East Hampton Rotary Club 
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Club Meeting Program
November 30th - We had a small meeting without a program so it was short and to the point. Discussed the additional dates for another Heavy bags drive. Dec.12th will be the date and we will have one location in Amagansett. Andy Baris is in charge please contact Andy if available to work for a short shift. He already has the EH IGA reserved, we will do both if we have the coverage. The final turnout for the money collected at the last drive was a huge success. Montauk- $1,063 Amagasett- $1,012 Sag- $511 EH- $217 (only there from 2).
Plus Conrad received a big gift of $200 from the Friends of Montauk! Way to go Conrad! We are participating in the Friends of Erin St. Patty's day parade in Montauk next March with a float. Joey Hren is chairing this and we will be sending around a sign up sheet plus ideas from everyone. Maureen’s Haven is around the corner on Dec.18th and in need of a Nurse still. Need to follow up. The Christmas party is Dec.17th and please contact Andy with how many family members will be attending. We have a new banner that shows off our flags from various clubs that have been with us. Thank you Pat for the great idea! The Christmas families are still in need. Lynn has been sending out reminders to bring the gifts to the Monday meeting already wrapped and marked as a to what they are and to what family they go to. Heather is also working on a Facebook page for us. Any questions please ask Heather. No personal photos with any information will be on the site.
November 13th - Andy Baris, VP, chaired the meeting. Visiting guests included guest speaker Lori Pack, Asst. Attorney General, Suffolk County and her daughter. Also an East Hampton Press reporter.
Andy noted that the Club Christmas Party will take place Thursday, December 17, at Nick & Toni's. (please note there will be no meeting the previous Monday night, December 14th) Andy reminded members that children and grandchildren are welcome and gifts should be brought so that Santa can disburse them during the evening. Please call Andy to reserve. Children will have a special surprise!!!
Heavy Bags was most successful. Members were thanked for their participation. (Actual figures were sent to members under separate cover.) Bill Gardiner, who chaired the event, suggested we consider having something that would identify us as Rotarians. Caps were agreed upon and
will be ordered.
Our guest speaker spoke about identity theft. She noted that Suffolk County has a very proactive group, as opposed to other areas of the state that are more reactive than proactive. There are outreach programs for healthcare, lemon law violations and consumer fraud. It was mentioned that consumer fraud and credit card theft often target upper middle class
neighborhoods. She strongly suggested that all credit cards - both sides - be copied and kept in a secure place. Never give social security information over the phone! Ms Pack noted the difference between http and https is that the latter is a secure internet connection that provides encryption so that internet thieves cannot intercept the data that you enter to that site. If your internet connection to a commerce site/checkout page doesn’t have the s after the http (even if it has the little lock icon at the bottom of the page), it not as secure and therefore the info you submit could possibly be seen and taken by internet thieves.
November 9th - We started the meeting with discussion of the Heavy Bags and that we need someone to step up to take over. Bill Gardiner. said that he would take over and we need people to volunteer for the day. If we have only a couple of volunteers we may need to stand in front of 2 IGA's and not the 4. Karen said that she spoke with Debbie Mansir at the school and that she was going to put out a sign up sheet for students and put it in the AM announcements. Need to follow up with her on Nov 18th. Andy made a bet for a bottle of whiskey as to which "station" would bring in the most $ for the day. Heather spoke about Maureen’s Haven and that we need about 10 volunteers. Please contact Heather to volunteer. She did say that we need bakers for cookies, brownies...Heather also has created a weekly newsletter that will have a schedule of upcoming events and needs for those events with a status. Capital Steps is going to be a big undertaking for the club and we need to have 100% commitment from all members. Alex sent around an outline with revenue, advertising & promotion, site selection and preparation, transportation & lodging, and legal needs. If there are any areas that you are strong in or can assist please let Alex know. Deena Zenger was sworn in as a new member of the club with Heather as her sponsor. Lynn is working on getting the Christmas "holiday" families together for this year and will let us know as soon as she has information. Plus the wrapping of all gifts is very helpful.
Our speakers were from the ‘Make a Wish’ foundation. Make a Wish started in 1980 when a young boy wanted to be a police officer and his wish was granted for the day, the chapter here started in 1983. They have a full time staff of 7 and many volunteers. Since they started they have granted 180,000 wishes. The normal cost of a wish is approx. $6,500.00 There are 3 different wishes that may be asked. First being "I wish to go to....Disney, Rocky Mountains. Second – "I wish to have.... Hot tub( for pain) a new room....Third – "I wish to meet... celebrity. To be considered for a wish you must have a life-threatening illness. The chapter here granted 125 wishes last year.
November 2nd – The Club had an open meeting, so that we were able to get caught up on Club functions and to bring some new ideas to the table. First discussed was that Pat and Paul would like to start and Co-chair a PR committee. This was received well by everyone and we need to put money into the budget for more advertising.
Andy spoke about the Holiday party. Dates of Dec. 17 or the 21st. There was a discussion of whether or not we have the dinner later in the week and that it does not have to be on a Monday. Nick and Toni's was brought up as a possible location. He will have more information to follow.
There were some new fundraising ideas that we had for the fall.
1- Golf outing
2- Wine tasting/cocktail party
3- Need to have something for Halloween next year, as we missed the boat this year. ie-pumpkin carving
Heavy bags are coming up right around the corner. Karen passed around a sign up sheet for all the IGA locations. Still need more coverage at the Montauk store and EH location. Karen said she would call Debbie Mansir at the school to see if we could get some HS kids to help with us.
Heather discussed Maureen’s Haven and that we are now in charge of the whole evening, cooking now included, on the night of the 18th. We need assistance with cooking, night staff, thrift store. Please contact Heather to see where she could use help.
Capital Steps* this is going to be a HUGE fundraiser but we need to make sure that everyone is on board and ready to step up to help. There is a lot of work to pull something like this off and we want it to run smoothly. More info. to follow.
