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2019–2020
President: Geoff Dunn
President-Elect: Catrina VanAtta
Vice President: Mary Kane
Treasurer: Jay O'Leary • Secretary: Joanne Lamoureux 

Stories
News 2021-04-07

Tomorrow’s meeting:
Joe Sammons, executive director of Hospicare & Palliative Care Services, and Sarah Brown, RN
“What is Palliative Care and How Can It Benefit You or Your Loved One?”

Join the Zoom Meeting

January 6, 2021

WELCOME & TRADITIONS

Heidi Goldstein’s bell called last week’s meeting to order, and President Geoff Dunn added a new date to his Almanac: 74 days until summer, 84 days until the end of this Rotary year, and 262 days until Christmas. Prez Geoff asked Mary Granger, Norb McCloskey, Brad Olson, and Tim Emerson to recite the Four-Way Test.

The Thought for The Day was given by Warren Allmon, who reflected on the year from his last Thought for the Day.

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” — Calvin Coolidge

Last week was the first meeting of the month, and to celebrate birthdays, Joanne Lamoureux shared a YouTube Funny Birthday Song from Nils and Eric. There were no guests or visiting Rotarians.


 



ANNOUNCEMENTS

George Ferrari was in the spotlight of the Membership Moment last week, introduced by Joanne Lamoureux. George shared a handful of “little know trivia factoids” about himself:

  • Born in the “other Lansing,” (Michigan)
  • Has had a lifelong suffering for the Detroit Lions (one of 3 NFL teams that have never played in the Super Bowl)
  • Moved to Chenango Bridge as a teen and graduated from Chenango Valley High School.
  • Was a passionate Cub Scout 1971 Pinewood Derby participant.
  • First introduced to Ithaca when he played in the marching band at the 1978 Field Band Championships at Schoellkopf Field. During the event, his band’s drum majorette dropped her “fire” baton on the field’s 30 yard line, burning the AstroTurf.
  • He is a Math Geek — Mathlete Challenge Captain and a NYS Math Regents Triple Crown Honoree by receiving l00’s in Algebra, Geometry & Trigonometry.
  • Through the connection of Jean McPheeters’ Greenwich, Conn. friend, he was an interloper at the 2002 Christmas Party of his idol, Diana Ross.

Highway Clean-Up
Our Club will conduct its spring Rt. 13 highway cleanup on Saturday, April 24th from 9:00–11:00 a.m. It will be coordinated with Earth Day and honor longtime Rotarian Noel Desch who conceived, orchestrated and chaired this project. Mary-Lynn Cummings, John Barradas and Bob Gravani will be reaching out to Club members. Volunteers will meet at 9:00 a.m. at the former Chamber of Commerce parking lot on Lake Shore Drive. Rain date will be Saturday, May 1st.

Community Grants Update
As of last week's meeting day, Mary Kane reported that 50 of our Club members have committed to donate to our 2021community grants. Mary Berens summarized:

  • $5,111 total amount committed from club members,
  • $5,000 matching funds from anonymous donor, and
  • $5,000 already budgeted through community Foundation.

Club members that have not yet committed their financial support are encouraged to send their donations to the Rotary Fund at Community Foundation by April 2l5t.

Fireworks Committee
Pres. Geoff advised Fireworks Committee to meet this week. An update will be given next week.

June Losurdo brought out her Mackenzie-Childs Happy Dollar Bucket

  • Mary Granger gave $57 for being fully vaccinated on her birthday along (birth year of 1957)
  • Brad Olson & wife are 2 weeks away from their 2nd vaccinations. He announced they are selling their Ithaca home to move closer to family
  • Mary Berens gave kudos to the Mac & Cheese Crawl & the winning Chef's Pack Raffle Prize.
  • Joanne gave $97 marking Joe Metz's birthday on April 21st. She encouraged club members to send BD cards to Joe @ 112 Homestead Circle, Ithaca, NY 14850 or e-mail: jfm12@cornell.edu
  • Stacey McNeil gave shout outs for daughter turning 16, and for delivery of 3 truckloads of nonperishables (looking for volunteers to unload & distribute items)
  • Dale Flinn gave $60 for his parents’ would-be 60th wedding anniversary & for Cornell University wrestler Kyle Dake, who qualified for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Team
  • Larry for the Cornell Class of 1956
  • And from Kelly Buck — Unity House is looking to hire help for residents with disabilities Brad Wilbur's CT scan was good.
 
 

 



LAST WEEK’S PROGRAM

President Orinthia Montague is the fourth president of Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3), bringing nearly two decades of higher education leadership to the role. She is one of eight college and university presidents selected to serve on the advisory board that Governor Cuomo’s created to guide the state’s re-opening strategy from the pandemic.

Prior to the pandemic, TC3 was on track to stabilize its enrollment, but once the pandemic started the faculty had to pivot to keep students connected. There was a loss of 30% of the student body, particularly from out-of-area students. However, President Montague is encouraged by the apparent signs of improvement from the increase in summer enrollment of new and returning students and the SUNY Chancellor's recent announcement of the availability of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to all of her college students before they finish classes in May. She expressed hope to see her entire student body become vaccinated, but will keep this choice voluntary.

President Montague reported that TC3 has recently received a $289,000 grant, and is optimistically waiting for a $3.1 million grant that will allow the launch of the college offering an Advanced Manufacturing associates degree.

TC3 has community partnerships with Ithaca’s electrician trade union, apprenticeships with local construction and advanced manufacturing companies, and with Guthrie for the school’s nursing program. President Montague continues to seek partnerships with TST-BOCES for her school’s curriculums in the trades, and Cayuga Medical Center for TC3’s rigorous and highly-acclaimed nursing program.

Commencement will have a quasi-live format. An in-person April graduation will be held for all students graduating between Spring 2020 and Summer 2021, followed by a May live virtual ceremony featuring commencement speakers and live broadcast of 2021Commencement on college’s YouTube channel.

President Montague had an optimistic overlook for our favorite meeting place, Coltivare. She hopes that the restaurant will be allowed to open their banquet room for larger group catering in June. Coltivare is also looking to expand outside dining on their East Clinton Street side.

In reviewing initiatives for TC3's future, President Montague emphasized that the majority of her student are part-time and non-traditional, meaning most students are employed full-time and not coming directly from high school graduation. She predicts that the percentage of non­ traditional students will continue to rise, requiring TC3 to offer more courses virtually, and thereby providing flexibility for students who want to log-on during their lunch hour and in the evenings.

 



THANK YOU ROTARIANS

Visiting Rotarians: None
Students: None

Workers:
  • Thought for the Day, Warren Allmon
  • Introductions, Rotary hosts introduced their guests
Zoom Manager: Angela Sullivan

Bulletin Reporter:
Photographer: Mike Brown
Bulletin Editor: Ted Schiele

Club Service Facilitators, Beverly Baker & June Losurdo
Sunshine Chair, Kellyann O’Mara

 



COMING THIS WEEK

April 14, 2021


Joe Sammons, executive director of Hospicare & Palliative Care Services, and Sarah Brown, RN
“What is Palliative Care and How Can It Benefit You or Your Loved One?”

Join the Zoom Meeting

 



 

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