Recently Govenor Vin brought the plight of 13-year-old A.J. Riello to the Board. The young man is in need of a heart transplant, a fact made more urgent by his recent emergency visit to a Boston Hospital. The Board has approved the request; all fines gathered today will be donated to the Riello family in support of their ongoing needs. Robert Harrison has generously put forth the following challenge: He will match all $100 donations up to $1,000. Let's work together and raise at least $2,000 if not much more for this local family in need.
In a jam-packed luncheon meeting, our guest speakers were Marjo Catalano and Bryan Slater co-hosts of the aptly named "Slater and Marjo in the Morning" radio program. The popular show airs weekdays 6-10 AM on Townsquare Media's 95.9 FM. Live 95 is the flagship station in the small local radio group that includes WNAW, WBEC & WSBS, now all owned by the national firm Town Square Media. Slater grew up in eastern Mass and has wanted to be on the radio since he was a young child, his entire adult career has been in radio. Many will remember the very public passing of his wife Jorja, who succumbed to breast cancer a few years ago. Bryan and Jora had an infant and another very young son at the time. Slater is now in a relationship with a widower named Jacqui, herself a sudden single parent. The couple and blended family live in Lanesborough. Slater's partner, the much more private Marjo Catalano is a Williamstown native, graduating from local schools, Marjo worked in local restaurants for years when she began her working life. She happened into the radio life after an interview she gave on the radio revealed a chemistry between herself and Slater - soon thereafter the popular morning show was born. Marjo had the Rotary looking after her for a long time, she grew up next to Jay Bailly and oddly enough her years at Patrick's Pub got her well acquainted with Jeff Whitehouse, surprise surprise!
Our guests revealed the difficulties of broadcast radio these days, discussing their struggle to remain relevant in the digital age for one and in people's attention the two. Their morning program features popular music and local guests from almost every background. Many Rotarians have appeared on their show discussing upcoming events, businesses and other happenings. The two hosts spend a bunch of their time writing blogs for the company website and their social media outlets. While they are passionate about their on-air jobs, they certainly understand the need for digital content in today's world.
Jayson Tanzman introduced Candy Allessio (pictured nearby) principal of Crosby Elementary School in Pittsfield. Through funding from the Club, Ms. Allessio and team were able to provide all 3-5 grade students with a journal to capture a written record of their daily activities and feelings. The project was well received with the students spending their first 10-15 minutes of the day sharing their thoughts; the exercise began evolving into a wellness check for many. Ms. Allessio states the program was and is very impactful on students, so much so that she is hoping the daily diary exercise will be rolled out district wide. Ms. Allessio thanked the Club for helping to fund this new program at Crosby and perhaps coming soon to all elementary schools in the city.
We had a large group of guests attend last week's meeting to include: Jason Sosa Sigoran, a PHS senior, a musician as well as an excellent student, Jason plans to study engineering, Jeff Whitehouse was accompanied by niece Lindsey, Erin Carlotto was joined by perspective member Jes Rizzo (posting nearby), and Dave Harrington, who is awaiting his induction to the Club.
In his member minute, Roger Gibboni, a sound engineer by training and proprietor of Rogers High Fidelity. His firm hand builds ultra-premium amplifiers for discerning residential clients. Roger and bride Linda have lived semi fulltime in the Berkshires for the past 8 years - still spending a fair amount of time in Florida.
Auction is coming soon! If you have any last-minute items to collect or turn in, please do so ASAP, please include the donor form with all gift submissions. Wake the kids, call the neighbors, invite as many people as you can to attend thus year's auction slated for Saturday April 5th.
Our club is so lucky to have identified 2 Pittsfield High School students to study abroad next year with Rotary Youth Exchange.
We're putting the plan together for this month's 3rd Thursday to have the Grand Reveal, when we learn where Clare Meighan & David Bernal will go, representing our community and our club.
Especially with two outgoing students, it would be awesome for us to welcome an exchange student here.
Do you know someone that would be a great host?
Maybe your house is a little empty these days?
This is a great opportunity to welcome a student here and share our wonderful community with them.
Hosts report that it is such a fulfilling experience for the host family, too.
We're hoping to identify at least two (if not more) families to serve as hosts, so that at maximum it would be a commitment of half of the school year including someone new in your family.
What do you say? Can you volunteer or recommend someone?
Please share your ideas with me. Give me a call -- 413-441-8036 -- and let's figure out something great for a student!
With but one birthday to report this week and no anniversaries recorded, the spotlight this week is sharply focused, albeit though the haze, on Eric Schaffer. (03.18) Happy birthday good sir.
The pot remains unclaimed and now exceeds $250, with the 2 of diamonds still hidden in the deck! The lottery is taking a week off, rumor has it a spring break trip to Cancun is in the works.
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In a jam-packed luncheon meeting, our guest speakers were Marjo Catalano and Bryan Slater co-hosts of the aptly named "Slater and Marjo in the Morning" radio program. The popular show airs weekdays 6-10 AM on Townsquare Media's 95.9 FM. Live 95 is the flagship station in the small local radio group that includes WNAW, WBEC & WSBS, now all owned by the national firm Town Square Media. Slater grew up in eastern Mass and has wanted to be on the radio since he was a young child, his entire adult career has been in radio. Many will remember the very public passing of his wife Jorja, who succumbed to breast cancer a few years ago. Bryan and Jora had an infant and another very young son at the time. Slater is now in a relationship with a widower named Jacqui, herself a sudden single parent. The couple and blended family live in Lanesborough. Slater's partner, the much more private Marjo Catalano is a Williamstown native, graduating from local schools, Marjo worked in local restaurants for years when she began her working life. She happened into the radio life after an interview she gave on the radio revealed a chemistry between herself and Slater - soon thereafter the popular morning show was born. Marjo had the Rotary looking after her for a long time, she grew up next to Jay Bailly and oddly enough her years at Patrick's Pub got her well acquainted with Jeff Whitehouse, surprise surprise!
Jayson Tanzman introduced Candy Allessio (pictured nearby) principal of Crosby Elementary School in Pittsfield. Through funding from the Club, Ms. Allessio and team were able to provide all 3-5 grade students with a journal to capture a written record of their daily activities and feelings. The project was well received with the students spending their first 10-15 minutes of the day sharing their thoughts; the exercise began evolving into a wellness check for many. Ms. Allessio states the program was and is very impactful on students, so much so that she is hoping the daily diary exercise will be rolled out district wide. Ms. Allessio thanked the Club for helping to fund this new program at Crosby and perhaps coming soon to all elementary schools in the city.