Karen brought up that we should start to give Rotary items to our guest speaker. Coffee mugs, pens. Pens would be the best and easiest for us to present to them and for storage. She will also be ordering Rotary T-shirts or golf shirts for us. Next week we have ‘Make a Wish’ as the speaker and program.
October 26, 2009 - In the absence of President Rob Norrby (with Secretary Karen, on their wedding anniversary vacation) the meeting was chaired by Past President Lynn Follenius. Alex Sneddon introduced guests Craig Kessler and Jo Ray Brennan from Ducks Unlimited. Past District Governor Bruce Siska presented Lynn with her Past President’s jewelled pin and plaque. Announcements were made about the upcoming Heavy Bags collection (Nov 21 – Ken Brown organizing) and Xmas Families (Lynn Organiziing). Heather Dunn explained progress on the Maureen’s Haven project, which she is co-ordinating. Dec 18 is the probable date for Club involvement and 8-10 volunteers are required. Around 110 homeless people are currently known to be east of the Shinnecock. Andy Baris is organizing the Christmas Party on Dec 14 or 21. Bruce mentioned that the Club member annual contribution of $100 to Rotary Foundation is now due, in time for November's Foundation Month.
Craig Kessler is Ducks Unlimited regional director for Southeast New York, handling the Connecticut, L.I. and Rhode Island region. Ducks Unlimited was formed in 1937 and has grown into an international organisation with 600,000 members with its main aim being to preserve wetlands and waterfowl habitat, of which it has preserved 12 million acres in the US. Over 900 varieties of bird have been spotted in the NY area, where the organization has a Chapter in most East End towns. Craig, who is a resident of Stony Brook and a native Long Islander, spoke about the Center for Wetlands and Waterfowling at Hubbard County Park. NY. He explained that sea level rise and Climate Change are seriously threatening the future of many species, demonstrated by evidence of their changing habitats, migrating patterns, food supplies and lifecycles.
In a partnership with Suffolk County at Hubbard County Park, Ducks Unlimited manages a Youth Program that involves and educates young people about preservation of species and gives practical experience of land and property conservation through the Young Waterfowler Program, teaching responsibility and understanding. Acting President Lynn thanked Craig and Jo Ray for making such an excellent presentation and for the work they are doing with D.U.
October 19 - We were lucky to have 2 guest speakers and the different programs worked well together. Our first speaker Jessica Federico, a Senior at the Ross school, spoke about RSD awareness. RSD stands for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome, a chronic neurological syndrome that usually develops at a site of a minor or major trauma injury, and causes severe burning pain, pathological changes in bone and skin, excessive sweating, tissue swelling, and extreme sensitivity to touch. Jessica will be holding a fundraiser on Thursday, December 3, 2009 from 6-8:30PM. Ticket prices are $20. for adult and $5. for children. There will be a Chinese auction, dinner, and music. For more info please contact her at 631-833-8484.
Our second speaker was Dr. James Dillard a chronic pain management specialist. This practice helps when people are in serious pain that does exist. We as a general population need to look at people in pain differently, tissue damage is different from acute immediate pain/chronic pain. More information please log onto
www.jacobsjcho.org October 5 - Bruce Siska announced the $100.00 donation per member for Rotary Foundation. Our guest speaker was Jim Poser (aka JP), from SCORE, which stands for Service Core of Retired Executives. He has spoken to many of the Rotary Clubs all over the Long Island area. SCORE makes a difference and is a tremendous organization that gives entrepreneurs encouragement, resources and support. They meet in libraries in Suffolk county to find the meeting location check out their website. They also have business plans and all forms on the web as well. They have been around for approx. 30-40 years. JP states that if you join and listen to one of the counsellors they can help double your business. Check out www.score.org or call 1-800-634-0245 September 28 - Karen spoke about Maureens Haven and sent around a sign up sheet for volunteers that are needed for the nights of 11-20 and 12-18. There is still a need for the overnight Inn Keepers. Guest speaker was Peter Sephton, chair of The Sustainability Trust – Rotarians for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction. Eleven Clubs from five continents have provided the funds to create the Trust. Peter's talk was about what Rotarians can do to develop sustainable lifestyles for ourselves and for those in need of humanitarian aid. From not using plastic bags at the supermarket (The US needs to import 500 million gallons of oil annually to make the 300 plastic bags each American shopper uses every year), to replacing them with string bags from Amagansett Farmer's Market... through to switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs and doing a home energy audit online - check it out at
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=HOME_ENERGY_YARDSTICK.showGetStarted .
The principles are to reduce our energy use to the minimum, without affecting our living standards ... in fact, many of the principles he explained actually improve living standards and / or cut costs. The LIPA website at www.lipower.org/effiency was also recommended as a place to get helpful cost-cutting energy saving ideas.
East Hampton Club is a Founder Member of The Sustainability Trust and, along with ten other Clubs worldwide, aims to get these principles established in all 33,000 Rotary Clubs.
Peter concluded with a plea for us to neutralize our unavoidable carbon emissions, such as when we take a flight. This is easily done at www.TheSustainabilityTrust.org where we can calculate how much we should donate to a Rotary Club project that will remove the Carbon Dioxide from the atmosphere that our flight on that plane generated. The Trust plants trees and donates solar cookers to developing nations, all of which take CO2 out of the atmosphere, thus delaying the time when more drastic action will have to be taken. Aug 24 - Mary Siska sent around the sign up sheet for the Labor Day Antique show. We are still in need of volunteers for Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Ken Brown spoke of Camp Good Grief and reminded us of what the Camp is and what it is we do for the Campers. Hospice was very appreciative for the help we gave and they will look for us to assist again next year; they are looking for a place further East.
The Run for Ron raised approx. $14,000.00 this year we were down approx $9,000.00 in sponsorships. Next year we can bounce back in that area.
