Today was an OPEN CUPBOARD COLLECTION DAY. Thank you, donors, and, especially Dennis who gathered the goods and delivered them to their destination!
We also honored our newest Most Motivated Student of the Month, 6th grader Julia Perrotta. Julia was accompanied by both of her parents in addition to her social studies teacher, Melissa Corey, Sup't. of Schools Dr. Paul Casciano, and Principal Dr. Bob Neidig. Bob introduced Julia and enumerated the reasons for her selection for this award. In addition to being an exceptional scholar with a high GPA, Julia was nominated and selected by her teachers for a variety of reasons. Her writing teacher praised Julia for being a dedicated student both academically and socially. An active participant in school clubs including Newspaper and Yearbook, Julia was elected the 6th grade representative to the Student Council. Along with some peers, she created a Breast Cancer Awareness-themed door for the Paint Port Pink contest that her group won. Julia is noteworthy because she often lends a hand to others in class, while keeping an impressive work standard for herself. Kind to everyone, she actively takes part in discussions, answers questions, and can be counted on to collect and distribute classroom materials. Her reading teacher praised Julia for being conscientious and a pleasure to work with, while her science teacher noted that she always takes the initiative to go above and beyond requirements with her school work, is happy, helpful, and kind, and always does the right thing. Julia's math teacher referred to the fact that she's highly motivated and well-organized- "a joy to work with each and every day", and her social studies teacher added that Julia "is the type of student that we can all look up to as a role model." In concluding his remarks, Bob congratulated Julia and challenged her "to continue to take risks and step out of her comfort zone when it comes to her learning" in order to continue in excelling and accomplishing great things.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS: There's now $891 in the pot waiting to be won- with only 4 cards left to draw from! Yes, the Ace of Spades is still among them. (But a Joker remains in the pile, too.) It could be YOU who wins the pot! ***Next Tues., November 21st , Christine Austen, Principal of PJ High School, will be here to share the good news about how her school got to be named a National Blue Ribbon Award Winner. *** Next week, we will ALSO have our first collection for the residents of the Woodhaven Nursing Center. You are invited to donate hygiene products, coloring books, colored pencils/crayons, puzzles, books, greeting cards, stationary, and the like. A list of most desired items will be distributed to our members soon. We will hold these collections on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. The following week's meeting (11/28) will be an evening gathering, beginning at 5:30 PM at the Wading River home of Marianne Deszcz. Dennis reported on the great success of this past Sunday's Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck Cleanup. Many of our members, some accompanied by good-natured family, volunteered- in addition to members of PJ and Rocky Point High Schools' Interact Clubs with their advisers and Rotarians from Rocky Point and Middle Island. Much good work was accomplished in a few hours, followed by a tasty luncheon prepared by Chefs Pat and Kevin. Kudos to all participants! Kevin has planned for holding our Annual Holiday Gift Wrapping Event at the PJHS cafeteria on Tuesday, December 12th,(***NOTE THE CHANGE OF DATE!), beginning at 2:30 PM. He has a list of 100 children who will be this year's gift recipients, and will, once the above date is confirmed, be sending you your list of who you'll be buying items for. This year, we can expect to spend $40 per child. It is suggested that you start saving gift boxes now to aid in wrapping at that time. Upon completion of delivery of the gifts to The Open Cupboard, club members will proceed to a place TBA to join together in holiday festivities and fellowship. Sharon reported that our Executive Board has agreed to make donations from our Welfare Reserve Fund to ease hurricane relief efforts in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The amounts to be sent will be determined shortly. Also, the Donations Committee, of which Archana is Chair, has met twice and will be determining funds that need to be dispersed by 2018. Applications for funding should be mailed soon to organizations yet to receive funding from us. Among proposed new club members, expect to welcome in the near future Amanda Eckart and Donna McKeown, Eric Cherches, and Michael Burkhardt. Plans for our upcoming Winter Golf Outing Fundraiser, tentatively scheduled for February 10th, are coming along. Area restaurants and other venues are being solicited to participate (We'd prefer to have at least 9 sponsors). There will be raffles and prizes at this event, with a reception afterwards. Additional committee volunteers are requested to join those who are already at work planning this outing in order to assure its success.Kevin noted that 6 of our members will be among the 18 participants in the Annual Ski Trip, January 10th-13th. We will be sponsoring "a little free library" that will be set up by our harbor bus stop. Sharonexpects that the local newspapers will finally be publicizing our good works soon. Look for a full page article about our efforts at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck in an upcoming TBR publication. The Village Dickens Festival needs volunteers. There will be an opportunity during Dickens Fest for us to advertise our February Golf Tournament. Contact Dennis if you're interested in helping and available. Also, our club will again sponsor a tree at the Festival of Christmas Trees, held at the Village Center. Want to help decorate our tree? A Heartsaver First Aid & CPR/AED Course is being offered for teenagers ages 12 to 18 years on December 5th & 7th , 6-9 PM, at St. Charles in the Nursing Education Classroom on the hospital's 2nd floor. This course, which is appropriate for lifeguards, daycare workers, babysitters, and camp counselors, requires attendance at both sessions in order to receive an American Heart Assoc. course completion card valid for 2 years. The course fee is $50. Six hours of community service will also be awarded to participants. To register, call 631-474-3700 or contact John Perkins.
Jim has a supply of PJ Rotary golf shirts and will part with them for $10 each. Do you own one? If not, why not?
Bob is still seeking evening meeting places, 1 per month. Contact him if you can provide a meeting site.
***Please check out our page on Face Book- and Like Us.
If you missed today's meeting, kindly inform Yvette about make-ups in a timely fashion.
***The following is a list of donation "assignments" for members' once-a-month donations via the Club to the Open Cupboard: (*If you don't see your name on this list, select an item from it for your donation.)
Betts, Judi: Toilet Paper
Bossert, Ken: Shampoo/Conditioner
Brennan, Dennis: Canned Fruit
Brennan, Sharon: Spaghetti Sauce
Berner, Cynthia: Rice
Curry, Bill: Apple Juice
Dinunzio, Ed: Diapers
Engelhardt, Debbie: Juice Boxes
Gautam, Archana: Baby Wipes
Hanson, Susan: Baby Formula
Hohler, Yvette: Beans
Jaeger, Bill: Canned Vegetables
Janhsen, Karl: Milk (Dry or Boxed)
Jurasits, Erika: Cereal (Hot or Cold)
Kopcienski, Al Cereal (Hot or Cold)
Lund, Amy: Canned Chicken
Murray, Kevin: Tuna
Rhatigan, Jim: Diapers
Sabo, Pat: Beans
Sceiford, Michael: Grape Juice Boxes
Vigliante, Paul: Milk (Dry or Boxed)
***Check the list for your name and assigned item. (If you are not listed, you may donate any listed item. Corporate members are encouraged to donate individually. If you would like to be listed with a specific item, contact Debbie and specify your item of choice.)
***Bring contributions to the Heritage Diner on the 2nd Tuesday of the month or give to another Club member who will be attending.
*** If you would like to be reimbursed, bring receipt(s) to the meeting.
...RON WEINGARTNER, whose birthday was November 1st; DEB ENGELHARDT, who had a birthday on November 2nd; SHARON BRENNAN, who will celebrate her birthday on November 22nd and her anniversary on November 25th; SUSAN HANSON, whose anniversary was November 2nd; AMY LUND, who celebrated her anniversary on November 10th; and TOM DARRIGAN, who is celebrating his 46th year in Rotary this month!
