Reporting Meeting of 13 Aug 2007

(For Distribution 20 August 2007)

· George Bailey delivered another of his wonderful invocations. Bob Youmans led Home on the Range (We are actually hearing some harmony.)

· President Ron thanked Clarence Linder, Linda LeTendre, Sandra Kominoski and Doc Garrison for supplying and preparing the annual chicken BBQ. .

· He also thanked Don Marshall, Executive Director of the Charlton School, for use of the facility and recognized Tom Santaski, the school’s Event Coordinator.

· We were fortunate to have 11 spouses attend. Visiting Rotarian and special guest Don Keesler was introduced. As many know, Don’s father, Walter, was a club member, a past president and a district chairman. The Keeslers have been keen supporters of the Paul Harris Fellowship Program.

· President Elect Mark Gasparovic collected happy dollars and deftly told a quality groaner..-- ”send the bill to my brother in law.” He also read a note from the Ballston Lake Ambulance Service, thanking the club for a donation we gave with Happy Dollar funds, and money Mark contributed. (a thank you for their help when Mark was hit)

· Ken Crotty announced we need one more player for his Gift of Life foursome.

13 Aug Program – Alpacas – Amy Crane

Amy Crane, with the able assistance of her daughter Rachel, presented an interesting and factual program covering all aspects of the Alpaca. She brought four animals to the Charlton School, so we got a very close look at the gentle looking creatures. Amy has been raising Alpacas at her Charlton “Full Circle Farm” www.fullcirclefarmalpacas.com for the past five years with the assistance of her four home-schooled children and husband. Amy told us that there are two breads of Alpacas, Huacaya and Suri. 95% of the world’s alpaca population is Huacaya. The major difference is their fiber. Alpacas are raised for their fleece, which is very light, fine, durable, soft, warm and expensive. They are shorn once a year.

The Alpaca is a partially domesticated animal native to the Andes Mountains in South America. It is a member of the camelid family which also includes domesticated South American Ilamas (used as pack animals where the Alpaca is used for its fleece) and true camels of Asia. Amy also shared the following facts: life span 15-25 years, average height 32-37” at shoulders, average weight 150-190 lbs., average gestation 335 days, average birth weight 10-15 lbs, colors 22 basic plus blends, and average annual fiber yield 5-10 lbs. Amy said fleece sells about $3/oz. She also shared with us interesting facts about the animals gentle nature, its social patterns, what it eats , and the extent to which the breed is expanding in the United States. To date, because of bio-security and the animal’s safety, it is only shown in purely Alpaca associated venues. Amy has kindly donated two Alpaca to the Charlton School for its therapeutic animal program.

27 Aug Program Preview: I-87, Exit 6 Bridge and Interchange

Dan Moore of the NYSDOT will be presenting a program on the project to build a new bridge and interchange at Exit 6 on I-87. His presentation will deal with project objectives, the various elements that make up the project and the impact it should have on the surrounding area. Dan has provided the following website if anyone is interesting in getting some background information before the presentation. www.nysdot.gov/portal/page/regional-offices/region1/projects/i87-exit6/i87-exit6 .

Dan was born in the local area, grew up in Alplaus and now lives in Altamont. He is a graduate of Union College with a BS in Civil Engineering in 1991. He joined NYSDOT in 1992. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in NYS and for the last 16+ years worked as a designer and project manager for highway and bridge projects. He has specialized in Interstate work and other complex projects.

This could not be a more timely presentation when you consider how much our national infrastructure has recently been in the news. Please come, you ‘all.

Reported by Steve Caine