August 28, 2009
TODAY’S QUOTE
More than a catbird hates a cat,
Or a criminal hates a clue,
Or Russia hates the United States
That’s how much I love you.
--Ogden Nash
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
On this date--August 28, 1986--Urho K. Kekkonon, ex-President of Finland, died.
Damn!
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!!!!REMINDER!!!!!
Next Friday, September 4th, has been designated “Food Pantry Donation Day!” Please bring your non-perishable goods to the September 4th meeting.
The items recommended by the Food Pantry are: Canned fruits, Canned vegetables,Tuna fish, Baked beans, and the always-popular Macaroni and cheese. Let’s try to fill at least one brown-paper grocery bag!
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MEETING OPENING: Our weekly meeting opened officially at 12:16, or thereabouts.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG, SINGING OF A PATRIOTIC SONG, AND A PRAYER:
Our salute to the flag was led, heroically once again, by Sy Yuter, the rousing patriotic number was sung by golden-voiced Marie Fuesy, and the whole thing was wrapped up to a fare-thee-well by Bishop John, who led us in a plea to Our Maker for a little now-and- then understanding.
THE PRESIDENT’S REMARKS: Our bouncy new president got the meeting off to a roaring start with a list of committees and an appeal for chairmen thereof. He stressed that all the committees are important to our mission of service to the community!
MEMBERS’ COMMENTS AND ASTUTE OBSERVATIONS: It was noted that the Annual Briarcliff-Pleasantville Football Luncheon will take place here, on October 2nd. Mark your calendar, please!
On the following weekend--Saturday, Sept.12—Community Day will take place in Briarcliff. This is a monumental Fund-Raising Day for our Rotary chapter, and we all are urged to pitch in and do our part, serving famished locals in the Briarcliff Rotary Food Tent!
It was noted also that Friday, October 16th, is Visitors’ Day and all members are urged to bring a guest to our weekly meeting, as a potential Rotary member. This will be the kick-off of our Annual Recruitment Drive!
NEXT WEEK’S SPEAKER: Our speaker on September 4th will by Mr. Eric Kaoyer, a representative of the “Sheltering Refugees in Need” program.
REMINDER: DON’T FORGET TO BRING FOOD CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE FOOD PANTRY ON THAT DATE!!!
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TODAY’S SPEAKER: Our speaker today was Susan Grunthal, School Outreach Coordinator for Taconic Opera Co.
She started by alerting us to the news that that the Taconic Opera’s 2009-2010 season (their 12th season) will feature a list of glorious operas: Mozart’s Mass in C Minor (One performance only!), Giuseppe Verdi’s “Macbeth”, and a U.S. premiere:of a seldom heard double bill: Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” and Westerhead’s “Dona Flor.” Performances will begin on October 16th (“Macbeth”) and will end on April 25th, with, the U.S. premiere of the thrilling double bill. Prices range from $66 to $79 for season tickets (The $79 is for Aisle Seats.)
She pointed out that many local opera companies are closing their doors. But the Taconic Opera is holding on! She appealed to us for male singers! (Sy??????)
The opera’s home is nearby, the ticket prices are very reasonable (Briarcliff Rotary members receive a generous discount), and subtitles are always in English.
Give it a try. You’ll like it.
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THE DRAWING: This week’s drawing was won buy two persons, neither one of which was Bishop John. The good Bishop immediately announced--he was among the losers-- that he was “fed up” with the whole thing and was immediately converting to Buddhism. .
OUR MEETING ENDED at 1:30, with an encouraging amount of back-slapping. .
Respectfully submitted by
Don Wilde
8/28/09 Attendance - Robert Amsterdam, Frances Chu, Antonia Conte, Etrusca Cosentino, Zachary Cosentino, Dean Dykeman, Zeneth Eidel , Rodney Ertischek, Marie Fuesy, Peter Garth, John Herzog, Rachel Leihbacher, Shelley Lotter, Geraldine Mahoney, Ernest Pacchiana, Fiala Portnoy, Vladimir Portnoy, Paul Rosen, Mark Seiden, Donald Wilde,Elinor Yuter, Sy Yuter
