July 16, 2007

Reporting the meeting of July 9, 2007

This meeting, which marked officially the club’s decision to hold its regular meetings in the William E. Sewell Memorial Room, demonstrated concretely the validity of the oft-repeated club commitment to “honoring its past, taking pride in its present, and building for an outstanding future”. The meeting began with Gen Sewell’s sounding of the Rotary Bell and was followed by the first father and son member induction in club history, by appreciation for the Town of Ballston officials who welcomed the club’s use of the Sewell Room, by stories from the past from founding member Stan Garrison and others, and concluded with an announcement that the memorial plaque with the names of deceased Rotarians would be permanently displayed in the Town Hall.

Chip and Garth Ellms were inducted as club members by President Ron Serapilio and President-Elect Mark Gasparovic. Chip is a retired chemical engineer, who along with his wife, Sally, now owns and operates the Ellms Family Farm Christmas Tree and Corn Maze business. Chip’s community service includes board membership on the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce and the Burnt Hills Business and Professional Association. He is an officer of the Board of the Cornell University Extension Service. Garth is a BH-BL and HVCC graduate and

was captain of the soccer team at both schools. He graduated as a Business major from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI, where he also played varsity soccer. Garth is currently employed by AXA Financial in Clifton Park in the Retirement Benefits Group. His community service includes leading a fundraiser that garnered $2500 for St. Jude Hospital for Children.

President Ron welcomed Mary Wolfe, Shirley and Stan Garrison, Town of Ballston Supervisor Ray Callanan, and Town Council members Bob Boice, Jim Briaddy, Mary Beth Hynes, and Harold Townley. The Town Officials expressed their pleasure that the Sewell Room was being used by Rotary and for other community meetings. Shirley and Stan both reminisced about the early days of BH-BL Rotary. Shirley described her attendance at the club’s first “Ladies Night” in April, 1953. She said she was “highly pregnant” at the time, but Stan didn’t want to miss this special meeting. During the meeting it became apparent to her that her time had come. Stan rushed her to the hospital, and their daughter Laurie was born just after midnight. Stan regaled us with several Rotary stories, including one where a Rotarian fainted during a meeting. A physician member loosened his tie and another took off his shoes. When the Rotarian, who was a Christian Scientist, revived, Stan said that much to his chagrin “he had a doctor on one end and an undertaker on the other”. Harold Townley added reminiscence about his first visit to a BH-BL Rotary meeting as a teenager with his father, Wendell. When he shook hands with Rotarian Ross Cunningham, Ross suddenly fell to the floor. Everyone wondered what Harold had done to Ross, but Ross popped up and announced that he was just playing a joke on Harold.

As the meeting neared its end, Steve Caine displayed the Rotary Memorial plaque honoring 44 deceased Rotarians, which had been on view in the Ballston Town Library. Steve read an inscription on the back of the plaque which said, “This wood came from a cherry tree that grew in the lane of the Garrison farm. Many children over the years 1925-1960 waited for the school bus under this tree”. Steve read the names of the most current members listed: George Fridholm , Floyd Baker, Fritz Neumann, Gerald Smallwood, Bill Sewell and Jack Wolfe. The plaque will be on view at the Town Hall from now on.

President Ron ended the meeting with a clear focus on the present. He announced that club dues of $70 are due and are needed to meet current obligations.

Reported by Dick O’Rourke