BRIERCRIER FOR APRIL 22, 2016
THIS DAY IN HISTORY
1864: Congress authorizes "In God We Trust" on our coins.
MEETING LEADER: President Scott Lanoff
PLEDGE: Scott SONG: Sy PRAYER: Bishop John
ROTARIANS PRESENT: 17
GUESTS: Gene Vistola, Christian Vistola and Lisa Vistola (related to
speaker) Alex Vistola, Karen Smith and Carine Feist from the Historical
Society, and Past District Governors David Del Monte and Janet DiBenedetto
plus Richard Blank, Esquire plus Larissa Wayne (both via Scott).
HAPPY THOUGHTS
Dr. Bob Maher $20) again lauds Sylvester Williams who passed away, and was
a leader of Interact's St. Christopher and Stan Thompson's best friend, and
looks forward to the Annual Meeting on May 3 and Happy Birthday Sy (who is
92) (he sent a magnificent birthday present to Sy, with balloons and
chocolate covered fruit in a nice vas)and his son is getting married
Eric ($20) welcomes David and Janet, and Karen Smith, plus saw "Purple"
and remembers "Prince" and annual gala with professionals
PDG David have a happy party
PDG Janet is delighted being a grandparent
Rich ($20) is happy with the Guests
Beth, her son's fifth birthday
Scott, next Saturday he will be attending and celebrating his son Alexander's Bar Mitzvah at CSI in Briarcliff (Approx. 9:30AM to 1:00PM - Lunch will be served (matzah - no bread on Passover) - ALL are welcome to come and join in his celebration & pride.
Scott will not be here on Friday plus a bar mitzvah plus happy birthday Sy and
Chelsea plus Anne will run meeting
Anne re triplets, two of whom are doing well and third not so
Kris is delighted with guests
Howard Penn is president of Ossining Rotary and gives $220 to our club via
a check.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: VIA Kris, ok re Saturday and joint meeting at Trattoria in
Pleasantville next Tuesday, Rachel Fire department has an open house on
Wednesday from 12-4. PDG David re Kris as future Governor.
SPEAKER: Alex Vestola on Briarcliff Manor Lodge. He went to elementary and
high school in Briarcliff, with a BA in Medieval and Renaissance Studies
from Vassar and a certificate in museum studies from SUNY.
SUMMARY OF TALK
Had various pictures of lodge which he talked about. Lodge had famous
guests, including Johnny Weismuller, Elinor Roosevelt and Al Smith. The
lodge was built by Walter Law to attract buyers of his real estate, the
farm having been moved northward. Its dining room was built in 1909 and a
famous chef, La Croix. Plus greenhouses with famous Briarcliff rose. It
also had a golf course which was later expanded to include what is now
Trump's golf course. Also a garage and its own power house. Plus croquet
for women plus tennis. With a costume ball in 1925. And views of the
Hudson River. It was built on the highest hill in Briarcliff which also
had a water tower for the village. Also a ballroom and libraries, and
with survivors of The Titanic as visitors. Walter Law loved the people who
came to his lodge.
Next Friday we have George Behling who will speak on the history of Yogurt.
TEXT, Elinor with helper Sy
