Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Calendar of Events

Last Week, 3/14: Eagle Scout Eric Burgoyne & Tim Sinnenberg –

This Week, 3/21: Lon Pena – The Water Buffalo Story

Next Week, 3/28: Sean Philot – Ethics and Epidemics

Coming Up: 4/11 Tom Lopez – Jack Flanders Adventures

Invocation: George Bailey, Garry Morrow, Dan Stec or Bob Youmans

Suggestions for future programs may be given to Linda LeTendre

• Dan Stec Introduced District Governor Nominee Harriet Noble and her spouse Bob Flannery. Harriet is currently the President of the Champlain Canal Rotary Club and will serve as Governor of District 7190 in 2007/2008.

• Ron Serapilio introduced Steve Keena who is a prospective member of our Club.

• Linda Letendre introduced the speakers for the evening, Eric Bourgoyne and Tim Sinnenerg.

• Mark Gasparovic presented a fund raiser with proceeds to go to a clean water project in the developing world. All BH/BL Rotarians have the opportunity to participate by pledging a few pennies per mile for all of the miles Mark will ride his bike to Rotary functions this year. Last year he rode over 4000 miles. GO MARK!

· • Garry Morrow offered fractional ownerships in a personal water buffalo to support the Water Buffalo Project in achieving critical mass needed for a matching grant. The initial response was gratifying. Final results will be announced next week during the program presentation by Lon Penna.

· • Steve Caine thanked Dick Arthur for his Videotape of the Veteran’s day program led by Gerry Smallwood. A copy of this very moving video was given to the Smallwood family at Gerry’s memorial service and the whole family had the opportunity to see it while everyone was in town.

Program: BHRA Pavilion & Charlton Heights Magic Maze

Eric Burgoyne is a 17 year old Eagle Scout candidate who is also a member of the Burnt Hills Rowing Association (BHRA) boy’s varsity rowing team. As his Eagle project Eric launched a very ambitious project to fund and build a pavilion on the ground of the BHRA boat house campus. The building will be 24 by 50 feet in size and total cost is projected at $16,000. About $11, 650 of the required funding has been raised in a combination of cash and in kind donations. Much of the construction is complete with some finish work left to close up the space under the roof to keep the “critters” from nesting there.

Eric’s plan for raising cash involves selling shares in the project with each share acknowledged on a plaque and recognized at a shareholder’s dinner to be held completion. Businesses may buy one or more shares at $50 each. Personal shares are available at $25 each. A hand out was provided indicating how purchase shares. Copies will be available at tonight’s meeting for anyone who wishes to participate.

This reporter did some research on Eagle Scout projects and learned that this project is about 10 to 20 times larger in scope and duration than the typical project. Eric is a very confident and competent young man and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Tim Sinnenberg is the principal of the Charlton Heights Elementary School which is the site of a community playground built in 1990 that has passed its expected life and is in need of replacement. Many of our members remember BH/BL Rotary’s substantial participation in the original project. Safety specialists have determined that the footings are deteriorating, raising concerns for continued use of the playground. After considering costs and other factors, the committee chose replacement over renovation.

Leathers Associates, The Architects who designed the existing playground have worked with the students to design a new playground dubbed the “Magic Maze”. The architect’s plan was included in a handout that also provides the details of fund raising mechanisms. Volunteers are needed in large numbers for the construction phase which will occur June 13^th to 17^th. Bob Youmans has volunteered to coordinate BH/BL’s efforts with the playground committee and will be updating the club on a regular basis.

Reported by Garry Morrow