The Ken 11/28/2022
Director: Linda Sroka
Table Attendance: Rick Graham
Fine Master: Dick Hanaburgh
Invocation: Linda Sroka
Ken Writer: Donna DiFrancesco
The meeting was called to order by President Brandon at 12:26 p.m. with a Pledge to the Flag and a beautiful prayer by Linda.
We had a good attendance but unfortunately our speaker was a no-show. Brandon asked for announcements: Cathy asked for a moment of silence for the victims and their families of the mass shooting at Tops Markets. There are still tickets available for the Gala on December 7. Go to kentongala.com and buy yours! We are still accepting gift baskets, $50 value, and they can be dropped off at the Ken-Ton Chamber office or you can contact either Dick or Brandon to arrange a pick up. We will be meeting at the chamber office on Thursday December 1 at 4 p.m. to organize what we have. Long time friends of Rotary, Joe & Catherine Greco sent in their annual Operation Santa check. They have never forgotten the donation they received at Christmas time, some 15+ years ago, and have given back every year since. Such kindhearted people! Steve informed us of the Knights of Columbus/Kenmore Fire Department annual Christmas party, which is being held on Sunday December 11 from 1-5 p.m. There will be food and drink, the Bills game will be on and Santa will be there! Please bring an unwrapped gift for a child. The funds raised from the basket raffle at the Gala will be given to the fire department as our donation for Operation Santa. Dick reminded everyone that he works for a not-for-profit company now that deals in construction trades. If you know of anyone 18 years or older who is interested in learning this line of work, please let Dick know. They are also looking for volunteer instructors, mainly in the woodworking trade, but any construction trade would be welcome. Brandon announced that next week, December 5, we will not have a speaker but will have a “member introduction”. Each member will be able to give an elevator speech on themselves, their job, their hobbies, etc. so everyone in the club will get to know each other better. This is very helpful to our newer members. Also, our newest member Karen Kulakowski, will be inducted. This will also be on Zoom as Karen’s friend, who lives out of the area, wants to be a part of it. She’s the one who introduced Karen to Rotary as she is a member herself.
Linda won the split of $13 and Joe picked the 7 of Clubs. The pot continues to grow!
Fine master Dick asked for confessions. Linda and her husband enjoyed a relaxing overnight stay in Rochester to attend the Harry Connick, Jr. concert. She also raved about Wegman’s in-house restaurant. She happily fined herself! Steve, Pat, and Larry attended the Service Club Annual Thanksgiving dinner at the Dome on the 15th. Pat said it was a full house and everyone enjoyed themselves. Brandon avoided the “apparent storm” we had by leaving town that Thursday and coming home on Sunday. He luckily was in South Carolina, soaking up the warmth. Cathy traveled to her brother’s house in Colorado for a family Thanksgiving and some site seeing. Ed Hacherl and his daughter ran in the Turkey Trot and he made it to the end! Congratulations Ed! He was one of 12,000 runners and told us about some of the crazy costume’s runners wear and props they bring to run with. Linda wants some members to sign up for next year’s turkey trot and run in speedo’s. Yikes! She said she’ll go in a full nun’s habit! This I gotta see! Dick then quizzed us on general knowledge trivia. We did pretty good and he was still able to raise a bit of money. Meeting duties for next month were announced. Director: Brandon, Fine master: Mike Ford, Table Attendance: Paul Chisholm, Ken Writer: Patrick Griffin, Invocation: Rick Graham
Meeting adjourned at 12:52 p.m.