Sparks January 16, 2025 (Jan. 15, 2025)

Life House, Berkshires

We will be meeting at Life House, Berkshires on January 16, 2025 for our 3rd Thursday Evening Event.

194 Pittsfield Rd, Lenox, MA 01240

(413) 728-1686

Board Member Update

Adrienne DeBlieux Speed:

"Wherever Guns n Roses go that is where you will find this special rotary board member"

Adrienne delighted the entire club with her initial stories reminiscing of the times when she was younger.

VIP Passes at NYC Ritz

Guns n Roses 1st concert which was aired live on MTV

And no one can forget the story of how "Slash" pulled her up on stage

Adrienne is challenging everyone to do their research and attempt to find a concert, documentary, etc which

features Guns n Roses where you do not hear or see her!

Patrick's Pub Luncheon

Rotarians joined together for our second annual Patrick Pub's luncheon to start off the new year! Great to see the turnout being a lot better this time around.

Reminder that the club is scheduled to return to our regular luncheons at Mazzeos!

Membership Proposal

The board has completed the third round vote of acceptance of the proposal for new members:

Emily Badger, a new Therapist / Licensed Clinical Social Worker in town (read about her on the ellie Mental Health site or on Psychology Today); coming from Tennessee, where she was a member of the Rotary Club of Columbia Breakfast. Alex Reczkowski is proposing her. This is the 3rd posting of this proposed member.

Second Posting:

Diana Knaebe, transferring from the R.C. of Decatur, IL. Ms. Knaebe is the president and CEO of the Brien Center. She looks to join the Club under the classification of behavioral healthcare / healthcare. President Tom Bernard is the proposer.

David Harrington, commercial lending team leader and a VP at Lee Bank, Dave is proposed by Erik Ungewitter and looks to join under the Finance Business Banking classification.

Board Proposals

Members will vote on the next slate of Club Directors soon; proposed new members (3 year term) are:

Adrian DeBlieux Speed

Eva Sereghy

Roger Gibboni

Students of the Month

We were joined by our Students of the Month -

Yanet Asriake:

A senior from Taconic High School whose interests include Computer Science and Astrophysics.

She is part of NHS, Link Leader, Class Council, and the Youth Advisory Board.

Laura Bronson:

A senior from Pittsfield High School whose interests include Business Law and Finance.

She is part of NHS, Link Leader, Class Council, and President of both Latin & Book Clubs.

Mark Your 2025 Calendars Now

Please note these important dates for 2025:

Saturday April 5th – Our annual Rotary Auction with a Pirate Theme
The weekend of Saturday May 3rd – Rotary District Conference held in Pittsfield and our Service Day Project (Food packing event) The conference has a Kentucky Derby Theme.
Saturday May 10th - Paul Harris Dinner at the Country Club of Pittsfield

Invocation Duties

3rd Thursday Evening Event 01/16

Fred "The Dash Dad" Dery 01/23

Brad Felix 01/30

Ed Forfa 02/06

Please make sure if you are to be absent from your assigned invocation date that you secure a replacement or let President Tom know of your absence.

Birthdays & Anniversaries

Happy Birthday Wishes Go out to our January B-days:

Stacy Hebb (01/13)

Happy Anniversaries Go Out to:

John McLaughlin (01/08/98 - 27yrs)

Kelly Marion (01/10/02 - 23yrs)

Behzad Parhizgar (01/16/86 - 39 yrs)

Jay Bailly (01/19/06 - 19yrs)

Nicholas Kirchner (01/26/23 - 2yrs)

Christian Bianchi (01/26/23 - 2yrs)

Ed Forfa (01/27/00 - 25yrs)

David Cinaflone (01/30/86 - 39 yrs)

Club Lottery

New Year, New Beginnings and New Club Lottery Card!

Who will the lucky winner be!