Today was an Open Cupboard Collection Day. Thank you, donors! And thank you, Jim, for delivering the goods to their destination!
We also welcomed and honored October's Most Motivated Student of the Month, 7th grader Michael Melikyan. Michael was accompanied by his proud dad, as well as by Deirdre Filippi, teacher of English, Sup't. of Schools Paul Casciano, Ass't. Sup't. for Business Sean Leister, and PJMS Principal Dr, Robert Neidig, who introduced the honoree to his fellow-Rotarians. Bob assured us that this award was well-deserved, since Michael boasts a tremendously high GPA (mostly 100's), despite the fact that he takes a rather challenging Regents Math course meant for accelerated 8th graders. His teachers unanimously acclaimed Michael as a dedicated, hard-working, eager student who apparently loves participating in class discussions, interacting well with both teachers and peers. His math teacher lauded his ability to take on new challenges with poise and patience, and finds Michael to be "a promising young mathematician" who already understands and appreciates the important relationship of numbers to the world around us. A bright, inquisitive, conscientious student, Michael is also seen as mature in his behavior as well as in his academic performance. Deirdre, who nominated Michael for this honor, praised especially his regular contributions to class discussions and his commitment to the learning process. A highly-motivated student, Michael serves as a wonderful role model for his peers- a pleasure for both teachers and students to work with. Bob Neidig concluded his remarks by thanking Michael for setting such a high personal standard for himself and for leading the way for fellow students to follow.
We thank and offer kudos to Bill Curry for shepherding the club through another raffle season.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS: NEXT TUESDAY, 10/16, we will welcome Suzanne Johnson, Swedish Rotary Friendship Exchange visitor. ***This is also a Woodhaven Adult Home Collection Day.***The next Golf Outing Committee Meeting will take place TOMORROW at 8 AM (October 10th) in Michael's office! ROTARY DUES ($ 325) are now past due!!! Visit your libraries this weekend. On Saturday, 10/13, the PJ Library will hold its 4th Annual Friends of the Library Autumn Fair from 2-4 PM. There will be great give-back fairs (including food collections) at both the Comsewogue & PJ Libraries. Comsewogue Library also will host a Costume Drive & Swap. Please spread the word about the Rotary Youth Exchange to youngsters you know. There are opportunities for your favorite teens to travel abroad to the country of their choice for a summer (Short Term Program with reciprocal hosting)or an Academic Year (Long Term Program) and to live with and learn from their peers and their host families in those countries. For detailed information on these excellent programs, check out the District Website or contact Rose Quaranta of the Ronkonkoma Rotary Club, who is District Chair of the Youth Exchange.***Kindly 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.You are invited to The Town of Brookhaven's 12th Annual Women's Conference & Expo: Saturday, October 13th (8AM to 2 PM), $20 for Town residents (breakfast and lunch included). 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. Two interesting workshops will follow lunch. Also on October 13th:The Port JeffHistorical Society is holding its Annual Outdoor Country Auction at The Mather House Museum. Here's an invitationto attend a special District Foundation event on 11/4, 1:00- 3:30 PM, at Windows on the Lake, 235 Lake Shore Rd. in Ronkonkoma, entitled "Come hear the Story of the Foundation in an Inspiring & Entertaining Way". The featured speaker is David C. Forward, author of "A Century of Service: The Story of RI" and "Doing Good in the World". The cost is $65 p/p. Checks are payable to "The Rotary District 7255 Foundation" and can be sent % Marion E. Stark, 6 Robins Nest Lane, Hampton Bays, NY 11946 or register on line at rotarydistrict7255.org . Our Fall Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck Clean-Up will take place on Sunday, November 11th. Dennis hopes that YOU will be among the volunteers to help out in this event. Will we break the record for the number of Camp Clean-Up participants? There will be a RYLA college prep class/seminar at SUNY Stony Brook on 10/27. This is a RYLA Senior Advisor Project where participants learn stuff like how to use checkbooks, etc., and is meant for teens who are about to graduate from high school and who will be leaving home. It's a full day event with limited registration. Youth who are interested must pre-register. For more info, contact Michael. Other events to take note of: 10/27 - Registration is now open for the Leadership Institute, which will be held in Melville; and the District's Conference will be held in the spring in Saratoga Springs, NY.
***Congrats to the PJHS football team on winning the Homecoming Game!
***Please save this date, too: FEBRUARY 9, 2019: On this day, our 2nd Annual Winter Golf Outing will take place in and around the Village of Port Jeff from 11 AM to 6 PM.
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 2018 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.
...ARCHANA GAUTAM, whose birthday was October 1st; NANCY UZO, who had a birthday on October 3rd; SUSAN HANSON, who celebrates her birthday today, October 9th; JUDI BETTS, whose birthday is October 10th; JOHN PERKINS, who will celebrate his birthday on October 13th; JEN DZVONAR, who will be celebrating her birthday on October 17th; JOAN ELLIOTT, who has a birthday on October 21st; AL KOPCIENSKI, whose birthday will be celebrated on October 23rd; ED DiNUNZIO, who will celebrate his anniversary on October 8th; and ROB DOOLEY, who has an anniversary to celebrate on October 18th.