Arlene from East Hampton Day Care Learning Center spoke to the membership and gave a nice background of the school. They are open from 7:30AM - 5:30PM with most of the children, ranging in age from 18months to 5 yrs staying the full day at the school. They prepare 4 meals which are served daily. There are many different activities for the children to join in - ie: Yoga, music, guest chefs and swimming. They work with John Marshall to see when they children can start certain classes. They have a 1.2 Million dollar budget per year. They have fundraising events to help support the need with the Artist and Writers game the most recent. They do offer that people can do a sponsorship for a child.
Bruce inducted our new member Kim Terrero, Director of the Phoenix House, as our newest member. Dinner was served and we "Rotary the World Over" to end the meeting.
Look forward to seeing all at the Lobster Bake. Please let us know a head count as we need to get an idea of how many lobsters we need to have. I will be sending directions out to get to Clear Water Beach as soon as I can. If there are any other questions about the Bake please call.
Aug 17 - Gary DeAmario passed around the sign up sheet for the Antique Show for the Labor Day w/e. We need all to assist in the staffing. The Lobster Bake is taking shape and Noti and Andy will be working on volunteers for the event. As stated it is $30.00 for everyone that will be eating Lobster. Kids not eating lobster are free. Tuesday is movie night and Gabby is sending out an e-mail to all members so we can do an e-mail blast to everyone in our "banks" to remind them about Ghostbusters tonight.
Our speakers Mr. Freidman and Ms. Palmer were from the Retreat. The Retreat is a domestic violence shelter that we have been working with for the pass 20 years. Their funding has been cut back and they are in need of support. They have counsellors and a 24hr. phone center. Mr. Palmer stated that most people do not think that there is violence in this area because of the wealth and that there are 26 animal shelters and only 1 domestic shelter for people. The economy has effected the violence in all areas. They receive over 3,000 calls per year.
Aug 10 – Our Guest Speaker Lotay Richen from Bhutan. He is a travel expert for his country. Bhutan is situated in the Himalayas surrounded by Tibet/China in the North and India in the South, West and East. Also know as the land of the Thunder Dragon and the Last Shangi-La. He spoke of Bhutan and the lifestyle and customs. They are a Buddist country and they measure progress by the Gross National Happiness. GNH is Bhutan’s guiding development policy introduced by the fourth king in the 1970's. It mandates the State to create an enabling environment for the citizens to pursue their ultimate goal: happiness. The mountains are sacred and there are some that people are not allowed to climb. The houses are mud walls and everyone helps with the construction. There is a major celebration when the house is complete. The elevation of Lotay's village is 8,500ft. The major crop is rice. They have buckwheat, barley and also marijuana is grown. Archery is the National Hobby. Lotay handed out postcards and brochures for the country. There are some in the Rotary case to browse through.
Reminder that Camp Good Grief is this week. We need people to volunteer on Friday to serve the children please let Ken Brown know if available.
There was also a sheet that went around for the Lobster Bake and who was going to be attending for a headcount. Please let Noti know how many will be joining us on the 31st. We need a clean up crew to assist as well.
Look forward to seeing everyone Thursday at Movie night. "Who you gonna call.... Ghostbusters!!!"
Aug 3 – President Rob Norrby thanked all who volunteered and made Race for Ron a success. We had more runners then last year but were inevitably low on sponsorship in the current financial situation. He also asked for members to e-mail him with any ideas for next year that we can improve on. Ken reminded all that Camp Good Grief was this week and if directions were needed, to call him. Reminder of the lobster bake coming up and also that we will need to get a head count.
Our guest speakers were Beverly Bond and Barry Berger who started the ‘Buy Local, Shop Here’ program. They started their program July 3rd and already have 50 shop and business joining the program. They are not asking for any money from us - they just want to be able to say that the Rotary Club is endorsing them as well. We will have a vote next week at the meeting.
July 20 – President Rob opened the meeting and Gabby spoke about the 80's movie night and that we will have the pre-paid tickets still on sale and if we all told our friends to join us on Thursday 30th they will see what a great evening for everybody to enjoy. Rob spoke of the race and the need for volunteers for the water stations, check in, setting up mile markers, etc. He will be sending an e-mail out and please respond via e-mail. Rob also asked for a member to go to the Giant Steps race this weekend to hand out our race forms to the runners there. Pat agreed to do so and Lara will be there as well. Jim announced that the dues were sent out by e-mail and also in the regular postal service. The price is $200.00 and there is the option of paying for the full year and you receive a discount on the dinners if done so. Financial information was passed out for the July 08-July 09. If anyone would like the Secretary can send an attachment to them of the hand out.
Our guest speaker was Gary from P.A.L. - the youth football program. He explained how the program teaches kids to succeed in life as well as at school. They get along better with parents, teachers, and do better with academics. The cost is $180.00 per student for a full uniform. They do have an operating budget and make money through fundraising efforts. There are approx. 100 kids involved with the program. His interesting talk was followed by a wide range of questions.
July 13 - The Club had an open meeting held outdoors, which will not happen again, as it was very noisy from the exhaust fan. Oh well - tried something different. Bruce Siska inducted new member Susan Tallarico to the club. Rob spoke about the Run for Ron and informed us that he had the medals and trophies ready. Rob asked for volunteers to assist the morning of the run. We are not sure if the boy's from Phoenix House will be ready to help at the water stations. We also need to get donations for water and watermelons. Gabby spoke about the Movie night and that we are doing advertising for the next movie which will be shown at CMEE on July 30. Heather Dunn had a great idea of getting pre-printed tickets for us to sell. She has them please contact Heather to pick some up from her 631-907-2723. The Country School will also sell some tickets for us.
July 6 - We had 2 guests, the first being our guest speaker Frank Weiss from the Salvation Army.
Also Blair Gambill from Peoria, Illinois, who is renting a house down at Clearwater and loving the Hamptons.
