As a result of the informal poll taken by Joan DiMartino, twenty-one members indicated they were prepared to resume live, in-person meetings, so the Club will return to meeting at Mazzeo's on April 1 - outdoors, weather permitting. 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. [As of this writing, only 17 members have responded their intent to attend.] The pandemic has taken a toll on our Club. We'll wear our masks and maintain social distance, so please make every effort to join us at Mazzeo's.
Members will recall that at our Zoom meeting on January 28 we were introduced to Mary Wheat and Joe Woitkoski, the 2020 recipients of the David Kagan Award, presentations delayed as a result of the Covid pandemic restrictions in president Too Tall's administration. On April 8, Mary and Joe will be invited to return to the Club meeting to join us for lunch and receive their plaques.
The next Feed My Sheep is scheduled for Monday, April 12, which will continue to be sensitive to social distancing. Modified meals will be served, where teams are providing meals in to-go bags that include a hot meal, a piece of fruit, cut up veggies, maybe a cookie and a bottle of water. Participants pick them up at around 5:30, and are allowed in one at a time just to the side entryway where the handicap ramp is. We will need Rotarians to cook the hot meal, pack the dishes, pack the bags, and hand them out. Unlike other Feed My Sheep events, there will only be one shift starting at 4:00 (until about 6:00). Contact Gail Molarigail@molariinc.comor 413.441.1074 if you can help out.
We came very close to not having an auction this year, but thanks to a determined Club president Shaun, and an equally determined auction committee (Robert Harrison, Brooks Sherman and Alex Reczkowski), we pulled off our first - and hopefully last - virtual auction. After approximately $6,000 in expenses, the Club netted an estimate $37,714. President Shaun commended the committee, the membership for rallying, and Park Square Productions for the professionalism displayed in putting the "live" program together.
President Shaun reminds us there are three months remaining in his administration (I think he's counting the days), and we are lacking program content. Aside from Kagan Awards, student scholarships, a Cianflone family recognition event of some kind for the splash pad, and the Butler Award, the program calendar is bare. Come on folks, cough up some suggestions.
This year's District conference will be an online event from Thursday, 4/29, through Saturday, May 1, and will include our District (7890) as well as District 7950. If you're seeking Rotary inspiration, information, fellowship and fun, register for this virtual event through the District website.
This week DG Marc Glass put out a request for volunteers to serve on a new District Public Image Committee to promote District 7890 and the great things we do for our respective communities. If you'd like to help get the word out about Rotary, please contact DG Marc via email (dgglass2021@gmail.com) ASAP.
Two birthdays to celebrate this week: Jeff Hassett (3/31) and John Perreault (3/231); and one Club anniversary Marshall Raser (55 years a/o 3/31/1966).
