WELCOME VISITORS
Norma Reilly introduced Dave Johnson and Jessica Blondell from our first new corporate membership - ARC.
Suliyman joined us again on zoom.
WELLNESS
Jean Bendix reported that Mary Morrison had recently died at the age of 99. Mary was the organist at the Methodist Church in Newark for many years. She also played the piano for Rotary when they met at the Quality Inn.
Carol Nary joined us on zoom-getting better each day since her fall.
Bob Bendix explained that he was wearing sunglasses because he had his eyes dilated at the optometrist (allegedly)!
HEALTHY MOMENT
Grace Norcott spoke to us about post inauguration feelings. She suggested that we need to work on relationships - politics aside. Remember the poignant words of FDR - “The only thing to fear is fear itself” and JFK who said “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do fro your country”.
As Rotarians remember to strive for Service above Self!
BAD DAD JOKES
GARY REILLY ZOOMING IN FROM FAIRPORT
A bookseller conducting a market survey, asked a woman, “which book has helped you most in your life? “ The woman replied, “My husband’s checkbook!!!”
Marriage Counselor - Your wife says to never buy her flowers. Is that true?
He replied “To be honest, I never knew that she sold flowers.”
Why are graveyards so noisy?
Because of all the coffins!
Do they allow loud laughter in Hawaii OR just a low ha?
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fred Hicks - The Foundation committee will meet on January 28th at 1:00 at the Community center. Remember January 27th as the death of our founder Paul Harris.
Ann Rogers - This was a tough year for the “Red Kettle” collection for the Salvation Army. Rotarians were very generous, raising $7,029 in 4 weeks. Ann hopes that the Salvation Army will match this amount.
Michele McManus - Youth Services will meet on Tuesday the 26th at 1:00
Donna Johnson - The Lasagna Dinner was AWSOME (she ate two!) We made a profit of $1,300.
Suliyman - looking for support from our district. They need $3000 to purchase and install solar panels and a gas generator. Linda Werts has the Grant that will be addressed at the next meeting.
HAPPY MOMENTS AND CONFESSIONS
Holly Kreuser confessed to mis-speaking last week. Jorge Bueso WILL be keeping and setting up the Rotary signs.
Mitch Ruffalo was pleased to announce - “Dad didn’t give up” and seems to be improving.
His daughter has graduated and is becoming an Occupational Therapist Assistant. Mitch also told the story of giving blood. He showed us his black and blue arm and confessed to FALLING OFF THE TABLE.
Adam O. was happy to be hiring Mitch’s future daughter-in-law. Along with Marshall Exteriors he has purchased the Finger Lakes Construction Company in Clyde. He generously gave $50 to the club and $50 to the foundation.
SPEAKER - MITCH LEET
Melissa Correia introduced Mitch Leet as our 2nd speaker in this month’s highlighting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Melissa knows Mitch through YANA and his support for LGBTQ youth.
Mitch uses he/him/his pronouns. The flyers on each table explained the use of pronouns and why it is important to the LGBTQ community.
International Pronoun Day will be October 21st. Mitch is one of 2 coordinators for the program of Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes. His counties of focus are Wayne and Yates. Mitch is an alum of Keuka College and has 11 years experience working for LGBTQ inclusion and education. The program YANA (you are not alone) works with 10-18 year olds-coping skills for however you identify. From his own personal experience Mitch can talk to transgenders and create a safe space.
Melissa, as the Director of the Newark Library, is pleased to have Mitch meeting there and working with the area youth. Finger Lakes Pride will be a virtual event this year.
Peter Dohr and Tim Johnson commended Mitch for is work. They both had personal experiences to share and could appreciate the support for the LGBTQ community that wasn’t available 25 years ago.
Continuing on with Newark Rotary Club’s Diversity Month, next week we will have Sofia Barbaresco from NYS Brewers Inclusivity Committee. Sofia will speak about the efforts of the Craft Brewing community to create a community of inclusion and encourage diversity in their membership.