It's the last day before Rainbow Trout Derby Day! Several members of our club were busy preparing and many of us will be helping this evening to set up at the firehall. We hope it's a great day of fishing tomorrow!

 

Jack started us off with the Pledge. Liz shared a story that is a lesson for many. It featured a mouse that could not find help from other animals because the mouse trap didn't affect them. Eventually their apathy comes back to bite them when the farmer has to sacrifice them because of their lack of concern. Empathy is the way for good!

Our song today was the third verse of the Star Spangled Banner. It is quite dark so thank goodness we don't have to sing it much.

 

Greeter Frank introduced our guests: exchange students Anna and Uryu and speakers Lindsey Ayers and Lynn Klotz from Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association (CLWA).

 

Announcements: Derby Day is tomorrow! There will be raffle baskets and volunteer opportunities to contribute to this event. Even if you haven't signed up, come down to the firehall to help out from 7am to 5pm. * District Learning Assembly is this coming Saturday. * Hospeace House Monte Carlo Night is May 17th. Tickets are available from Sue or Jo. * Liz has been coordinating our speakers for a couple years. She would like to pass on the fun to another volunteer - see Jack or Liz to sign up. * Former Rotarian Alex Leto has been in a nursing home for some time, she was admitted to the hospital recently in serious condition. Keep her in your thoughts.

* Hospeace House is seeking a Clinical Care Coordinator. Sue has been filling the role for several months. Let her know if you know of someone in nursing who might be interested. * Camp O golf tournament at Silver Creek Golf is on June 14th. * Tickets  for the Great Grape Derby were handed out today. It takes place Saturday May 10th at 1 pm. Please return money or unsold tickets to the Gordons by Monday May 5th. * Stay tuned for a Rotary response to the earthquakes in Myanmar and Thailand.

 

Lynn Klotz is a past president, now board member and science committee person for the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association. Lindsey Ayers is the Director of CLWA. A watershed is an area of land bordered by geography that directs water flows to a body of water, in our case, Canandaigua Lake. Seventy thousand people in our area use the water from this lake. CLWA is a non-profit working to inspire the community to become stewards of the lake, to preserve, protect and restore the watershed for now and future generations. Canandaigua is 15.5 miles long with 36 miles of shoreline. It consists of 34 sub-watersheds, 350 miles of tributaries and 12 municipalities. It is bordered by 45% forest, 26% agricultural, 10% residential and 5% wetlands. All water runs downhill so the impacts on the lake are many. CLWA has 3 main focuses: community education and outreach, supporting scientific research, and advocating for sound public policies. They work closely with the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council (14 watersheds and municipalities) and the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Commission (5 municipalities that get their water from the lake- Canandaigua, Gorham, Newark, Palmyra and Rushville). Educational lessons are offered at Naples, Canandaigua, Marcus Whitman and St. Mary's Schools. They work to educate home owners on lake friendly living, reducing fertilizers and pesticides, septic maintenance, proper disposal of animal waste and native plantings. With several other groups, watercraft inspections at boat launches help to prevent spread of invasive species. They work with citizen scientists, professional data collectors, farmers and soil & water conservation districts in the watershed. Even terrestrial invasive species like spotted lanternfly and spongy moths can kill trees, causing soil erosion and increased decomposing organic contamination. One of the biggest concerns on Canandaigua Lake is cyanobacteria that cause toxic blooms each summer. Volunteers monitor the shoreline from July to October to alert residents of the danger to people and pets. Dogs, kids and immune compromised people are particularly susceptible. Even aerosolized bacteria can cause respiratory problems. Allergic skin rashes and liver and brain toxicity also occur. CLWA welcomes the public to report bright green clumps, streaks, "pea soup" and "spilled paint" floating in the lake - send a photo and location to HABs@Canandaigualakeassoc.org. Their website is:

canandaigualakeassoc.org. 

 

The Ace of Hearts was $272.50 today. Sue had #5138 and chose the 9 of Clubs. There are not many cards left so maybe next week will be someone's lucky day!

Happy Bills were given for the great informative program, welcoming back some travelers, the Rotary Flag Kelli brought from Hilton Head, thanks to those who are helping the Derby tonight and tomorrow and the NHS talk Saturday on a Bristol Suffragist.

Liz Yee's Rotary moment came from the Wellness Day she attended. Two topics discussed were "why we do service" and the "Power of Vulnerability". She read a poem that was shared. Kelli shared that she attended a Rotary meeting in Hilton Head and came away thankful for the welcoming and special club we have here in Naples- we have a lot to be proud of!

 

Jack rang the bell and adjourned our gathering. Many stayed to learn more from our speakers. We all love our lake!  See you at the Derby!