Stories

Birthdays and Milestones

Member Birthday

Bernie Spirito, November 14th

Nathan Skrocki, November 15th

John Perez, November 28th

Michael Kelley, November 30th

Anniversaries

Jack & Elizabeth Toner, November 15th

Joined Rotary Anniversaries

Bert Carter- 7 years

VIRTUAL ROTARY MEETINGS

Please join us this Friday, November 20th at 12:30pm

Our speak this week is Neal Freyman Managing Editor of Morning Brew.

To join the zoom meeting please use the link below

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4839941111

Meeting ID: 483 994 1111

By phone: 1-929-205-6099

We hope you can attend!

WHERE TO EAT IN THE PIONEER VALLEY

Are you looking for dinner without the hassle of cooking and cleaning dishes?

Check out the link below to see what local restaurants in your area have on the menu for take out and who is open for indoor/ outdoor dining.

https://keepthevalleyrolling.com/single-category/food-drink/

Please remember to be safe and follow CDC guidelines.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW

2020-2021 BOARD OFFICERS AND MEMBERS

4TH OF JULY

REMINDER!

We will not be having a meeting on July 3rd in observance of the 4th of July.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July Celebration!

Reopening Massachusetts: Info for Businesses

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Four-Phase Approach to Reopening and Publishes Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards: New standards will apply to all workplaces when phased reopening begins

Governor Baker announced a four-phase approach to reopening the Massachusetts economy amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and published Mandatory Workplace Safety Standards that will apply across all sectors and industries once reopening begins.The goal of the phased reopening, based on public health guidance, is to methodically allow certain businesses, services, and activities to resume, while protecting public health and limiting a resurgence of new COVID-19 cases.

Phase 1 will be “Start:” limited industries resume operations with severe restrictions
Phase 2 will be “Cautious:” additional industries resume operations with restrictions and capacity limits
Phase 3 will be “Vigilant:” additional industries resume operations with guidance
Phase 4 will be the “New Normal:” development of vaccine and/or therapy enables resumption of new normal

CLICK HERE for more information about the four-phased reopening approach.

CLICK HERE for today’s presentation from the Reopening Advisory Board.

LINK TO CDC's GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESSES ---> https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/businesses-employers.html

Paul Harris Annual Event and Recognition

While the actual banquet and celebration may be postponed to the Fall, we will still be awarding grants to local non-profits this summer. The review committee will soon be accepting applications and reviewing them over the months of May-June.

Brief Background

The Paul Harris Fellowship is named for Paul Harris, who founded Rotary over 100 years ago. The Fellowship was established in his honor in 1957 to express appreciation and recognition for a contribution of US $1000 to the Rotary Foundation, whether by an individual or on behalf of an individual. Every Paul Harris Fellow receives a pin, medallion and a certificate when he or she becomes a Fellow. This identifies the Paul Harris Fellow as an advocate of the Foundation's goals of world peace and international understanding. While it is an honor to receive a Paul Harris Fellow, it's not about the recognition; it's about what we can do in the World as Rotarians and as members of the Community.

LAST WEEK'S SPEAKER

PETER ROSSKOTHEN

Owner, Delaney House & Log Cabin

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Meetings cancelled until April 17. See President's message for additional details.

FROM THE ROTARY DISTRICT GOVERNOR

On behalf of District Governor Mark Brady:

Dear 7890 Rotarians,

As your District Governor, and in consideration of all the antivirus measures being taken, it is my duty to inform you that all gatherings large or small are now deemed risky business. Mark Maloney has said so in an email and “given us all permission to suspend in person Rotary meetings and events.”
I hereby am giving you permission to do this in 7890.

Let’s keep up what we can by electronic methods so things don’t get out of hand in our projects and future planning. Be sure to notify your scheduled speakers, venues, vendors, etc. I’m sure all will not only understand but support you in erring on the side of safety.

Let’s do this for 30 days, and reevaluate then. This thing may balloon, stay steady, or just die down by then. We’ll never know if all these measures helped the cause of safety, but we can and need to be able to say “we did the best we could.”

Many of our number are over 60, some magic line, and will not it seems tolerate this well.

People quarantined can get food, etc. dropped at their doors by Peapod, and the same with casseroles etc by members. Presidents, form calling trees to find out every member's or prospective member's status. This will be your main job to help watch over your Rotary Family in the time of need.

This can be turned into a positive this way. Nothing is ever all bad, if your eyes and heart are open.

In Rotary Service,

Thank you,

DG Mark

PERSONAL PREVENTION TIPS

Many of the things you do to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect you against other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19:

Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Clean things that are frequently touched (like doorknobs and countertops) with household cleaning spray or wipes.
Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Use a tissue or your inner elbow, not your hands.

DPH Public Health Advisory: Stay-at-Home Advisory

This DPH Public Health Advisory is issued to provide guidance regarding Stay-at-Home and Safe Practices. The purpose is to take strong action to reduce the potential exposure to COVID-19 to those instances for basic food, health and well-being and for the provision of our essential services. Everyone in Massachusetts has an important role to play to slow the transmission of this virus. Every instance of potential exposure that can be eliminated is an important step for that individual and for our community.

