We had a great group tonight at the Redwood. The 2026 Naples Grape Festival t-shirts are in and many found their homes! There were 30 Naples Rotarians and 12 guests greeted by Sue D. Everyone picked a number of their table as they entered and we "mixed it up" tonight!
President Judy welcomed us and led us in the Pledge. The inspiration was "Do one thing every day that scares you." Eleanor Roosevelt
Sue fought her fear and introduced our guests. Past District Governor Jim Crane and Nancy Louthlin came from Victor-Farmington Rotary Club. Our speaker, Liam Fahy was joined by family Kristina (mom), Jeff (dad) and sisters Amelia and Eleanor. Jack and Sharon welcomed their former Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) student from 1999-2000, Nicole Erb, husband Thomas and daughters, Leonie (RYE to Australia in 2023), Paulina (who visited here in 2025) and Valerie from Germany.
Announcements: We received a thank you note from Family Promise of Ontario County for our donation, selected by the Giving Committee for the last quarter of 2025-2026. * Naples Rotary T-shirts will be ordered soon and are expected in mid-September. * District Golf Tournament is Sept. 11 at Reservoir Creek. Golfers and volunteers are requested - see Jack. * The One Rotary Summit is in Pittsford on Saturday 9/12, 8:30-12:30. Info is in the District Grapevine and website: rotary7120.org/event. * The Area visit with District Governor Lisa Norwood and nearby Clubs is on October 8th at Bristol Valley Theater. * World Polio Day will be celebrated with Prattsburgh and Wayland Clubs on October 22 at the VFW. * Mark your calendars for the District 7120 Conference next June 5, 2027 at the Convention Center in Rochester. Registrations are open.
Jim Crane joined us today to present a Club Excellence Award to Naples NY Club and Jack Fredericks for his presidential year 2025-2026. We are one of eight clubs in the District to receive it. The award recognizes the club efforts throughout the year for membership, engagement, involvement in their community and support for Rotary Foundation. Congrats Naples and thank you Jim and Jack!
Liam Fahy, a rising NCS senior, attended RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) this summer at FLCC. He will be the President of NCS Interact Club this year. He shared his experiences and how valuable it was for him. He talked of the types of leaders and how he didn't see himself as one. He learned that anyone can be a leader in their own style - his was a collaborator. Each student learned how to speak comfortably in front of a group through daily games and activities. He found great value in dorm living and making connections with all variety of peers. During the time at RYLA, a video was created of many students thoughts on what was the best part of RYLA time. Liam shared it with us. He thanked Naples Rotary for sponsoring him in this great experience.
The committee spotlight was given by John who spoke about the Rotary Foundation Committee. This included both our Naples Foundation and Rotary International Foundation activities. John is president with Jack, Skip, Frank, Liz Y. and Micah participating. The local club board interacts with the District Governor-Elect, Governor and Foundation Chair on District activities such as funding Polio Plus, Uganda Water project and District Grants. They also work for Every Rotarian Every Year and Paul Harris donations to Rotary International with reports, setting goals and Global Grants. John also modeled the new Grape Festival shirt. Designed by Kim Torpey, they are available pre-festival at Morgan Hose Building on Thursday afternoons from 1-3pm.
Our Club Assembly today was Naples Rotary Jeopardy, created by President Carrie. We had 6 tables competing for points in categories of: Naples NY History, Rotary Acronyms, Club Board Members, By the Number and Rotary International. We learned a lot and had fun!
The Ace of Hearts was $128 and Bill S. had the winning ticket again! Again it was not a winner - Jack of Clubs.
Many Happy Bills were given for Liam's presentation about RYLA. Jack showed Nicole in a T-shirt from her RYE year 26 years ago. He and Sharon are so glad to have her family visiting. Jack also complimented Liam's golf game. The Gordons will be traveling to Raleigh to help their daughter's fam move into their new home. The Grove sons are back to college. Kris helped her god-daughter move to Penn State. Parker has moved to UB, first classes today. Alan B. won a prize and says the last show of the season at BVT this week is spectacular! Liz B. is celebrating a new granddaughter! Judy said that Carrie makes her look good and will be soloing at lunch meetings when school opens. You'll do great, Judy!
Marty had a Rotary moment: He spoke to the Native American uncle, DJ, who shared his life story at the District Conference last May. Marty and Jill had found many (40+) eagle feathers on their property - it is illegal for non-Natives to own them, with fines of $10K each! The Clan mothers were contacted and drove out to Gordon's home to receive them. They viewed an eagle as the "protector of the great hill" across the lake and went there to see it. The nest was in a huge white pine - a symbol of healing. The feathers were wrapped in "treaty cloth" with some tobacco and ceremonial tobacco was smoked. Jill and Marty have been invited to visit them in the near future in Cattaraugus County! What a great moment!
We recited the Four Way Test and adjourned at 7:22pm.
