Friday, September 18, 2009

BRIARCLIFF MANOR ROTARY CLUB MEETING - 9/18/09 by Don Wilde

BRIARCLIFF MANOR ROTARY CLUB MEETING
September 18, 2009

TODAY’S INTERESTING QUOTE

“The first half of our life is ruined by our parents. The second half by our children.”
---Clarence Darrow


THIS DAY IN HISTORY.

Today is the eighteenth day of September, 2009. Only 104 days remain in the year.
What have you accomplished?

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MEETING OPENING: Briarcliff Rotary Club president, Mark Seiden, opened our meeting promptly at 12:15, accompanied by the Briarcliff High School Baton Twirlers.
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SALUTE TO OUR FLAG, PATRIOTIC ANTHEM, AND PRAYER: The Salute to Our Flag was rendered beautifully by the worthy Mark Seiden, the very worthy Sy Yuter led us in our national anthem, and the most worthy Father Lee put a capper on things by giving thanks to Our Lord for a lovely autumn day.

PRESIDENTIAL COMMENTS: President Seiden reminded us of the upcoming Briarcliff Community Day (a week from tomorrow) urging us all to be in attendance at Law Park, suitably dressed and ready to sell, sell, sell! He then called our attention to the new Event Board, which highlighted the Briarcliff and Pleasantville Rotary Club annual clambake, scheduled.for Oct. 9, right here in Briarcliff, and to our semi-annual Visitors’ Day, which will take place on October 16—again right here at our hallowed Rec. Center. Mr. Seiden then reminded us of the Food Pantry drive and listed the various drop-off centers for contributions.

HAPPY THOUGHTS, ANNOUNCEMENT OF COMMUNITY NEWS, AND A COLLECTION OF THIS AND THAT. This week there are various birthdays and anniversaries of Rotary members to celebrate and a host of guests to be greeted and applauded.

NEXT WEEK’S SPEAKER: Our speaker next week will be our Assemblywoman,
Sandy Galef. Mark your calendars. Sandy is always interesting!

THIS WEEK’S SPEAKER: Our scheduled speaker this week was District Governor, Karl Milde, who graced our weekly meeting, accompanied by his charming wife.


The District Governor was most interesting, as he recounted upcoming Rotary events, including the Multi-District Foundation Center, scheduled on October 10 in White Plains, and the pair of On-To-Bermuda sojourns—the first, an 8 day trip on October 18 (an 8-day affair) the second on October 21st. (a five-day trip.)

He spoke also about 3 important Rotary projects: (1) Our Water project, which brings needed water to water-starved areas; (2) Our Health and Hunger Project, helping to put a dent in poverty around the world; and (3) Our Literary and Educational Project, which is helping people, educationally, world-wide and here in this country, as well.

The District Governor also paid tribute to the Gates Foundation, which this year is donating $100 million to inoculate people around the globe, and, next year, is contributing even more to inoculate three times that number. He urged our club to contribute $2,000 to that effort.

Mr. Milde went on to talk of many interesting things: the Paul Harris luncheon, which will take place at the University Club in Manhattan, and will feature an outstanding motivational speaker; the District Conference, scheduled to take place in Poughkeepsie, and in addition to a primer on Rotary’s contribution to the world, will include a private tour of the Culinary Institute and a tour of F.D.R’s nearby home; and, lastly, the celebrated Governor’s Ball, which will occur later this year.

It was a highly-informative and interesting look at the workings of Rotary.

Thank you, District Governor Milde.
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THE DRAWING: The first dollar-prize went to one of our newest members; the second prize, to visitor Elaine Hayden.


In angry protest, Bishop John sulked and immediately announced a Vow of Silence for at least a half an hour.

THE CONCLUSION OF OUR MEETING: Our weekly meeting ended precisely at 1:30 pm, with a series of lusty Huzzahs and Hoorays from assembled Rotarians.

Respectfully submitted by
Recording Secretary, Don Wilde
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9/18/09 Attndance - Robert Amsterdam, Lee Carozzi, Frances Chu, Antonia Conte, Etrusca Cosentino, Zachary Cosentino,Dean Dykeman, Rodney Ertischek, Marie Fuesy, John Herzog, Rachel Leihbacher, Seth Leitman, Shelley Lotter, Robert Maher, Geraldine Mahoney, Ernest Pacchiana, Fiala Portnoy, Paul Rosen^, Julio Salazar, Mark Seiden,Ken-Ichi Shimazu,Carl Weiner, Donald Wilde, Elinor Yuter, Sy Yuter

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