BRIARCLIFF ROTARY CLUB MEETING
November 20, 2009
THIS DATE IN HISTORY
On November 19, 1984, McDonald’s made its 50 billionth hamburger.
Our son, Michael, by actual count, has devoured at least 250 thousand of them.
TODAY’S QUOTE
You know what they say: If God had been a liberal, we wouldn’t have the Ten Commandments. We’d probably have had the Ten suggestions.
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OPENING CEREMONY: The singing of our National Anthem was led by President Mark Seiden. Sy Yuter conducted us in a Salute to The Flag. And Bishop John brought a tear to every eye with his appeal to Our Maker for a little understanding of what it is to be human.
PRESIDENTIAL COMMENTS: President Seiden was eloquent in his comments. He made many of them. And some were very, very interesting. (Samples supplied upon request.)
MEMBERS’ HAPPY THOUGHTS: Bob Maher announced that the basketball game between the Basketball Professionals and a Merry Band of Klutzes was a roaring success. Bob Amsterdam agreed. The score—in favor of the Basketball professionals—was 197 to 1.
Frances Chu followed with her declaration that the Annual Chinese Dinner was equally Successful and that those who were not there missed a treat. It was a a lollapalooza!
She, in turn, was followed by Sy Yuter, who revealed that today was his birthday. Sy is twenty-one. This portion of the program ended with Ernie Pacchiana’s happy announcement that
THE GRAPEFRUIT FOR OUR YEARLY SALE WAS ON ITS WAY!....Huzzah!!!
NEXT WEEK’S SPEAKER: Next week—the Friday following Thanksgiving--we will gather at Squire’s Restaurant and Automobile Repair Shop to enjoy our weekly meal. The entertainment will be provided by Mr. Paul Rosen, who will perform for us his colorful collection of exotic bird calls.
THIS WEEK’S SPEAKER: Our speakers today were Mr. John Gallagher and Mr. Sean Pica, who is head of the college at Sing Sing prison.
Mr. Gallagher was interesting and Mr. Pica riveting in his account of his educational activities.
Mr. Pica told of the many prison inmates who were serious about receiving their high school equivalency diplomas, about their dedication, in many cases, to bettering themselves through education--though some of them were serving either long or life-sentences. Particularly inspiring were his stories about the immense difference education made in the life of Sing Sing inmates, how it helped change their lives and gave them something to look forward to after their release. It gave them a totally different view of themselves and of society.
Mr. Pica knows whereof he speaks: he once was a prisoner himself, for committing a crime he did not speak of.
The supreme test of Mr. Pica’s in-prison educating of prisoners: They almost never come back. They go on to do better things than they ever did before. And become different and better people than they once were.
Bravo, Mr. Pica! Would that there were more like you!
THE WEEKLY DRAWING: There were two winners of our weekly drawing. But, inasmuch as they have requested anonymity, we feel compelled to abide by their desire. Therefor, they shall remain unsaluted.
THE MEETING’S CONCLUSION: The meeting ended with Bishop John’s declaring that he was leaving the clergy to play middle-linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys football team.
Respectfully submitted by
Recording Secretary, Don Wilde
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Dear Don,
Thank you for reminding us about the Chinese Dinner on Sunday, 3/15/09. It was truly a fun and memorable event that 60 Rotarians, families, and friends attended making it a success. However, I did not attend last Friday 11/20 Briarcliff Rotary meeting and I did not make that declaration. Thank you also for teaching me a new word "lollapalooza".
Frances Chu
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11/20/09 Attendance - Robert Amsterdam, Antonia Conte, Etrusca Cosentino, Dean Dykeman, Zenith Eidel, Rodney Ertischek, Marie Fuesy, John Herzog, Rachel Leihbacher, Seth Leitman, Robert Maher, Geraldine Mahoney, Ernest Pacchiana, Mark Seiden, Donald Wilde, Elinor Yuter, Sy Yuter
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