November 21, 2014 Briar Crier

BRIARCRIER

November 21, 2014 , Friday, 12:15,  The Briar's Restaurant, meeting of the Briarcliff Manor Rotary Club.

                                                                TODAY IN HISTORY

1922: Rebecca L. Felton of Georgia was sworn in as the first woman to serve in the U.S. Senate.

MEETING LEADER: President Eric Lebenson

PLEDGE:  Zack      SONG:  Sy        PRAYER:  Bishop John Herzog

ROTARIANS PRESENT: 16

HAPPY THOUGHTS: Dr. Bob Maher  re Christine Veit, it is good to have a doctor in the house;  Scott re newest member; Sy, third facial operation re cancer but OK; Eric to have Christine and Sy as members; Anne, happy Thanksgiving; Kris, next week is a three-day week, and he had no heat but got by; Rachel that Kris's house is OK;  and other happy thoughts not correctly recorded.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Christine Veit, MD becomes a Rotarian via Pres. Lebenson and sponsored by Rachel and Anne; Dr. Bob Maher, Treasurer, we have nearly $22,000 but have to stay under $25,000 to avoid a federal problem; Via Kris, April 25-27 is District Conference in Valley Forge, PA.; Rachel, the Turkey Trot is 11/28, and Christine will be ambulance driver.

Speaker: Dr. Rolande Hodel re her Cameroon medicinal factory for AIDSfree Africa.

                                                                         SUMMARY OF TALK

We have already received medical supplies from local hospitals. She goes three times a year to Cameroon, which is in West Africa and bordered by Nigeria, Chad and Central Afican Republic. There are 270 different tribes in Cameroon each with their own language but most educated Cameroons speak French and English. She communicates in English. She was raised in Potsdam Germany but did her Ph.D. in chemistry at University of Kansas. Rotary is well known in Cameroon.  She has four Cameroon children, all of whom are black. Most in Cameroon have malaria. Her clinic is far from the main road and needs an ultra-sound machine.

Next FRIDAY AT THE BRIAR'S (Nov. 28):  NO speaker since day after Thanksgiving. Those who attend will sit in main dining room and order off the menu and pay for what is ordered with a donation from club for the regular luncheon cost.

Elinor Yuter, Reporter

Rachel Leihbacher, Expediter

Briarcrier - 11/14/2014

BRIARCRIER

November 14,  2014 , Friday, 12:15,  The Briar's Restaurant meeting of the Briarcliff Manor Rotary Club.

                                                                TODAY IN HISTORY

1927:  The Holland Tunnel opened to the public providing access between lower manhattan and New Jersey beneath the Hudson River.

MEETING LEADER: President Eric Lebenson

PLEDGE:  Ernie       SONG: Sy        PRAYER:  Bishop John

GUESTS:  Christine Veit, M.D. , her third meeting and future Rotarian, and Peter Iapozzuto a guest of Dr. Bob Maher.

ROTARIANS PRESENT: 17

HAPPY THOUGHTS: Dr. Bob Maher ($10) said we are richer from the Magic Masters game;  Richard that there is no snow fall; Christine on her third time here; Eric re thanking Marshall for giving talk in his and Mark Seiden's place; Peter I. on nice to be back; and other happy thoughts not correctly recorded.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Dr. Bob Maher, Treasurer, the Magic Masters game was a great success and we have about  $18,000 but that includes cost of food; Eric, we made about $5000 from sales of ads for  Magic Masters game; Ernie, grapefruits will soon be here and each Rotarian should take five cartons (at $20 each) but each Rotarian is responsible for giving our club $100 irrespective of how many cartons are sold. Dr. Bob Maher introduced speaker.

Speaker: Marshall Asche re St. Christopher's, Inc.

                                                                         SUMMARY OF TALK

Marshall Asche is CFO of St. Chrisopher's. He has responsibility for financing.  Most money comes from State for educating learning disabled kids. He works at the residential treatment center for special ed students. He was in the right place at the right time.  His years in public accounting helped greatly and he came in on day one. Innovation has impacted students and he is dedicated to helping adolescent children with special needs and their families. They provide children with a quality education and life planning skills in a safe and nurturing environment with the goal of helping each child reach his/her full potential. He was appointed as CFO of the Year. They have students until age 21.

Next FRIDAY AT THE BRIAR'S our speaker will be Dr. Rolande Hodel on Cameroon (Africa) Update.

Elinor Yuter, Reporter

Rachel Leihbacher, Expediter

Magic Masters 2014 - A RECORD YEAR!! From Pres. Eric Lebenson, Briarcliff Rotary

Hello, all -

I will also give a quick review at the meeting on Friday, but for those of you who are wondering - the Harlem Magic Masters game was a tremendous success!!  We had about 350 children and adults in the stands, and the Rotary PROFIT was approximately $5000 (depending on the final $$ amount we collect from the program).  Bobby Maher has been doing this game for 21 years, and he doesn’t remember EVER having hit this mark.  An AMAZING accomplishment by the Briarcliff Rotary Club!!

More importantly...EVERYBODY there had an incredible time…I have received many calls and emails, and have seen many people “on the street” who thanked us and congratulated us on another wonderful event!!  This is truly WONDERFUL for the community!!  PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED PICTURES!!  (Note:  Matty Maher is 6’0’’, to give you an idea of these guys’ height!!)

