Summer is waning and the cool and rainy weather today reminded us of that! Our group today numbered 22 with one guest, our speaker, Matt Parsons.

 

President Judy led the Pledge followed by the song R-O-T-A-R-Y. Our inspiration came from Dolly Parton: "If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader." RIP Dolly.

 

Since September begins tomorrow, we celebrated the birthdays of Micah, Alan S., Denise, Tony and Blanche. Anniversaries are Skip and Judy and Liz and Clyde.

 

Announcements: Many events are coming in the next couple weeks: District Golf at Res. Creek - 9/11. Let Jack know if you can volunteer or play. * District 7120, One Rotary Summit - 9/12 in Pittsford * Naples Steak Dinner at VFW - 9/14, 5:30pm. Let Skip know if you're coming. $20 and a dish to share. * Area Visit with Lisa Norwood at BVT - 10/8 at 7pm, RSVP to Judy/Carrie. * End Polio dinner at VFW - 10/22 at 5:30pm. * District Conference in Rochester - 6/5/2027. Register online at bit/ly/DC-2027. * Grape Festival t-shirts are available on Thursdays at Morgan Hose Building, 22 Mill St., 1-3pm. * NO MEETING next Monday - It's Labor Day. 

 

The Committee Spotlight was on the Mental Health Committee. Liz Yee and Sue D are members of the District committee. We need volunteers to chair and create a committee for our Club. This would be a great place for a newer member to get involved! There are a few guidelines from the District group whose campaign is  "don't bottle it up inside". They are working on an art contest for Interact groups, running from Sept - Dec. The goal of both committees is to eliminate the stigma of mental health concerns and to make people aware of local support services.

 

Matt Parsons is a fifth generation family member, in his 23rd year at Parsons Pipe Organ Builders. They are located on Rt. 64 in Bristol. Matt is a veteran of the US Air Force and a grad of Keuka College in 2004.  He is Canandaigua Rotarian. He is an organ builder and the curator of organs at Eastman School of Music. His great-great-grandfather Gideon Parsons worked at Skinner Organ builders in Boston and was recruited by George Eastman in 1920 to care for his home organ and those in churches in Rochester. Matt's grandparents met at Eastman School of Music.

 

Organs are wind instruments with valves that force air through the pipes of different sizes. Many of the parts are made of leather. Church organs can have 1000-2000 pipes. The biggest organ is in Atlantic City and has 33,000 pipes. A similar one in Macy's in Philly has noontime concerts daily. Organs generally need restoration only every 75 to 100 years. Tuning happens twice a year. A new organ can take a year or more to build. Parsons usually builds just one new at a time but may be working on a restoration simultaneously. Restorations can take years depending on the size and complexity. Currently they are building a new one going to Columbia, S.C. and restoring the Ringling family organ from Sarasota FL. It was dismantled and brought to Bristol, taking care to document every single piece. The next new one will go to Houston, with 8400 pipes from 32' to 6 inches. George Eastman's organ is the largest home organ in the country. It has been maintained by Parsons for decades. Parson's employs 25 people with skills of woodworkers, draftsmen, engineers, builders and artists. They service about 200 churches in our area, maintaining and tuning them. Parsons will have open houses before shipping all new and restored organs, inviting the public and local organists to come and play them. The next ones will be in January and March 2027. Find info at their website: parsonsorgans.com or on Facebook. Matt says he loves to go to work every day. He loves the work and the people who create the pieces of art that Mozart described as "the king of instruments"!

 

Judy announced the installation of the first Naples Rotary Peace Pole last Thursday at the Old Town Square between Plenty the Diner and Old School Cafe. It has word of peace in four languages. A second pole will be erected in the Naples Youth Corp area soon. A ceremony of dedication will be held in September. Thanks to Jo for organizing it all!

 

The Ace of Hearts today was $142. Carrie had lucky ticket #911. She chose the ten of Spades.

Happy Bills went to Matt's interesting and informative presentation and the Peace Pole installation. Carrie thanked her mom for help setting up her classroom for her 28th year. She also celebrates her boys back to campus. Jo Anne is looking forward to Chloe's wedding on Sunday. Congrats and we hope it's wonderful! Jack shared that Nicole and family enjoyed their visit here last week. They left quickly to take a tour of Res Creek before dark. Her hubby is a pro golfer and the girls enjoyed cruising in the golf carts. Jo remembered riding horses behind the building where Parsons is now.

 

Our Rotary moment from Carrie came from a FB page about the Rotary Bell. All Clubs have a bell to start and end each meeting. It has a history and tradition to call for unity and commitment to Rotary ideals, sharing friendship and service. 

We recited the Four Way Test and rang the bell to adjourn at 1:03pm.