Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
April 7, 2016
Members Attending (21): Terry Brewer, Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, April Dowd, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Dick Drumm, Ron Annis, Melissa Bill, Dean Calamaras, Marko Koshykar, Andy Leyhane, Charlie Foote, Stewart Wagner, Roberto Martinez, David Taylor, Ray Hannan, Julius Frankel.
Guests (5): Maggie Forth, Jeremy Forth, Michaela Rossetti, Mark Rossetti, Karen Rossetti.
PROGRAM: “The 2nd annual Great North American Whizbang Trivia Test”
Bill Dowd, who initiated the event last year, presided as quizmaster and presented a wide range of questions in five categories:
• movies
• uncommon words
• sports
• astronomy
• food and drink
Questions ranged from difficult to a bit easier to simple. All enjoyed the challenge. In a very tight competition, Jim Leyhane emerged as the winner, followed by Marko Kosyhkar, and Terry Brewer. Each received a prize. Jim, incidentally, finished third last year in the inaugural event.
Here’s a montage of what went on.
CLICK TO ENLARGE.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/BUSINESS
BIRTHDAY — President Terry Brewer opened the meeting by wishing Jim Leyhane a happy birthday, and an impromptu round of “The Happy Birthday Song” ensued.
YOUTH EXCHANGE — We were introduced to Michaela Rossetti, a senior at Maple Hill High School, who the club is sponsoring for a year’s study in Italy. Michaela, who was accompanied by her parents, said she is deferring the start of her college studies at Niagara University by a year to participate in the exchange program. She said she applied because she had heard very good things from acquaintances who had spent a year abroad under the Rotary program, and was happy that she got Italy, her first choice, although she does not yet know which city she’ll call her temporary home. The club will be working with Maple Hill in the next school year to help host a student from abroad. … A.J. Amato reminded members of the document shredding day he’ll be holding on Saturday, April 30, at his place of business. A small donation will be requested from anyone using the service, with proceeds going toward funding our Youth Exchange efforts. The address is 4 Springhurst Drive, Suite 212, East Greenbush.
BREAKFAST PREP — Terry reported on the breakfast service a club contingent performed at the Ronald McDonald House in Albany on April 2 (photos here). He, Betty Brewer, Geoff Brewer, Andy Leyhane, Murray Forth, and Shannon Romanowski participated. He said it was a quick and easy process, beginning at 7 a.m. and ending at about 9.
BUSINESS EXPO — Terry reported that of all the tables at the “2nd annual Business Expo” held by the Capital Region Rotary Club, only one was from a Rotary club — ours. Brochures and other information were distributed. Debbie Brown said she received some positive comments about the club from attendees at the event, held at the Radisson Hotel on Wolf Road in Colonie on Tuesday
MEMBERSHIP — We welcomed Julius Frankel back to the fold after a long absence. Julius has been attending dinner meetings for several weeks, and has submitted his application for reinstatement. That raises the number of members accepted into the club in this 2015-16 Rotary Year to 15. Also recognized were recently-inducted Rotarians Marko Koshykar and Andy Leyhane, who have been regulars at our monthly breakfast meetings.
SOCIAL EVENTS — The next member-hosted “Rotary Home Cooking” dinner will be at the Dowd residence on Saturday, April 16. Reservations are full. … A social mixer co-hosted by Roberto Martinez and Jim Leyhane will be held at Roberto’s residence from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 23. The intent is to allow new and old Rotary members to get to know each other better. Although this is not a dinner event, attendees are asked to bring an appetizer serving six. Drinks and dessert will be provided. RSVPs are requested no later than April 15 with Roberto or Jim.
DISTRICT CONFERENCE — The annual District 7190 event, this year titled “Mystery In the Woods,” is scheduled for May 13-15 at the High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid (details here). Terry said he hopes to present two special awards at that event — to Bill and April Dowd and to Murray Forth for their overall continuing work on behalf of the club and its programs and practices. He urged members to consider attending at least part of the conference. Charlie Foote, who said he has been to a number of such conferences, joined in by saying he found the events very worthwhile and that fellow members should consider attending.
FREE TICKETS — A reminder was issued that new member Becky Raymond has offered a pair of free tickets to a fundraiser for the Freedom From Fistula Foundation (go here for a look at her recent presentation to the club on the topic) to be held on Tuesday, April 12, at the Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church on Route 20 in Guilderland, opposite the library. Anyone wishing to attend should contact Becky or Terry Brewer ASAP.
GRANTS TRAINING — Five members will be attending the annual District Grants Training Workshop at Skidmore College this Saturday. Any club that hopes to apply for a project grant in the next Rotary year must have at least two members attend this year’s training.
DINNER PRICE — Effective on May 5, the price for our weekly dinners will go from $15 to $18 per person, the first increase in at least two decades. The higher price will give us access to a more varied menu selection.
OFFICERS URGENTLY NEEDED — Bill Dowd reminded everyone that we are in need of three members, old or new, to step up to fill three club offices for the coming Rotary Years: a president-elect, a vice president, and an at-large board member. As of today, there has been virtually zero response. He noted that in addition to posting a request, and details about the offices, on the club’s website and Facebook page, he sent an email to every member. We face a May deadline set by our club bylaws to come up with a slate of officers. Please contact Bill or one of the other Nominating Committee members, Murray Forth and Jim Leyhane, ASAP if interested.
NEXT MEETING: 6:15 p.m. Thursday, April 14, at Quigley’s.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 