March 23, 2012 Briar Crier

BRIARCRIER

March  23, 2012, 12:15 at The Briar's Restaurant, Briarcliff Manor NY Rotary Club

                                                                              TODAY IN HISTORY

1775 – Patrick Henry delivered an address in which he said “Give me Liberty or give me Death”.

MEETING LEADER  – President Dean Dykeman

PLEDGE  -  Sy Yuter  PATRIOTIC SONG – Sy Yuter  PRAYER –  Dean Dykeman

HAPPY THOUGHTS – Dean, happy it is Friday and happy it is Spring; Scott Lanoff  - his third meeting and he is going to Paradise Island;  Linda Urban (new member) sad about a friend who passed away; Bob Amsterdam about a bomb threat in our area that BMPD did not know about.

GUESTS – Scott Lanoff

ANNOUNCEMENTS – Mother’s Day Brunch – May 4^th at the Briars with Mike and Muriel Risko. Kris reported on District Conference to be held April 20-22 at the Renaissance Hotel in West Harrison. It will be a good opportunity for meeting other clubs.

SPEAKER AND SUBJECT – Elizabeth Silleck – Smart Energy Westchester/Bronx

SUMMARY OF TALK

Elizabeth Silleck is a cheerful speaker.  She spoke to us about Smart Energy.  She is the coordinator for the Westchester/Bronx Energy Smart Communities.  She spoke on how to save on our utility bills.  Lighting bulb savings are available for everyone and are the best investment for your business.  Free audits are available.  LED’s use less energy.  Look for the Energy Star logo.  You may email Ms. Silleck at Elizabeth.Silleck@gmail.com

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Today Friday  –  Marty Engelhardt – New laws for wills and trusts.

Elinor Yuter, Reporter

Rachel Leihbacher, Expediter

Note: Please welcome Dr. Armando Battista as a potential new member.

March 16, 2012 Briar Crier

  BRIARCRIER

March  16, 2012, 12:15 at The Briar' Restaurant, Briarcliff Manor NY Rotary Club

                                                                             TODAY IN HISTORY

1802 – President Thomas Jefferson signed a measure authorizing the establishment of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY.

MEETING LEADER – President Dean Dykeman

PLEDGE  - Sy Yuter  PATRIOTIC SONG – Sy Yuter  PRAYER –  Dean Dykeman

HAPPY THOUGHTS: Bob Amsterdam – University of North Carolina Basketball win; Ken Shimazu – at age 60 your body clock reset itself, says Japanese in Japan, and Spring is a couple of days away.

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GUESTS – Scott Laroff, potential member

ANNOUNCEMENTS – Mother’s Day Brunch – May 4^th at The Briar's with Mike and Muriel Risko

SPEAKER AND SUBJECT – Dr. Olivia Masry – Poverty in the Navajo Reservation

SUMMARY OF TALK

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“Time to give back” said Dr. Masry.  She and her husband founded a dental clinic of their own for the Navajo Indian Nation.  The four corner states of Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Utah are home to about 300,000 isolated, poverty-stricken Navajos.  Obesity, diabetes, malnutrition and tooth decay beyond belief is what they live with.  There are no supermarkets, only unhealthy food exists.  Food pantries help somewhat.  On the positive side, many have an inborn amazing skill in silver smithing.  In Gallup, their beautiful jewelry is sold.  Dr. Masry bought what she thought was an ugly rug to be supportive of the tribe.  Back home it turned out to be beautiful,  and she appreciates their “land of purple mountain majesty”. 

This Friday: Smart Energy – Elizabeth Sillek

Elinor Yuter, Reporter

Rachel Leihbacher, Expediter

March 8, 2012 Briar Crier

BRIARCRIER

March  9, 2012, 12:15 at The Briar's Restaurant, Briarcliff Manor NY Rotary Club

                                                                            TODAY IN HISTORY

1796: The future emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, married Josephine. The couple later divorced.

MEETING LEADER  – President Dean Dykeman

PLEDGE  -  Sy Yuter  PATRIOTIC SONG – Sy Yuter  PRAYER –  Dr. Bob Maher

HAPPY THOUGHTS – Bishop John for his daughter raising money for epilepsy; Eric Lebenson was nominated for Man of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society; Elinor Yuter for her neurologist praising her personality and joie de vivre.

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GUESTS – Scott Larroft, Linda Urban, her 3^rd meeting and will join Rotary.

