed light on issues: removal of hanging and dead branches at Memorial Town Hall,  recommended specific types of trees for our area, costs of planting, what size of tree fares better and who pays for plantings. Some suggestions were a town commission for areas outside the village, educational programs and greater presence of the group on-line. Anyone can attend the meetings on the first Monday of each month at the Village Hall at 5pm. September's meeting will be on 8/31 due to the Labor Day holiday. Thanks Berna!

 

The Ace of Hearts was $111. Ticket #0799 belonged to lucky Bill Stopka! He picked the Jack of Spades.

Happy Bills went to Berna's very informative program. The Grove sons are back to college this week. Carrie is not back yet but starting to think about it. Kris is happy to be retired and will lunch with other former educators. The Tree Commission's mission was applauded. We are happy to have new microphones that work great.

Brenda loaned money to a stranger and was repaid with $5 going to Rotary. Bo recalled that the Rotary helped to water brand new trees on Main Street about 40 years ago! John and Sherry had a nice lunch with the Dusericks. They will be moving to Rochester this week but Frank is keeping his membership here. Thanks to Laurie for filling in for treasurer Judy as she vacations. Nancy's son will be having surgery in September. Thanks to Berna for working so diligently for the Tree Commission and speaking today.

 

Alan Braun's Rotary Moment was setting up Camp O on Saturday with Jack, Kevin and Alan's wife Kristie. It was fun and inspiring to be there.

 

Judy led the Four Way Test and adjourned at 12:59pm.

See you on Thursday at Lynnie Lou's!

 

NOTE: The Grape Festival T-shirts have arrived and they are really grape! The Naples Historical Society will be sorting and folding them Thursday 1-3pm, at Morgan Hose Building, 22 Mill St. You can purchase them then or any Thursday 1-3pm. We will also sell them Monday 8/24 at the Redwood, 5:15 to 6:00pm. Also at Cleveland House Museum on Sunday 8/23 from 11-3pm. Check out the historic quilt show there! Short sleeve are $25, long sleeve are $30. There are a some sizes of sweatshirts left from 2025 for $35. For simplicity and for the benefit of NHS and Naples NY Rotary, all apparel will be sold at the established retail prices. See you soon in your Grape Fest shirts!