Northern Columbia County Rotary

Annual Haunted House

2011-10-23T19:35:00.010-04:00

We're holding our annual Haunted House fundraiser, so come and be scared if you DARE!!!

WHEN: SAT, OCTOBER 29th (last Saturday in October)
WHERE: Wenk Funeral Home (Payn Ave, Village of Chatham)
Click here for a map to the location.
6pm-7pm
Children & Chickens Hour
(lights on/no scaring)
$3.00 per person

7pm-10pm
Haunted House
$5.00 per person
children 12 & OVER

Red Cross Blood Drive

2011-08-08T17:25:00.003-04:00

Northern Columbia Rotary sponsors a Blood Drive in conjunction with the American Red Cross a few times a year at the Chatham Firehouse. NCC Rotary does this as a community service to help the Red Cross obtain much needed blood for use in our area. Our volunteers assist with calling donors to schedule appointments, signing in appointments and walk-ins on the day of the drive and running the canteen.

Date: Friday, 8/12/2011
Time: 12:30pm - 5:30pm
Where: Chatham Fire House
Contact Barbara for more information or to sign up: 392-9137 or email

Annual Golf Tournament

2011-06-10T10:16:00.005-04:00

When: Thursday, July 7, 2010
Where: Winding Brook Country Club / Rte. 203 Valatie
Registration begins at 9am / Shotgun at 10am

Cost per golfer: $100
The first 10 paid foursomes will be entered into a raffle to win $100
Payment must be received by June 17, 2011

Fee includes:

Greens Fee

Hole-in-One Contest

Golf Cart

Hors D'oeuvres

Beverages on Course

Lunch & Dinner

Cash bar available. Awards ceremony & raffle to follow dinner.

Contact Lynn Bell for more information: 392-9206

All tournament proceeds will be donated to local charities including: rescue squads, libraries, food pantries, Columbia-Greene Domestic Violence, R.I.D.E.S. Program, Marion Stegmann Fund, Salvation Army Summer Camp and many more. In addition, our Rotary club sponsors scholarships for area high school seniors, a Rotary Youth Leadership Program and the 3rd Grade Dictionary Project for the Chatham and New Lebanon school districts. Help us help YOUR community!

FORMS
Golf Letter
Golf Form
Sponsor Form

ShelterBox Responds to Japan Disaster

2011-03-11T15:22:00.003-05:00

ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide.

ShelterBox Response Teams have already mobilized after today's massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

The Northern Columbia Rotary Club asked for donations from our members, community, family and friends following the devatasting earthquake in Haiti. We successfully raised the $1000 needed for one of these boxes in a week. One ShelterBox will provide shelter for up to 10 people.

Please make a donation online, www.shelterbox.org, or send us a check:
Northern Columbia Rotary
PO Box 17
Chatham, NY 12037
memo: ShelterBox

Thank you.

ShelterBox USA

2011-03-09T21:55:00.003-05:00

ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide. The latest deployment of shelters boxes (in 2011) have included response to a cyclone in Madagascar and response to an earthquake in New Zealand. Northern Columbia County Rotary combined their efforts with the Rotary Clubs of Windham and Cairo, NY to raise funds to support ShelterBox #16041.
This ShelterBox can be tracked by logging in to www.shelterboxusa.org. By simply entering "USA" as country of origin and "16041" as box number, we can see when and where our ShelterBox will be deployed. Keep checking back often!

Water for Life provides clean drinking water for Haiti

2011-02-05T16:50:00.006-05:00

Roy Sheldrick and other members of the Rotary Club of Ancaster, Ontario, Canada, have spent 15 years helping to provide clean drinking water for 300,000 people in the Artibonite Valley of Haiti.

A year after a massive earthquake crippled the country, followed by a deadly cholera outbreak, their work in the region is more important than ever.

Sheldrick and his wife, Norma, founded Water for Life after taking part in a service trip to Haiti with their church in 1996. The nonprofit organization, supported by the Ancaster club and District 7090 (parts of Canada and New York, USA), drills wells to provide clean and accessible water in Haiti. To date, the project has raised more than US$1.5 million for 219 wells. It has also helped construct more than 350 latrines.

Congratulations on our new members

2011-02-05T16:31:00.003-05:00

Northern Columbia County Rotary welcomed three new members at our February 3rd luncheon meeting held at The Whitestone Cafe in Ghent, New York. Members Tracey Schober, Marisa Multari and Densy Dyer were all smiles upon receiving their Rotary membership pins.

Haunted House Fundraiser - Sat, 10/30

2010-10-26T17:20:00.008-04:00

It's that time of year again! Come and join us for our Haunted House fundraiser at the Wenk Funeral Home (Chatham, NY) on Saturday, October 30th for lots of fun and screams!

Proceeds benefit:
Northern Columbia County Rotary
Chatham High School Senior Class

Click here for directions to the Wenk Funeral Home.

