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Today was an Open Cupboard Collection Day. Thank you to those who donated, and thank you especially to Dennis, who collected the donations and delivered them to their destination. Kindly continue to remember those folks less fortunate in our community and help them through your giving. President Michael was joined at Cafe Spiga by 14 members and 6 guests, including Jenn's daughter Daphne, PJ Middle School's Most Motivated Student of the Month Samuel Fabian, his parents Ed and Catherine Fabian, 7th grade U.S. history teacher Phil Giannusa, and PJ Middle School Principal Brian Walker. Following another inspirational poem/prayer read by Sharon, Michael welcomed us and introduced our guests. He next called for members' announcements: Jenn thanked all of the participants in Sunday's Annual Fall Clean Up at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck and pronounced this event a huge success. Great job! She is already planning for the Spring Camp Clean Up (May 20th is tentatively our next date at the camp) and hopes to attract an even larger crowd of helpers. Special thanks to Al, who taught our volunteers how to work the machines that helped make the work go a bit easier, and to Mather Northwell for providing the luncheon. Michael B. reminded our members that we shall soon be receiving the Annual Holiday Gift Purchase List that will include the names of the 99 children, clients of The Open Cupboard, who will be this year's recipients of our gifts, and the club members who will be tasked in fulfilling their needs/wishes. Along with the lists, participating members will receive complete instructions. Will you be participating? Kindly be sure to let President Michael know if you can do the purchasing. The tentative date for the subsequent Gift Wrapping Activity is December 6th. Meanwhile, Dennis will try to arrange for the return to our traditional wrapping party involving Rotarians, family members, and Interact students in the PJ High School cafeteria. If all goes according to plan, we'll celebrate at Billie's once the wrapped gifts have been delivered to The Open Cupboard. President Michael received a request for information about placing a memorial bench with plaque in the Chandler Estate Park. Since Pat used GoFundMe to pay for our benches, this information will be shared with the person making the request. It will be suggested that she make a donation to our club which will then order and set up a memorial bench that will match the existing ones. Mike S. provided some news about our upcoming Winter Putt & Pub Event. It looks like Danfords will probably be our starting and ending point for the golf outing. The contract information should be forthcoming. The tentative event date: March 4th. All club members are invited to attend the Golf Committee Zoom Meetings every Tuesday between 8:30-9 AM. Committee subgroup volunteers (ie.,raffles, publicity, wrapping, etc.) are needed to sign up and help out. We are all tasked with asking businesses for donations of goods, gift cards, etc., for the raffle baskets. We also need to seek purchasers of tee signs. There are, in addition, opportunities to help build holes for event venues. Please get in touch with Mike S. and offer your much-needed assistance. Will our club participate in the PJ Chamber of Commerce Annual Santa Parade on Sunday, November 27th,beginning at 3 PM at the LIRR station, walking down Main St. to East Main, and ending at the Village Center on East Broadway? Kindly let President Michael know if you wish to join a group representing our club in this parade. What a great way to both celebrate the season and advertise our club's service to the Greater Port Jeff community! On behalf of the Terryville-Port Jeff Station Chamber of Commerce, Jenn invites you to bring your family and friends to The Train Car for the "Polar Express Experience" on Friday, November 18th, December 2nd,9th, and 16th from 6-8 PM, Saturday, November 19th, December 10th and 17th, from 12-2 PM, 3-5 PM, and 6-8 PM, or Sunday, December 4th and 11th, 3-5 PM and 6-8 PM. The cost is $20 p/p (all ages need a ticket) and includes the movie, popcorn, a cookie, hot cocoa, and a photo op with Santa. Michael reminded us that businesses in the village will be holding a holiday window decorating contest. Interested? Contact the PJ Chamber of Commerce for information. Want to be a host for the Spring visit of a group of Italian Rotarians- 5 couples and 2 singles? The visit of around 5 days duration will take place in early May. Host families will be expected to provide beds & breakfasts, but afterwards, the guests will be participating in a variety of activities that will keep them busy until after dinner. Bob, who will be a host, is looking for suggestions on what activities/sites the guests should visit in order to get the full Long Island Experience. Being hosted by Rotarians abroad is certainly special in that the guests often get to see and take part in activities and visits that most tourists- and even natives- never experience. If you are interested in hosting or in having a unique travel experience, check out the District website for Rotary District Friendship Exchange news. For more info, contact Bob and/or Exchange Chair Rose Quaranta. (The next Exchanges are being planned for Italy and South Africa). Kim introduced PJ Middle School history teacher Phil Giannusa, who introduced Sam Fabian, the student he nominated as this month's recipient of our Most Motivated Student Award. When Phil made this nomination, all of Sam's teachers jumped on the bandwagon, eagerly agreeing that Sam deserved this honor. Sam is a leader in class. He demonstrates a love for social studies with a most positive attitude, achieves good grades in all of his classes, is actively engaged in all of them, and is a thorough delight. Congratulations, Sam! Above: Sam, his mom & dad, and President Michael.  Above (l-r): Teacher Phil Giannusa, Catherine Fabian, Sam Fabian, Ed Fabian, and PJMS Principal Brian Walker. Kim was today's super Sergeant. Her questions revolved around Election Day history. Do you know why we vote on Tuesdays? (Blame the farmers and their schedules.) What year was the 26th Amendment -the one changing the voting age from 21 to 18- ratified? (answer: 1971) Who as the 1st woman to run for President? (answer: Victoria Woodhull, in 1878) Most of us (even the visiting history teacher!) were stumped by these and other such questions- actually a good thing, since many $$$ were collected for incorrect answers. Happy $$$ were collected because: today is Election Day; after today no more election commercials; in honor of the Most Motivated Student and his entourage; for the exceptional Fall weather so far; for the success of the Camp Clean Up; for the setting up of the kiosk at the Chandler Estate Park; etc. Rob picked the blue raffle ticket that won him the chance to pick a card from the deck and hope for the Ace of Spades to win the $145 pot. Alas, he picked the King of Spades (So close!). So the pot continues to grow. Next meeting, will you win it? Ya gotta be in it to win it! ******************************************************************************************************************************************* |
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