Director: Donna DiFrancesco Fine Master: Larry Coon Table/Split: Alex Fursman Ken Writer: Brandon Blatz Invocation: Rev. Micah Nutter Dowling Speaker: New Member Talk: Rev. Micah Nutter Dowling, Pastor at Deerhurst Presbyterian Church |
President Holly Nowak kicked off our 1 st Monday meeting of 2026 by ringing the bell at 12:19pm and led
us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Rev. Micah Nutter Dowling shared with us a moving invocation.
Announcements:
President Holly gave a recap on the fun time that everyone had at the 1/10 Wine Tasting event.
She even received a phone number from Mark who lives in Kenmore about possibly joining our
club! Mark is the owner of Freedom Run Winery.
President Holly gave a brief recap on our upcoming speaker and events:
o 1/19- No Monday Meeting
o 1/26- James Bender- Buffalo Niagar Waterkeepers: 12:15pm at the Grill at the Dome
o 2/2- 2nd Annual Area 10 Socks & Skivvies Holiday Social: 5-8pm at Magic Bear Beer
Cellar (798 Seneca St, Buffalo, NY 14210) We want to keep the trophy for a 2 nd year in
a row so please attend and bring some NEW socks and skivvies to be donated.
Registration Link: CLICK HERE
o 2/4- No Wednesday Meeting
o 2/9- Lockport Rotarian Paul Dion- Fade Deo Academy Well Project (Nigeria): 12:15pm at
the Grill at the Dome
o 2/16- No Monday Meeting
o 2/23- D7090 Public Image Chair Brandon Blatz- Club Runner (Bring Your Own Device):
12:15pm at the Grill at the Dome
o 3/11- Join or Die Film Showing at Kenmore Mercy Hospital Community Room. More
Information coming soon
President Elect Steve Blass announced that the Up Guys are having a “Unite for Good” Friend-
raiser to Celebrate WNY, RISE, Rotary and friends on January 23 rd from 6:30-8:30 at RISE
Coffeehouse (1643 Hertel Ave). Visit www.theupguys.com/m/events for more information and to
register.
Past President Brandon Blatz announced that there is a Board Meeting this Friday 1/16/26
Brandon announced that the Purple Pinkie Project (PPP) at Hoover raised $485 on Friday 1/9/26
Brandon announced that the Club is looking for volunteers for the PPP at Lindbergh this Friday 1/16/26
10:30-1:00ish
Steve announced he is running a Club Super Bowl Squares Fundraiser- $20 a square, contact
Steve if interested.
Guest Speaker:
Rev. Micah Nutter Dowling is the Pastor at Deerhurst Presbyterian Church and one of our newest Club
members!
Micah started his presentation titled “Birmingham to Buffalo” showing us all the creative names he
was thinking of using while coming up with the presentation and even mention that Bob Patterson is a
big part of his journey that led us to the Club
Micah loves music! He knows how to play various instruments such as the banjo & ukulele and was
involved with Music & Arts in Orchard Park
Micah is the middle sibling of 7 and has a divided family in terms of College Football- Auburn vs.
Alabama
Micah was ordained as a Minister in Auburn and wet to continue his education in Atlanta, Georgia
where he met his now wife Katelyn
Katelyn was ordained as a Minister in Peachtree City, Georgia where believe it or not they have more
golf cart paths than roads/streets and Katelyn ditched her car for a golf cart
Micah’s move to Buffalo in 2019 was promoted by Katelyn getting a job at West Minister Presbyterian
Church
As 2019 was the start of COVID, Micah and Kately didn’t really get to explore Buffalo, but they did
adopt a dog- Teddy!
Micah is “ALL IN” on the Buffalo Bills and shared with us that he has been to a few games including
this years’ against the Bengals, and event went to the stadium to help dig out the snow a few weeks
ago!
Micah is also involved with the Ride for Roswell in support of his dad who was diagnosed with cancer
shortly after he moved to Buffalo. Bob Patterson was instrumental in helping start the “Deerhurst
Disciples” which is a bike group that has raised over $250,000 for cancer research, and Micah is
proud to be a part of this amazing team!
Deerhurst Presbyterian recently celebrated 90 years and all living past pastors were present for the
celebration!
Split Club & Ace of Spades:
Micah picked Brandon’s ticket as the Split Club Winner, and he won $9.
Brandon then picked Donna’s ticket for a chance at the Ace of Spades, but she unfortunately
picked the 3 of Spades.
