BRIARCLIFF MANOR ROTARY CLUB MEETING - 10/16/09 from Don Wilde

BRIARCLIFF MANOR ROTARY CLUB MEETING
October 16, 2009

TODAY’S INTERESTING QUOTE

“He turned his life around. He used to be depressed and miserable. Now he’s miserable and depressed.”

--David Frost

THIS DAY IN HISTORY.

On October 2nd, in the year 1924, the new ZR-3 Dirigible from the Zeppelin Corporation, set a world’s record for wingless transatlantic flight. I wonder what happened to its sister zeppelin—oh, you know the one I mean. What was it called—the Hindenburg?

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MEETING OPENING: President Seiden opened our weekly meeting promptly at 12:15 pm., with great flair and enormous dignity.

SALUTE TO OUR FLAG, PATRIOTIC ANTHEM, AND PRAYER: The Salute to Our Flag was headed by an enthusiastic Mark Seiden, our national anthem was rendered with aplomb by our very own Sy Yuter, and Bishop John wound things up with a highly- impassioned plea to The Almighty for mercy, forgiveness, and a pleasant October..

PRESIDENTIAL COMMENTS: President Seiden started things off by reminding us of “Service Above Self!” He then proceeded to talk about the Grapefruit Sale, the Food Pantry, water wells in Africa, bicycles for girls, the upcoming Truck Show, and the many, many people who have fallen victim to troubled times. The message: Our Rotary chapter is doing well, but we must all continue to pitch in.

VISITOR’S DAY! Our first official Visitor’s Day was a tremendous success! There were seven (7) guests—so many that we had to set up a sixth table! (Guests have been known to turn into members, you know. Get it? Get it? )

NEXT WEEK’S SPEAKER: Our official speaker next week, the 23rd of October, will be
Fialla Portnoy, whose topic will be “My Life.”

THIS WEEK’S SPEAKER: Our speaker this week was most interesting: Mr. Carlo Pellegrini, a professional juggler. He opened his section of the meeting by speaking about “running away to join the circus and becoming a juggler.” Which is what he is—a juggler—although he chose, wisely, to stay home rather than to run away.

Mr. Pelligrini was amazing! He juggled balls, while continuing his talk: 2 pairs, 3 pairs, 4 pairs of balls, he kept in the air—all the time spieling, spieling, spieling away! Anyone could do what he does, he observed, provided they have five pairs of hands.

Don‘t believe it for a minute. He is extremely gifted. You have to be born with those reflexes. And he was.

A most enjoyable performance. Bravo, Mr. Pellegrini!

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THE DRAWING: The results of the weekly drawing were most depressing. I didn’t win—once again. The winners know who they are, so I won’t bore you with the details.

THE CONCLUSION OF OUR MEETING: Our weekly meeting ended precisely at 1:30 pm., with Bishop John’s springing out of a birthday cake.

Respectfully submitted by

Recording Secretary, Don Wilde

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10/16/09 Attendance - Robert Amsterdam, Frances Chu, Antonia Conte, Etrusca Cosentino, Zachary Cosentino,Dean Dykeman, Zenith Eidel, Rodney Ertischek, Marie Fuesy, Peter Garth, John Herzog, Seth Leitman, Shelley Lotter, Robert Maher, 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