Last week we were introduced to this year's Dr. David B. Kagan Award Recipients. Each year, the Rotary Club of Pittsfield recognizes two individuals, a man and a woman, who have made significant contributions to their community through volunteer activities. Honored this year for their outstanding community service were Judith Forest and Chris Keegan, whose activities have created lasting change in the lives of individuals and families in the community, volunteer activities that have made greater Pittsfield a better place to live, work and raise a family. Edward Forfa and John Hudnall, Kagan Committee Co-Chairs, presented the awards. At the presentation was Dr. David B. Kagan’s, daughter, Joan Kagan-Levine and her husband, Steve. As part of the award recognition a $200 stipend is given in the recipient's honor to the non-profit of their choice. Judith’s will be going to the Salvation Army and Eagle Santa Toy Fund, and Chris has chosen cancer research.
Join us for the Club's regime change celebration from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. on June 30, which is a fifth Thursday, where we will be celebrating all the great things the Club accomplished this year. The event will be held at Balderdash Cellars, which is normally closed on Thursday evenings, so Rotary will have the place to ourselves regardless of the weather. Please save the date so we may give president Murphy a proper send off.
Two weeks ago we learned that Dery Funeral Homes is pushing their new marketing slogan: "When you're dead, better call Fred." Not to be outdone, it appears that Berkshire Place has advanced their version: "Almost dead? Call Ed."
An important Club initiative going forward is membership enhancement. To that end, the Club is still entertaining the membership challenge proposed last year where any Club member that brings a prospective member to a luncheon meeting will have that guest's meal paid for by Eric Schaffer, and when/if that guest attends a second meeting, the meal will be covered by the Club. Can you think of someone to bring to Rotary?
Well, it wasn't an instant win, but the conspiracy theorists among us are convinced the fix was in when Dave Hall won the lottery for the second week in a row. He opted for the two of clubs to be the sought after card, however it was not to be. So last week's pot of $27 gets rolled over into this week's potential winnings, with 51 cards left in the deck.