Children & Chicken's Hour
6-7 pm
Lights on / no scaring
$3.00 per person

Haunted House
7-10 pm
NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12
$5.00 per person

Eva Chaitman - July 22nd Speaker

2010-07-16T16:27:00.003-04:00

Eva Chaitman will be speaking to our club on Thursday, July 22. Eva is an outgoing exchange student who will be departing for Spain in a couple of weeks. Her mother will also be joining us for lunch and is accepting our inbound exchange student, a young woman, from Austria.

Congratulations to our New Officers & Directors

2010-07-08T23:14:00.002-04:00

2010 - 11 Rotary Board
President: Laurie Quinn
President-Elect: Stark Jones
Past-President: Maria Lull
Vice-President: Lola Oberon
Treasurer: Lynn Bell
Secretary: Taitia Shelow

Directors
Barbara Barrie
Gail Blass-Wolczanski
Dominique DeVito
Steve Hadcock

Congratulations to our SAS Winners!

2010-06-12T12:22:00.007-04:00

The 2010 SAS Winners:
L-R: Thomas Cleland, ICC; Ashley Pulver, ICC; Club President, Maria Lull; Abriel Berninger, CCS; Maxwell Streeter, CCS; Molly Risko, NL; and SAS Chair, Carol Simmons.

The Northern Columbia County Rotary Club awards a Service Above Self Scholarship (SAS) every year to two seniors from each of the three school districts in our area (Chatham, Ichabod and New Lebanon).

The scholarship is given to students who have been performing beneficial community service work in their communities and plan on continuing this type of work. Candidates submit an essay of about 100 words describing what "Service Above Self" means to them.

Candidates are interviewed and chosen based on their community service and being a well-rounded student, not necessarily on grades. The amount of the award is $400 and can be used any way the winners see fit - books, transportation, college credits, etc.

Radio Rotary - April 23, 2010

2010-06-06T16:35:00.005-04:00

Missed it on the radio? You can listen to it on your computer! Just click here or on the radio and enjoy. NOTE: the file is large and your computer will need Windows MediaPlayer or another media player program to open the file.

4/23/2010 - Roger Risko, District 7210 Interact/Rotaract Advisor and Kathy White, BOCES

2010-11 Theme

2010-06-06T16:06:00.002-04:00

Welcome to Rotary

2010-06-06T15:51:00.009-04:00

Bill Gates Message to Rotarians

2010-04-15T15:11:00.001-04:00

Gates Message EN from Rotary International on Vimeo.

2010-03-07T19:11:00.003-05:00

Northern Columbia Rotary sponsors a bloodmobile in conjunction with the American Red Cross four times a year at the Chatham Firehouse. NCC Rotary does this as a community service to help the Red Cross obtain much needed blood for use in our area. Our volunteers assist with calling donors to schedule appointments, signing in appointments and walk-ins on the day of the drive and running the canteen.
Date: Friday, 4/16/2010
Time: 12:30pm - 6:30pm
Where: Chatham Fire House
Contact Gail for more information or to sign up: 392-3676 or email

Skateboard Donation for Local Skatepark Fundraiser

2010-03-07T18:37:00.002-05:00

The Rotary Club of Northern Columbia County is contributing a skateboard that celebrates Rotary to a local fundraiser benefitting a new skateboard park in Chatham, Columbia County. The skateboards will be auctioned off at an event March 27 at the Benenson Visitor’s Center at ArtOMI International in Ghent from 4-7 p.m.

The club’s artist, Gavin Shelow, is the son of club secretary Taitia Shelow, a Rotarian for 6 years. Gavin received the club’s Family of Rotary award in 2009, having participated in most of the club’s fundraisers and community service projects since his mom joined the club, plus volunteered for projects in his school and community. He received the Chatham Middle School’s award for community service and the Principal’s Award. Gavin is a freshman at Chatham High School.

Applebees - Benefit Polio Plus Campaign

2010-02-21T19:22:00.004-05:00

Going out for dinner this week? Dine at Applebees in Hudson and help our club with our Polio Plus Campaign!

Tuesday, February 23
6:00 P.M.
Applebees - 420 Fairview Avenue, Hudson, NY 12534

Click here, print a coupon to be presented to your server and Applebees will donate 10% of your check.

ShelterBox Update from Larry Palant

2010-02-03T15:33:00.001-05:00

Thousands of Haitians to move into ShelterBox tent city.
Soldiers from the US Military's 82nd Airborne Division helped unload ShelterBoxes in Port au Prince, Haiti. Thousands of people left homeless by the devastating Haiti earthquake are due to start moving into a camp with hundreds of ShelterBox tents this week. Situated near to the US Embassy in Port au Prince, the encampment, named Congress Camp, will house thousands of refugees from the centre of the city allowing them to stay close to their communities and carry on with their daily lives. ShelterBox’s Response Team (SRT) in Port au Prince has been working around the clock to help set up the camp with hundreds of disaster relief tents, each of which can house an extended family of up to 10 people. The team has worked closely with the French aid agency ACTED and IOM (International Organisation for Migration) to create the tent city which is also equipped with showers and latrines. John Leach, ShelterBox’s Head of Operations, said: ‘This is an urban camp which means people can carry on with their daily lives and won’t be forced to locations outside of Port au Prince. ‘We have a huge number of tents here which will provide shelter to thousands of people and give them a chance to start rebuilding their lives. But we also have tent encampments set up in several other locations in and around Port au Prince and thousands more ShelterBoxes on their way to the city.’