SPRINGFIELD ROTARY NIGHT

JOIN US AT THE THUNDERBIRDS HOCKEY GAME!

March 13th @ 7PM

Tickets cost $20 and $5 will be donated to our Rotary Club.

The Gray House 29th Annual Spaghetti Supper

For the past 28 consecutive years, The Gray House has held its Spaghetti Supper which accounts for nearly 10% of the agency’s annual budget and is essential to our operations. Due to COVID-19, The Gray House and the Greek Cultural Center have mutually decided not to hold the event. Instead, we’re hosting a “No Show” Spaghetti Supper!

They recognize that it would be irresponsible to host a gathering of over 400 people, many of whom are vulnerable. However, the need for their services isn’t slowing down. The people most impacted by this pandemic are the vulnerable individuals they serve on a regular basis who need their help more than ever. We are anticipating increased demand for our services, especially in terms of food assistance, due to the economic implications.

In order to ensure they can continue to meet the needs of our neighbors, we hope you’ll participate in their “No Show” Spaghetti Supper! Buy entry tickets but don’t show up! You can make your own spaghetti dinner at home and tune into their Facebook page on Thursday, 3/26! Raffle winners will be drawn via Facebook Live at 5:45pm. Throughout the week leading up to the “event” they will be posting about prizes, recognizing sponsors, donors and sharing the best sauce recipes!

Please consider making a donation for your “ticket” or purchasing raffle tickets. Checks can also be sent to 22 Sheldon Street, Springfield and made payable to 'The Gray House'. Please specify if you would like to buy raffle tickets with your check or if it is a donation. Please share this information with your network to help raise money for our neighbors in need. Spread the word, not the germs!
On behalf of The Gray House, thank you very much.
Sue

WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS

We are happy to welcome Nathan Skrocki and Keri Davidson-Bravman from the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) to the Rotary Club of Springfield! They were inducted on December 6, 2019.

Their inductions were announced in the news on The Republican and BusinessWest!

LINK TO BUSINESSWEST ARTICLE

TIME TO CELEBRATE

JOIN US FRIDAY 12/13 FOR A SPECIAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATION!

We will have a Special Guest this Friday (shhhh...its SANTA!). If you have young ones, contact John Perez (john.perez@consiliumopis.com) about having a gift ready for Santa to give to the kids.

FRIEND OF THE HOMELESS

Mark your Calendar for the First Thursday's of the Month!

If you can help out, please email Mike Rzepka at mrzepka@dowd.com or by text at 413-531-4104. Thank you!

SERVICE ABOVE SELF TICKETS & SPONSORSHIPS

THIS FRIDAY!

Tickets, sponsorship opportunities and program book ads are now available for the 2019 Service Above Self Luncheon.

The event takes place at Center Court of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame at noon on Friday, November 22, 2019.

CLICK LOGO TO PURCHASE:>>>>>>

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

This year we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Rotary Club of Springfield MA's Service Above Self Lunch, Friday, November 22, at 12:00 pm at the Basketball Hall of Fame. We are looking for volunteers to cover the check-in table, to greet at the door, and to distribute literature to the tables. Please arrive at the Basketball Hall of Fame by 11:00 am. Please wear any branded Rotary attire that you may own at the event. Also, please wear your name tags.

Jack, Rick, and Dene have come forward to volunteer, but we need 6 more members. If you could help, please contact John Perez at john.perez@consiliumopis.com

NEW MEMBER INDUCTION

WE RECENTLY WELCOMED A NEW MEMBER!

Claudine Wega

IN THE NEWS

Allen Grosnick's photo and update was recently published in The Republican on October 13th. Allen recently went on a ski trip to Chile. He has been cancer free for seven years.

Way to go Allen!!

PHOTOS FROM LAST WEEK'S MEETING

FREE SHREDDING EVENT

ROTARY BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES

We love to celebrate our fellow Rotarians!

August Birthday’s: Gillian Palmer, 8/28

August Anniversary’s: Valerie Dulude, 18 yrs 8/2/01; Samalid Hogan, 3 yrs 8/5/16; Dee Rogers-Tonge, 3 yrs 8/5/16; Alisa Garanzha, 3 yrs 8/12/16; Jack Toner, 8 yrs 8/26/11

BULLETIN SPONSOR

Sumner & Toner Insurance has been serving clients in Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Vermont, and Rhode Island for over 67 years. We have offices located in Longmeadow and Needham Massachusetts. We represent our clients for their Personal, Business, and Professional Insurance needs.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://www.sumnertoner.com/

REMINDERS

Please bring any sold raffle tickets to the meetings and give them to Bert.

Club assembly is scheduled for March 20, 2020.

CONGRATULATIONS TO MIKE TARBY

PIP in East Longmeadow recently received a Top 10 Sales Volume award recognizing the business as one of the top ten in the entire PIP franchise network. The award is based on 2018 annual sales revenue and was announced at the annual PIP Convention, held July 17-20 at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio in Texas. PIP in East Longmeadow is owned by Michael & Vicki Tarby and Bob & Claudia Pelzek.

