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Bulletin Editor
Jeff Markarian
(If you have any comments or questions, please contact the editor)
Upcoming Events
Regular Meeting May 2 - Dawn Mirand Ken Ton Superintendant
Jovi's
May 02, 2016
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
 
Wine Tasting and Basket Auction
May 11, 2016
6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
 
Sponsors

Markarian Rugs

Amigone Funeral Home, Inc.

Elmlawn Cemetary

Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
Sage
Stories
The Ken April 25
Attendance: Susan Jandzinsk
Split Club: Michaelene Bernat
Invocation: Tim Glor
Fine Master: Larry Coon
The Ken: Jeff Markarian

The Ken April 25

Paul started our meeting right on time. Bryden led us in singing “God Bless America”. Tim Glor gave the invocation.

Visitors were Joe Alber from Buffalo and Joe Kane from Clarence. Tim Grant was a guest of Gary Roberts.

Announcements were from Eddie, thanking me and Gretchen for hosting the gift gathering party. It is always wonderful to see you all outside our normal venue. Ed is pitching the full court press for our Wine Tasting Event May 11. We need a push in all capacities: sponsors, baskets, and attendance. Paul reminded us that we can drop off the baskets at his office, 3849 Delaware Ave. He also is stressing the need for baskets. We have 11 now and need 40 total.

Joe Albers let us know that there is a Rotary Leadership training Assembly in Niagara Falls, NY May 7. The cost is $45 per Rotarian. Joe said usually the club pays for it, however Art choked and Paul followed up with “if you want to go, let him know and he’ll see what he can do”. Somehow I got the feeling that the issue has yet to be determined. Nevertheless it is a valuable event. Pat and Larry are in. I would go just to hang out with those guys but Retail Saturday keeps me grounded. All are welcome to attend and learn all aspects of Rotary. Register on our districts website www.rotary7090.org. Mike Ford announced that Elderwood is having Chefs food truck on the campus 4459 Bailey Ave. Wednesday 4/27 from 5:00- 7:00. Oops, that was yesterday. Sorry Mike.

Larry was our Finemaster and heard several confessions. Dick Hanaburgh and his lovely wife gave birth to their first child Niamh. Congratulations Hanaburgh’s. Bryden flew home from Phoenix. They had to stop over in Baltimore. When Bryden boarded the plane he realized he got the pilots discount at the food counter. Can I borrow you Salvation Army shirt next time I fly? He also saw Rex Ryan’s brot

her Rob on his flight. Michaelene Bernat was also traveling. They were in Tucson then to Maryland to watch her daughter get another academic achievement award. Larry fined himself for eating the entire week end on the Rotary dime. Larry and Char were in Canada for the Slap Shot retreat week end. They had a great time and I’m sure Rotary would gladly feed you and Char for all you do to engage the young future Rotarians. With that Larry had some fun with Rotary trivia.

The split Club was won by Jim Prichard and Michaelene missed on the chance for the Ace.

Paul introduced our speaker Rebecca Poynton. Rebecca is VP of marketing for Veraview. Veraview is a 16 year old company. They are comprised of engineers and developers. Veraview puts the proper technology in the right space. To learn more please visit their website at www.veraview.com

Meeting adjourned
The Ken April 18
Posted by Jeff Markarian
Split Club: Tim Glor
Attendance: Barb Henry
Finemaster: Larry Coon
Invocation: Tim Glor
The Ken – April 18, 2016
Paul started our meeting promptly after Jovi’s wonderful taco lunch. Bryden led us in signing God Bless America. Tim followed with a prayer. However, it was difficult for me to focus. Brian Ahern gave me a piping hot loaf of spouted purple barley sourdough bread with flax, pumpkin and sesame seeds. Thank you Brian. I will be your Ginny pig any time.
 A very enthusiastic announcement was made by Scott Mason. He was real happy with the help he got from you Rotarians on Shred It. And the results showed it. Scott figures we made a profit of $7500. He gave a huge shout out to Barb Henry for coming up with the idea. And I must confess I was suspicious myself. Scott challenged the Wine Event for another great success. Scott wanted to give special thanks to Jim Prichard, Brian Ahern for the print outs and the social media blasts. Donna D. for her emails and to John Coogan, Paul Chisolm, Joe Arcara, Rick Graham, Larry Coon and I couldn’t keep up with all else he was thankful for. PS Eddie accepted the throw down.
Larry Coon asked for help getting the Slap Shot kids to their retreat just outside of Hamilton. I believe it was 2 kids and you need to leave around 2:00.
Larry was the fine master and took many confessions. Rick Graham won a basket at Watson’s grand opening. He will re gift it for the wine event. Holly confessed that she had a great time at Shred It. Ron Levea’s friend showed up the wrong day to help with Shred It. Pat predicted Cubs – Red Sox World Series. With that Bryden taunted that he will be going to Phoenix on vacation and is going to the Razorback / Pirates game. John Coogan had a Trump tie on. Joe Starck couldn’t make Shred It so he donated $5 to the Wine Event (go figure).  Larry continued with Music Trivia and raised lots of money.
Brian Ahern won the Split Club, Gary lost on the chance at the Ace of Spades. Gary sold the last few numbers of the Armenian Raffle so we could have the drawing. New member to be Damon Piatek won.
Paul welcomed Shari McDonough back. For those that are new to our club, Shari is a Kenmore Rotarian. She has been instrumental in getting our largest Fund Raiser, The Wine Tasting Event, to the level we are at now. She is a remarkable leader who is now using her talents to help the Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo. Kenmore Rotary supports this club. The Boys and Girls Club of Buffalo started by Buffalo Rotary in 1926. In 1986 they started to let Girls in. The Boys and Girls Clubs are a safe place to learn and grow – all while having fun. It is the place where great futures are started each and every day. Their P&L showed a negative $308,141 when Shari started almost a year ago. To this date they are positive $91,777. Great job.
Thank you for sharing with us today Shari.
Meeting adjourned.
The Ken - April 11
Attendance: Barb Henry
Split Club: Michaelene Bernat
Invocation:Tim Glor
Fine Master: Larry Coon
Ken Writer: Tim Glor
 