US Military SupportIn Delmas, a suburb of Port au Prince.
Work is continuing to provide emergency shelter to families with newborn babies and pregnant women. Additional tents have been set up with the help of the US Military’s 82nd Airborne Division. SRT member Mark Pearson (UK) said: ‘Forty additional ShelterBoxes were dropped here to replenish the camp and now more than 200 families are living in this camp. We could not operate without the full support of the US military and state department in this area.’ ShelterBox has also worked with the women’s charity V-Day in providing 40 ShelterBoxes to vulnerable women in Port au Prince. In addition, 50 ShelterBoxes have been given to the French association, Enfants de la Rue, to help house children caught up in the quake.

Meanwhile the aid operation from the UK continues. Another 1,800 ShelterBoxes are set to be flown from Stansted Airport, London to Santa Domingo, the Dominican Republic, on Friday, where they will be transported overland to Port au Prince. It will bring the total number of ShelterBoxes deployed in Haiti to more than 7,000 boxes, providing emergency shelter to more than 70,000 people. ShelterBox Founder and CEO, Tom Henderson, added: ‘None of this would have been possible without the fantastic fundraising efforts from ShelterBox supporters around the world. The need is huge but the response is matching it. 'I know our supporters will keep on going, keep on fundraising and keep on helping us make a difference.’

Our District has contributed $40,000 to date. More is still needed. If your club has not yet thought of contributing to ShelterBox USA, now is the time.
Thanks
Larry Palant
Rotary Club of Suffern
D7210 ShelterBox Representative

ShelterBox Update

2010-01-26T17:24:00.002-05:00

Thank you to all that have donated! You can see from this video that your donations are helping the people of Haiti right now.

Help Haiti with Shelter Boxes

2010-01-15T10:20:00.006-05:00

Northern Columbia County Rotary is raising money to send Shelter Boxes to the people of Haiti.
Each box provides housing and supplies for 10 adults. At a cost of $1000 per box a life can be saved for $10 if 100 people donate.
Click here for more info on the project - http://shelterbox.org/
Please help us help others by sending your donation to us or donating directly on the Shelter Box website.
Thank you.

Northern Columbia County Rotary
Shelter Box Project
PO Box 17
Chatham, NY 12037

Red Cross Information Session - 1/25

2010-01-06T08:27:00.002-05:00

As the New Year approaches we’d like to take a moment to thank you for being a part of the American Red Cross family and to invite you to an upcoming event in Columbia County. Without your time and energy, we wouldn't be able to make life better and safer in Columbia County. Over ninety percent of Red Cross programs and services in Columbia County are delivered by volunteers. Because of the work of the Northern Columbia Rotary, we are able to fulfill our life-saving mission. So, thank you for all you do for my community and for the American Red Cross of Northeastern New York.

After the ice storms of last year, a number of residents and organizations in the county have contacted the Red Cross to find out how they can help us prepare for, prevent and respond to local disasters. In response to these calls, we are holding a county-wide event on Monday, January 25th from 7 to 8:30 pm at the Ichabod Crane Middle School in Valatie, NY to inform residents about the many ways they can become involved with the Red Cross. So we’d like to invite you, your members and their friends, families, neighbors and co-workers to join us on January 25th to learn more about the many rewarding American Red Cross volunteer opportunities.

Best wishes for a Healthy and Happy New Year!

Mary Riley-Jacome
Americorps/VISTA
American Red Cross of Northeastern New York
33 Everett Road Albany, New York 12205(518) 458-8111 ext. 5150
Fax: (518) 459-8268

Salvation Army's Kids Christmas Party

2009-11-19T16:03:00.002-05:00

The Salvation Army's Kids Christmas Party will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12th from 2 to 4 at the Hudson Intermediate school (formally the Hudson Middle School). Captain April needs people to help set up and decorate the Cafe before the event, help run games and serve food during the event and of course everyone's favorite thing help cleaning up.

If anyone would like to help, please email April or visit their website www.salvationarmyhudson.org for more information.

Come and Be SCARED - if you DARE!

2009-10-19T08:54:00.003-04:00

It's that time of year again! Come and join us for our Haunted House fundraiser at the Wenk Funeral Home on Friday, October 30 and Saturday (Halloween night!), October 31 for lots of fun and screams!

Click here for more info....

Red Cross Blood Drive - 10/16/09

2009-09-30T19:19:00.003-04:00

Northern Columbia Rotary sponsors a bloodmobile in conjunction with the American Red Cross four times a year at the Chatham Firehouse. NCC Rotary does this as a community service to help the Red Cross obtain much needed blood for use in our area. Our volunteers assist with calling donors to schedule appointments, signing in appointments and walk-ins on the day of the drive and, also, running the canteen.