ANNOUNCEMENTS – Mother’s Day Brunch – May 4^th at The Briar's

SPEAKER AND SUBJECT – Hannah Gross from WCC on Livable Community Services

SUMMARY OF TALK

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Westchester Community College (WCC) is the largest community college in the country.  The Mainstream Institute for Mature Adults offers innovative educational programming and career change options.  The Mainstream develops and presents challenging courses, workshops, conferences and special events.  Benefits include general enrichment, job preparedness and general growth.  Affordable non-credit courses are taught by their faculty.  Mainstream also offers mature adults credit, non credit and audit courses.  To contact Mainstream offices at the Knollwood Center in Valhalla, email Mainstream@sunywcc.edu

Friday meeting –  Poverty in the Navajo Reservation – Dr. Olivia Masry

Elinor Yuter, Reporter

Rachel Leihbacher, Expedite

March 2, 2012 Briar Crier

BRIARCRIER

March  2, 2012, 12:15 at The Briar's Restaurant, Briarcliff Manor NY Rotary Club

                                                                            TODAY IN HISTORY

1917: Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship as president Woodrow Wilson signed the Jones-Shafroth Act.

Meeting Leader –President Dean Dykeman

PLEDGE  -  Sy Yuter  PATRIOTIC SONG – Sy Yuter  PRAYER –  Paul Rosen

HAPPY THOUGHTS – Bob Maher for the support of his school’s artist event;  Dean Dykeman for a friend who died but is now in peace.

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GUESTS – Tom Laurenson – Scot former Rotary member who met Scot Anne Cargill

ANNOUNCEMENTS – Mother’s Day lunch – May 4^th at the Briars

SPEAKER AND SUBJECT – John Gaccione – County Department of Consumer Protection

SUMMARY OF TALK

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Three topics were introduced to us along with three brochures.  The first was “Worried About Identify Theft and ways to avoid it”.  It occurs when someone steals personal information, such as social security number, credit card numbers, and uses them to obtain credit, merchandise or other services in your name.  The second is “Are You A Smart Consumer?, Know Your Rights”.  Consumer affairs investigators mediates complaints, weights and measures, inspects and tests devices to weigh, measure or meter products through licensing and enforcement services and consumer education and awareness.  Remember your signature is your most valuable commodity.  If it sounds to good to be true then it probably is.  The third brochure is “Time to Modernize Your Home”.  Choosing a home improvement contractor is one of your biggest investments.  If there is a problem contact Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection at 112 East Post Road, White Plains, NY 10601.  914-995-2155 or email at Conpro@westchestergov.com.

This Friday  –  Livable Community Services – Hannah Gross

Elinor Yuter, Reporter

Rachel Leihbacher, Expediter

February 24, 2012 Briar Crier

BRIARCRIER

Feb. 24, Friday Noon, The Briar's Restaurant

N. State Road, Briarcliff Manor NY Rotary Club

TODAY IN HISTORY

1803: In the Marbury v. Madison decision the Supreme Court established judicial review of the Constitution and statutes.

MEETING LEADER: VP Kris Chittur

PLEDGE: Sy Yuter   Song: Sy Yuter   Prayer: Bishop John Herzog

HAPPY THOUGHTS: Bob Maher, $5 for annual arts festival May 17; Kris for speaker; Sy, our club the most fun of many he has visited throughout the world..

GUESTS: Paul and Lee Kim, guests of speaker Holger Hausen

SPEAKER AND SUBJECT: Holger  Hausen on Rotary Peace Centers for International Studies and Peace Conflict Resolution

SUMMARY OF TALK

We were honored that our speaker, Hoagie, came here from his home in Swarthmore, PA. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Ardmore, PA and a past district governor. This year is the 107th anniversary of Rotary International. Rotary Peace Fellows are leaders promoting national and international cooperation, peace, and the successful resolution of conflict throughout their lives, in their careers, and through service activities. Fellows can earn either a master's degree in international relations, public administration, sustainable development, peace studies, conflict resolution, or a related field, or a professional development certificate in peace and conflict resolution. Since 1947 a total of $532 million has been awarded to 41,000 men and women. Through their generous contributions, Rotarians worldwide show a continued faith that today's scholars will be tomorrow's community and world leaders.

Today,  Friday talk: Consumer Issues by John Gaccione of Westchester County Consumer Protection Department

Elinor Yuter, Reporter

Rachel Leihbacher, Expediter