Sparks December 16, 2021 (Dec 13, 2021)

In Memoriam Dr John Reynolds

At last week's meeting we were all shocked and saddened as Tom Hamel told us of the tragic and untimely death of Dr. John Reynolds. There are no words to express our deep sorrow at the loss of our friend and the entire community is mourning. A Past President of our Club and our Foundation, a Don Butler Award recipient, a Paul Harris Fellow, a volunteer for every event and most importantly a husband and father to his cherished wife and children. His contributions to the Berkshire Humane Society are also immeasurable along with Pittsfield's Animal Control Commission and numerous other organizations.

Fines this Thursday will go to assisting Dr. Reynolds family. The Pittsfield Rotary Club has been asked to take the lead and assist with coordinating a lot of the arrangements.

If you cannot attend and would like to make a donation, please email jhassett@pittsfieldpipers.com

To send a card:

Valeri Reynolds

42 Lake Road
Pittsfield, MA. 01201

Also, the following is NOT yet public but to be sure all Rotarians are aware:

Celebration of Life will be Friday night from 5:00-8:00PM at Berkshire Hills Country Club. There will be no food served and the bar will not be open.

Val has requested the following which I believe will be covered in the Announcement.
•   Please bring a rock or small pebble to leave a memory to share
•   Vaccination cards must be presented at the door
•   Masks must be worn at all times
•   John's wishes were for everyone to wear their favorite colors - no black please
•   Prefers people do not stay more than 30 minutes - not sure that's in the communications.
•   Paul Harris Fellows please wear you Paul Harris medals – other Rotarians please wear you pins.

Ring the Bell for SA

At a recent meeting we heard from Captain Justin Barter from the Salvation Army, who spoke to us about their annual kettle campaign (now 130 years strong). Captain Barter noted they are short volunteer bell-ringers and hoped members could step up for a shift. Rotary has been targeted for 9:00 to 7:00 Friday, 12/17, at Market 32 (Hubbard Avenue). Gwen Davis will coordinate Club volunteers. If you can help out for a two-hour shift, contact Gwen at mgouilette@msn.com. If you can't do 12/17 and want to volunteer otherwise, Justin Barter may be contacted by e-mail: justin.barter@use.salvationarmy.org.

Miscellaneous Notes

Mazzeo’s Restaurant takes a traditional hiatus during the first weeks of January. Because of this, we will meet at Restaurant 101 at the Holiday Inn in downtown Pittsfield for the first two weeks of January. This is located on the second floor of the Holiday Inn. You do need to enter via the first floor given the court usage of the ballroom area.

RSVP or Zoom

Please RSVP your intent to Joan DiMartino (joan.dimartino@gd-ms.com) by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday so she may give Mazzeo's a head count. If unable to attend, our luncheon meetings are also available live on Zoom. If you cannot be there in person, consider streaming the event via the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84791340270?pwd=bm1zNkJPemF0MGJoLzZncW5KS3Judz09. Sometimes it takes a few moments to set up Zoom, so please be patient........ and please, if you've committed to attending, please don't neglect to attend unless there's a crisis.

2022 Auction Update

The latest from our Auction Committee: Thank you for your continued support of the Rotary Auction! This year's theme matches our Rotary year theme: “Serve to Change Lives.” Donation forms have been distributed to the membership, so it's time to start collecting items. The auction is going to be Saturday, February 12, 2022 at Berkshire Hills Country Club. A blank donation form that you may use to collect even more great items for the auction was sent to members in a separate email. The form is also downloaded onto the Club’s website (“Home Page Downloaded Forms”). We'd love to be able to include as many local partners as possible. If you want to check to make sure that another member hasn't solicited an item already, you can view the updated item solicitation spreadsheet online [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BCO96dhdXVnOL2yacSZUH0YW_UoVG6u9lyTBkVNn8FU/edit?usp=sharing]. Questions about items or the spreadsheet can go to Alex Reczkowski.

Invocation Duties

Brad Felix 12/23

Ed Forfa 1/6

Dave Hall 1/13

Tom Hamel 1/20

Robert Harrison 01/27

Jeff Hassett 02/03

Birthdays & Anniversaries

One birthday to celebrate this week: John Murphy on 12/23 and two Club anniversaries: Don Kuczarski 20 years since 12/21/2001 and Chris Farrell 33 years since 12/22/1988;

Club Lottery

No winner at our last meeting, the pot is now at $717, with 19 cards remaining in the deck.