Date: 10/16/09
Time: 12 noon - 7 pm
Where: Chatham Fire House
Contact Gail for more information or to sign up: 392-3676 or email

Speaker (8/27/09) - 2009 RYLA Attendees

2009-08-31T10:47:00.005-04:00

On Thursday, 8/27, our speakers were two of the 2009 RYLA attendees. Melyssa Sweet from Icabod Crane was a member of the Creative Games group.

"RYLA was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity. I've never felt so comfortable and open with people I've only known for a few days." Her favorite activity at RYLA was My Two Cents. "We were divided up randomly in groups of 10 or so and sat in a circle on the floor. We were then given controversial topics to discuss... however even though the topics were very touchy and most people had strong opinions we had to disagree agreeably as we discussed each issue. Some of the topics included abortion, drinking ages and if they are appropriate, drug use, standardized testing, and then some not so important like whether Burger King was better than McDonalds. Everyone really seemed to get a lot out of it, and it was surprising how well everyone worked together and we all listened to what each other had to say even if we didn't agree. RYLA really and truly was one of the best experiences. I even find myself singing the RYLA cheer here and there or smiling at complete strangers in public places. It really has rubbed off on me."

Melyssa's friend, Greg Deso, dressed up as a game show host and members of the 2009 RYLA Creative Games group.

Speaker (8/20/09) - Bill Peak of Patriot Flight

2009-08-31T10:29:00.005-04:00

On Thursday, 8/20, our guest speaker was Bill Peak from Patriot Flight, who updated us on what’s happening before we presented him with a nice big check for $2,231.89. He has 93 veterans who want to travel to D.C. this year and we helped him send at least seven, so needless to say he was very happy!

Bill and his lovely wife, Laura, have become friends with our Rotary group and we look forward to having them come back with an update after the flight.

Red Cross Blood Drive - 8/14/09

2009-08-12T08:39:00.004-04:00

Northern Columbia Rotary sponsors a bloodmobile in conjunction with the American Red Cross four times a year at the Chatham Firehouse. NCC Rotary does this as a community service to help the Red Cross obtain much needed blood for use in our area. Our volunteers assist with calling donors to schedule appointments, signing in appointments and walk-ins on the day of the drive and, also, running the canteen.

Date: 08/14/09 Time: 12 noon - 7 pm
Where: Chatham Fire House
Contact Gail for more information
or to sign up: 392-3676

NCC Rotarians at Work

2009-07-26T16:16:00.009-04:00

The Northern Columbia County club was hard at work during the Old Austerlitz Blueberry Festival!

Volunteers included Laurie Quinn, Barbara Barrie, Lola Oberon and the Shelow Family (Taitia, Scott, Gavin & Dominick).

The volunteers were happy to receive ice cold water during the event and many commented on our new "Rotarians at Work" vests.

Special thanks again to ACE Hardware in Chatham for the water donation!

Old Austerlitz Blueberry Festival - Sun, 7/26

2009-07-23T19:33:00.004-04:00

NCC Rotary is volunteering for this event - come help your community!

The weather forecast for Sunday is HOT and HUMID, so our Rotary group will be handing out bottled water to the 150 volunteers at the Blueberry Festival. Special thanks to ACE Hardware in Chatham, NY for donating the bottled water - all six cases!

Click here for more information about the Blueberry Festival.

Eat for a Cause Fundraiser - Sat, 7/18

2009-07-13T12:50:00.002-04:00

NCC Rotary is volunteering for this event - come help your community!

Benefit Walk and Barbecue Cookoff
July 18th 2009

Walk begins at the Kinderhook Village Square from 9:00am-11:30am
Cook-off to be held at the Kinderhook Bank from 11:30am-2:00pm

Come one! Come all! Walk for Cameron!
Cameron Sitzer is a local two year old boy who's mother is battling terminal cancer. Please come and join us for a three mile walk/run and then come vote for your favorite barbecue to help raise funds towards Cameron's future educational expenses.

Prizes will be given the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in the walk/run and Barbecue Cook-off.
Come enjoy the fresh air and good food while joining your community to support a local family enduring hard times.

Click here for more information.

We Need Golfers!

2009-07-09T21:27:00.005-04:00

The 2009 Northern Columbia County golf tournament is Thursday, August 13th, at Winding Brook Country Club.

The cost per player is $100.00 and includes: lunch, greens fees, electric cart, Hole in One Contest, on course beverages, on course prizes, Hors D'oeuvres, cash bar and the dinner & awards ceremony.

For more information, please contact Lynn Bell at 392-9206 or Wanda McGrath at 392-0521.

New!!! Rotary Calendar

2009-07-09T18:35:00.006-04:00

NCCR now has a calendar to help us keep track of our meetings, speakers and events. You can click here to view it.

Please email any items for the calender to Laurie Quinn.

