A thought for this holiday weekend

[Go here for the Events Calendar.]

Advertisement

Something for all to remember

[Go here for the Events Calendar.]

Another prospective member is born

Andy and Kara Leyhane on Thursday, January 27,  welcomed Allistar Kenin Leyhane into the world.

Jim and Diane Leyhane, now the grandparents of six, report that Allistar is at home with mom and dad and all are doing well.

[Go here for the Events Calendar.]

Looking for last-minute gifts?

A nice way of picking up a late Christmas gift and doing some good for Rotary at the same time is the purchase of a Rotary-emblazoned tote bag.

Here’s what it looks like ➨ and here is where you can order one (or more).

Also, for a great stocking stuffers, see Murray Forth to purchase a variety of Hoffman’s Car Wash coupons. For every dollar you spend on them, the club gets 50%.

[Go here for the Events Calendar.]

In Memorium: Phil Spencer

It is with profound regret that we note the passing of Phil Spencer, one of our most dedicated members, after a long bout with multiple health problems. Here is the obituary as published in the Times Union on Monday, June 7, 2010.

Phillip L. Spencer, 72, passed away peacefully at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital on Sunday, June 6, 2010.

He was born May 11, 1938, in Jefferson, NY, to the late Claude M. and Amelia H. Spencer. Phillip grew up in Key West, FL, and Schenectady, NY, and attended Nott Terrace High School and Siena College.

He spent 38 years in design and construction with the New York State Department of Transportation and thoroughly enjoyed his years at DOT. He was a lifetime member of the New York State Association of Transportation Engineers.

Phil’s integrity and respect for others were among his finest qualities. He believed deeply in service above self and was an active member of the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club, having served as president and secretary. He was a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of exceptional service and high professional and personal standards.

His golf game was a work in progress. He was a member of Winding Brook Country Club for many years, and then became an original member of the Old Kinderhook Golf Club where he carded his only hole-in-one. Phil enjoyed dancing and biking and loved scuba diving.

Phil was a devoted parent and grandparent, loving and generous. He was a fixture at Albany Academy and LaSalle sporting events. He delighted in participating in his children and grandchildren’s lives, events and special milestones. His legacy is his love for travel, adventure and family time spent together. Each year the family’s most cherished times were spent in Vermont at Thanksgiving and traveling together on vacations, especially to his favorite destination, Africa. Phil also enjoyed the simple pleasures of tending to his yard with care and perfection.

Phil was blessed with a close and supportive group of friends who were with him until the end. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Carole (Wrinkle) Spencer; daughter Susan (William) Zeccola of Pittsford, NY; sons David (Laura) Spencer of East Greenbush and Andrew (Stacy) Spencer of MA.; seven grandchildren, Alison, Drew and Amanda Zeccola, Kristina, Sarah, Justin and Alexa Spencer; and brother-in-law Neal (Judy) Wrinkle, Bath, NY.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service Wednesday 11 a.m. from the Rockefeller Funeral Home. Interment will be in East Greenbush Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday evening from 4 to 7 p.m. in the funeral home, 165 Columbia Turnpike, Rensselaer, NY.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at The Hospice Inn for their care and compassion given to Phil. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Rotary International, c/o James Leyhane, M.D., 81 Miller Road, Castleton, NY 12033.

In memory of Dottie Edberg

It is with great sadness we extend our sympathies to Russ Edberg and his family for the loss of his wife, Dorothie Ann (Dottie).

Dottie, a frequent participant in Rotary activities, passed away at the Evergreen Commons Nursing Home on Monday, October 26.

Friends may call at the Rockefeller Funeral Home, 165 Columbia Turnpike, Rensselaer, from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, November 2. Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral at 10 a.m. Tuesday from the funeral home. Interment will be in the East Greenbush Cemetery.

Dottie’s full obituary as published in today’s edition of the Times Union:

EAST GREENBUSH — Dorothie Ann (Carpenter) Edberg, 72, of East Greenbush, died Monday, October 26, 2009 at Evergreen Commons Nursing Home after a brief illness.

Born in N. Hampton, Mass., she had been a resident of the Capital Region for many years. Dorothie was a home economics teacher with East Greenbush Central School System. She was a life member of the E. Greenbush Fire Department and the Ladies Auxiliary, and a member of Tri X, and treasurer of Women Activities Group, and commissioner of Schodack Center Fire District.

Predeceased by her parents, Earle S. and Ruth (McGorum) Carpenter; and sister, Nancy Dabowski. Dorothie is survived by her husband Russell Edberg of East Greenbush; a daughter, Debra (Tim) Boel of East Greenbush; two sons, Richard (Kim) Edberg of East Greenbush and Scott (Paula) Edberg of Casper, Wyo.; also survived by her grandchildren, Jennefer, Stefanie, Melisa, Catheryne, Justin, Makenzie, Braden, Meghan and Ryan; a niece, Kim (Tom) MaGuire and nephew, Bob (Stacey) Dahowski.

The family would like to thank Dr. Burke and the staff at Evergreen Commons for their care and compassion during her stay.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral 10 o’clock on Tuesday from the Rockefeller Funeral Home, 165 Columbia Tpk., Rensselaer. Friends may call in the funeral home on Monday from 4-8 p.m. Interment will be in the East Greenbush Cemetery.

The family has requested that those who wish to remember Dorothie make memorial contributions to Doors of Hope Food Pantry, P.O. Box 522, West Sand Lake, NY 12196.

You can go here to sign the online guest book for Dottie.

A different menu for the next 2 meetings

Our regular caterer will be unavailable for the October 1 and 8 meetings, but we won’t go hungry. President Len will be looking for a temporary alternative, such as Panera Bread, until Jeff returns from vacation.

What will remain the same is the necessity of signing up in advance so we can get a specific headcount. Contact Len by phone or e-mail by Tuesday at the latest each week.

And, while you’re at it, why not invite a guest to come along? A friend, relative, colleague or new neighbor, it really doesn’t matter. Just let someone be exposed to Rotary and perhaps they’ll be interested in learning more about who we are and what we do. An easy way of creating a potential pool of new members.

Swine 2 at the Cantonement

NEWS FLASH!

We’re always on the lookout for prospective members, but do these new “residents” of the Cantonement qualify?

Club member Carol Orvis reported on the tagged potbellies roaming the grounds of her historic home, and her brother Rob Comly captued this image of the apparent runaways.

Rumors of a Rotary pig roast at the Cantonement are unfounded. The errant strays’ presence has been reported to the proper authorities.

THIS JUST IN!

Q: What is “Swine flu”?

A: The past tense of “When Pigs Fly.”

P.S.

For those relative newcomers to the SRC club who aren’t aware of the historic aspect of Carol’s home, you can get a capsule history of it by clicking here.