“Our top 10 franchisees are innovators who set an example of excellence for the entire network. They adopt new products and services to consistently fulfill their customers’ needs and they deliver exceptional customer service. I congratulate Michael, Vicki, Bob, and Claudia for this outstanding achievement,” said Richard Lowe, president and COO of Franchise Services, Inc., parent company of PIP.

DISTRICT BASEBALL OUTING

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets!

Saturday, August 24th

Dunkin' Donuts Stadium

Gates Open at 4:30 PM, Game starts at 6:05 PM ~ Field Box Seats are $15

· ($5 of every ticket will go to Rotary's Polio Eradication efforts - your $5 will be matched 2 to 1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation growing to $15.)

Bring yourself, family and friends! Fabulous Fireworks right after the game

MAY SPONSOR: MIRACLE MARC FOUNDATION

Posted by Giselle Vizcarrondo

Drowning is the 2nd leading Cause accidental death in children under the age of 5. This hits home for me as my son Marc was pulled lifeless from a pool on his first day of camp. After twenty-five minutes he was resuscitated and rushed to the hospital. He miraculously survived. He is now living with brain damage as a result of the non-fatal drowning. It was so painful to know that my son will never be the same and I promised myself that this should not happen to any other child again. So, I started the Miracle Marc Foundation.

Its goal is to raise awareness about water safety, provide support to families to access swimming lessons, and most importantly, advocate for change of legislation and policy. Our mandate will be that, “the rates in child drowning decrease in the next decade.” We can do this! It all starts at home in our community. We do this by providing scholarships for children to attend free private swimming lessons. On November 1st, 2018 the first class of Miracle Marc swimmers started lessons with Water Wonders Swim School. Families can apply and learn more by going to our website http://www.miraclemarcfoundation.org.

BENEFIT FOR THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

MARCH CALENDAR RAFFLE

Thank you to everyone who participated in the raffle. We raised over $5,000 for our Service Fund and couldn’t have done it without everyone’s help and support. A big “thank you” to PIP Printing for the wonderful (and quick) job they did. Thank you again!

ROTARY FOUNDATION

We have had a great start to our 2018 Foundation Drive! Thank you to Al Gay, Mike Cooley, Steve Jablonski, Sue Mastroianni, Seth Tenenbaum, Dene Kimball and Peter Pappas for their gifts. The Rotary Foundation recently released their Annual Report. Currently, 92% of the funds received are used to make a difference in the lives of others. We were reminded by the passing of President George HW Bush, the importance of our global citizenship, not just our American citizenship. As we put on the Rotary Foundations oars, we embodying this value.

Dee Rogers-Tonge Honored

Congratulations to our own Dee Rodgers-Tonge, chair of the Undergraduate Accounting department and assistant professor of Accounting at Bay Path University, who has been selected to receive an African American Female Professor Award (AAFPA). This award was presented to Dee at the AAFPA Celebration on Thursday, Sept. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Griswold Theater at American International College in Springfield. To read the full article: https://businesswest.com/blog/bay-paths-decorti-rodgers-tonge-to-receive-african-american-female-professor-award/

Our September Sponsor: THE BIG E!

Eastern States Exposition, Home of The Big E, celebrating 102 years of fun! Join us for the largest fair in New England from September 14 – 30, 2018 for energizing entertainment, fantastic food, sensational shopping and so much more! For more information, visit our website at http://www.TheBigE.com.

HELP THE GRAY HOUSE “FILL THE PLATE”

UPDATE: Attractive new premium for donors to The Gray House “Fill the Plate, Feed a Family Challenge,” which runs from now through Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018. The first 100 donors of $25 or more will be entered to win two tickets the Sept 30 3:05 PM Red Sox/Yankees game at Fenway Park!

GRAY HOUSE DIRECTOR TO SPEAK

Editor's Note: The speaker we had scheduled for Friday, Charlie Scott “Veteran’s Committee” Electee this year, is unable to join us this Thursday. Our luncheon speaker this week will be Teresa Liberti, Executive Director at The Gray House. Teresa joined the Gray House as ED in July of 2016 after seven years of volunteering there. Says Teresa, “I was so impressed after volunteering there by the people and services of The Gray House. It is a true community program in every sense. I am proud to be a part of the organization and work alongside our dedicated staff and volunteers to further the mission of The Gray House.” The Gray House has recently hired and revamped their Adult Education program which Teresa will talk about as well as their “Fill the Plate-Feed a Family” challenge currently going on this month.

MEETING MOVED TO THURSDAY

This week's Rotary meeting will be held on Thursday, Sept 6th (instead of our usual Friday). Max's asked if we would switch "as a favor" due to a conflict they have with Enshrinement on Friday. How could we say no? Meeting will be the same time (12:15pm-1:30PM) same place (MassMutual room).

Please share this change with fellow Rotarians you see or speak with during the week.