GSE (Group Study Exchange) - Taiwan 2010

2009-06-17T10:10:00.005-04:00

ROTARY SEEKS YOUNG ADULT PROFESSIONALS FOR GOODWILL EXCHANGE TO TAIWAN

Are you between the ages of 25 and 40?
Are you an outstanding local professional?
Would you like to learn about your profession in Taiwan?

Rotarians in the Hudson valley would like to sponsor four outstanding local professionals to visit Taiwan from February 20th to March 22, 2010 as part of the Group Study Exchange program of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

Group Study Exchange (GSE) is a unique vocational and cultural exchange for young professionals. Rotary Foundation provides travel grants for selected individuals to travel as a team to experience the host country’s culture, institutions, and observe how their vocations are practiced abroad. One goal of the GSE program is to promote international understanding and goodwill through person-to-person contact. While in the host country team members will stay in Rotarians’ homes, meet professional counterparts, partake in social and cultural exchanges, and serve as ambassadors of goodwill. Upon returning, each team member will be better prepared to work as a team both locally and globally, have increased leadership skills, increased self confidence and international friends for life.

People interested in applying should be between the ages of 25 and 40, employed full-time in a recognized business or profession, live in or be employed in Rotary District 7210 (Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Sullivan, Ulster, Dutchess, Greene, Columbia counties) and must not be a spouse, sibling, child or grandchild of a Rotarian.

For general program information: http://www.rotary.org/en/serviceandfellowship/fellowship/GroupStudyExchange

For an application or further information, please contact:
Heather Malcom, Chair, Rotary District 7210 Group Study Exchange
Email

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JULY 15, 2009

Austerlitz Historical Society Donation

2009-05-02T20:04:00.004-04:00

Our club presented its annual donation to the Austerlitz Historical Society. From left are club President Carol Simmons and Austerlitz Historical Society members Carl Quinn, Connie Mondel and Donna Petersen.

Red Cross Blood Drive - 4/17/09

2009-03-23T18:40:00.004-04:00

Northern Columbia Rotary sponsors a bloodmobile in conjunction with the American Red Cross four times a year at the Chatham Firehouse. NCC Rotary does this as a community service to help the Red Cross obtain much needed blood for use in our area. Our volunteers assist with calling donors to schedule appointments, signing in appointments and walk-ins on the day of the drive and, also, running the canteen.

Date: 04/17/09
Time: 12 noon - 7 pm
Where: Chatham Fire House
Contact Gail for more information or to sign up: 392-3676

Paul Harris Presentation - Walt Balfour

2009-03-23T09:34:00.013-04:00

Walt Balfour, one of our club’s founding members, received his Paul Harris +3 pin on 3/12/2009.

“I was very proud to present Walt Balfour with his Paul Harris +3 pin,” Club President Carol Simmons said. “When I think of Rotary, I think of Walt and when I think of Walt, I think of Rotary. He is one of the founding members of Northern Columbia and a Past-President. Walt exemplifies what a Rotarian should strive to become."

“He is always the first one to sign up for any club projects. Whether it is standing in the freezing cold ringing the Salvation Army bell or in the pouring rain selling apples, you will always find Walt there with his wife, Virginia, by his side."

“And Walt is not just involved in Rotary. He and Virginia are very active in their church and doing numerous other good deeds in the community. ‘Service Above Self’ is surely the motto that he lives by.”

Click here for more photos on Flickr.

Pig Roast Fundraiser

2009-03-03T19:30:00.005-05:00

When: Saturday, March 28
Time: 4 - 7 pm
Where: Ghent VFW

Come join us for food and fun and help Rotary raise money for the Patriot Flight project!

· Baked beans
· Corn bread
· Salads
· Dessert
· Beverages
· Cash Bar
· Music provided by the Ghent Band

Tickets are $25/person ($15 for children under 10)

Please RSVP with Wanda McGrath by calling (518)392-0521 or (518)828-0533
OR
click here to send Wanda an email.

2009-02-20T13:41:00.003-05:00

At a weekly Northern Columbia County Rotary meeting Rotary members had the privilege to hear speaker Bill Peaks tell how he established Patriot Flight, Inc. a hub of the National Honor Flight Network.

Patriot Flight, Inc. was established with one goal, to say "Thank you" to our World War ll Veterans for their service by flying them to Washington, D.C. to see the WWll National Monument at no cost to the Veteran. It hopes to continue its operation into the future and thanking all War Veterans by taking them to see all the National War Monuments at no cost.

Our membership was so moved by this wonderful idea we quickly decided NCC Rotary members wanted to help in any way we could. Patriot Flights biggest need is money. It costs on average $16,000 to get a each flight of Veterans off the ground and headed for Washington, D.C. It is also looking for WWll Veterans.

NCC Rotary board member, Maria Lull, offered to chair a committee that would find local Veterans and sponsor as many as we could. To accomplish this goal the committee members Maria Lull, Laurie Quinn, Maria Smirensky, Lola Oberon, Donna Bemiss and Wanda McGrath decided a fundraiser would help us raise the money to accomplish our goal. The pig roast idea was born.