Gabby spoke of the upcoming movie night at CMEE on Thursday, If anyone has any other sponsors, the JPEGS need to be to Gabby by today. So far we have 12 sponsors! We will continue to ask for support and other prices will be in effect.
Volunteers need to be at CMEE on Thursday night by 7pm so we can establish where everyone will be set up for their stations. Popcorn and Bellies, Sno-cones, etc...
Rob spoke of the race. We wrote down slogans for the T-shirts and the winner will be announced at next Monday’s meeting. Still looking for sponsors for the race as well.
The guest speaker was asking for monetary help for their $100,000 million dollar Salvation Army effort. Any donations may be paid over a 3-year period. Anything we can give they are asking for since things have been tough on fundraising efforts and more and more families are in need of housing, food, utility. He will be speaking to all Rotary Clubs in Suffolk County.
The meeting next week will be an open meeting, followed by a board meeting.
June 29 - Rob Norrby, president elect, ran the meeting for absent President Lynn. Rob said that Gary is having a stent procedure and that Dave Karlin has been absent due to his mother's illness. Gabrielle said we need sponsorships for our movie nights; a sponsorship package for all three shows in $125 and for individual shows $50. She said volunteers are needed for to take tickets and sell sodas and popcorn, These volunteers should arrive at the children's museum at 7pm and may go home once the movie starts. Gabriel asked members to pick up posters to distribute. She promised to email a copy of the poster for members to email to their friends. Peter Sephton and Paul D'Ascoli suggested member visit local stores soliciting sponsorships and giving posters to stores where appropriate.
Ken Brown said volunteers were still needed for Camp Good Grief which will be 8/10 to 8/14 and the days on which volunteers are still short are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Rob told the membership the runners are starting to sign up for our Run for Ron race and some have signed up through our web site ( a very popular site with our members) and through the Road Runners web site maintained by Bob Beattie at Gubbins in East Hampton. Rob said Paul D'Ascoli would be approaching some of the folks who took ads in our anniversary insert to see if they would be sponsors.
John Spencer reminded folks to send in their list of contacts who have advertised or have been sponsors of Rotary projects. Alex Sneddon discussed the proposed Capitol Steps show for August 2010. He said the price for performers would be $15 thousand and Ross School wants $5000 to rent their space. Alex said there would be other expenses like sound systems and promotional expenses. So a great deal of thought must be given to this proposal if the club is to make money.
Peter Sephton told an amusing story on why duct or duck tape is called The Force in the music industry: It has a light side, a dark side - and it holds the world together.
Our guest was Betty Allen. Heather Dun a transfer from Southampton Rotary Club, was inducted as a new member. Inducted as our officers and board for 2009/2010 were: Rob Norrby, president, Andrew Barris, vice president, Karen Norrby, secretary, Jim Matthers, treasurer; Board members are Conrad Costanzo, Lara Siska, Bruce Siska, Paul D'Ascoli. Pat Gilchrest and Lynn Fellonius were absent.
June 22 - Gary DeAmario reported that after expenses the Antiques Fair netted $7, 300 dollars for Club charity projects. Alex Sneddon said that Rotary could get Capitol Steps to do a concert for us some time in August 2010 – possibly to be held at the Ross School.
Here is a link to a You-Tube of Capitol Steps. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr-QLG2W-oY&feature=related
Rob Norrby said he we still need some $500 sponsorships for the Run for Ron race. Rob felt the race would not make as much money as last year but hopes we would make it up with more runners.
Gabrielle Costanzo said she would need about 10 members to volunteer for each of our family movie series. She said sponsorships were needed at $55 per show or $150 for all three. Sponsors should submit their logos or business cards.
Our program speaker was Barbara Jordan who heads the Maureen's Haven program at the First United Methodist Church in East Hampton. The program provides, safe, clean overnight housing for homeless people during the winter months from November through April in "houses of worship" and is sponsored by the Peconic Community Council. Tthe web site is at
http://www.pccouncil.org/maureenshaven.html Maureen was a Catholic Nun in Tennessee. The homeless in our community are 55% men; 8 to 10% Afro American; 5% Latinos and a small number of women. A all guests must be 18 years or older. There will be a gathering place for those needing shelter in East Hampton, yet to be designated, and they will be driven to the shelter by a volunteer. The homeless are called guests and the volunteers innkeepers. Barbara Jordan is seek volunteers to staff the The Methodist Churches program on the following Fridays: January 1 and 29; February 5 and March 5. The Methodist Church as a small congregation and needs volunteers badly. Their facilities can house 30 guests overnight. The guests receive a hot supper, breakfast and a bag lunch when needed. Three volunteers are needed to server as overnight innkeepers. There is on site medical support for guests. The guests receive sweaters, scarves, long underwear, hats and toiletries which stay on premises. The homeless sleep on air mattresses and sleeping bags.
Except for the three overnight inn-keepers, volunteers are asked to commit an hour or more between 2pm and 9pm and the clean up volunteers would come in the following morning.
The volunteer’s duties are set up, food distribution, chatting with guests, playing board games, overnight inn-keeping and clean up.
Funding comes from donations, Peconic Community Counsel and Most Holy
Trinity. For more information or to volunteer, call or email Barbara Jordan at 324-6144, email bahjbah@aol.com or call Pastor Ortiz at 324-6144.
Our guest, in addition to the speaker were Sandy Cohen from the Springs School and Ron Forman from Southampton Rotary.
June 15 - This was our second annual tribute dinner to our outgoing president at Cyril's Fish House on Montauk Highway.
Bruce Siska began by thanking President Lynn Follenius for her hard work as Club President and the successful year of member recruitment. Gabriel Costanzo discussed the EH Rotary Drive In Movie Fund Raiser – "East Hampton Rotary presents Family Movie Night at the Children's Museum of the East End: 80s Classics! Thursday Nights this summer with Hamptons Drive In".
