Today, our guest speakers were Debbie Engelhardt, Director for the Comsewogue Public Library, and Tom Donlon, Interim Director of the Port Jefferson Free Library, who provided a tag-team update on both libraries and the services they provide to our community. Debbie began with a bit of library humor and then reminded us that today is Library Budget Vote Day at both institutions, while National Library Week will be celebrated next week. Both Deb and Tom stressed that their libraries often work together, share programs and information, and provide services to card-carrying members of both (plus other Suffolk) institutions as part of the county cooperative system. While, these libraries are rich in programs for people of all ages, Deb and Tom spoke especially about new services that would be of interest to adults. These include "hoopla", a digital instant service for borrowing free movies, music, eBooks, and more 24/7 online and mobile for all card holders; "flipster", a service allowing instant access to hundreds of magazines, including the most current, on your computer, tablet, or smartphone; and the offer of free passes (for up to families of 4) to many popular local museums and attractions that can be reserved in-person, by phone, or online. The plethora of useful human services available via the libraries these days include special resources provided to our usually underserved population, ie., those with mental health or unemployment problems. The libraries continue to grow and change to meet the ever-changing needs of the communities they serve. They occasionally poll their constituents to make sure that they are successfully continuing to meet their needs. Tom and Deb answered questions and then provided us with a number of useful items illustrating library services and programs that included copies of their monthly newsletters, bookmarks, pens, and book bags. Long Live our public libraries!
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS: There's $122 in the pot waiting to be won. YOU could be our next winner. Next opportunity: our April 12th luncheon at Cafe Spiga, when we will also honor our newest Most Motivated Student from the PJMS. This will be an OPEN CUPBOARD COLLECTION DAY, too! Habitat for Humanity invites you to its free breakfast on April 21st, beginning at 7:30 AM, at the Stonebridge Country Club in Hauppauge. Contact Archana if you wish to be a part of a Rotary table and for more info.The Gift of Life Fundraiser on 4/28 (from 6 to 10 PM) at Windows on the Lake in Lake Ronkonkoma will be an Oldies Dinner Dance (black tie preferred or business suit) with a live oldies show, which Debbie says is fabulous. Cost: $45 p/p. This event has already attracted enough club members to fill 2 tables! There's still time to contact Ed if you'd be interested in joining him, Archana, Deb, Bill, Sharon, Erika, Dennis, and their spouses on this evening. The District Leadership Appreciation Dinner on May 3rd will take place at Antuns By Minar in Hicksville. There'll be an open bar. The cost is $45 p/p; and dress is formal. We will have our next Stuff-A-Van event on May 7th from 10 AM to 1 PM at the Mt. Sinai King Kullen. Can you help out?Volunteers are needed.Our Spring Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck Cleanup Day will take place on Sunday, May 15th. Chores will include painting,cleaning windows,sanding railings,clipping bushes, planting flowers,etc. Rocky Point and Middle Island Rotarians and the Interact clubs they sponsor have been invited to join us along with PJHS Interact. Dennis passed around a preliminary list of participants and the chores and activities for which they'll be responsible. It's not too late to join in. See Dennis if you'd like to take part.Raffle Time is approaching- Get Ready! Nancy invites you, on behalf of Mather Hospital, to plan to participate in the June 6th Golf Outing. Also, she's asking for volunteers to help out on Sat.,May 7th at the Families Walk/Run for Hope event.
***Please visitour club's Face Book Page.
If you missed today's meeting, kindly inform Yvette about make-ups in a timely fashion.
...WAYNE SHATTES, whose birthday was April 1st; KEVIN MURRAY, who will celebrate his birthday on April 12th; DICK NOLAN, who has a birthday on April 25th; TOM DARRIGAN, whose birthday will be April 30th; YVETTE HOHLER, who celebrates her anniversary on April 15th; DENNIS BRENNAN, whose anniversary is on April 22nd; and DALE KUHN, who is celebrating his 34th year, while DENNIS is celebrating his 15th, in Rotary!
***The following is a list of donation "assignments" for members' once-a-month donations via the Club to the Open Cupboard:
Betts, Judi: Toilet Paper
Bossert, Ken: Shampoo/Conditioner
Brennan, Dennis: Canned Fruit
Brennan, Sharon: Spaghetti Sauce
Berner, Cynthia: Rice
Curry, Bill: Apple Juice
Dinunzio, Ed: Diapers
Engelhardt, Debbie: Juice Boxes
Gautam, Archana: Baby Wipes
Hanson, Susan: Baby Formula
Hohler, Yvette: Beans
Jaeger, Bill: Canned Vegetables
Janhsen, Karl: Milk (Dry or Boxed)
Jurasits, Erika: Cereal (Hot or Cold)
Kopcienski, Al Cereal (Hot or Cold)
Lund, Amy: Canned Chicken
Murray, Kevin: Tuna
Rhatigan, Jim: Diapers
Sabo, Pat: Beans
Sceiford, Michael: Grape Juice Boxes
Vigliante, Paul: Milk (Dry or Boxed)
***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 the Heritage Diner 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.