Each member of the committee and all members supporting the committee are doing so for reasons of their own. We all as Rotarians strongly believe in "Service Above Self" and feel our Veterans have achieved this same belief by serving our country.

Maria Lull has a strong need to give back to Veterans because her father was in WWll. Wanda McGrath feels it is her obligation to thank all Military personnel including several uncles in WWll, one a POW survivor, for all they sacrificed to keep her safe. It is her belief all Veterans, like her friend Steve who was shot in Desert Storm, should be honored by a trip to the National Monuments and has joined Patriot Flight Inc. to insure this good work continues.

Building Bridges to Save Lives

2009-02-16T20:46:00.002-05:00

The Nithi River used to claim as many as 50 lives each year near the Kenyan villages of Kajuki and Mutino.

But a Matching Grant project carried out by the Rotary clubs of Meru, Kenya, and Middleton, Greater Manchester, England, helped fund a bridge that allows villagers to cross the river safely, transforming the economies of the villages in the process.

Before the bridge was constructed, Mutino villagers had to make a 30 mile roundtrip journey to cross the river at a safe point, making it difficult to reach Kajuki for supplies and medical services. Often in emergencies, villagers would try to ford the river, and many died as a result.

Click here to read more...

Hat auction nets $17,600

2009-02-16T20:42:00.002-05:00

A winning bid of US$17,600 was received for the hat that Bill Gates wore and autographed at Rotary’s 2009 International Assembly.

The signed baseball cap was sold on eBay through an auction that ended 12 February, with proceeds going to help support Rotary’s $200 Million Challenge for polio eradication.

Click here to read more...

You Are the Missing Piece

2009-02-16T20:14:00.004-05:00

February 5th Guest Speaker - Tracy Pitcher

2009-02-16T20:08:00.001-05:00

Tracy Pitcher is with the local chapter of American Cancer Society. She told us about the many services they provide for cancer patients, free of charge, including wigs, support groups, rides to treatment, and Look Good Feel Better gatherings. They work with people right at the Cavell Cancer Center in Hudson several times a month. Over 3,000 rides are given each year in this area, and they do need volunteers to drive cancer patients to appointments if anyone is interested. They work around volunteers’ schedules. For more information of how to volunteer or any of their services, visit the website www.cancer.org or call the local office in Loudonville toll free 1-800-725-3185.

Salvation Army Red Kettle

2008-11-26T11:37:00.006-05:00

It's that time of year again! Northern Columbia County Rotary members will be helping the Salvation Army with their "Red Kettle" fundraising efforts.

The traditional Salvation Army “Red Kettle” is an essential part of the Christmas season. The Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle goal this year in Hudson is to raise $45,000. Every penny of every dollar raised by our volunteer’s will remain here in Hudson and Columbia County; dollars working to serve our community.

Come and help us support our local community!

Date: Friday, December 19th

Location: Main St. - Chatham Business Alliance's Winterwalk

Date: Saturday, December 20th

Location: Main St. (Chatham - support our local merchants!)

Location: Price Chopper (Chatham Plaza)

American Red Cross Blood Drive

2008-11-19T18:30:00.002-05:00

I am pleased to announce that we (or the Red Cross) collected 49 whole blood and 18 double reds for a total of 85 pints at our Blood Drive on November 14th. Gail Blass-Wolczanski did another commendable job. This time of year it is very difficult to get donors out so I think we did very well. The Red Cross said we went over our quota. Thanks to everyone who donated and helped with the drive. Rotarians Gail Wolczanski, Laurie Quinn, Donna Bemiss, Lola Oberon, Walt Balfour (and his lovely, Virginia), Taitia Shelow, and Carol Simmons manned the sign in and the canteen. Another successful community service!

Red Cross Blood Drive - 11/14/08

2008-11-07T20:24:00.000-05:00

Our August 22nd blood drive was a success thanks to your participation. We collected 70 pints of whole blood and 10 double reds! We are looking forward to seeing you at our next drive in November.

Date: 11/14/08
Time: 12 noon - 7 pm
Where: Chatham Fire House
Contact Gail for more information or to sign up: 392-3676 or email

Haunted House

2008-11-07T17:16:00.005-05:00

WOW! Halloween Night was soooooo SPOOKY at the Wenk Funeral Home on Payn Ave. in Chatham. Northern Columbia County Rotary and the Senior Class of Chatham High School went "all out" to provide a very scary but entertaining Haunted House. Rotarians Laurie Quinn and Taitia Shelow planned and shopped and, along with their committee, transformed the funeral home into a house of horrors. Laurie and Carl Quinn, Taitia, Scott, Dominic and Gavin Shelow, Maria Smirensky, Maria Lull, Peter Wenk , Lauren Gerken, Wanda McGrath and son, James, Donna Bemiss, Lynn Bell, Walter and Virginia Balfour, Joe Lalka, Sara McWilliams, Gail Blass-Wolczanski and Steve Gilger all helped with set-up or clean-up or both. Chatham High Seniors are superior "scarers" and came up with many great ideas. After expenses, Northern Columbia Rotary Club will share profits with the Senior Class. We hope to make this a yearly event so "be prepared to be scared" next year!

