Rotary Club of Port Jefferson (Oct 04, 2022)

News of the Meeting of October 11th

Posted by Yvette Hohler

President Michael was joined at Cafe Spiga by 13 members and 6 guests: prospective new club member Michael Christian, Executive Director of Sunrise Assisted Living of East Setauket; Andrea Malchiodi, Ass't. Director of Comsewogue Public Library; Amanda Prinz, Ass't. Principal of Comsewogue HS; Brady Stonehill, Comsewogue HS Most Motivated Student of the Month; and Steven and Heather Stonehill, the proud parents of Brady.

Today was an OPEN CUPBOARD COLLECTION DAY! Thank you, donors, and especially Dennis, who collects and delivers the goods to their destination.

Following an inspirational prayer read by Sharon, Michael welcomed us and began with club announcements:

The Marders, regretfully, will not, at this time, remain members of our club due to time/attendance constraints, but will help out with activities wherever help is needed.

Michael Christian, last week's visiting speaker, would like to be considered as a prospective club member. President Michael will invite him to join us at our evening meeting/social gathering at Mike Sceiford's new office on Tuesday, Oct. 25th.

The President of Rocky Point Rotary, Kevin Mann, shared a Thank You Note sent to our Rotary District from Bridget Nkirote, a 7th grader residing at the Jerusha Mwiraria Hope Children's Home in Meru, Kenya. This is the orphanage supported by Hope Children's Fund (HCF). Yvette, HCF Secretary, read the note aloud.

Bob Huttemeyer will work on setting up a date for our club and that of Rocky Point to hold a joint meeting in the near future.

Debbie announced that she is on the HCF Gala Committee, which will meet this week; and she will be sharing Gala information/updates with us.

Our President frequently receives requests for donations from our club, and he passes these on to Archana and the Donations Committee for consideration.

Debbie introduced her guest, Andrea.

Nancy invites you to take a trip down to Carnival Restaurant and Pizzeria (4900 Nesconset Shopping Plaza, Port Jeff Sta.) between now and October 15th and help raise money for breast cancer awareness. All proceeds go to Mather Hospital's Fortunato Center. Buy a pie and help the future of breast cancer research and programs for our loved ones. Raise awareness one slice at a time! If you have any questions, email Olivia Andriani: Oandriani22@gmail.com .

Nancy also reminds you that this is Paint Port Pink Month. Make your pumpkin stand for something this October! Pink your pumpkin in support of breast cancer awareness by: finding your perfect pumpkin and decorating it in the pinkest fashion possible; take a photo, emailing it to matherhospital@northwell.edu by October 24th; and include with the photo the subject line: Pink Your Pumpkin, your full name, and your phone number. Use (hashtag) #paintportpink and post your pink pumpkin on your social media. The winner will be selected by employee leaders at Mather Hospital on October 25th. The prize: a $500 gift card. All entries will be posted on Mather's Facebook page.

Nancy shared greetings from former club member Joe Kazleu.

Sal attended the Rotary Leadership Institute this past Saturday and graduated from this Class 4 Seminar. He met Rose Quaranta, the District Chairperson for the Youth Exchange Programs, who asked to be put in contact with the student who reached out to our club expressing interest in studying abroad. She forwarded him a power point presentation on the necessary steps clubs have to take in order to fulfill this exchange program, which Sal will forward to the Board and anyone else interested. The website: https://www.rotaryexchange.org/ .

Sal also discussed Kim's contributions to our club and nominated her for a Member at Large position with the potential to chair the Publicity Committee pending Kim's acceptance of the responsibility.

Jenn passed around a list of club committees and asked that members sign up for membership in 1 or more.

Cindy invites all to attend the Port Jeff Historical Society's 34th Annual Auction this Saturday, October 15th on the Mather House Museum grounds- 115 Prospect Street, with previews beginning at 8:30 AM and the auction under the tent starting promptly at 9:00 AM, rain or shine. Breakfast and lunch foods will be on sale at the event all day, too. Meanwhile, Dennis asks for club members who can help him before the event's start to bring up from the museum's basement items to be auctioned off. Contact Dennis if you can be of service.

Please keep Judi in your thoughts and prayers.

The Rotary Golf Outing Committee will meet on Tuesday, October 18th at 8:30 AM via Zoom. All members are invited to attend.

Jenn reminds us that we will be participating in the Annual Fall Cleanup at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck on Sunday, November 6th, with breakfast being served at 8 AM. We'll work (mostly raking- bring your own rake) until 12:15 PM, at which time our chefs will have prepared a wonderful lunch on the BBQ. BRING YOUR FAMILY! Also, remember: Daylight Savings Time ends and we'll be falling back to Eastern Standard Time on the 6th!