President Paul began our meeting at 12:32.  After pledging our Allegiance to the Flag , Bryden led us in the singing of “America the Beautiful”.  Tim Glor gave the invocation.
            Damon Piatek and our speaker Josh Szary were introduced as guests.
            Jeff Markarian announced that the gift basket party for our Wine Tasting Event will be hosted by him and Gretchen at their home on Saturday April 23rd.  He would appreciate RSVPs from those members wishing to come.
            Scott Mason is still looking for volunteers to help with the Shred It fundraiser this Saturday the 16th .   It will be held at Kenmore West High School from 10:00 to 2:00.
            The Wine Tasting Event will have a meeting at 5:00 this Wednesday at Jovis.
            Pat Griffin suggested the club may want to consider implementing a gift certificate fundraiser offered by Barnes & Nobel.
            Gary Roberts took more donations for the TV raffle to aid the Wine Tasting Event.
            Finemaster Larry Coon took confessions from Joe Acara for spending 2 months in Florida; John Coogan for the arrival of his new grandson Zach;  Pat Griffin for serving as a volunteer for Junior Achievement;  Damon Piatek for submitting for membership in our club; and Barb Henry for her help in supervising the Purple Pinky Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by Rotary.
            Larry then ran a Name that Tune contest to raise money.  John Coogan stood out as an expert.
            Jim Logan won the split club and John Coogan could not draw the Ace of Spades.
            President Paul introduced our speaker Zach Szary.  Josh works in the corporate account development department of VSP Graphic Group.  This company is a locally family owned company that was started in 1995.  They have offices in West Seneca, San Diego, and West Palm Beach Florida.
            VSP  is a 3M certified company that fabricates for custom environments, retail stores, vehicle wraps, exterior signs, architectural applications, glass windows, flags and banners, and trade and show exhibits.   They service small businesses and large companies.
            The Buffalo Bills, Sabres, and Bandits are some of their clients.  They have won many awards and received much recognition for their work.  Josh showed some examples of their work which were very impressive.
            It is great to see a local company doing so well here and outside our community.
            President Paul adjourned the meeting at 1:30.
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The Ken - April 4
Posted by Tim Glor
 
 
Attendance:
Split Club: 
Invocation: Tim Glor
Ken Writer: Tim Glor
Finemaster: Larry Coon
April 4, 2016
 
            President Paul called our meeting to order at 12:39.  After we pledged our allegiance to the flag Chuck Patterson led us in the singing of “God Bless America”.  Tim Glor gave the invocation.    
            Damon Piatek and our speaker Christina Schweitzer were introduced as guests.
            Scott Mason announced that we are still looking for volunteers for Shred it which will be held on Saturday April 16th from 10:00 to 2:00 at Kenmore West High School.
            Gary Roberts started the Armenian Raffle which features the raffling of a 32” TV.  Proceeds are to be used for our Wine Tasting Event.  Noticeably absent were any Armenians at today’s meeting.
            Finemaster Larry Coon took a confession from Barb Henry that today is Harold White’s 92nd  birthday.  Happy birthday Harold!
            Mike Austin noted that his tie closely matched the same tie worn by Rick Graham.  Brian Ahern confessed to a trip accompanied with a beautiful woman to Saratoga.  President Paul confessed to relying on his son’s Carl help in bringing a projector to the meeting.
            Larry then quizzed our membership to a game of Name that Tune.
            The split club was won by Jim Pritchard. Michaelena could not draw the Ace of Spades.
            Paul introduced our speaker Christina Schweitzer who currently is the Director of Employment Services for the Salvation Army on Main Street.
            The goal of the Salvation Army is to get people who have been struggling back into the work force.  In cases of those who have had long term unemployment job readiness training is necessary.  Employment counseling, job search, and the use of technology especially as it pertains to the making of resumes is used to help these people get employed.
            Many local companies and educations facilities such as NCCC, Delaware North, West Side Ministries, TSA, Rich Products, the United Way, Key Bank, First Niagara, UB, and Canisius have offered their services and on the job training to help the Salvation Army in the  training of those who are in need.
            In training these future employees the Salvation Army is trying to reach success, opportunity, education, and leadership for those people.  As usual it is nice to hear about the Salvation Army’s accomplishments.
            Our meeting was adjourned at 1:30.