AM CLUB —Meets at 7:30 am on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month on Zoom or in person at Northwest Arena.
FALCONER — Meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 7 AM at the Falconer Fire Department Exempt Hall located at 1 Coleson Drive Falconer NY, 14733.
WESTFIELD / MAYVILLE — Currently meeting 2nd and 4th Tuesday at 5 pm at the Westfield YWCA - 58 S. Portage St.
FREDONIA/DUNKIRK —
Meet Thursdays at noon at SUNY Fredonia University Village Conference Room, 2nd floor.
Committee meetings or social events can also be used as make-ups.
Rotarily Yours - April 27, 2026
President Michelle Jones opened the meeting for this week with a call to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and Caitlin O’Reilly led everyone to sing the Star-Spangled banner.
Invocation
Pat Kinney delivered the invocation. She reflected on the Rotary 4-Way Test, emphasizing truth, fairness, goodwill, and service. Members were encouraged to carry these values into their daily lives and service.
Visiting Rotarians & Guests
The club welcomed:
Fran Lipinski, guest of Becky Robbins
Rotary exchange students Sophia Cama (outbound) and Jan Steinmann (inbound)
Youth Exchange Weekend:
The club hosted 23 exchange students over the weekend. Sophia and Jan shared experiences from the weekend.
Sophia Cama (Outbound Student) shared insights from training sessions at Camp Onyasa, including preparation for cultural exchange, travel expectations, and presentations about their host countries. She noted the diversity of experiences among participants and the strong sense of connection built during the weekend.
Jan Steinmann (Inbound Student) described activities including:
Visit to the National Comedy Center
Participation in youth service activities
Additional highlights from the weekend included:
Making bird feeders at Pearl City Clay House
Ice skating at the Northwest Ice Arena
Both students emphasized the value of cultural exchange, community engagement, and shared experiences.
The club also celebrated Jan Steinmann’s upcoming birthday with a special presentation and recognition.
Announcements
Highway Cleanup:
Vince Horrigan announced that the semi-annual Rotary Highway Cleanup will take place this Saturday. The stretch from I-86 Jamestown–Falconer and back will be cleaned.
Meeting point: Route 60 Park n Ride at 8:30 AM sharp
Members should dress warmly, wear field footwear, and bring gloves
Two drivers are needed
All members are encouraged to participate
Camp Onyasa Bonfire:
The annual Camp Onyasa Bonfire will be held on Wednesday, June 10.
Rotary Charity Golf Classic:
Max Eimiller announced that sign-ups for participation and sponsorship are now open. Sponsorship levels remain the same as last year. Basket items are also needed.
For inquiries contact Max on 716-338-5626
Membership Dues Update:
President Michelle Jones informed the club that annual dues will be:
$200 (cash/check)
$210 (credit/debit card)
Payments can be made in two installments, due June 1 and December 1.
Literacy Program:
Members were encouraged to volunteer for upcoming reading sessions at Bush School.
50/50
Wayne Rishell conducted the 50/50 drawing.
Winner: Tim Edborg
Amount Won: $24
Recognition & Happy Bucks
Recognition and Happy Bucks were coordinated by Sgt-at-Arms Doug Conroe.
The following Rotarians contributed Happy Bucks for various reasons:
Jason Sample, Dan Heitzenrater, Marion Beckerick, Cheri Maytum-Krull, Emily Cama, Michael Dobbins, Caitlin O’Reilly, Max Eimiller, John Felton, Diane Meckley, Andy Goodell, and Michelle Jones.
The club welcomed Starr Ryder, owner of Ball Game Heroes in Jamestown. Starr shared his journey from working 21 years at Cummins to running his business full-time.
He highlighted how sports card collecting has evolved into a thriving, multi-billion-dollar industry that connects both youth and adults through shared experiences and nostalgia.
Starr described Ball Game Heroes as a community-centered, family-friendly space where people of all ages can gather, enjoy the hobby, and connect. The store offers a wide range of cards—from vintage legends to current stars—and provides a welcoming environment for both casual collectors and serious hobbyists.
He emphasized the business’s strong commitment to the community, including:
Supporting local youth sports teams
Hosting birthday parties
Contributing to after-prom events
Creating opportunities for kids to engage in a safe and fun environment
A particularly impactful story involved a community-sponsored birthday event for children who otherwise might not have had the opportunity to celebrate.
During Q&A, Starr explained how modern card value is driven by scarcity, such as limited-edition and autographed cards included directly in packs.
He also announced that Ball Game Heroes will be a Platinum Sponsor for the Rotary Golf Tournament, showing strong support.
Closing
The meeting concluded with gratitude to the guest speaker and participants. It was noted that, in honor of the presentation, Rotary will support the vaccination of four children against polio through its global initiative.
Members were reminded to live by the Rotary 4-Way Test, and the meeting was adjourned in the spirit of service and fellowship by President Michelle Jones.