Fines:
Past President Larry Coon started off by asking for Happy Dollars/Confessions
o Steve announced that his wife’s birthday is Friday- Happy Birthday Liz!
o Alex Fursman confessed that he won some good money this weekend by sports betting
(over $500)
Larry quizzed everyone on Rock Music Trivia and the Club was pretty smart and knows a thing or
two about Rock
o Larry spoke some lyrics to Gimme Three Steps by Lynyrd Skynyrd and asked the Club to
guess that name and artist. Brandon was upset Larry didn’t sing the lyrics…
o Kurt Cobain is the front man of Nirvana
o Eleanor Rigby is the name of the Beatles song that is about a lonely old woman
o Jimi Hendriz performed the Star-Spangled Banner at Woodstock
o The ACDC song that features a bell at the beginning is Hells Bells
President Holly closed the meeting forgoing the 4-Way Test at 1:18pm.
Announcements:
December 3rd will be an evening dinner meeting/holiday party 5:30 at Joey’s Place. Wear your ugly holiday sweater. Prizes will be awarded
December 8th will be our club assembly to vote on officers for 2026/2027
December 15th will be the Ken West Holiday Christmas Carol Concert -there may be a conflict
December 22nd and 29th no meetings as we celebrate Christmas and New Years
January 10th is our wine tour from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (approx. times). Members can sign up until December 30th. After that, Holly will open it up to more guests in order to fill up the bus. The tour will depart from Elmwood Commons or Montante' s office (TBD) around 10 AM and return around 4 PM. The cost is $40 per person, with a potential increase if seats are not filled.
• Robin has been practicing for over 30 years and has presented to the club multiple times.
• The new tax bill has 900 pages, with many changes affecting both individuals and businesses.
Overview of Tax Law Changes
• Robin explains that many business changes from 2017 are now permanent, while individual changes were due to expire.
• The standard deduction has been doubled and is now higher for married filing jointly and head of household filers.
• New deductions include tips, overtime, auto loan interest, and additional deductions for seniors over 65.
Details on New Deductions
• The new tips deduction allows up to $25,000 annually for tips, with income limitations.
• The overtime deduction allows up to $12,500 annually for half-time premiums, with income limitations.
• The new auto loan interest deduction is available for new vehicles assembled in the U.S., with income limitations.
Senior Deduction and State and Local Tax Deduction
• The new senior deduction allows up to $12,000 for married filing jointly, with income limitations.
• The state and local tax (SALT) deduction has increased to $40,000, with income limitations.
• Robin emphasizes the importance of understanding the new deductions and their income limitations.
Charitable Contributions and 529 Plans
• New above-the-line deductions for charitable contributions are available starting in 2026.
• 529 plans can now be used for apprenticeship programs, trade schools, private high schools, and student loans.
• Robin explains the differences between above-the-line deductions and itemized deductions.
Child Tax Credit and Dependent Care Credit
• The child tax credit is now permanent at $2,200 per child, with income phase-outs.
• The dependent care credit remains at 20% on qualified expenses, up to $3,000 or $6,000 for more than one child.
• The employer dependent care credit increases to $7,500 in 2026.
Qualified Business Income Deduction and Health Insurance Credits
• The qualified business income (QBI) deduction is now permanent, providing a 20% deduction for pass-through entities.
• Health insurance credits for Obamacare and clean energy credits have been eliminated.
• Robin provides information on the new tax brackets and capital gains rates, which are now permanent.
Estate and Gift Tax Changes
• The gift tax limit increases to $19,000 per year for 2025, with a combined limit of $38,000 for couples.
• The estate tax limit increases to $15 million starting in 2026.
• Robin explains the differences in tax rates for trusts and individual tax returns.
Bonus Depreciation and Meals Deduction
• Bonus depreciation increases to 100% for 2026, allowing businesses to deduct the full cost of certain assets.
• The deduction for meals provided on-premises by businesses is eliminated.
• Robin emphasizes the importance of understanding these changes for business planning.
Robin pulled tickets for the ACE and Split. Micah won $12.00 and Tim Glor picked out the 10 of Hearts
Brandon asked for confessions and made some easy money charging a $1 for anyone who did not attend the District conference or have a name tag. Trivia- did you know that 300 pieces of pizza are eaten every second in the US?
Meeting adjourned at 1:27 with the 4 way test (plus 1)