July 9 – "Big" (Raindate July 13),
July 30 – "Back to the Future" (Raindate Aug 6),
August 13 – "Ghostbusters" (Raindate Aug 18)
$10 adult, $5 child
Beverages, snacks, popcorn available
CMEE amphitheater opens at 7:30, movie begins at 8:30
CMEE is located at 376 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton 11932
Sponsorships: Ads will rotate as the amphiltheater opens until the movie begins. We need a JPEG image from each business/sponsor by July 1. $50 per movie night or full sponsorship for $125. Expected attendance: the amphitheater can hold 300-500 people.
The even will need 10 EH Rotarians to take tickets and sell popcorn and soda.
And then the party began
June 8 - was an open meeting. Bruce Siska gave a report on the profits from the Golf Tournament. Bruce said the tournament netted $7,044 and in addition, Pat Gilchrest was able to have 26 tee signs sold, which brought the total profits from the tournament to $9,173.
Sherry Wolf passed around a sign up sheet for Camp Good Grief which will be from August 10 through August 14. If you were not present you may sign up by emailing Sherry
Sherry said the kitchen is better than that at St. Gabriels and that she had been in touch with other clubs for help. We need folks for Monday, Tues and Wed. She said Camp Good Grief hopes to return to St. Gabriel's on Shelter Island next year.
Gabrielle Costanzo said the dates for the Drive-In movies are July 9, July 30 and August 13 and a suggested price would be $20 per family. Gabriel passed around a list of family type shows which would be suitable, asking members to give her their ideas. She plans to have the company's owner speak at our June 22 meeting following our scheduled speaker Barbara Jordan.
Bruce Siska told the members that he and Mary had written the club’s first by-laws in 25 years and the board had approved the new by-laws. Bruce handed out copies to the members
present. He said he would get copies to the membership and each new member would be handed a copy. Peter Sephton told the secretary a copy of the by laws would be posted on the web site.
Rob Norrby said the Tribute Dinner to our outgoing president, Lynn, would be next week, Monday June 15 at $30 per. He suggested member wear their Run For Ron T-shirts as Cyril had been the major sponsor of the race and the group photo from last year's dinner was on the wall at Cyril's.
It was announced that Noti Krasniqui would be in charge of of Lobster Bake this year.
Lynn said the induction of Susan Tallerico and the transfer of Heather Dunn's membership from Southampton Rotary to our club would take place at our Monday, June 29 meeting following the induction of our new officers.
Peter Sephton, visitor from Sheffield Rotary, explained recent progress with The CO2 Offset Trust, which has now been renamed 'The Sustainability Trust' (
www.TheSustainabilityTrust.org). There are now eleven Founding Member clubs of which East Hampton was one of the first. Two new Founding Member Clubs are Nanaimo North on Vancouver Island, Canada and Vasco da Gama Club, Goa, India. The purpose of the project is to explain to Rotarians how burning fossil fuels is burning up our planet - another 100 years and we're all cooked! - and what the Rotary movement can do about it. Peter explained that Rotary in Britain and Ireland has recently given the project its support. The trust is now aiming to create a US version, with Section 501(c)3 status, American trustees and a US version of the website. Big name sponsors are being sought at $2,000 for an ad on the new website, to cover set-up costs. June 1 – President Lynn opened the meeting with a very important announcement - the Club’s second annual salute to our outgoing president is at Cyril's on Monday June 15 - all members are urged to attend.
Gabrielle Costanzo suggested the following Wednesday for our Drive-In Movie fund-raiser: June 24, July 15, August 12.
Mary Siska reported on the Memorial Day Weekend Antiques Fair. Mary said there were 600 paid admissions on Saturday and 500 on Sunday. Including the exhibitors fees, the fair's revenue was about $8 thousand before the donation to the Amagansett Historical Association.
Bruce Siska said he was pleased by the results of the golf tournament considering the economic environment. He estimates we may have netted roughly $8 thousand after expenses.
Rob Norrby discussed the Run for Ron race, noting that they had sponsors for the water and oranges and a company had donated a new sun tan lotion to be included in the runner gift kit. However, Rob said he was still looking for major sponsors. Hospice would handle the 8,000 mailings for the race.
Lynn said more people were needed for Camp Good Grief. A new sign up sheet would be sent but would like those who have already signed up to notify the secretary and say for which day they would be attending.
In addition to our the District Governor elect, Tom Kerr from Westhampton Club, out guests were his wife Linda, prospective members Andy Hammer, Mary Cannon (future transfer from South Hampton Rotary), Heather Dunn (who volunteered to paint our Ron For Ron sign), and Susan Tellerico.
Our program was on Rotary’s Polio Plus project and Tom Kerr substituted for the scheduled speaker. Tom had attended our meeting to give a short training session to our President and Secretary elect. He told the membership that Bill Gates interest in giving the Challenge Grant to Rotary was due to a member of his family having suffered from polio. The original Gates grant was $100 million, which Rotary was challenged to match. So far we have raised $70m towards this target. The second offer is $255 million. The total challenge, per Club to match the Gates funds is $6,000. Tom said that serious eradication had to be done in Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and cities in India like Mumbai, where there are social obstacles to be overcome in immunizing children due to difficulties in making contact with them all. Tom said that national governments have also joined the program, with the UK donating
Tom said that the Sets and Petts training for incoming club presidents/secretaries has been modified to include several clubs participating at the same time. It will be held up Island next year and will be an over-night session.
He congratulated EH Rotary on the growth in membership and noted that most of the district’s growth is in Eastern Suffolk but he did not explain why, under the circumstances, all the meetings are in western Suffolk.
To pay for this new and expensive training, the news-letter will be sent by email and it will be the duty of Club secretaries to see all members receive a copy.
