Rotateller Rotary Club of Owego, NY
Tuesday, September 26, 2006 Gary Williams, Editor

VISITORS AND GUESTS:

• Tina Price, who is back in the area and looking forward to rejoining Rotary
• Mrinalini and Suzanne
• Bob Banker, handsome husband of Bernie

MUSIC:

Carl and Carolyn led us in “Rotary Will Go Round the World”

FINES:

The answer to Al’s quiz are”

1. The first Rotary theme was: “He Profits Most Who Serves the Best”
2. The first Club outside North America was in Ireland in 1911.
3. The first club president was Silvester Schiele.
4. The first Club to have female members was Duwarte, CA in 1978 (after my Adventure in Service book). After 10 years of legal battle which eventually wound up in the Supreme Court, the Rotary Constitution was changed in 1989 (the year that the Iron Curtain came down).

Our congratulations to Meredith Jones who was married in Chicago.

Laura Betcher is in Qatar in Military Intelligence supporting B-1 bombers.

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL:

Merl has arranged some Rotary hospitality for this Saturday at the Pumpkin Festival. It sounds like a good time! The OFA and Newark Valley Interact Clubs have purchased pumpkins which they will have for people to purchase and paint. It is from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM. A tent has been purchased and a booth. Those not working with the Interact Club are to meet there at 1:00 PM.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE:

There was a Program Committee Meeting tonight at 7:00 PM. (Some of us were at the OFA Open House).

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS SHOW:

Will be on October 5.

Mrinalini entertained us with the report of her week. (She may have eaten a lot but she will not get heavy if she keeps up this schedule). Al took Suzanne and Mrinalini to Sherbourne (and Al was moving to their choice of music). Mrinalini fell asleep but is tuned in to the words “ice cream”. Suzanne shared that being part of 45 students from around the world is a very special experience. Two months ago each of them was still in their own homes and now their lives have changed significantly and they have formed many friendships.

The students carried their flags into an assembly, attended a pep rally and bon fire, spent time with their host families, attended school on Friday, attended the football game, a dance, and then were at the Orientation on Sunday. They took lots of photos and then were picked up by Laura and Toby and had barbeque. They went to church, the Cider Mill, Roma’s, and a picnic and then picked apples. Mrinalini is selling magazines. Harry picked them up to come home (and book magazines – for which he still has to pay).

PROGRAM:

John Spencer introduced Wayne Blow who introduced us to Render a Cleansing. It is a non-for-profit organization which builds on tainted properties after problems such as floods. The labor is from the criminal justice system and teaches these individuals a trade which will be useful for them. The program sounds interesting, but with the time allotted, some of us had more questions after the presentation than those which were answered. Perhaps we will find out more over time.

50/50 Al. (Judy wasn’t present).

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