Port Jefferson Rotary (August 16, 2016) (Aug 16, 2016)

News of the Meeting of August 16th:

Posted by Yvette Hohler on Aug 16, 2016

Today's first guest speaker was Wensel Blaschke, a former PJ Rotary Exchange Student, who reminisced about his initial visit to our shores in August, 1987. He told of his excitement and trepidation when, as a teenager, he boarded an airplane, a DC10, for the first time- also the first time he'd be traveling alone, without his parents. His flight took him from Munich, Germany, to NY. He was picked up at JFK airport by Ed DiNunzio, who, to his surprise, was driving a gray Porsche. He felt very much at home. He stayed with Judi & Earl Betts for a number of weeks and with the Maniscalco family later on, eventually returning to the Betts' home. During this visit, he learned what Rotary stands for, what it does, and the meaning of Rotary's motto, "Service Above Self". For this, he is extremely grateful. Wensel spent his senior year at PJHS and participated in the senior trip. He remembers that year and the people with whom he interacted with great fondness. Later, he traveled across the country, visiting 39 out of 50 states. In 1988, Wensel returned to Germany, where he completed his schooling. Then, in lieu of army service, he participated in a work service program in Israel, promoting friendship and understanding. This is Wensel's his 9th time to visit the US. Again, he is being hosted by Judi, who is the Godmother to one of his sons. Wensel concluded by stating again how grateful he is to Rotary for the opportunity to learn so much from the Exchange experience.

Also visiting, Bianca Lucas, a Mount Sinai HS incoming junior, spoke to us about her week, July 31st- August 6th, at RYLA's summer camp in Norwich Lake, MA. She explained that she was one of 80 youngsters attending from Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The RYLA campers were separated into color groups/teams and performed a variety of activities that helped them get to meet and know one another- like "Step to the Line", which provided them with an opportunity to learn about each other (and themselves) and to understand that they weren't alone in their feelings and experiences. The campers began as strangers but forged strong bonds with one another. Bianca found the RYLA summer program to be a wonderful, transforming, emotional experience. She hopes to become a facilitator at RYLA this coming school year.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS: There's now $295 in the pot waiting to be won. YOU could still win it. Next opportunity: our August 23rd luncheon at Cafe Spiga, when Rich Bennett will be our guest speaker, providing his new member profile. ***Our First Evening Meeting- the 1st Thursday of each month- will take place on September 1st at Lombardi's on the Sound, beginning at 5:30 PM. Beverages and appetizers will be available for consumption.***The next Stuff-A-Van will take place on September 10th. Volunteers are welcome. Can you help out? ***Our Habitat Build will take place on September 9th. The cost: $50 per member (the club pays another $50). Non-members - family, friends, etc.- are also welcome to join us (but will pay $100 for the experience).*** Have you sold all of your RAFFLE TICKETS yet? If not, please do so IN A TIMELY FASHION. Remember: the money earned via the ticket sales not only helps us help our community but also enables our club to pay 1/2 the cost for members to participate in many of our favorite activities (ie., The Habitat Build).The Raffle Drawing is 9/22, so the time to sell the rest of your tickets is NOW! The Comsewogue Public Library will host its 5th Annual Volunteer Fair on September 20th from 4-6PM. Please sign up with Archana or Debbie if you can help out. Archana announced that Susan has successfully completed the purchase and distribution of backpacks to the locations where they were needed. Sharon met with the Director of Recreation at the Woodhaven Adult Home (Rte.112, Port Jeff Sta.) to discuss how we can serve the 183 senior residents there. They will try to organize regular visits and club activities for us at that facility. More soon...

***Please visit our club's Face Book Page and Like it.

If you missed today's meeting, kindly inform Yvette about make-ups in a timely fashion.