May 18 - East Hampton Rotary held it Annual Charter Night to celebrate the Club’s founding in 1967. The dinner was held at the Laundry Restaurant instead of its regular meeting place, Bamboo Restaurant. The Club announced its annual Paul Harris fellow and Past District Governor Bruce Siska presented the award to long-time member Alex Sneddon, in recognition of his general contribution to the work of Rotary in the area and for his wise advice to the Club Board.
Bruce Siska said that historically, Charter Night was in October even though the club was founded in May. This was due to the fact the most of the original members had businesses on Main St. and their busy season started in May and ran through Labor day. Charter night was held in October before many of the members headed south for the winter.
May 11 - President Lynn called for reports on fund-raisers and up coming events. Bruce Siska said the Annual Golf Tournament at Maidstone Club weather cleared up about 10:30am and he felt the tournament went well considering the economy. He said he had the opportunity to meet folks who had until them been a voice on the telephone and thanked the Rev. Thomas Schacher for his weather prayer, which worked almost as well as last year's. Rev. Tom said he had forgotten about the prayer till about 10;30am!
Bruce said the Paul Harris fellow with be named next Monday during Charter Night.
Rob Norrby said the Run for Ron had its first $1,000 sponsor thanks to Steve Murray but said he needed more sponsors.
Gary DeAmario said due to the many cancellations of various antique shows the number of dealers requesting space at our show has exceeded capacity and there is now a waiting list.
However, Gary said he needed folks for the Friday set up which begins at 2pm and the Monday clean up and take down which starts around 8am. He did not bring a sigh up sheet but folks can email him or Mary Siska.
Our guests were our speaker Chris Carney and his wife Elisa, Bruce Siska, Jr., Susan Tallerico and Heather Dunn from the Southampton Rotary Club.
Chris Carney, our Person of the Year, was given a plaque and a check for $1,000.
Chris said he started by visiting wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital and at that time, Wounded Warrior Project was one guy handing out back-packs to wounded and disabled soldiers. Carney said started Soldier Ride to call attention to the work of the Wounded Warrior Project.
Now the Wounded Warrior Project had over a hundred workers and has been responsible for soldiers being able to buy insurance. A doctor at Walter Reed noticed how disabled veterans responded positively to taking part in Soldier Ride. Soldier Ride is now considered therapy.
For more info on Soldier Ride and their schedule visit their web site: http://sr.woundedwarriorproject.org/
For Wounded Warrior Project visit their web site:
https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ May 4 - Mary Siska said the Memorial Day Antiques Fair has sold out the tent and expects more dealers than in the past. Gary DeAmario said they are still short volunteers for the day and passed around a sign up sheet.
John Spencer said he is developing a marketing data-base and is emailing a questionnaire to the memberships and would like volunteers for this committee. Gabrielle Costanzo said she would be emailing the membership info on the Drive-In movie, so the members could suggest movies to show.
Our speaker was Dr. David Eagle a semi-retired pediatrician who has specialized in early childhood development in Boston and New York. Dr. Eagle was worked with the noted expert on early childhood development Dr. T.B, Brazelton. got to following web site:
http://www.touchpoints.org/ Dr. Eagle is seeking to institute a similar program in EH and has been talking to pediatricians, school social workers, nurse practitioners and foundation in an effort to start a center for child development.
Any assistance or advice from Rotarians would be appreciated;
April 27 - President Lynn reminded members that the Person of the Year dinner will be May 11 and that Charter night is May 18. This coming Wednesday, May 6 is the golf tournament. Bruce Siska reminded the members there is an open bar and turkey sandwiches all paid for at Maidstone starting at 5:30pm Steve Murray said more tee signs were needed at $100 each and payment could be made either at this coming Monday's meeting or after the tournament. Steve said to contact Pat Gilchrest for ordering a sign.
Karen Norrby will be manning the welcome desk at Maidstone from 7:15 to 1pm and could use some help. Lynn passed around a sign up sheet for the Memorial Day Weekend Antiques Fair. Set up Friday after noon and need members to sell tickets and man rear gate Saturday and Sunday.
Lynn said Andy wanted the ticket takers to remember to put their name on the count sheet, to remember to indicate payment as either cash or check and sign and date the sheet. 50/50 money should be counted and wrapped separately.
Rob Norrby reminded members that two staffers from the East End Hospice attended our last meeting and Hospice will do all the mailing for the Run for Ron race August 1. Rob reminded everyone sponsors were needed for the race, food and water.
Rob said no decision had been made about a pre-race party. Carol Morgan said her home would be available BUT that her big family would also be there.
In addition to our speaker Mikal Gohring, our guests were Dominick Stanzione and Susan Tellerico.
Conrad introduced speaker Mikal Gohring, a certified acupuncturist from Wainscott who discussed the ancient Chinese philosophy of holistic medicine which is the bases for acupuncture.
Below in NY Times story on Mikal by Henry Hurt III---far better than any minutes.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/21/business/21pursuits.html Mikal said the Rescue Riders is a organization devoted to rescuing children trapped in African civil wars.
April 20 - EH Rotary had an event prior to the meeting when the club took the Indian Rotary Group Study Exchange (GSE) team on a tour of the Jackson Pollock house and studio. The highlight was the studio, where heavy and colorful traces of Jackson's Pollock's painting and brush strokes cover the studio floor. Anyone living in East Hampton should take the tour.
The team was under the guidance of Gwen Ramage, Assistant District Governor and member of the Westhampton Rotary Club and their van was driven by Gwen's husband, Gene Won. Gwen lead our districts GSE team to India earlier this year.
Like all tourists, our Indian visitors were interested in seeing the the BIG HOUSES south of the highway. Of course, so EH Rotary would not feel slighted we oooed and aaahed over Carol Morgan's Lilly Pond Lane house----kidding of course but they enjoyed the more country like feel of Further Lane, Cross Hwy, Hither and Thither Lanes.
