BULLETIN TEMPLATE (Mar 20, 2019)

News of the Meeting of April 2nd

Posted by Yvette Hohler on Apr 02, 2019

CONGRATULATIONS, PAUL, on the birth of Avia Mary Vigliante on April 1st! May she live a long, healthy, glorious life!

Our visiting speaker today, Newton Homan, spoke about Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck. He provided an update, especially regarding costs that permit the camp to continue to operate- over $1.1 million annually. Pa-Qua-Tuck, begun as a summer camp in 1946, of necessity, is now transitioning into a year-round business. It runs at least 3 major fundraising/community events (including the ever-popular Octoberfest and Spooky Walk), rents out the Ballroom in the Main Building for weddings, birthdays, bar mitzvahs, school social events, and the like, and "off season" runs weekend respite programs. This is necessary in order to pay for the upkeep needed to keep the camp maintained properly and running safely and effectively during the summer season. Fortunately, Newton explained, the property is currently in its 3rd year of having an operating surplus. Among upcoming changes being planned: the swimming pool needs to and will be completely replaced, and a spray deck will be added- thanks to a matching grant that will provide $250,000 for the project. One of the older buildings near the lake needs to be torn down and replaced. So far, around $3 million has already been spent on improvements. Bridget Costello, who recently retired as the camp's Director, will now work part time publicizing the camp. Among other things, she will visit schools and organizations that work with physically and mentally challenged youth, promoting the great services the camp provides to its clientele and parents, alike. Around 400 youngsters are already registered for the summer. Our club's continuing financial support, volunteer services such as those that will be performed by members this Sunday, Dennis' wise counsel as a member of the camp Board, and individual member generosity will undoubtedly aid in keeping Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck a successful venture.

Other guests included PJ School's retiring District Sup't., Paul Casciano, and prospective new member Kiley Holmes.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS: ***NEXT TUESDAY, on April 9th, we will again meet at noon at Cafe Spiga, where we will honor a Port Jeff Most Motivated Student of the Month ; and Sean Leister, Ass't. Supt. for Business for the PJ School District, will report on the District's proposed 2019-'20 Budget. (The new Superintendent for PJ Schools will be announced at the Board's April Meeting.) ***This is also an OPEN CUPBOARD COLLECTION DAY! Kindly bring your donations to the meeting. If you are unable to attend, please contact a member who will be in attendance and have that Rotarian deliver your goods to this meeting... The pot now stands at $74. This amount will grow until we have a new winner. Will it be you? Ya gotta be in it to win it! ***According to our new Club Bylaws, in order to maintain your membership in the club,YOU NEED TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY 2 ROTARY-RELATED ACTIVITIES PER MONTH, ie., meeting attendance, on-line makeups on the RI website, 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 any Committee or Board Meetings, and the like. Please notify Yvette of each make-up at your earliest convenience via a note to hohlerlj@aol.com or the Make-Up Report Sheet, which will be passed around at each regular meeting for members to report when and how they made up previously missed meetings)*** Will you be attending the 44th Annual Gift of Life "Crusade of the Heart Gala" at Westbury Manor this Saturday, April 6th? Pat invites you to join him on Saturday, 4/6, any time between 8:30 AM and 4 PM at the Chandler Estate property (North Country Rd. behind the Mt. Sinai Congregational Church), where you can do a "walk thru" and perhaps join him as he begins clearing trails. If you intend to work, please dress appropriately, with gloves, long sleeves, and pants tucked into socks (or boots); and bring "loppers", clippers, and chain saws if you've got them. ***This year's Rotary District Conference will take place in Saratoga Springs, NY- at the Gideon Putnam Resort- from May 2nd to May 5th. You are invited to register to attend on line. Let Michael know if you're interested in participating. A R/T coach bus will transport interested adults (a few seats remain available at this time). The District Conference Youth Portion is welcoming Interactors. The All District Youth will be presenting on Saturday morning. The youth conference fee is $550 per student. Youth Conference forms are available on the District Website: www.district7255.org. ARE YOU COMING THIS SUNDAY, APRIL 7th (8:30 AM 'Til NOON) TO THE SPRING SPRUCE-UP AT CAMP PA-QUA-TUCK? HOPE SO! THE WEATHER WILL BE PERFECT FOR THIS EVENT. THERE'LL BE LOTS TO DO- AND IT'S FUN! HIGH SCHOOLERS FROM COMSEWOGUE AND PORT JEFF , SCOUTS, AND YOUNG MARINES WILL BE JOINING ROTARIANS IN DOING THE CHORES AFTER ENJOYING A BREAKFAST PREPARED BY PAT; AND THE WORK WILL BE FOLLOWED BY LUNCH SERVED BY CHEF KEVIN. YUM! Jim and Nancy ask that you check out your personal information that is currently printed on the back page of our Harbor Lights publication. If you have corrections to make or wish to add your Email address, notify Jim or Nancy at your earliest convenience. The Port Jeff Sta./Terryville Chamber of Commerce invites YOU to attend its Business 2 Community Trade Show on Thursday, April 11th, from 6-9 PM at The Polish Town Hall (35 Jayne Blvd., Port Jeff Sta.). There'll be light refreshments and a cash bar available. The Easter Bunny will be there, too for Free photos. Come and meet the great local businesses in our area! The 1st 50 attendees will receive a FREE gift. There'll also be raffles and a 50/50. For more info, call the Chamber office at 631-821-1313 or E-mail PJSTChamber@gmail.com . Dennis noted that 5 PJHS sophomores will attend RYLA Weekend on 4/13-15 in Baiting Hollow. Mather Hospital will be hosting its Annual Families Walk For Health 5 K, benefitting the Fortunato Breast Health Center. Raffles and Music will add to the fun. Nancy invites you to form a PJ Rotary Team and participate. ***Save this date: Friday, May 10th, when you are invited to join in the celebration of Kevin's retirement- at the East Wind in Wading River. More TBA soon...We have a few possible dates for our upcoming Habitat Build: Friday, May 17th or perhaps May 14th or 15th. A June date may also be a possibility. Volunteers are needed. The final date chosen will be the one that attracts the most participants.The participatory cost is $100 p/p, of which our club will pay half. Contact John Perkins about your availability and interest in this great activity. ***Kindly save this date: Monday, June 10th, for the 21st Annual Rocky Point Golf Tournament, to be held at St. Georges Golf & Country Club in East Setauket. Registration & Lunch will take place from 11 AM to 12:45 PM, and the Shotgun Start is at 1 PM. The cost p/p is $300 before April 30th, and $325 p/p after that date. Dinner only: $75. Cocktail Hour with appetizers & hors d'oeuvres will be followed by dinner, including a carving station, and lobster/prime rib dinner. For more info, look at our Club Calendar or contact Larry Kogel (516-380-8035 or email lkogel@optonline.net ). Bill shares a reminder: it's almost **RAFFLE TIME**! If you have something to donate as a raffle prize (ie., a foursome entry to our Winter Golf Outing or a spa weekend), let him know, please.

***Please check out our page on Face Book- and Like Us. ***Photos from our 2018 and 2019 Winter Golf Classics 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.