BRIARCLIFF ROTARY CLUB MEETING
October 30, 2009
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
On October 30, 1982, Portugal revised its constitution.
(Well, dammit, it’s about time!)
TODAY’S QUOTE
“He’s the only man I ever knew who had rubber pockets so he could steal soup.”
--Wilson Mizner, of a Hollywood studio chief
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SALUTE TO THE FLAG, OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM, AND THE PRAYER
President Mark Seiden led us in a salute to our flag, Sy Yuter rendered us all agog with his rendition of our national anthem, and Reverend Lee brought down the house with his impassioned plea to Our Maker for a brighter, sunnier tomorrow.
PRESIDENTIAL COMMENTS: Mr. Seiden announced that our seasonal Greeting Cards (a box is now, or soon will be, available) and that each member of our Club is expected to sell at least one box—or else face the scorn and derision of the entire club membership.
President Seiden concluded by gracefully acknowledging our guests and our newest club members.
MEMBERS’ OBSERVATIONS: An announcement of the upcoming Bric-A-Brac sale was made, and we all were invited to bring in any items for appraisal. (Price: $25)
Sy Yuter then delighted us with the news that on November 5th (Mark that date on your calendar!) his cataracts are scheduled to be removed.
MR. LOU FITZGERALD’S COMMENTS ON THE MAGIC MASTERS’ BASKETBALL GAME
Mr. Fitzgerald stated that his committee is looking for four or five volunteers for the Magic Masters’ appearance at the Briarcliff High School on the 13th of this month. He showed us an advertising display piece, which would be placed in the window of Joe Weldon’s. as well as appearing in various locations throughout the village.
He urged us all to be there for the exhibition, which would feature the Magic Masters’, as well as several Briarcliff basketball greats, comprised mostly of Bob Maher.
NEXT WEEK’S SPEAKER: Our speaker next week will be Seth Leitman. His subject:
“Life Project for Africa.”
(Note: Don’t forget to bring food for the Food Pantry!)
TODAY’S SPEAKER
Our speaker today was Briarcliff Historical Society President, Tom Vincent. He was eloquent in speaking of Briarcliff’s place in history.
Mr. Vincent started off speaking of the Phillips” family and of Walter Law, the founder of Briarcliff Manor, and of Mr. Law’s many contributions to the life of Briarcliff Manor,
“the town at the end of the Yellow Brick Road.” (I’ll bet you didn’t know that karaoke was invented in Briarcliff. Well, it was. But that’s a whole other story.)
Briarcliff began as a farming community and a rather fancy river town. But what makes Briarcliff “special”—in addition to its inhabitants—is its colorful landmarks: the railroad station, which became the Library; Law Park with its tennis courts, swimming pool, strolling paths and pavilion; Briarcliff’s eight glorious churches of varied denominations; its elegant Stanford White country club; the Briarcliff Junior College, (Now a part of Pace University); the Edith Macy Conference Center; and, of course, the famed Donald Trump Intergalactic Golf Course. (Gentlemen, please remove your hats!)
Briarcliff has had its celebrities, too: the author, John Cheever lived here, James Patterson lives here at present, and the modern dancer, Isadora Duncan, danced her heart out at Beechwood, and Johnny Weismuller trained for his gargantuan Olympic swimming feats at the old Briarcliff Lodge, since burned down--alas!
At one time Briarcliff was famed for its automobile Road Race, which drew upwards of 200,000 spectators and as the home of various social and business luminaries—the late Brooke Astor, for one, Ernie Pacchiana as another.
Mr.Vincent also spoke of our Caucus System, which is unique, in that candidates do not attach their names to either the Republican or Democratic parties and our historical Village Hall.
He closed by noting that at present there are 165 members of the Briarcliff Historical Society, but there is always room for a few more.
Any takers?
It was an informative and fascinating talk. Thank you, Mr. Vincent.
THE WEEKLY DRAWING: The winners were ?? (I’m sorry, I cannot find her name in my voluminous notes. Can anyone help me?) and new member Mark Risko. (Reverend Herzog, who was not in attendance, phoned in his outrage at not being named the winner in perpetuity.)
MEETING CONCLUSION:. The meeting ended precisely at 1:30 PM,. on a very high note: Zen Eidel was shot out of a cannon.
Submitted by.
Recording Secretary, Don Wilde
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10/30/09 Attendance - Robert Amsterdam, Lee Carozzi, Frances Chu, Dean Dykeman, Zenith Eidel, Rodney Ertischek, Marie Fuesy, Peter Garth, Rachel Leihbacher, Seth Leitman, Shelley Lotter, Geraldine Mahoney, Ernest Pacchiana, Fiala Portnoy, Vladimir Portnoy, Mike Risko, Paul Rosen, Mark Seiden, Julio Salazar, Ken-Ichi Shimazu, Donald Wilde, Elinor Yuter, Sy Yuter
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