They were impressed by the vista afforded by the Maidstone golf course. The heavy rain, of course, added a romantic touch to the golf course and Hook Pond.
President Lynn opened the meeting say Gary wanted to know if the membership wanted to sell radio ads.
Rob again said help was need for the Run for Ron race, sponsorships, donation of food and drinks and the pre race cocktail party.
Lynn reminded folks that there will be a free turkey feed at the Maidstone Club following the golf tournament and that more Tee-signs needed to be sold---contact Steve Murray or Pat Gilchrest for details.
Karen Norrby will be manning the Golf Tournament welcome table starting at 7:15 am for a 7:30 tee off. The table should be manned till 1pm. A sign up sheet was passed around. Anyone wishing to help Karen man the table please contact her.
Before the Indian GSE team began their presentation an exchange of banners was made with Lynn and the team leader Ganesh Bhat and Dr. Nilima Limaye. EH Rotary pins were also distributed.
The GSE team gave an audio-visual program about their district and Indian traditions.
Forrest Dunbar, our scheduled speaker, graciously consented to speak last. He explained that our district's gift of life program at Stony Book University Hospital had been closed by NY State for lack of a full time pediatric heart surgeon.
The District now teamed up with Ron Rall's Helping Hands for Honduras International Gift of Life, which did the pediatric heart surgery in Honduras. Next year the program will be in Haiti. These countries lack pediatric heart surgeons. The web site for the International Gift of Life is
http://www.giftoflifecharity.org/ The web site for Helping Hands for Honduras is:http://www.handsforhonduras.org/ Our guests in addition to the Indian GSE team group and speaker were: Glen Frost from the Rock Point Rotary Club was also in Honduras; Crissy Michne and Dave Johnson from East End Hospice.
April 13 - President Lynn opened the meeting by reminding the membership that it was an open meeting and invited comments and announcements from the membership.
Rob Norrby said he would be emailing the membership saying sponsorships were needed for our Run for Ron Race and this included food and drinks for the race. Rob said he had an idea for another fund raiser from Hampton Drive-in Movies. Here is link to web site:
http://www.hamptonsdrivein.com Bruce Siska reminded the membership that the Clam Bake will be the last Monday in August 8/27/09
Lynn announced that the Person of the Year is Chris Carney founder of Soldier Ride.
Gabriel Costanzo announced that she has started working on a EH Rotary Float for next year's St. Patrick's Day parade in Montauk.
Andy Baris said he wanted to know how the membership felt about having a new member’s party or if we should have two parties. He said we could have a new member’s party at the pre Ron For Ron Party and a repeat of the Maidstone Party. Tim Sullivan said that the original idea was to have the pre race party as a fund-raiser and said he thought that is was a bad idea mixing the two events. Andy said the Maidstone party cost the club about $3,500.
Bruce Siska said he opposed spending that money for membership party as there were so many folks out of work and with the heavy demands on the food pantries with hard time in East Hampton, the money could be better spent else where. Chris Stewart and Tim Sullivan both said the Maidstone Tennis House event was very good and an attractive place to have the pary.
Paul D'Ascoli said why not have the new members party combined with the Clam Bake. Tim Sullivan said it could cost a lot less as we might get the food at whole sale prices. And that we cooked the food ourselves and Bruce had an undisclosed source of lobsters caught by a local bay man.
No definitive decision was made regarding the new members party.
Noti Krasniqui said he could use his personal influence to have our press releases and photos posted on Hamptons.com
Next week meeting we will have the Group Study Exchange from India as our guest's, led by Assistant DG Gwen Ramage and Pat Gilchrest. Our program will be Rotary Gift of Life. Pat Gilchrest will greet the India group in Montauk and Tim Sullivan will take them to the Pollock Krasner House, which is waving the entrance fee. Tim will take them on a tour of the Big Houses south of the hwy. If time permits and if they are open, Guild Hall as well.
Andy noted that the Club Christmas Party will take place Thursday, December 17, at Nick & Toni's. (please note there will be no meeting the previous Monday night, December 14th) Andy reminded members that children and grandchildren are welcome and gifts should be brought so that Santa can disburse them during the evening. Please call Andy to reserve. Children will have a special surprise!!!
Heavy Bags was most successful. Members were thanked for their participation. (Actual figures were sent to members under separate cover.) Bill Gardiner, who chaired the event, suggested we consider having something that would identify us as Rotarians. Caps were agreed upon and
will be ordered.
Our guest speaker spoke about identity theft. She noted that Suffolk County has a very proactive group, as opposed to other areas of the state that are more reactive than proactive. There are outreach programs for healthcare, lemon law violations and consumer fraud. It was mentioned that consumer fraud and credit card theft often target upper middle class
neighborhoods. She strongly suggested that all credit cards - both sides - be copied and kept in a secure place. Never give social security information over the phone! Ms Pack noted the difference between http and https is that the latter is a secure internet connection that provides encryption so that internet thieves cannot intercept the data that you enter to that site. If your internet connection to a commerce site/checkout page doesn’t have the s after the http (even if it has the little lock icon at the bottom of the page), it not as secure and therefore the info you submit could possibly be seen and taken by internet thieves.
Craig Kessler is Ducks Unlimited regional director for Southeast New York, handling the Connecticut, L.I. and Rhode Island region. Ducks Unlimited was formed in 1937 and has grown into an international organisation with 600,000 members with its main aim being to preserve wetlands and waterfowl habitat, of which it has preserved 12 million acres in the US. Over 900 varieties of bird have been spotted in the NY area, where the organization has a Chapter in most East End towns. Craig, who is a resident of Stony Brook and a native Long Islander, spoke about the Center for Wetlands and Waterfowling at Hubbard County Park. NY. He explained that sea level rise and Climate Change are seriously threatening the future of many species, demonstrated by evidence of their changing habitats, migrating patterns, food supplies and lifecycles.
