BRIARCLIFF MANOR ROTARY CLUB MEETING
Friday, April 17th, 2009
TODAY IN HISTORY
On April 17th, 1894, Nikita Khrushchev was born. Happy birthday, Niky, wherever you are!
THOUGHT FOR TODAY.
I.Q. is expandable. Poor children adopted into upper middle class homes, see their I.Q. jump by 12 to 18 points. I.Q.’s have risen sharply over time. Half the population in 1917, would be considered mentally retarded by today’s measurements. Speaking of declines, children’s I.Q. drop or stagnate over summer vacation. Kind of makes you think, doesn’t it?
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OPENING CEREMONIES: Our weekly meeting was begun precisely at 12:17 pm, to the sound of trumpets and a lovely lighted-fountain display, outlining the History of Psycho-Therapy.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG, PATRIOTIC SONG, AND PRAYER: The Salute to Our Flag was led by a patriotic Sy Yuter; our national anthem was sung gloriously by one and the same person; and the Reverend Lee brought things to a thrilling climax with an appeal to Our Maker for Universal Justice and an unbroken string of sunny weekends.
PRESIDENT FULFREE’S REMARKS: President Fulfree, after introducing our guests, informed us of the upcoming Board meeting this week and put in a plug for our soon-to-come Truck Show.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS AND HAPPY THOUGHTS: Geraldine Mahoney distributed--with enormous charm and flair-- sign-up sheets for members’ duties on Truck Show Day. As for Community News, we were told that Briarcliff Blood Day, though not quite as respectable as in years past, was still eminently successful. Zen Eidel rose to announce
that our club is offering six (6) new benches in the Village, each to be inscribed with the names of generous donors; Carl Weiner announced his annual fishing trip, and Gerry Mahoney returned to tell assembled members about her bicycle adventures. There was also mention of the fact that this year President Obama and his family will be holding a Seder. This caused great consternation on the part of Sy Yuter, who was heard to mutter, “Funny, they don’t look Jewish.”
NEXT WEEK: Delighting us on April 24th, will be Gila Zilca, who will speak on--of all things--“The Science of Soap Making.”
OUR SPEAKER TODAY: Today’s speaker was Anthony Radice, who gave a delightful talk on “Rye Playland 2009.”
Mr. Radice opened with a short film on the mass exodus from the city to the suburbs, and the need for entertainment to be provided there. Thus, enter Playland
Playland —the first planned Amusement Park--was founded some 80 years ago and has been a magnet for kids and parents to Rye ever since. The cost to build the Art Deco Park: $5 million. The sponsors: the trolley car people, who stood to profit from providing
transportation to and from the park.
Playland—the first planned amusement park--features seven historic ride, from merry-go-rounds to rollercoasters. In the beginning, there were several accidents, but precautions have been taken since then to assure patrons that at Playland safety always came first. The rides are inspected daily, and there is a “Safety Pyramid” to make sure that safety does indeed prevail.
Playland is also a respected, responsible citizen. It gives back to the community by hiring Westchester residents and through contributing in a variety of ways to the life and prosperity of the county.
Playland has “two-tier pricing” (Residents and non-residents). This year (2009) will feature free entertainment: a “Big Band” and, on Wednesday and Friday evenings, a rousing fireworks display.
It’s a fun-filled way to spend a lazy summer day or evening. Try it. You’ll love it!
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THE DRAWING: The were four (4) winners in this week’s lottery: Zen Eidel was first; the Rev. Lee Carozzi was second; and Playland coffee cups were awarded, as a lagniappe, to two lucky club members. In protest, an empty-handed Bishop John accused lottery officials of fraud, and attempted to stab himself with a plastic fork.
MEETING CONCLUSION: The meeting was adjourned promptly at 1:32 pm, and was marked by Rod Ertischek’s—clad in his merry daredevil costume—asking to be fired from a cannon.
Respectfully submitted by
Recording Secretary, Don Wilde
Today's Attendance:
4/17 - Robert Amsterdam, Barbara Briganti, Lee Carrozzi, Frances Chu, Antonia Conte, Etrusca Cosentino, Zeneth Eidel, Rodney Ertischek, Peter Fulfree, Peter Garth, John Herzog, Rachel Leihbacher, Geraldine Mahoney, Ernest Pacchiana, Fiala Portnoy, Carl Weiner, Donald Wilde, Frances Wills, Elinor Yuter, Sy Yuter
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