Today we welcomed Jeffrey Sanzel, Executive Artistic Director of Theater Three, as our guest speaker. Sharon introduced him by noting that he has been with our local gem of a theater since 1989 and has directed over 100 main stage productions as well as over 200 children's theater and educational programs. Author of "From the Fires: Voices of the Holocaust" and "Where there'$ a Will", as well as many original musicals for young people, Sanzel has also served as an artistic consultant for the musical theater program at Manhattan's 92nd Street Y. As an actor, he has appeared in many roles, but he is probably best known as Scrooge in "A Christmas Carol", a role he's performed over 1,300 times. In fact, Sanzel arrived at our luncheon in costume as Scrooge- ready to return to the next performance at Theater Three.
Sanzel spoke to us movingly about the catastrophic flooding that took place on September 25th at the theater- due to an unexpected storm- and the heavy destruction 15 minutes of torrential rain left in its wake. While up to 5 feet of water inundated the basement and Second Stage area of Theater Three's historic building, Sanzel was with a group of youngsters who were auditioning for parts in an upcoming performance on the Main Stage. They wisely opted to continue (in "the show must go on" fashion) and remained there, where it was still dry, until rescuers from the fire department arrived to lead them to safety. Sanzel spoke of the devastating resulting loss of essentials such as the boiler, dimmer racks, and the like, as well as the many irreplaceable personal effects ruined along with props and costumes stored in the building's lower depths- property damage estimated as over $150,000 in value. However, within 2 days, with the help of a multitude of volunteers, the theater was able to reopen- even the Second Stage! A variety of community members along with members of former casts and crews appeared from all over to help with the soggy, muddy cleanup. Thanks to their aid, the theater never stopped performances and remained up and running to this day. Theater Three currently rents dimmer racks and continues to deal with repercussions of the flood.
Sanzel also reminded us that Theater Three is the home of many educational programs including shows with an anti-DWI message, a holocaust reminder, and 2 anti-bullying plays. In addition, "Boarding the Bus", dealing with the opioid crisis, will be coming to the stage soon. He pointed out that he works every day with youth- teaching theater, training young actors- but most important of all, in his programs, kids learn responsibility. Finally, Sanzel noted that Theater Three collects toys for the needy, helps veterans and their families, and serves others in different ways- giving back in whatever way they can because it "is of the community".
On our behalf, Sharon and Paul presented Sanzel with a $1,000 check for Theater Three in order to help with restoration work ahead.
We also welcomed ADG Warren Sternberg as our guest today.
At 2:35 PM, many of our members and a few spouses joined Interact Club Members and their sponsor, Deirdre Filippi, at the PJHS cafeteria to wrap the gifts that we purchased for 100 Open Cupboard young clients. Several hours later, bundles of gifts were loaded into trucks, vans, and cars and delivered to The Open Cupboard. Jolly fellowship followed at the newly re-opened Billie's. A good time was had by all.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS: ***NEXT TUESDAY, December 11th, we will meet again at Cafe Spiga at noon, and will welcome a visit by District Governor Shawn Weis. This is also an OPEN CUPBOARD COLLECTION DAY. Please plan to attend this special event. Our December 18th meeting will be an occasion for honoring a PJMS Most Motivated Student and ALSO our HOLIDAY PARTY & GIFT GRAB BAG EXCHANGE. ***THE POT IS NOW AT $574!!