Today, we welcomed our 2018 PJHS Community Service Scholarship recipient, Samantha (Sam) Acampora. Sam was accompanied by her mother, Lisa. After introducing Sam, Dennis invited School Principal Christine Austen to tell us a bit about this accomplished young woman we were honoring. Christine has known Sam a long time, as she was Dean (of Discipline) at the PJ Middle School before being named High School Principal, but was pleased to say that she never saw Sam in her office. Sam has been an active volunteer- with the Historical Society, working on the annual senior prom, helping out at at least one Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck Clean-Up, and the like; but Sam, the youngest daughter in the Acampora family, is especially remarkable, perhaps, because she broke through the glass ceiling in many ways, challenging herself and others to do the unexpected. She began volunteering at age 14 with PJ Fire Department, where both of her parents are members (she has had a strong, supportive family as role models). The only girl in the Fire Department Juniors, she was voted in as Captain, and by age 17 earned a black shield. We heard about how Sam helped with the construction of the prom backdrops, bringing along her own tool belt and tools , and refusing to accept being treated like a fragile female while working alongside the adult male workers. An AP student, Sam distinguished herself by investigating a trade that interested her; and though it meant giving up a few academic classes and missing some after-school activities, Sam chose to attend the BOCES Center (LI Technology Center) out east in the afternoons to take aviation classes. On May 21st, at age 18, Sam earned her private pilot's license. So, Sam is a firefighter and a pilot. She plans to attend an environmental school in Syracuse, where she will further her learning about firefighting, piloting, and forestry management, another of her interests. Sam is quite an impressive young person !
Among our other guests: Larry Hohler and Will Dzvonar.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS: Ournext meeting will take place on Tuesday, July 24th, at Cafe Spiga, at which time we will welcome Stephen Brazeau, representing Pax Christi. Today was Collection Day for monthly donations to residents of the Woodhaven Nursing Center. Thank you, generous donors! (Tom says that if you still have items for Woodhaven, you may drop them at the library during the week.) ***The Executive Board Meeting will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, July 18th, at 7:30 AM in Michael's office. All are welcome to attend. The pot continues to grow. It's now at $313 ! Remember: you have to be present to win it.***PLEASE SAVE THIS DATE: Thursday, SEPTEMBER 20th. This is the date for our President's Dinner & Raffle Drawing. The place: Savino's Hideaway (corner of North Country Rd.& Pipe Stave Hollow Rd., Mt. Sinai).Rotary dues ($325) are now due.Sharon announced that on September 29th , The Infant Jesus Parish Social Ministry Food Pantry (The Open Cupboard) will hold a benefit- a night of Fall Fun ("Autumn Splendor")- at Waterview at The Port Jefferson Country Club, from 7-11 PM. The registration price: $125 p/p, which will include 25 raffle tickets, a sumptuous harvest dinner, live music, raffle baskets, a silent auction, and more...Sharon suggested that our club might offer to sponsor a table or more. For more information, contact Sharon or call The Rectory (631-473-0165). HOW MANY RAFFLE TICKETS HAVE YOU SOLD? (IF YOU HAVEN"T YET RECEIVED YOURS, KINDLY CONTACT BILL CURRY A.S.A.P.)Please note that missed meetings can and should be made up in a timely fashion by participating in a club activity/event, attending another club's meeting, or making up on line (on the RI Website.) Please notify Yvette of each make-up at your earliest convenience. Larry Hohler shared the results of the Hope Children's Fund 's 14th Annual Kenya/USA Bi-Continental 5K Run/Walk: In Port Jefferson Station, the male gold medalist , Keagen Sabo, finished the course in 22:16. The male silver medal winner, Matthew Wood, finished in 22:37. Among the female winners, Jen Bradshaw came in at 37:16, while Laura Spillane finished at 47:39. Meanwhile, in Meru, Kenya, Ambrose Muguna finished with the time of 16:50, while Sheila Gatwiri won the silver medal with a finish of 20:15. When all donations and pledges are collected, it is expected that between $5,000-$6,000 will have been raised to help with the operational expenses of the orphanage. Thank you, all participants and donors!Debbie attended the Rotary International Conference in Canada and will give a mini-report at a future meeting. A highlight: in the Maple Leafs' home arena, Prime Minister Trudeau praised Rotary especially for its work on eradicating polio. Jeninvited all to attend the Port Jeff Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Summer Concert Wednesdays. The free concerts, which take place at 2 different locations, run from 6-8 PM. Come to the JFK Middle School on July 18th for Ice Cream Night and enjoy the performance of TRAPKATZ; and on July 25th, the 3 Village Chamber Players will perform during Arts Night. At the Chamber Train Car Park (bring a chair) on August 1st, enjoy Trivia Night and a performance by Blue Bayou, a tribute to Linda Ronstadt; on August 15th, Veterans' Night, Just Sixties will perform; and on August 22nd, it'll be 80's Night with the Ronald Reagans Big 80's Show.You are also invited to save this date for The Town of Brookhaven's 12th Annual Women's Conference & Expo: Saturday, October 13th (8AM to 2 PM). The Keynote Speaker will be Regina Calcaterra, NY Times Bestselling Author of "Etched in Sand: A True Story of Five Siblings Who Survived an Unspeakable Childhood on Long Island" , Co-Author of "Girl Unbroken", and lawyer and advocate for children in foster care.
We have a few handsome PJ Rotary golf shirts for sale ($10 each) and invite you to purchase one. Bob H. now has custody of the t-shirts. Contact him to make a purchase.
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 Winter Golf Classic are posted there as are photos of the inductions of our newest members, presentations of honors to special club members, 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.
...RICHARD BENNETT, who had a birthday on July 15th; WARD CLARKE, whose birthday was July 16th; JIM RHATIGAN, who will celebrate his birthday on July 18th; KARL JANHSEN, who will be celebrating his birthday on July 24th; BOB NEIDIG, whose anniversary was July 4th; and BILL JAEGER, who has an anniversary to celebrate on July 18th.
