Reporting Meeting of October 1, 2007

(For distribution October 22, 2007)

Flags flying, sunny skies, and corn stalks swaying in the breeze greeted the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Rotary Club as they prepared to take on the amazing maize maze. After a brief orientation and some light humor by Chip Elms (E-I-E-I-O), we grabbed our multicolored flags and headed into the maze. Our groups scattered as we looked for pieces of the map, clues for word puzzle, and our way to Victory Lane. Relying solely on Margaret's keen eye and superior navigational skills, Peter and Len were the first Rotarians to make it out. On the bridge, they could see the many flags dispersed throughout the maze and the many groups searching for the way out. Geese were flying overhead and the sun was setting as Chip Elms went into the fray and rescued those Rotarians still determined to find answers to their puzzles and their way to Victory Lane.

We left the maze, exhausted, but exuberant over our success in solving our puzzles. We climbed on board for a hay ride with the ever faithful Bacon to keep us safe. Chip went through all the gears as we drove up the trail and into the woods. Bacon enjoyed our company until he saw Bambi, and his family, trespassing on the Elm’s farm. He was off the hayride and on the path of these trespassers in no time at all. We drove on to see Chip’s pumpkins dispersed throughout a field of Christmas trees. We were not sure what to make of it all but we smiled politely wondering what haunted times lay ahead for those celebrating Christmas at the Elm’s farm this year. He drove back to the barn area and watched as several Rotarians took off their shoes and bounced up and down on a giant pillow/trampoline. We said our pledge, sang, and prayed before a nice dinner with some wonderful apple cider and some delicious cider donuts.

After our meal, Ron reviewed the schedule of events for remainder of the month. October looks like a busy time for Rotary. Please see the e-mailed “Mark’s October Program Events Schedule at a Glance” for more details. We then had the opportunity to listen to Steve Kane talk about the trip to Russia he and his wife had just taken. He even had the chance to visit the St. Petersburg Rotary, making sure not to miss a night. Steve talked about the many international guests that were there and we learned about the different practices of the St. Petersburg Rotary. While there was no pledge, and no prayer, there were happy dollars or happy rubles. He talked about some of the projects the club was working on. He also talked about the problems of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the governments’ efforts to maintain control over these voluntary associations. This need for centralized control is making it difficult for Rotary to operate there due to the bureaucracy. In closing he mentioned what a wonderful experience he had and recommended it to all of us. Be sure to check on the exchange rate before you go! As a group, I think we were just pleased to have this fine pilot and his lovely wife home with us once again.

Bob Youmans talked about the Road and Town in Bloom gardens cleanups that will occur on October 27. People can meet at the Charlton General Store at 8:15am. We’ll then go to the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Library at 10am. There is the possibility of having lunch at Sam’s. Mary talked about her TIB work from last week and is offering a prize to anyone who could find all 13 chrysanthemums she and Gini planted. We were reminded about the Apple Pie Festival on November 6 and the Apple run on October 20. Ron talked about a successful fund raising program that helped to support the work of the Free Health Clinic in Schenectady. During happy dollars, many thanks were offered to Chip and Sally for an absolutely wonderful night, a little sympathy for Met fans, and a few Red Sox fans were discovered amongst us Yankees. Mark closed the evening with a story about a gun toting grandma and the importance of making the most of your senior moments.

Reported by Peter Sawyer