Rotary President Michelle Jones opened the meeting, with Dr. Caitlin O’Reilly leading the Star-Spangled Banner and delivering the invocation. Outside, we were greeted with 32-degree temperatures and light snow.
Caitlin also introduced guests Jessie Jones, spouse of Dewey Jones; Dr. Fran Lapinski; Sophia Cama, and Jan Steinmann.
Michelle announced that we’re sponsoring the April 22 JCC speech contest at 9 a.m. At 2:30, the same day, there will be a Wildflower Garden Bench Dedication at Love School.
The Rotary Youth Exchange Weekend is this weekend, and members are invited to participate. All necessary jobs have been filled, but there is dinner at Camp Onyasha Saturday evening and church at St. Luke’s Sunday morning. Cheri Krull joined in the announcement online.
Michelle encouraged people to attend Highway Clean-up on May 2 at the Park and Ride with Vince Horrigan. You’ll need your own gloves and shoes/boots that might get dirty. It’s fun!
The 50/50 was organized today by Matt Clark. Caitlin O’Reilly won $40.
Sergeant-at-Arms Doug Conroe spoke briefly and called for Happy Bucks. Mark Olson was happy to see John Felton and TJ’s Plumbing working in the neighborhood of his business, Axiom, today. Amy Rohler thanked the Meckleys for inviting her and her husband to sit with them at the CAP dinner. Dan Heitizenrater and John Bauman each gave a dollar to celebrate the Buffalo Sabres who are on their way to winning the Stanley Cup! Diana Meckley invited members to celebrate the YWCA’s 120th anniversary at the YWCA’s Lake Lodge in Lakewood on Friday.
Mike Dobbins said he was back after four months. Dave Painter and his wife are taking a five-day road trip on Route 66 as part of the 100-year anniversary of Route 66. They’ll end up in Las Vegas with friends for the Kentucky Derby. Patty Graves also invited us to the YWCA celebration in Lakewood, which begins at 5 p.m. on Friday.
In other Happy Bucks, Matt Clark announced that he is going to the PBA Conference about bringing tourists to the hotel. Caitlin said she went to the Rotary President-Elect Learning Seminar (PELS) with the new president of the AM Rotary Club and gave a dollar to welcome back Mike Dobbins. John Felton has hired neighborhood residents near his new Washington Street facility and asked us to spread the word for more neighborhood residents to apply to him for jobs.
Diana Meckley announced on behalf of the Literacy Committee that, in May, we’ll be reading at Bush School again, where Chris Anderson’s wife teaches. Anyone who would like to read should schedule a time slot with her. In addition, she said the overall project is “One District, One Book,” in which each student in the Jamestown School District will receive the same book to read over a three-week period.
