Tarrytowns Rotary - Newsletter - Archive (May 4, 2009)

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

As we enter the merry month of May, let's be thankful for the April showers that are responsible for the blooming May flowers and let's be thankful for the perfect day we had for our second annual Duck Derby! While our feathered friends would have enjoyed more clouds and even a bit of cooling rain...the beautifully sunny and dry and hot Saturday brought out a terrific crowd to enjoy the Healthy Kids Day from the YMCA and watch the fast and furious duck races!

Thanks to all who participated, we will have a tally soon as to our success in fundraising.

The biggest thanks go to our beloved duck duo- the cute duck and the smart duck...can't recall which is which...doesn't matter because they were both cute and did a tremendous job being the faces,er, feathers of our event. Mimi and JoAnne would like to thank their families for their support and a big thank you to the ambulance corps for their help in keeping them cool between heats! Without the ambulance corps we would have had roasted duck!!

Congratulations to Chip! Special thanks to Bob Kimmel from The Hudson Independent for his fine play by play of the races! A fun time was had by all...can't wait for next year!

The Community Service Committee completed its job in distributing the fruits of last year's fundraising. The International Committee has selected the Rotary project preventing the spread of HIV from mothers to their unborn children as this year's recipient of our $1000 grant. The Breitbarth Committee has selected seven HS juniors to receive the Breitbarth Scholarship this year and we will celebrate the Breitbarth luncheon on June 10 at The Marriott. The first annual Bill Burnette Awards will be presented then as well.

Spring is finally here- Enjoy!

Rotarily,

Joe, your humble President

April found us preparing for the Duck Derby. We did hear from Ted Nadratowski, NY State Thruway Authority, who explained the next phase of the Tappan Zee Bridge construction. Hopefully this round will not bring the gridlock to Tarrytown roads we experienced last year. Nor the long delays for commuters who take the bridge daily. David Cartenuto has been named to the Board of Directors, replacing Carol Gibney's position. Steve Byelick reported our profit from the Wine & Jazz at $15,000 to date and presented many thank you gifts to those who helped with the event. The club was also represented on Third Friday, selling ducks while our "live ducks" did a meet and greet on Main Street. It was a beautiful evening and many children and adults enjoyed taking their pictures with our celebrities. Of course we closed our month with the Duck Derby during a record heat wave. Carol Gibney was on hand to help us during for the event and it was wonderful to see her. It was also great John Belluardo had his display tent setup next to us so we could get some relief! And finally a welcome to another new member, Soledad Robillo

Breitbarth Update - The committee met and awarded this years scholarships. Winners will be announced at a future meeting and listed on our website. The award luncheon will be June 10, 2009 at the Marriott in one of the ballrooms. Please arrive on time, this luncheon will take place during our normal club meeting.

International Committee - After reviewing several applications, the committee unanimously agreed to award $1,000 to the Rotary Mother-Baby AIDS Project. This is a District project which qualifies for a matching grant. The Mother-Baby AIDS Project is working in the Dominican Republic to help HIV+ women deliver AIDS free babies. Should anyone want more information on this project, please see any of the committee members.

A big thank you to our sponsors, The Hudson Independent, Mahopac National Bank, Hitachi, Tarrytown Honda, Allan Block Insurance Agency and INC Printing & Graphics Corp. Their help allowed us to make this a bigger and better event! And don't forget we held this event in collaboration with the Tarrytown Family YMCA's Healthy Kids Day. Our two groups combining efforts is what makes this an extraordinary family day! Not even the record heat could stop everyone from working together to make this such a success. Nor JoAnne and Mimi from staying in costume! And what a surprise to have three from our own club in the final heat. And have our own Chip Wagner win!!!

Following is an update on our committees. If you haven't signed up for one, please see Joe or any of the chairs.

Members: Dave Cartenuto, Janet Byelick, Jerry Barbelet, Stan Biloon, John Keels, Mimi Godwin, Andres Valdespino

Members: Joyce Stanton, Galina Pendill, Margaret Black, Norbert Fluhler, Jim McGough, Len Andrew