In a partnership with Suffolk County at Hubbard County Park, Ducks Unlimited manages a Youth Program that involves and educates young people about preservation of species and gives practical experience of land and property conservation through the Young Waterfowler Program, teaching responsibility and understanding. Acting President Lynn thanked Craig and Jo Ray for making such an excellent presentation and for the work they are doing with D.U.
July 9 – "Big" (Raindate July 13),
$10 adult, $5 child
Beverages, snacks, popcorn available
CMEE amphitheater opens at 7:30, movie begins at 8:30
CMEE is located at 376 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton 11932
Sponsorships: Ads will rotate as the amphiltheater opens until the movie begins. We need a JPEG image from each business/sponsor by July 1. $50 per movie night or full sponsorship for $125. Expected attendance: the amphitheater can hold 300-500 people.
April 6 - Gary DeAmario reported on the Antiques Fair. The permit for the tent has been filed but he has not yet decided whether or not to solicit radio adds. Bruce Siska said there were now 14 foursomes signed up for the Golf Tournament. Steve Murray and Pat Gilchrest would be in charge of Tee signs @ $100 per shot.
Rob Norrby said letters had been sent to potential sponsors for the Run For Ron race and 12 runners have signed up.
Karen and Rob Norrby reported on the membership committee meeting and said that there will be a series of fireside meetings in committee persons’ homes for prospective new members.
Mary Siska said we have a tracking number from Shelter Box.Org so we can find where our box has been sent. Shelter Boxes have been sent to Italy for the earthquake victims.
A shelter box costs $1 thousand and usually contains two 10 person tents. For more into go to the Shelter Box web site: http://www.shelterbox.org/
Our guests were Susan Adler Telorico and our speaker Lee Oldak, owner of Amagansett Beach and Bicycle who sold us at cost the bikes for our Christmas families.
Lee is also the head the Sag Harbor Community Rowing which hope to establish rowing programs at the East End High Schools either by having rowing teams at the schools or a regional competitive rowing club for East End high school rowers. The Sag Harbor rowing club is for both recreational and competitive rowers. For further info contact Lee Oldak@rowsagharbor.org or visit the clubs we site: http://www.rowsagharbor.org/index.html
March 30 - Alex Sneddon said he had talked with Riverhead and Southold Rotary Clubs about their possibly donating $300 to $400 to Camp Good Grief this summer. Alex said he believed Hospice was approaching West Hampton for a contribution.
Mary Siska said our club received a thank you letter from the Shelter Box foundation which included a number whereby our club can trace where our shelter boxes were sent.
Our speaker was Peter Wolf, noted professor of architectural history and planning at Cooper Union and planning consultant. He is chairman of the Thomas Moran Trust, created to save the former studio house and garden of arguably one America's greatest landscape painters, Thomas Moran, located at 229 Main St.
Thomas Moran settled in East Hampton in 1884 and designed and built the Main St. house. During his 40 years in EH he produced most of his major work in this house. His wife Mary Nimmo Moran was a celebrated print maker. They attracted many artists to East Hampton and it a became an artist community. Mary Nimmo is believed to have died from a disease contracted while caring for sick Rough Riders in Montauk at the end of the 19th century.
Briefly, Moran's daughter Ruth sold the property to Boots and Condie Lamb in 1947. The Thomas Moran house was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1965. In 1990, Mrs Lamb gave the house to Guild Hall, with the right for her to live there till her death which occurred in 2004.
Guild Hall, finding no immediate compatible use for the building - which was in a state of major deterioration - and having major fund raising efforts for its own restoration, transferred ownership to the Thomas Moran Trust. This is an independent non profit corporation formed in 2007 dedicated solely to the restoration and managing the future of the property.
The National Park Service has awarded a $525,000 grant to the trust if it can be matched.
The Trust has received $500,000 in Community Preservation Funds from the town and village in return for an historic preservation easement. The money will be used to repair the house and restore the garden.
Robert J. Hefner, the East Hampton Village Historic and Preservation consultant is studying the building and its requirements, which is mandatory before any work can start on a National Landmark.
The fund-raising goal of the trust is $7.5 million. Restoring the Moran House and Garden, $3.5 to $4 million; initial endowment $2 million; 5-year operating fund, $1.5 million.
The trust is hoping for pro bono work in lieu of donations from landscapers, carpenters, plumbers, and so forth . Members interested should contact Peter Wolf at
wolf9165@aol.comFor further information visit the Thomas Moran Trust at
www.thomasmorantrust.org An extensive collection of images of Moran Painting can be found at www.thomas-moran.org/ Moran is considered the greatest landscape painter of western scenes and this web site is worth visiting.Our guests, in addition to our speaker, were Ann Holcomb of the Whitney Museum, Steve Long of the Children's Museum of the East End, Felicia Hogan and Wiebke Sullivan.
March 23 - Bruce Siska reported that as March 23 East Hamton Rotary and the Day Care Center had 7 foursomes each for the golf tournament at Maidstone Club.
Mary Siska reported that the Club had received several checks from dealer for the Memorial Day Antiques Show and so far, the show seems to be on target.
Rob Norrby reported that Dave Karlin was working on two sponsors for the Run for Ron Race in August. Rob also said he thinks Rotary should have a float in next year's Montauk St. Patrick's Day parade and that Chris Stewart had volunteered to work on that project as well as tickets for the LI Ducks as a fund raiser.
President Lynn Fellonius presented check for $1,000 to The East Hampton Meals On Wheels and the East Hampton Community Council. Receiving the check were our two speakers, Peter Boch, CEO of East Hampton Meals on Wheels and Linda Blouve of the Community Council.
Peter Bock said Meals on Wheels is in its 26th year and relies solely on private funding. The organization has two paid employees and relies on 90 volunteers to serve between 50 to 70 clients daily. The organization serves a half million meals annually. The food is prepared and delivered from 33 Newton Lane. Below is a short video of their operation.
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