*** According to our new Club Bylaws, to maintain your membership in the club, you need to participate in any 2 Rotary-related activities per month, ie., meeting attendance, donating to the Open Cupboard and /or Woodhaven Nursing Home, volunteering for a Stuff-A-Van event or at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck, a Habitat build, attendance at Committee or Board Meetings, and the like. Please notify Yvette of each make-up at your earliest convenience.***At today's meeting, we made some important decisions regarding our next fundraiser, our February 9th Winter Golf Classic: the event will begin and end at Danford's Diplomat Room, which can hold 140 people and is 2,500 sq. feet- large enough for our needs , and Danford's will also host the 9th hole; Danford's will provide a continental breakfast; we will host a pasta & tacos meal at the event's end; a number of Village businesses have already agreed to sponsor holes, including St. Charles, which will sponsor the one at Burrito's, LISEC, which will sponsor The Harbor Grill, C'est Cheese, which will sponsor its own hole, etc.More soon...All members are invited to attend the Friday, December 14th Exec. Board Meeting at Michael's office at 7:30 AM. The Commack-Kings Park Rotary Club has announced a "Service & Cultural Excursion" to Cuba April 20-23. The Town of Brookhaven is seeking nominations for its 33rd Annual Women's Recognition Award. Check out the Town's website for application forms. Kathy Taveira's BNB is collecting food for The Open Cupboard. Comsewogue Public Library is collecting gently used or new shoes in a box . (The proceeds will benefit the Miller Place Robotics Team.)OUR ANNUAL SKI TRIP WILL TAKE PLACE JAN 9-12, 2019 at The Indian Head Resort. THE COST, $220 FOR A DOUBLE ($370 FOR A SINGLE; $208 FOR A TRIPLE), COVERS 3 NIGHTS LODGING, 2 BREAKFASTS, 1 DINNER, 1 BOX LUNCH, & HAPPY HOUR. SKIING IS AVAILABLE AT BRETTON WOODS & LOON. FAMILY & FRIENDS ARE WELCOME. CONTACT KEVIN FOR MORE DETAILS. *** R.S.V.P BY DECEMBER 18th TO ENSURE THAT YOU GET A ROOM. CHECKS SHOULD BE MADE OUT TO "THE PJ ROTARY CLUB".Our next Spring Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck Clean Up will take place on April 7th, 2019!
Here's an invitation to the "PASSION FOR EDUCATION 2019 GALA" to benefit the Jerusha Mwiraria Hope Children's Home in Meru, Kenya, sponsored by Hope Children's Fund., Ltd.:
When? Sunday, January 20th, 6-11 PM
Where? The Inn & Spa at East Wind, Wading River
What? An evening of music, raffle prizes, an auction, cocktail hour, a plated dinner, and dancing.
Cost? $199 p/p (Checks payable to Hope Children's Fund can be sent to HCF, P.O. Box 1345, East Northport, NY 11731)
Please visit www.hopechildrensfund.org for more info.
RSVP to HCFgala@gmail.com ASAP.
**********FEBRUARY 9th= OUR 2nd ANNUAL WINTER GOLF CLASSIC. PLEASE JOIN US FOR THIS MOST ENJOYABLE EVENT!*******************
Bob is still seeking evening meeting places, 1 per month. Can you provide a meeting site?
***Please check out our page on Face Book- and Like Us. ***Photos from our 2018 Winter Golf Classic are posted there as are photos of the inductions of our newest members, presentations of honors to special club members, participants at our most recent Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck CleanUp, and other delights.
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.)***NOTE: This list will be updated as needed:
Black Beans- Bob H., Pat (& brown rice), Yvette
Baby Wipes- Jim, Tom
Canned Fruit- Dennis
Cereal- Jennifer, Paul, Amanda
Oatmeal- Lisa, Sean
Soap- Kathy, Paul
Canned Chicken- Sharon, Michael B.
Jelly- Debbie, Michael
Shampoo- Saranto, Nancy
Conditioner- Nancy
Toilet Paper- Judi
Diapers- John Perkins
Apple Juice- Bill C.
***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 Cafe Spiga 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.
...BOB HUTTEMEYER, whose birthday was December 1st; SARANTO CALAMAS, who will celebrate his birthday on December 13th; HOWIE WUNDERLICH, who will also be celebrating his birthday on December 13th; WARD CLARKE, who has a birthday on December 28th, AND who is celebrating his 56th year in Rotary, while JIM RHATIGAN celebrates his 34th year as a Rotarian!
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS: