Sheriff Bowler gave us an update on programs he has going on in his department. Inmates in the house of corrections are short term inmate with a max sentence of 2 1/2 years and their goal is to reintegrate these people into society to be a productive member of the community. The department is trying to build up their self esteem and get rid of the negative influences in their lives. He has established an equine management program where a few inmates take care of the horses for the mounted division giving them added responsibility. He also has a garden project with an 30x300ft garden the inmates grow there own vegetables. Last year they grew 5200 lbs and what was not used in the jail was donated to local food banks. He hopes to double the size of the gardens next year. He also briefed us programs his deputies are currently involved in within the community and state, that they are not only guards but interact with various local and federal law enforcement agencies through the district attorneys office, FBI, and US Marshall office. His deputies work within the joint terrorism task force, anticrime unit, and gang task force to name a few.
Trunk-or-Treat was a huge success, according to Gabriela Keator, the event coordinator. Twenty-three cars were entered, ranging from exciting winter themed cars to ambulance and police vehicles. The three winners of the night were Performance Automotive with a race car, three teachers from Conte with a “Tunnel Car” and a Graveyard car submitted by the Tyler Street Business Group. Morningside turned out to be the perfect location, providing an excellent venue for a fun family night out for the estimated 500 people who attended, many of whom were able to walk to the school. Special thanks are extended to the Pittsfield Police, the Sheriff’s Department, Dr. Jake McCandless, the high school volunteers, and all of the sponsors; and to the Rotarian volunteers: John O’Brien, Gail Molari, Kelly Marion, Luke Marion, Robert Harrison, Carol Leibinger-Healy (with Lauren and Jessica Healey), Vin Marinaro, Jodi Rathbun-Briggs, Jay Marion and Shaun Heimann. Gabriela Keator, her parents Frederick and Renee Keator, as well as Gabriela’s classmates did a great job organizing this event and helping to decorate and clean up the night of the event. While final numbers are not yet available, it appears the event raised approximately $3,000.
No movement in the amount collected in the last two weeks. Time is short - please solicit as much as possible in the short time left before December 1st. So far around 20k has been donated towards the auction trying to get to 100k in donations. Please confirm with the auction committee your donations, please turn in your auction sheets to confirm if you can give the same as last year or changes need to be made.
The first week of the food drive netted $615 and 500 lbs of food. The second week netted $748 and 800 lbs of food. Week three netted $330 and 600 lbs of food.
We said good bye to our October students and wish them well in their future
Caroline Fairweather from Taconic is involved with many theater companies including the Berkshire Theater Group, Barrington Stage, as well as the schools drama program and annula Shakespeare production. She is a member of student council. Aside form being a "lefty" with decent handwriting her proudest accomplishment was receiving the Willams book award this past spring. Caroline will be applying to Syracuse, Ithaca, Williams, and Wagner colleges to pursue Bachelor of fine arts in musical theatre.
Edouard Tremblay from St Joe is an accomplished piano player and is involved with the school band as a singer and bass guitar player. He has also earned his black belt in Uechi-Ryu Karate after 11 years of dedication. He hopes to attend RPI in the fall to study engineering
Shelia Atiemo from Pittsfield High has excelled in music and math and is very involved with her school including playing alto saxophone in the school band, member of the capital gains club, captain of the girls track and field , volleyball team and head of the tutoring for National Honor Society. A strong Ghanaian culture and continuous support and encouragement from her family is what she believes has helped her become a strong leader. She is applying to Harvard, Bentley, BU, NYU, MCLA, and UMASS to pursue accounting.
The annual RCPF Wine Pairing Dinner has been scheduled for Saturday, March 12, 2016. Please get it onto your calendar now so that you don't schedule in conflicts.
12/17 Christine Singer
01/07 Sally Umlauf
01/14 Charles Whetherell
01/21 Ryan Ayelsworth
Please remember to use a non-denominational prayer - be respectful of others' beliefs. If you will not be at the meeting, please notify Joel Scussel (joel.scussel@mountainone.com) who your replacement will be in advance.
Because of the Thanksgiving holiday we have lots of birthdays to celebrate: Donna Halton (11/17), Charlie Wetherell (11/22), Jeff Whitehouse (who prematurely celebrated at our last meeting, 11/22), Randy Kinnas (11/23), Conrad Bernier (12/1), Greg Knight (12/1) and Brooks Sherman (12/1). Club Anniversaries celebrated these last two weeks include Carolyn Pierce (27 years a/o 12/1/88), Donna Halton (1 year a/o 12/5/14), and John Murphy (29 years a/o 12/4/86).
