March 29, 2005

                                                        Calendar of Events

 

Last Week:  Patty Rutland   “Wedding Cake History”

This Week: John Caldwell, cartoonist

Next Week: Anna Jane Abaray, Town of Ballston Library

 

Coming Up: April 15     Chili Supper for TOB

       April 26     Inter Club Dinner at the Woodlin Club

                                                               

Give suggestions for future programs to Rey Whetten or Linda LeTendre

 

Other Events Coming Up:

April 26     BOD & Chairs  @ 5PM

                April 26     Club Assembly 

 

Invocation:  Garry Morrow, Dan Stec or Bob Youmans              

Minute for Rotary: Len Porter

                                4/5/05 Bill Sewell

 

Engaging Cake Decorator Charms All

                Patty Rutland, undoubtedly the Capital District’s most  renown cake

decorator, both informed and entertained the membership at the Club’s March 22

meeting.  Tracing the history of the wedding cake from the Romans to modern

times while simultaneously conducting a volunteer cake decorating contest

between Stan Garrison and Dan Stec bordering on the hilarious, Patty

provided both interesting information and a fun-filled atmosphere.  Among the

things we learned:  Historically the wedding cake is a symbol of fertility and

abundance.  For 1500 years brides were pelted with fruits, nuts, and other less

positive things until in the 13th century laws were passed forbidding the throwing

of injuring-causing objects.               Meanwhile, Dan was thanking Stan for teaching him

how to squeeze the cake icing tube, and Stan commented that it was an “udder”

delight to do so.

 

                Patty is a cake decorator for the “stars”.  In addition to creating the cake

for the BH-BL 100th anniversary of Rotary party at SCCC, she made a cake replica

of the State Capitol Building for former Governor Mario Cuomo served to 400

people on the occasion of his retirement from office.  Other luminaries who have

used Patty’s cakes to highlight special events in their lives include Governor

George Pataki (twice) and our own Linda LeTendre’s wedding cake.  Patty said

that her average cake requires about 15 hours of effort, including 5-6 hours to

create the flower decorations.  She has spent as much as 60 hours on a single

cake.  She circulated an album picturing many of her cake designs.

 

                In addition to her cake decorating expertise, Patty is a nurse, a wild

animal protector, and the President-elect and Secretary of the Rotary Club of

Ballston Spa.  She clearly loves her work and her life, as is evidenced by her

outgoing personality and how often she laughs.  The cake decorating contest

was declared a draw since both efforts paled by comparison with the sample of

her work that Patty had brought for display.  Our guys’ efforts were boxed and

given to them, and everyone went home smiling more than before the meeting.

 

 

News Briefs

Rotary Foundation Contributions Reach $2,600

                Garry Morrow announced that the membership had contributed $2,600 so far to The Rotary Foundation as the Club moves towards its goal for the year. Our goal of $4,200 was established by a Rotary formula that called for using an average of $100 times the number of members you have in your club.  We had 42 members when our goal was established.  At that time it was recognized that not everyone has the same resources available, and that not everyone would believe that giving to The Rotary Foundation was a priority for their charitable giving. There was also a realization that in many cases generous Rotarians give more than $100, so that in the end an average of $100 could be achieved without expecting everyone to give.  True to that prediction, we have had generous club members, both new sustaining members and those who have already earned a Paul Harris, dig deeply into their pockets and give more than $100.  If you would like to give, Ken Crotty will give you a form and help you fill it out.  All you have to do is bring your checkbook.

 

Club to Participate in Charlton Parades

                The Board has approved the Club’s participation in the Charlton Founder’s Day Parade (June 5) and the Flag Day Parade (June 9).

 

Town of Ballston Proclaims 100th Anniversary of Rotary

                Bill Sewell reported that the Town of Ballston Board had issued a proclamation congratulating Rotary on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.  The proclamation was read at the beginning of a March hearing on the Town’s consideration of a development moratorium before a standing room only audience.

 

Mel Bartlett Scholarship Impact Noted

                President Steve read a letter from former BH-BL Rotary President Mel Bartlett’s widow describing what had happened to several of the former Schenectady County

Community College students pursuing careers as fire fighters who had received scholarships from our club in Mel’s memory.  For example, Mrs. Bartlett reported that the 1985 recipient was the only woman in the Clifton Park fire department and was currently the Fire Marshall for the organization.

               

Joint Meeting of Area Service Clubs Set for April 26

                The annual inter club meeting of area service clubs is set for Tuesday, April 26,

at the Woodlin Club.  The membership decided at the March 15 meeting also to hold our

                regular meeting at the Old Homestead that evening.  Members are free to attend either meeting.  Dinner at the joint club meeting will be $23 per person.  President Steve expressed the hope that our club be represented by at least 5-6 members.

 

 

                                                                WEBSITES:

                                        BHBL Rotary:   www.bhblrotary.org                                                                                                         District 7190:   www.capitalregionrotary.org

   District 7190:  www.capitalregionrotary.org