Today, we welcomed Ron Villano, nationally known speaker, author, advice columnist, and licensed mental health counselor, who is Founder & Director of a family & personal counseling agency with 5 offices, including one each in St.James, East Islip, Bohemia, Levittown, and Middle Village. Ron brought with him and distributed copies of his self-help book, "The Zing", a guide to help the reader "go from living life to loving the life you live". Ron talked about the loss of his teenage son, Michael, who was killed in an auto accident in 1998, and for whom he grieved long and deeply. He then spoke about how his son's tragic passing became, ultimately, a gift of life, providing the father with a new way of thinking and a means to move on- eventually enabling him to live the way he was meant to live- with "the zing". Ron feels that his goal now is to endeavor each day "to touch somebody". Ron learned how to embrace change, which is inevitable, even "forced change", for which one is totally unprepared. He says we must get to the core of what is going on in our life, especially when there is a traumatic issue; and he believes that we must embrace change as he did in order to find happiness ("You cannot grow if you don't change"). Ron spoke of the importance of changing one's focus- taking whatever is new and learning to live in the moment. He advised us to not waste a minute of our day, knowing that time keeps moving on, and to learn to appreciate the current moment in our life. He believes that "the zing" is a joy in life that is two levels above passion. "It's the highest sensation of happiness-when you live each day from moment to moment- and let God handle the rest." Other advice: Don't minimize your losses, but move on; get excited- everything new should be exciting; have passion about what you do- or else, change what you're doing. Start enjoying yourself. Ron hopes that reading "The Zing" can guide your journey and help you find the peace and happiness you deserve.
Also visiting again today: Eric Cherches, a lawyer in the village, who is a prospective new member of our club. Ed has, likewise, introduced a proposed new Corporate Membership for Amanda Eckart, Associate Real Estate Broker, and Donna McKeown from Keller Williams Realty, both of whom were initially proposed by Michael.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS:There's now $637 in the pot waiting to be won- with only 20 cards left to draw from- and, yes, the Ace of Spades is still among them ( but a Joker remains, as well). It could be YOU who wins the pot. Next opportunity: our 6/6 luncheon at Cafe Spiga. ***Kindly remember: WE WILL NOT MEET ON MAY 30th. Instead, we hope you can join our evening networking gathering at Mather Hospital on Thursday, June 1st, beginning at 5:30 PM. Enter by the Ambulatory Services entrance (Belle Terre Rd) and head for Conference Rooms A&B. Friends & relatives are invited, too. The more, the merrier! Have you received your packet of RAFFLE TICKETS from Bill Curry yet? If not, don't worry. Bill will present you with your tickets when he next sees you.(No fair hiding!) Remember, each individual ticket still costs $40, but we can also sell 3 for $100, 7 for $200, and 15 for $400. ***ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE:The money we earn from sold tickets will fund the year's activities & events and our ongoing charitable giving. Bill will collect money from your ticket sales until Susan returns in June. ***Please correct the date of the Drawing on each ticket: It should read SEPTEMBER 14th , which is also the date of our ANNUAL PAST PRESIDENTS DINNER & RAFFLE DRAWING (& 80th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CLUB's FOUNDING).This auspicious event will take place at Savino's Hideaway, corner of North Country & Pipe Stave Hollow Roads in Mt. Sinai. More info will be forthcoming soon. Archana thanked all Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck Clean Up volunteers for the wonderful chores they accomplished on Sunday. She offered special praise for Dennis, who made all the arrangements and efficiently directed the work details, and Chef Pat, who outdid himself with the BBQ luncheon and whose Brownies "were to die for".Kudos, all, for another job well done! You are invited to attend the 2nd Annual Habitat Suffolk Builders' Breakfast (it's free!) on Thursday, May 25th at The StoneBridge Club in Smithtown. Contact Deb for more info. We've been invited to the installation of incoming DG Wendy Walsh (Seatuck Cove) at the Rock Hill Country Club on 6/3. The cost? $75 p/p. Our Club will participate in our annual Habitat Build on Friday, June 9th. The cost will be $50 per member, with the club matching that amount (It's tax deductible!). Bring family & friends (older than 16).Let Debbie know a.s.a.p. of your interest.She would love to see at least 2 more volunteers join the group; and she will be glad to help you register for The Build on line. ***The Port Jefferson and Rocky Point Rotary Clubs MAY hold their Joint New Officer Installation Dinner on Tuesday, June 20th- at Savino's Hideaway. (This event would replace our regular luncheon that would normally take place on this day.) The new DG plans to attend and perform the inductions. The cost will be $40-50 p/p including tax & tip. Spouses/significant others are welcome. More specifics will be provided soon...Ever wonder how you'd do competing against Kenyans in a 5K run/walk contest? On June 3rd, you'll have the opportunity to find out at the 13th Annual Hope Children's Fund 5K, where Kenyans and Americans of all ages and abilities will participate 7 time zones apart. The USA walkers and runners will compete by beginning and ending at the Port Jeff Station entrance to the Setauket-Port Jeff Greenway on Rte. 112 (parking lot between the 7-11 and Enterprise Auto Rental). The event begins at 10 AM, with registration beginning at 9 :00 AM. The cost: $25- (or whatever you can afford). Runners wh0 gather $100 or more in pledges get to compete for free. T-shirts go to the 1st 50 registrants, and medals will be given to all. All (tax deductible) proceeds go to the Jerusha Mwiraria Hope Children's Home in Meru, Kenya. You are also invited to attend Michael's Annual Shredding Party at Saranto Calamas' office at #640 Belle Terre Rd. (the Medical Park across from Mather Hospital) on June 3rd, from 10:30 AM-1:30 PM. This popular event is like a tailgating party- with food (ie., shredded pork), wine, beer, & music. If you plan to do the Kenya/ USA Run/Walk earlier, stop by and refresh yourself here.You are also invited to participate in the Comsewogue Library Blood Drive on June 1st, 1 PM to 7 PM. Every donor will receive a t-shirt and a coupon for a large McDonalds sandwich with any purchase. To be eligible to donate, please bring a signed photo ID. You must weigh a minimum of 110 lbs, be between 16-75 years of age (16 year olds need parental permission; if you are 76 and over, you'll need a doctor's note); and you can't be a donor if you've received a tattoo in the past 12 months. WhileJudi Betts is recovering from her broken femur at Jefferson's Ferry (Rm.# 200), she would welcome visitors- especially after 2 PM, after she has completed her physical therapy sessions.Bob is still seeking evening meeting places, 1 per month, for this summer. Contact him if you can provide a meeting site.
Wishing you a most enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend!
***Please check out our page on Face Book- and Like Us.
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.)
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.
...our May Anniversary Celebrators: on May 6th, ERICA JURASITS; on May 9th, LISA MULVEY; on May 14th,ARCHANA GAUTAM; on May 25th, PAT SABO; and on May 27th, BOB HUTTEMEYER.