Yvette renewed her invitation to you to participate in Hope Children's Fund's 18th Annual KENYA/USA Bi-Continental 5K Run/Walk that will take place on Sunday, October 16th. This event, now named The Larry Hohler Memorial, will be an occasion to compete against Kenyans who will be running/walking simultaneously on the other side of the world in Meru, Kenya. Here, it will begin at 10 AM at the Port Jeff Station end of the Port Jefferson Station-Setauket Greenway Trail. (Enter the parking lot at the Hallock Ave. traffic light- between Enterprise Car Rental and the 7-11 on Rte.112.) Registration for the competition will begin between 9:00- 9:30 AM at the western end of the parking lot and the trail's beginning. There is a suggested donation of $30.* Runners/walkers who can secure more than $100 in pledges can participate for free.

All finishers will receive medals. *All proceeds go to support the Jerusha Mwiraria Hope Children's Home in Meru, an orphanage co-founded by Larry Hohler. ***For those who cannot participate on 10/16, there will be a VIRTUAL RUN/WALK any time up to October 23, 2022. For more information or to receive pledge sheets, contact Kevin Mann at kevinmannmail@gmail.com, Ed Hyshiver at edhysh@optonline.net, or Yvette Hohler at hohlerlj@aol.com . ***To learn about Hope Childrens Fund, go to hopechildrensfund.org

Jenn introduced Amanda Prinz and Brady Stonehill, Comsewogue's Most Motivated Student for October. Ms. Prinz told us how delighted (but not surprised) she was at the faculty's selection of this 9th grader, who she has known since he was in elementary school and who has been a standout student for as long as she has known him. She described Brady as a phenomenal, talented, kind young man, who never says "no", and who, among his other talents, is a percussionist, and has recently been elected 9th grade President. She expects him to continue to be highly motivated and successful. His parents, Heather and Steven, joined him, Ms, Prinz, Jenn, and President Michael for a photo op. Congratulations, Brady!

And today's Sergeant, President Michael, stumped many of our members with what he thought were easy questions. He began with "What is the October theme for Rotary?" (Ans.: Economic & Community Development) and followed up by asking what October 11th is known as. The collection of dollars mounted as members tried to come up with correct answers (Int'l. Day of the Girl Child; Nat'l. Coming Out Day; Nat'l. Sausage Pizza Day; and Gen. Pulaski Memorial Day are among this date's official designations.) Other questions that stumped us included "What did President Teddy Roosevelt do on this date that no other U.S. President had ever done before?" (Ans.: flew aboard an airplane). Taking pity on us, Michael stopped his questions and asked for Happy $$$. Our members were very happy. Many gave $$$ in honor of our guests, especially of Brady. Among other donors: Nancy will be celebrating her father's 90th birthday, while Dennis contributed as a thank you for our somewhat bigger number of Open Cupboard donors than last month. He looks forward to an increasing number of generous donors in the months to come. He also contributed in celebration of our newest Most Motivated Student. Erika was happy to see one son in person this past weekend and looked forward to seeing another son soon; Jenn celebrated 2 potential new club members and an upcoming family racing weekend (having just returned from Jacksonville, Florida's BMX races); Cindy was happy to see her sister safely returned from international travels; and President Michael celebrated weekend wins by The Giants and The Jets, but was disappointed by The Mets. Thank you, members for your contributions!

Afterwards:

Jenn picked the blue raffle ticket that won her the chance to pick a card from the deck and hope for the Ace of Spades to win the pot. She picked the Ace of Diamonds (So close!); so the pot (today $100) continues to grow. Next meeting, will you win it? Ya gotta be in it to win it!

NEXT WEEK: On Tuesday, October 18th: we will welcome as our Guest Speaker Irene Michalos, AGAPE Meals For Kids.

HERE'S TO A HAPPY, HEALTHY WEEK!

CHEERS!

Remember: If a member would like to send out an email to the membership, use the following email address: pjrotaryclubmembers@googlegroups.com.

Bob Huttemeyer is still seeking volunteers willing to host an evening meeting (5:30 PM-7 PM) at a member's home or place of business. Contact Bob if you'd like to host an upcoming Rotary evening social gathering.

Rebecca invites us to get acquainted with HOMETOWNHOPEPORTJEFFERSON.ORG. Hometown Hope provides resources and support in times of need to all residents of the Village by promoting a movement of spreading kindness. It "strives to uplift through wellness, resilience, and compassionate understanding in our community." Among the services/goods it will provide: meal boxes; home deliveries; and the like for those suffering illness, loss, etc., as well as help for healthcare practitioners during the pandemic. You can also sponsor a family.

Want to volunteer? Contact hometownhopepj@gmail.com .

***If you have ideas or items to be discussed at our next meeting, let Michael B. know. And if you'd like to join one of the club's special committees, let him know this, as well. The more, the merrier!***

*** Watch for Michael B's invitation to our next meeting and plan to join us!***

STAY SAFE AND WELL!