Harvest Sale

2008-10-20T19:07:00.003-04:00

I, personally, would like to thank Wanda McGrath, the chairperson of the Harvest Sale, for all of her work. Wanda chaired the sale while moving to a new apartment the first weekend and starting a new job. That's DEDICATION and the Rotary spirit. The sale went very well; no disasters that I heard of. Also, thanks to Chuck Shattenkirk for hauling apples, getting cider and doughnuts and helping Wanda any way he could. The McWilliams' for getting doughnuts and cider the first weekend. I appreciate all of the members (and their family members) that gave of their time to work. I can't overlook Virginia Balfour - she made the best pies!!! We are a good club and can be proud of our accomplishments. Thank you!!!

Harvest Sale Fundraiser

2008-09-30T22:12:00.001-04:00

Our annual fall Harvest Sale will be held on the first two weekends in October, the 3, 4 and 5, and Oct. 10, 11, 12 and 13.

The Harvest Sale booth will be located at the Route 295 exit off the Taconic Parkway, in the Xtra Mart/Radio Shack plaza parking lot, and open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A variety of apples, as well as baked goods, cider, locally made honey and more will be sold.

The annual Harvest Sale is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. The funds enable us to lend support to more than a dozen community organizations, including four local food pantries, fire and rescue squads, libraries, historical societies and other non-profits.

We also awards scholarships to seniors from Chatham, Ichabod Crane and New Lebanon high schools each year, sends sophomores from each school to a leadership camp, and buys dictionaries for each third grader in those schools.

Please support our efforts and tell your friends!

Sighting - Chuck Shattenkirk

2008-09-25T15:47:00.003-04:00

Yes folks, it's true - Chuck Shattenkirk attended Rotary today and we have the picture to prove it!

Rotary Club of Cairo BENEFIT BREAKFAST

2008-09-25T15:32:00.003-04:00

The Rotary Club of Cairo is having a Benefit Breakfast for the "Make a Wish Foundation" on Sunday, September 28th from 8am - 1pm at Angela's on Route 32 in Catskill.

Pancakes, eggs, homefries, juice, bacon, sausage, pastries, fruit, toast, tea and coffee will be served.

$8 adult donation
$5 child donation

Speaker - Lisa Thomas of the Healthcare Consortium

2008-09-25T14:25:00.003-04:00

Did you know that there are 900 children in Columbia County that do NOT have health insurance? According to Lisa Thomas, Senior Program Director at The Healthcare Consortium, there is no reason why any child in Columbia County should be uninsured and they are out in the community daily trying to spread the information about the options available to families. "Unfortunately, there is a stigma attached to Medicaid." Lisa told our Rotary group. "People feel it is welfare, when really, it is healthcare."

The mission of The Healthcare Consortium is to increase access to quality health care through collaboration, education, information and service delivery. For more information about Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus or Medicaid, please call (518) 822-9600 or click here to visit their website.

Shop Til You Drop Fundraiser

2008-08-29T22:20:00.002-04:00

The Rotary Club of Northern Columbia County is sponsoring a bus trip to the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, NY, on Saturday, November 8th, for a day of shopping fun that will also benefit Rotary International’s efforts to eradicate polio worldwide.

The charter bus leaves at 8 a.m. from the First Niagara Bank at 16 Coleman Street in Chatham. There will be a second pick up in Catskill, at the parking area next to Thruway Exit 21, at 8:45 a.m. The bus should arrive at Woodbury Common between 10:15-10:30 am. Scheduled departure is 5 p.m.

Shoppers will have more than six hours to “shop ‘til they drop” at 220 OUTLET STORES and over 15 FOOD locations to choose from. Find impressive savings at Burberry, Coach, Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Gap Outlet, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, J.Crew, Jimmy Choo, Lacoste, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Polo Ralph Lauren, Prada, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Tod's, Tory Burch, Zegna and more. Click here to visit their website.

Cost of the trip is $60 and includes donuts and coffee for the trip down. Additionally, VIP Coupon booklets will be available upon arrival. Call Donna Bemiss at 518-392-8586 for reservations. Reservations must be made by October 15th.

The profit from the trip will be donated by The Northern Columbia Rotary Club to Rotary International’s polio eradication efforts. Rotary has been working towards the eradication of polio for 25 years, and after immunizing millions of children has almost reached the goal of complete eradication. In January of 2008, Rotary International received a challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in the amount of $100 million to aid its pursuit of a Polio Free World. Rotary clubs around the world have three years to collectively match the grant.

New Member - Lola Oberon

2008-07-26T08:59:00.003-04:00

Our newest member, Lola Oberon, was inducted into the club July 3, 2008.

