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An Item or Two from President Lou

 

 

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An Item or Two from President Lou

There is so much happening during this time of the year that this week's presidential message is a mishmosh, a hodgepodge, a veritable smorgasbord of items for you to consider. It is my hope that each of our 140 members will participate in Rotary service before the end of this calendar year, and there is no shortage of opportunities for all:

Pride of Workmanship - We look forward to honoring excellence in the workplace with our luncheon on October 31. John Wolff, awards chair, is calling on all Rotarians to consider submitting a nomination for this year's award. Click here for the pdf version of the one page nomination form. Nominations are due by Friday, October 10.

Pennies for Polio - Gail Miskowiec is leading the charge as we look to raise at least $1000 this fall. More than 40 canisters are in the field, and Gail has an ample supply. Putting a canister in your place of business is an easy thing to do, and the end result of this campaign will literally change the world. Email Gail with your request for a canister or two.

What a Derby!! - On October 1, two dozen children from the Neighborhood Center participated in our Lock 20 Family Fishing Derby. This has become a Utica Rotary tradition thanks to the work of PP Dave Jones and the Urban Concerns committee. These Rotary volunteers joined PP Dave for the afternoon: Peter Vogelaar, Phil Hayne, PP John Kogut, District Governor Larry Calabrese, Eve Van de Wal, PP Don St Louis, Michelle Synakowski and Joe Skane. Click here for a few photos of this great event.

Thought for Food - Speaking of our Urban Concerns Committee, they are conducting a food drive during October at our Friday meetings. Please bring your non-perishable food items to Twin Ponds for the next three weeks.

Chuck Saves The Day - Utica Rotarian Chuck Kershner came to our rescue last Friday, stepping in as a late replacement for our scheduled speaker Rep. Michael Arcuri, who was in DC for the financial rescue vote. Chuck gave us an insider's view of the struggle of newspapers to compete with new information technologies. There may remain a niche for the small town newspaper as a source of reliable, fact based local news. Thank you, Chuck, for a thought provoking program on not much more than a moment's notice.

Give Columbus a (Warm) Hand - We do much at our adopted Columbus Elementary School. The reading program (PP Linda Allen), our magnificent courtyard (PP Mike Van Strander), the EarlyAct club of young volunteers (new member Bill Garrett) and our Explorer and Rising Star programs (PP Larry Golden) are now integral parts of the Columbus environment. PP Linda has organized a new cooperative intergenerational venture between the Masonic Care Community, The Pines, Columbus School and Utica Rotary. Several residents of Acacia Village and the Pines are knitting mittens and scarves for the children of Columbus School. We are also accepting mitten donations through November 21 for our Columbus students. The next time you are shopping, consider picking up a few pair of mittens for this program. The cold weather is upon us, and your generosity will be felt all winter long.

The Fund That Makes It All Possible - In the 1930s Utica Rotary started a Welfare Fund, the precursor of today's Service Fund. The idea behind it is that Utica Rotarians should spend their valuable time serving others, rather than conducting fund raisers. It has worked well for nearly 80 years, and Kevin Marken is leading the 2008-09 Service Fund campaign. We ask each Utica Rotarian to consider a minimum donation of $175 toward our fund goal of $22,000. There will be special recognition of those giving $200 or more. Kevin is gathering some great prizes for our annual drawing - more about those in future issues of The Hub. We recognize that some members will give more than the recommended amount, and others less. I would like to see every Utica Rotarian give a donation to our Service Fund this year. Our club is a team, and this fund allows us to do great things. Please think about your capacity to donate to our Service Fund, and pledge your support.

Thirty Five on 12/5 - Our longest running project, the annual Special Needs Christmas Party, is set for Friday, December 5. Volunteers will be needed throughout the evening, so mark your calendar consider lending a hand. Amy Mielnicki has once again stepped up to chair the 35th annual party.

Last But Not Least....a Thank You - Some Rotarians make contributions behind the scenes, doing what they can to make our events successful. Rick Sebastian is such a member. He arranged for the donation of the food items for our Lock 20 Fishing Derby. We thank Rick and Human Technologies Corporation for their generosity. The delicious treats from the barbecue just made the afternoon that much better.

 

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Rotary Club of Utica
P.O. Box 323
Washington Mills, NY 13479
(315) 272-2468