I know I have had many Happy Thoughts during meetings leading up to the event, but the following people’s help was and is SO appreciated...The event could not have been nearly as successful without:

Bobby Maher…For EVERYTHING he did!!  He likes to give others kudos, but he is the true hero here!!  There are a million little things that are needed to be arranged every year to make sure this event is successful.

Sean Santiago, Scott Lanoff and sons, Lou Fitzgerald, Linda Urban, Rachel and Tom Leihbacher, Beth Hussein, Anne Cargill, Kris Chittur, Jim Lupfer and Mark Johnson for helping out with the madness at the gate, selling food, and enjoying and supporting our wonderful fundraiser.

Amy & Mark Seiden…For making up the program sign-up sheet.

Jim Lupfer…For getting 300 programs printed for FREE!  Helps with the profit!!

All those Rotarians who took ads out in the program including all the Past Presidents who chipped in (or who have promised to do so).

As you can see, as always, it was an amazing TEAM EFFORT...THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!

Warmest Regards,

Eric

BRIARCRIER - 11/7/2014

BRIARCRIER

November 7,  2014 , Friday, 12:15,  The Briar's Restaurant, meeting of the Briarcliff Manor Rotary Club.

                                                                       TODAY IN HISTORY

1962: Elinor Roosevelt died in New York City at age 78.

MEETING LEADER: President Eric Lebenson

PLEDGE:  Eric        SONG: Sy        PRAYER:  Bishop John Herzog

GUEST:  Christine Veit, M.D. , a future Rotarian

ROTARIANS PRESENT: 15

HAPPY THOUGHTS: Dr. Bob Maher ($5) said we are richer from the Magic Masters game since he charged our players;  Anne has daughters in Greece and Denmark; Jim re game tonight and hope we make alot of money; Eric ($10) for his son and Magic Masters; Bishop John his daughter passed bar and Christine is happy, and other happy thoughts not correctly recorded.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Rotarian Patrick Hermance will be transferred to bank in Charlotte, North Carolina. UN attendence was very successful. Dr. Bob Maher, Treasurer, we have nearly $18,000 but that includes cost of food. Kris is to have a pot luck dinner at his house.

Speaker: Ilia Regini on Health Through Food.

                                                                         SUMMARY OF TALK

Ilia prefers to buy at a Farmer's Market rather than in the food stores because most processed foods are not good for you. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is hidden under various other ingredients. She listed the following foods as preferred; Olive oil, garlic, serrano pepper, onions, celery, crimini mushrooms, lentils, turnips and parsley.  Our Vijaya is a registered nutritionist (Ilia is not) and Vijaya somewhat disagreed with much of what Ilia said saying that Ilia's ideas are radical. Vijaya said that "we should take a balanced approach to our diet".  Anne said something like "If you believe in something it will work for you".

Next FRIDAY AT THE BRIAR'S our speakers will be Eric Lebenson and Mark Seiden on Behavior Profile Analysis.

Elinor Yuter, Reporter

Rachel Leihbacher, Expediter

BRIARCRIER - 10/30/2014

BRIARCRIER

October 30, 2014 , Thursday, 12:15,  The Briar's Restaurant, meeting of the Briarcliff Manor Rotary Club jointly with the Pleasantville, Mount Kisco and Elmsford clubs.

                                                                       TODAY IN HISTORY

1945: The U.S. Government announced the end of shoe rationing.

JOINT MEETING LEADER: Briarcliff Rotary President Eric Lebenson

PLEDGE:  Jim        SONG: Sy        PRAYER:  Dr. Bob Maher

GUEST:  Christine Veit, M.D. , a future Rotarian

BRIARCLIFF ROTARIANS PRESENT: 17

HAPPY THOUGHTS: Kris, to be here; Sy for successful joint meeting; Scott for Anne Cargill's birthday; Anne, her birthday for () years and for her daughter;  Eric for his daughter and her speech; Jim for the clubs that joined us; Christine is happy; Vijaya a big welcome; Dr. Bob Maher for Janet's help in having joint meeting; Frances is happy to welcome PDG Janet DiBenedetto and seeing so many Rotarians here; and other happy thoughts not correctly recorded.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Treasurer Dr. Bob Maher, we have over $19,000 in treasury but some to cover meals, etc.; Magic Masters Friday, Nov. 7 (tomorrow evening) at Briarcliff High School gym, Rotarians needed at 6:30pm.  UN Day all sold out with many including high school club members going.

Some Snapshots from highlights of activities:

Speaker: Bill Fishkin, Esquire, a White Plains' Rotarian and tax lawyer.

                                                                         SUMMARY OF TALK

We all joined Rotary for Service Above Self.  The second reason for Rotary's development is networking, which is OK.  Rotary consists of a cross section of the community. Rotarians help each other and collectively help others. Membership in Rotary continues one's growth and education in human relations.

Next FRIDAY (tomorrow) AT THE BRIAR'S our speaker will be Illia Regina on Heal Through Food.

Elinor Yuter, Reporter

Rachel Leihbacher, expediter