A beautiful blanket of freshly fallen snow blanketed our bucolic hills this morning, as we awakened to the dawn of another wintry, yet beautiful day. It was to be a very special day, indeed, because we added two New Members to “Our Band” … Albie and Jo Anne Alliet! President Bruce “called the Meeting to order”, as he prompted us to join him in saying The Pledge. “America, The Beautiful” was the song Jack chose to lead us in singing. Jack also gave The Invocation, leaning to The Lord, as he asked Him to guide us in our path of sharing with, and caring for others. Holly’s warm smile greeted us as we entered The Redwood. There were 19 Members present, along with the three Members on Face Book Live (Betsy, Brenda, and Robin). Albie and Jo Anne were “guests” for a while, and along with them were Sharon, Rick, and Little Linnea, granddaughter of Pat and Bo. The Redwood looked resplendent in holiday décor, and it seems like the Christmas Season has been ushered in! Rick Constantino, our special guest, gave the Program today, and it was about Finger Lakes Music, a relatively new business in town that has begun to flourish!

Today’s Noon Meeting was peppered with many announcements, but the first item on our agenda was The Induction of Albie and Jo Anne Alliet into the Naples Rotary Club! Each Member of the Induction Team spoke about what it means to be a part of Rotary, and Sponsor, Nancy, gave Albie and Jo Anne the Membership Materials. We are delighted to have these New Members join our club! We are certain that they will add further vibrancy to the Naples Rotary! Jo Anne and Albie, your badges are on the way!!

Pres. Bruce shared two recent missives with the Membership. There were two notes of appreciation. One was from F.F. Thompson Hospital thanking us for our contribution, and the second one was from Sandy Kelly, representing Budding Readers, thanking Naples Rotary for its generous donation to their program. Our commitment to the growth of literacy is one of Rotary’s initiatives, and we know that this begins right here at home!

Rose, our Spokesperson for Light Up Naples, gave an update on how everything is progressing. The Snow Globes are almost sold out! It seems that this fundraiser has been a real hit with folks this year! We are moving closer to the actual date of the LUN Festivities, which will be on December 11^th. The Snow Globes are due next week, on Dec. 8^th. Rick Costantino has graciously offered to have them on display at Finger Lakes Music. The myriad of plans and events throughout the Naples Community, (for Dec. 11^th), is slowly taking shape, and The Committee is certain that this year’s Light Up Naples Event is sure to please everyone! Marvelous music, fantastic food, and awesome activities await us!!

Skip was next to report on upcoming events. The Holiday Dinner is “just around the corner”!! It will be on Monday, 12/13, at the Naples Hotel. The cost is 35.00/person, and we are requested to bring a 10.00 gift for the Gift Exchange. It will seem so good to be able to celebrate “in-person” this year, won’t it? Please be sure to let Skip know if you are coming by next Monday, 12/06!

John F. was next to share some information with the club. He had received the survey from the NYS Farm Bureau. Here is the Website for the Literacy Initiative/ Participation

Here is the link to the Grape Festival Survey, due 12/17.

Link to Giving Tuesday:

12/13 Membership Monday “Welcome to the World of Rotary” via Zoom @ 7pm. RI Convention 6/4/22 through 6/8/22 in Houston. The cost is 475.00 if one registers before 12/15/21. “Discover New Horizons”. Thank you, John, for sharing these links with Your Editor, so that the Membership could be advised of these links.

Patrice gave an update on last week’s Board Meeting. (Many thanks to Bo for taking notes and filling in for me!) The Secretary’s and Treasurer’s Reports were accepted and approved. The motion was passed that the Win-Win money would be used for random student needs, referred to us by NCS. The motion was passed that the Naples Rotary Club shall acquire Venmo Accounts. There will be one for each checking account. (This could possibly help with the payment of Membership Dues). The Fireside Chats (for New Members) has been reinstated. Tom gave The Board an update on the progress of the Naples Grape Festival LLC. Each of the Board Members was given a printout for his/her perusal.