Lola is a Chatham resident and works as a realtor for Country Gentleman Real Estate agency located at 14 Main Street in Chatham. Welcome Lola!

Golf Tournament - August 14th

2008-07-23T16:38:00.003-04:00

The Rotary Club of Northern Columbia County will hold its annual Golf Tournament on Thursday, August 14, at Winding Brook Country Club. Major Sponsors for the tournament are: Whitestone Café, Caro-Vail, Rosetti Chevrolet, Kinderhook Bank, The Kleeber Agency, Fairpoint Communications and Wenk Funeral Home. The tournament is a major fundraiser for the club, which lends support to four local food pantries, fire and rescue squads, libraries, historical societies and many more non-profits in our community.

Businesses interested in becoming sponsors for the Northern Columbia County Rotary Club’s golf tournament, or golfers who would like to sign up, please contact Lynn Bell at 392-9206 or email: success2000@taconic.net ; or Wanda McGrath at 392-0521 or by email: wandamc@fairpoint.net .Participants in the Rotary Club of Northern Columbia County's annual Golf Tournament on August 14 will have the chance to win a new Toyota courtesy of Kinderhook Toyota, if they get a hole in one on the 18th hole. From left: Wanda McGrath, tournament co-chair; Steve Gilger, club member; Lynn Bell, club treasurer and tournament chairperson; Donna Bemiss, past president, Dominic Shelow, son of club secretary Taitia Shelow; Carol Simmons, club president; Ed Habeck Jr., manager of Kinderhook Toyota.

Congratulations Stark Jones!

2008-07-22T20:25:00.007-04:00

Longtime Northern Columbia Rotarian Rev. Stark Jones, retired pastor of Valatie Presbyterian Church, was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow pin with a sapphire at a recent club meeting. Stark was already a Paul Harris fellow due to his generous contributions to the Rotary Foundation, which has made polio eradication its goal. The sapphire pin recognizes an additional $1,000 in donations made by Stark. In accepting the pin, Stark said that next to his church, the Rotary Foundation is the most worthwhile charity he knows of and he will continue supporting its efforts.

Awarding the pin was club Past President Donna Bemiss, left, and current President Carol Simmons.

Here's to a Great Year!!!

2008-07-16T18:14:00.004-04:00

I'm looking forward to this Rotary Year and all of the wonderful things we have planned. With all of your enthusiasm and cooperation I'm sure it will be a success. Thank you for your support.

Did You Know? Dictionary Program

2008-06-22T20:11:00.003-04:00

Each year, the Northern Columbia County Rotary Club provides a brand new dictionary for every third grader in each of the schools within our district (Chatham, New Lebanon and Ichabod). The students utilitze the dictionary both in the classroom and at home. The kids are so happy to receive the dictionaries; every time we deliver them it is a memorable experience for club members. We receive wonderful thank-you letters from the students as well!

Did You Know? Group Study Exchange Program

2008-06-18T17:23:00.007-04:00

Did you know that the Northern Columbia County Rotary Group offers a Group Study Exchange Progam for individuals who have been employed in their professional career for a minimum of two years and are between the ages of 25-40 ?

Participants in our Group Study Exchange (GSE) Program travel with a team, which is given travel grants to a specified area of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their own vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.
In a typical four-week tour, applicants participate in five full days of vocational visits, 15 to 20 club presentations, 10 to 15 formal visits and social events, two to three days at the district conference, three to four hours per day of cultural and site tours, and three to four hours per day of free time with host families.

For each team member, the Foundation provides the most economical round-trip airline ticket between the home and host countries. Rotarians in the host area provide for meals, lodging, and group travel within their district.

Interested? Please contact Carol Simmons for more information.

Service Above Self Scholarships

2008-06-18T17:00:00.003-04:00

The Northern Columbia County Rotary Club awards a Service Above Self Scholarship (SAS) every year to two seniors from each of the three school districts in our area.

2008 Winners
Chatham High School - Sabrina Williams & Rekem Joseph
Ichabod Crane High School - Tonnie Sauca & Allyssa Rice
New Lebanon High School - Michael Schmich & Chloe Lanzara

RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Award

2008-06-18T10:54:00.001-04:00

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotary's leadership training program for young people.

The RYLA candidates are selected based on their leadership skills and each candidate provides a 100-word essay with their definition of "Leadership." The candidates are interviewed by members of our Rotary group. Most have already taken leadership roles in their schools or communities through peer mediation, tutoring, camp counseling, karate instruction, sports and many more activities. The candidates attend a four-day leadership camp where they hear motivational speakers, participate in workshops and perform leadership-building activities.

The program is run by students who have already been through the program, which is one of the reasons it is very successful. Student instructors feel an ownership interest in what they are doing. This year, RYLA is taking place Sunday June 29th thru Thursday July 3rd at Mount St. Mary's College in Newburgh NY.

The following students were chosen to represent our Rotary club in 2008:

Chatham - Kayla Clark
Ichabod - Karyn Seymour
New Lebanon - Sara Magin & Molly Risko