Temporary ( hopefully ) halt of upload

This blog was started by BM fellow Rotarian Frances Chu in 2009 and for the following 10 years this served a bulletin board for the club members and visitors to find out what was and what will be going on in our club.              However due to the circumstance beyond my control I am announcing temporary halt of upload.         The information on the mast head is still valid, those who are interested in learning more about BM Rotary Club meeting is encouraged to get in touch with the Briar for the latest information.                                                 K.S.

Installation this week

I hope your week is going great!

We had an exciting joint meeting last Friday with Ossining and Elmsford Rotary clubs. Our guest speaker, Amir Asadi, lit up the room with an uplifting and meaningful presentation, called Rotary Means Connections, and a journey in pictures. As always, Amir is very animated, delivering fresh insights in a very inspiring way.

This Friday is our Installation Meeting, where we welcome Rachel as our new President for the next year. I look forward and I’m excited to work with this wonderful woman, who lives and breathes the true spirit of Rotary. We will also honor Anne Cargill with a well-deserved Paul Harris award. She is bringing six of her family and friends to join with her in this momentous occasion. We also plan on recognizing and honoring another person in our club, hopefully a surprise for this longtime member.

Lunch will be enhanced with appetizers. Red and white wine, soda, tea and coffee and a nice dessert will be also be served. Mixed drinks and beer will be cash bar only. Rotarians’ lunch is FREE and any guest (spouse, child, friend) will cost $50 (cash or checks made out to Briarcliff Rotary).

I truly look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

Mark J.
“For last year's words belong to last year's language
And next year's words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning."

― T.S. Eliot

This Friday June 14, 2019

Hi Everyone,

I hope your week is going well.

Last Friday, Jim Lloyd gave an excellent talk and slide show about his re-enactment of Cal Rodgers’ flight across the United States in 1911. Jim built his own plane to resemble the lightweight Wright brothers EX aircraft. It took Jim two months to complete the flight, which took place in 1986. There was a lot of national TV coverage all along his trip.  A fascinating story!

This Friday is our joint meeting with the Elmsford and Ossining clubs. We need a good turnout from all of you, so we can give our guests a warm welcome. Our guest speaker will be the very exciting and entertaining Amir Asadi. He will surprise us with the topic of his talk tomorrow, but I assure you, we will not be disappointed! He is by far one of the most positive guys I know, and is also a fellow Rotarian from the Bronx Rotary.

On Friday, June 21^st we will have our annual installation meeting, at the Briars, with an upgraded lunch, appetizers, complete with wine and cold soft drinks. This will be a special time where we install Rachel as our new President for the next year. We will also honor two of our members with special awards for their years of good service. We do expect several guests to come and support our recipients and to welcome our incoming President. Please mark your calendars, and feel free to bring a guest. The cost for guests is $50 each.

Look forward seeing you tomorrow!

Mark J.

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” 
― John Holmes

This Friday June 7, 2019

Hi Everyone,

Wow can you believe it…June is already here! Time to get ready for some vacation time!

Last week Marc Ferris was our guest speaker. I was away so I cannot share about his presentation. If you were not able to be present, you could ask Rachel or other members who were there, to learn about his talk.

This Friday we have a really interesting speaker, Jim Lloyd. Jim is a professor at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Albany. Prior to being a professor he was a Reliability Scientist for the Semiconductor industry for over 40 years. But that is not what he will be sharing with us. Here is what he will presenting:

In 1986, I re-enacted the first flight across the United States in an ultralight made to look like the original Wright EX that performed the feat 75 years earlier in 1911.  The flight took two months to complete.  I had many of the same problems Cal Rodgers, the original pilot did in 1911 and a few of my own.  Like 2.5 engine failures.  Sound bite was “I met a lot of bad weather and good people all across the country”.  I will be presenting a slide show and a lecture about the flight.

I meet Jim a few years ago and I promise you will be inspired by this very interesting man! Please come and help Jim feel welcomed. I am hoping he will be inspired enough to become our club member.

Mark J
“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.” 
― Rumi

This Friday May 31, 2019

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

I hope each of you had a relaxing Memorial Day weekend. As you know, we did not have regular meeting, but for those who came for lunch at the Briars I hope you enjoyed your time together.

This Friday our guest speaker is Marc Ferris. From reading the bio he sent, I am quite sure this presentation will be quite entertaining. Instead of trying to explain about Marc and what he has planned to share with us, I have copied and pasted this below:

This presentation, Star-Spangled Mystery, is wowing people with fascinating facts, riveting storytelling and virtuosic music performance.

There are several tie-ins to holidays and other important observances, including: Star-Spangled Banner Day I (Sept. 14); Columbus Day; Baseball Playoffs (October); Football Season; Veterans Day (Nov. 11); November-December Holidays; Martin Luther King Day/Black History Month; Presidents' Day; Star-Spangled Banner Day II (March 3); St. Patrick's Day; Easter/Passover; Memorial Day; Flag Day (June 14); July 4; Baseball Season.

Link to book: https://jhupbooks.press.jhu.edu/title/star-spangled-banner

Below is a general description of the program. 

Written in 1814, “The Star-Spangled Banner” is the most controversial song in United States history and it continues to inflame passions to this day. In this presentation, author Marc Ferris relates the fascinating hidden history about our national anthem, punctuated by live musical renditions of the song’s original version along with other tunes considered for anthem status in this broad sweep of American music and political history. 

Marc Ferris, author of the acclaimed book Star-Spangled Banner: The Unlikely Story of America’s National Anthem, has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, NPR, CBS This Morning and many other major media outlets.
I’m hoping for a full house this Friday in support of Marc’s entertainment. Also this is a great chance to bring a friend. Rachel, our president elect, will be running the meeting. I am enjoying my time in beautiful Washington State. Just spent 4 days in the Cascade Mountains, surrounded by very tall pine trees and beautiful mountains and lakes. It is breath taking here. See you on June 7^th.

Mark J.
“After you are gone, people may forget most of what you have said and done. But they will remember that you loved them.” 
― Steve Goodier

This Friday May 17, 2019

Hi Everyone,

Something bright and illuminating is outside today, I think it’s called the sun….hmm! I think we all could get used to this!

Last Friday was our annual Mother’s Day event! It was as usual, a wonderful time together with 50 senior moms/ladies from our community. Mike Risko’s Band provided us all with great music, setting a joyous mood, which lead to endless conversations. The food and wine was delicious and thanks to Rachel we had a great tasting cake to enjoy. Also each mom/lady received a nice planted flower to take home.

This week our guest speaker is Dr. Ed Placke from Green Chimneys. Below is a short bio:

Green Chimneys Children’s Services, Inc. – Executive Director- Dr. Placke

Responsible for the leadership and management of the Agency that includes two schools, residential program, community services, horse barn, working barn, organic gardens, model forest, summer camps and outdoor education programs.  Over 500 staff are employed and over 1,500 children along with their families are served annually.  The Agency has the largest and most comprehensive nature-based programs in the State and beyond.

Please come, support and enjoy this special presentation.

Mark J.
“If people did not love one another, I really don't see what use there would be in having any spring.” 
― Victor Hugo