Jodi stepped up to the plate next. The Thanksgiving Dinner that Jodi and Her Team at Caruso’s Café held last week was a true success! Jodi thanked everyone who either helped or contributed to its success. What a blessing to have Jodi and Mark as a part of our generous and giving community! Jodi gave thanks to Skip and Judy for manning the tables. There were 9-10 students from the Interact Club who helped last week. Five families, in addition to the many dinners that were served, were taken care of. Even an elderly gentleman was helped, as well.

 Jodi also gave an update on Alex. Thanks to the generosity of many, Alex’s home was emptied and organized for the new owners. Alex is currently at NOYES Hospital in Dansville in Room 312, and she will need a place to stay once she has fully recovered. We were encouraged to send Alex cards and thoughts containing good wishes for a complete return to good health! She is certainly in our thoughts and prayers!

Tom appeared again!! This time, Tom wanted to share something that was of a personal nature. His daughter Chelsea’s boyfriend was recently hurt, and he received help from “Bruce’s Closet”. Bruce Clawson, who was Judy’s Dad, had a collection of medical equipment available for those in need. Chelsea’s boyfriend has received some temporary help, having been able to use some of this equipment. The goodness and the kindness flow on within our special community, don’t they?

Newly inducted Member, Jo Anne, had some news to share! She shared an accolade that was earned by the Naples Grape Festival, as “The Best in The Finger Lakes”! “Let’s make the year, 2022, the best yet!” Jo Anne added.

Today’s Program brought “music to our ears”, in a sense, as Rick Constantino, from Finger Lakes Music, gave us an update on how things are coming along with this newly formed business in the Naples Community. Originally, the business was begun in Wayland back in 2006. In 2016, Rick purchased the business, and now the space that was Skip’s Custom Flooring now houses Finger Lakes Music in a 2400 square foot area of space. In addition to providing an access to various instruments, Finger Lakes Music also offers additional avenues of service and support to the community. In the field of Music Education, students are afforded lessons five days a week. “FLX Music” is involved with many area school districts, and in addition to lessons, the rental of instruments is available, as well. The goal of FLX Music is to continually keep bringing music to the area, and it seems like this goal is being accomplished! In one year’s, time, this local business has really become an integral part of our community in many ways!!  This is evidenced in the fact that Rick has generously offered to exhibit the Snow Globes in his facility for the Light Up Naples Event! Understandably, with the launching of a new business in a community, there are goals which present themselves. Some of those needs are the acquisition of a wind teacher, an orchestral teacher, and accordion repair. Over the (upcoming) years, Rick would like to see financial stability within the business. Drum Circles for adults and Ukulele Lessons for Kids are possible goals for FLX Music. Rick, who has been “a drummer” since he was three years old, has some lofty aspirations, and we wish him well! Sherry commented on the “ambiance” at FLX Music, and Rose added that It’s never too late! We wish Rick all the best, as he enters his second year of providing the Naples Community with a wonderful service and diversion!!

Many Happy Bills were given today, in appreciation of our Newest Members, Albie and Jo Anne. We enjoyed today’s Program very much. We were glad that Rick’s new business has been successful. Jack and Skip were pleased to have had a “Fireside Chat” with Jo Anne and Albie prior to their Induction. We were glad to see Jean and Woody Back with us! Jo Anne and Albie are glad to be accepted into the Naples Rotary Club! Their granddaughter, Jordan, recently received a Literacy Degree. Congratulations, Jordan! Bo and Pat had been to visit their Massachusetts Kids for Thanksgiving.

The Fifty-Fifty today went to Nancy, I believe. Ticket # 084 was drawn. The Nine of Hearts was chosen.

The Win-Win was this: “All the instruments of the orchestra are contained in the guitar.” Who said this famous quote? It was the famous musician, Tchaikovsky!

Nancy did the Rotary Moment. In 1943, Rotary adopted the Four-Way Test, and this “Rule of Thumb” has governed the things we think, say, and do for all these years!

Goodness! It will be December next week! Our Evening Meeting will feature Chris Abraham, who will talk about the Naples Youth Corporation. Have a great week, everyone! See you on December 6^th!