Kiwanis Club of Sand Lake, NY

President Joseph M. Behson                                                                              Secretary David E. Booker

President-Elect Gerald Tysiak                                                                      Treasurer Robert S. Pasquarelli

Vice President Sarah M. Tripp                                                         Immediate Past Pres Robert R. Loveridge
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Christopher R. Blais, Roland B. Wagner, Eve M. Ward

Bryce E. Cutler, Deborah McSherry, James E. Rogers

John C. Brownrigg, James M. Colabelli, Margaret R. Weiss

CLUB BULLETIN COMMITTEE

Sandpiper Editor Peg Weiss         Photographer -  Jim Rogers          Web page Editor David E. Booker

MEETING OF JULY 21, 2008

PRESIDENT Joseph M. Behson presiding

GREETINGS & INVOCATION by Woodie Hacker

WELCOME BACK:  Joe Trupia and Ray Loveridge 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ø        Mikki for Community Services:  Thanks to Bob Pasquarelli, KVP, and Booker for unloading the Doors of Hope food truck in July.  Next date is August 8—volunteers?

Ø       Invitation from Girl Scout Troop 1181 to an ice cream social at the Cotton House on Sunday August 3^rd from 1 – 4 PM.  This is a thank you for help in restoring the antique store at the foot of Taborton Road.  It was the girls’ project for their Gold Award.

Ø       2008-09 MEMBERSHIP DUES are now PAST DUE FOR 1/3 OF THE CLUB.  Names will be reviewed for action at the next Board of Directors meeting.

Ø       SUSTAINING DONOR CERTIFICATES were awarded to John Brownrigg and Gary Meislin for their support of the Kiwanis Children’s Fund.

Ø       DIVISION COUNCIL this Tuesday at Hoosick Falls Country Club:  Behson, Booker, Loveridge, Pasquarelli, Rogers, VanPraag, Ward & Weiss.  Newer members are encouraged to go to any interclubs, to meet other members and learn more about Kiwanis.

Ø       Joe Cub (in absentia) distributed a plethora of pink posters for Music in the Park schedule, requesting that we paint the town pink with them!

Ø       Barb Fioravanti announced the Back Porch Fest, music for the young and young at heart, on Saturday August 2^nd from noon to 7 PM at Butler Park.  Good opportunity for the Food Trailer, too, if there are volunteers to staff it.

Ø       Bob Pasquarelli reported that all borrowed Summerfest equipment has been returned!

Ø       A Tag Team Membership Banner Patch was presented to Dudley Dorr for 2007-08.  This year we have inducted 13 new members so far!

Ø       Eve:  VALLEY CATS GAME AUGUST 25—signup next week, $8pp, deadline August 15.  Tickets, prepaid, will be distributed the week before.  Get them before the game! There will be NO regular meeting at the Lakeview August 25^th.

Ø       Jim Rogers reported on last week’s interclub to Ronkonkoma, LI attended by Booker, Hacker, James & Rogers.   As usual, Booker was in good form, responding to questions regarding his candidacy for Governor-Elect, and the trip was fun except for the massive traffic jam on the LIX, resulting in a 2 AM homecoming!

Ø       Lt Gov Designate Jim Rogers announced an Officers Training Session here this coming Saturday, with Capital, Mohawk, and Van Rensselaer Divisions.  He mentioned dates set for   installations:  Castleton Sept 24, Sand Lake Oct 6, Hoosick Falls Oct 7, and the Governor’s Visit, which will be Fri Oct 17 at the Desmond, for the 3 Divisions.  Mark your calendars!

Ø       Jerry Tysiak distributed shirts to be given to our major sponsors of Summerfest. 

PROGRAM

                Ken Van Praag commented on the uniqueness of our membership as to vocations and other interests—no shortage of variety for programs.  He then introduced our own Bob Reiter, who is the Rensselaer County Director of Veterans Affairs, and is a member of the NY State Veterans Commission.  Bob joined the Marines when he was 18 years old, and was promptly sent to serve in VietNam, where he endured untold miseries of which nothing has ever been spoken.  He has spent his life helping other veterans recuperate from their hidden injuries, but had never himself given in to the catharsis of confession.  About a year and a half ago, a national group concerned with healing organized a trip back to VietNam.  Bob and his wife Debbie participated in this attempt to express innermost feelings of chronic guilt and grief, and a film was made of the trip, called Forgiveness and Healing in VietNam.   Each veteran was introduced and told of some of their experiences for which they feel shame and guilt.  Their specific locations were visited, and they were able to interact with the Vietnamese people, express their contrition and ask for forgiveness.  The people were universally happy to see the Americans and seemed to understand that many of the actions were dictated by a government rather than individuals.  Bob’s particular experience dealt with the destruction of water buffalo, a valuable animal to the people’s livelihoods.  He has contributed to the replacement of the animals, and others have provided clothing, school supplies, and other necessities.  It would be safe to say that there were few dry eyes in the room during this film, which was a very emotional experience.  Bob, and the other veterans in the film, are to be commended for their courage, not only to take the trip, and be filmed during very private grief, but also to show this to his friends in SLK.  Our utmost gratitude, Bob, for your service, and for this program!

At the conclusion of the film, Bob announced that he was making another return trip, and that John Brownrigg would be going with him.  He then presented John with a certificate and a plaque for John’s contributions to the supplies taken to southeast Asia.  Monetary contributions are best, since they are easy to transport, and what’s needed can be purchased in Saigon.

HAPPY DOLLARS

$        Pres Joe:  Not from Red Sox fans tonight!

$        Jim Rogers:  For our successful trip to Long Island, and a note from his German friend in Berlin…Candidate Obama is scheduled to be at the Brandenburg Gate, and he expects to be there to hear him.  His connection is that he taught Obama’s sister! 

$        Chris Blais:  For Bob, his program, his experiences, and the courage to show that film!

$        Nancy Davis:  One of the scheduled musical groups for our August Music in the Park performed at Methodist Farm this past weekend--Cavanaugh & Kavanaugh Folk Group!

$        John Brownrigg:  For Bob’s program.  I’m a little apprehensive about returning—I’ll have to live 2 ½ weeks with a Marine!

$        KVP:  For Bob and his experience, and for doing this program.  Also, I was in NYC yesterday, and it was crowded with people spending lots of money!

$        Scott Paul:  For Bob’s program…and to all vets, thank you, and welcome home! 

DOOR PRIZE, a new American flag provided by Bob Reiter, was won by Peg Weiss!

50/50 for $27 was won by Pat Lane!

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

    NEW DAD SCOTT PAUL HIT THE MEGA 50/50      

   JACKPOT THIS WEEK FOR $859.10!  With only 6

 cards left, Scott picked the elusive KING OF CLUBS!

Then he very graciously donated $159.10 to Booker’s campaign fund, keeping $700!

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

NEXT WEEK      PROGRAM:  A mystery!  By Botsy Rosenberger 

JULY 28                GREETER/INVOCATOR/CERTIFICATE:  John Glasser

 AUGUST 4            PROGRAM:  Bob Pasquarelli  - Membership and Education Committee

                               GREETER/INVOCATOR/CERTIFICATE:  Doug Baldrey 

 AUGUST 11         PROGRAM:  Jerry Tysiak 

                              GREETER/INVOCATOR/CERTIFICATE:  Joe Distell 

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

                “Don’t prepare the path for the child, prepare the child for the path.”           Anonymous

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