Rotary International - Oneonta

Rotary Fights to End Polio Now

2012-09-17T21:54:00.000-04:00

Did you know that Rotary International has been a major contributor to the fight to eradicate polio throughout the world? The Oneonta Rotary Club supports this work through donations and fundraising. Check out Rotary Internation's new website End Polio Now . You can get more information on polio eradication stories and learn how donations are used to fight polio. It's great to know that our actions here in upstate New York help to contribute to the eradication of a devastating disease on the other side of the world. Just one of the many reasons to enjoy being a Rotarian--local action, global impact!

Oneonta- A Great Place to Live

2012-08-30T23:00:00.000-04:00

At today's weekly meeting, members of the Oneonta Rotary Club were reminded once again of one of the reasons why Oneonta is such a great place to live--a vibrant, cultural atmosphere fostered by the presence of two wonderful institutions of higher education-Hartwick College and SUNY Oneonta. Today's speaker, Dr. Robert Bensen, English Department, Hartwick College, presented information on the Hartwick College NEH Visiting Distinguished Professorship in Humantities program "Four Writers Who Changed the World." Over the next eight months, Hartwick College will present four renowned writers in the arts, sciences and humanities: Billy Collins, U.S. Poet Laureate, NEA Fellowship, NYFA Fellowship; David Sloan Wilson, SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence; Guggenheim Fellow, National MS Society Book Award; Derek Walcott, Nobel Prize for Literature and numerous other awards; and Marilynne Robinson, Pulitzer Prize, PEN/Ernest Hemingway Award, National book Critics Circle Award, LA Times Book Prize and the Orange Prize for Fiction. Members of the Oneonta community will have the opportunity to hear and meet each of these highly accomplished, thought provoking and widely read individuals. We are incredibly fortunate to have access to opportunities of this caliber-one of the reasons that Oneonta is such a great place to live!

State Champion OHS Baseball Team Comes to Rotary

2012-08-23T23:08:00.000-04:00

Baseball reigned supreme at today's Oneonta Rotary Club weekly meeting as representatives from the Oneonta High School (OHS) state champions baseball team visited Rotary to talk about their path to the championship. Oneonta High School Athletic Director and Baseball Coach Joe Hughes spoke about how the team's philosophy of Be a Champion Everyday-in school, in sports and in life- set the standard that led to the team's phenomenal season. Congratulations to all on an outstanding accomplishment!

Coaches and players from the OHS State Championship Baseball team visit Rotary. At the center, Coach Joe Hughes (l.) shakes hands with Rotary President Paul Patterson (r.) who is wearing his lucky ball cap.

Ninash Foundation Promotes Literacy for Impoverished Children Throughout the World

2012-08-22T21:49:00.000-04:00

At the August 16, 2012 weekly meeting, Oneonta Rotarians had the opportunity to learn how the Ninash Foundation is promoting literacy throughout the world. Started in 1996 by students and professors in the Learn and Serve in India program led by Dr. Ashok Malhotra, SUNY Oneonta, the Ninash Foundation has grown from a one room schoolhouse to six schools providing educational opportunities for 1,200 children. Presenters Malhotra and Ms Linda Drake told the gathering that the foundation's goal is to educate 50 million impoverished children and transform the communities in which the children live. To learn more about the Ninash Foundation's Indo-International Schools' project visit www.ninash.org.

Rotary Foundation Pilot Program Saves the Lives of Mothers-to-be in Nigeria

2012-08-22T21:25:00.001-04:00

For the past five years, the Rotary Foundation has supported a pilot program in Nigeria aimed at reducing maternal morality by preventing and treating obstetric fistula, a serious birth injury that can cause stillbirth and, in the mother, chronic incontinence, infection, nerve damage and death. The primary cause is labor that goes on for too long, often for days. Because 70% of Nigerian women deliver at home, often without access to proper medical care, long labors that would be prevented in the developed world are more common. Prevention is the key and with the help of a Rotary Foundation grant, a series of radio programs were created that explained the condition, its causes and the available treatment. All in all, this project helped reduce maternal death by 60%; it reached 1 million women of childbearing age and resulted in the repair of obstetric fistulas for 1,500 women. (Lana Rouff, District Rotary Foundation Chair)

Upcoming Events

2012-08-22T20:59:00.000-04:00

Upcoming Events:
August 30th: Hartwick Poetry Program Information on visiting Nobel and Pulitzer Prize Poets.
October 20th: Mark your calendars! The Annual Rotary Pancake Breakfast.
November 11th: Veteran's Day Celebration

Photos from Superbowl Brunch at The Plains at Parish Homestead Sunday February 5th

2012-02-13T13:44:00.007-05:00

Incoming President Paul Patterson getting advice
from President George Brown.

Jim and Joyce Broe enjoying a nice Sunday Brunch

Every one is enjoying a nice cup of coffee after their meal

Quite a nice turnout for the Brunch

Ed Forman and Dave Mattice talk shop

SUPER BOWL Brunch: Sunday, February 5th, 11 to 1, Plains at Parish Homestead

2012-01-25T08:39:00.001-05:00

Dear Rotarians,

The Oneonta Rotary will be hosting a Superbowl Sunday Brunch on Sunday, February 5, 2012 from 11:00a.m.-1:00p.m. at The Plains at Parish Homestead. Wear your favorite Jersey or Hat and enter to win a football snack tray to take home for your party. It will be $8.00 for adults and $3.00 for children ages 5-12 . Under 5 years old would be free. Buffet style with new Dining Director Amanda Gargano who has designed this special menu for us. The menu is as follows:

Belgium Waffles with Maple Butter
Asparagus, Prosciutto and Goat Cheese Quiche
Granny Smith Apple, Sage and Honey Glazed Smoked Ham
Mixed Fresh Berries with Lemon Honey Yogurt Topping
Raspberry Coffee Cake
Bagel Station with Assorted Fresh Bagels, cream cheese, and house-made Vegetable Cream Cheese and Cinnamon Honey Cream Cheese.

Italian Lunch and Magic Show to Support Polio Thursday October 20th 12:00 at Elks Club

2011-10-18T16:58:00.002-04:00

AUTHENTIC

“GUIDO”

LUNCH AND MAGIC SHOW

STARRING

MICHAEL JAMES

RENOWNED FOR HIS

SLEIGHT OF HAND, HUMOR,

AND MAGIC TRICKS

SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS

ITALIAN BREAD

GARDEN SALAD WITH TOMATOES AND ONIONS

THURSDAY; OCTOBER 20, 2011

12:00 NOON

ELKS CLUB

ROTARIANS - $10.00

GUESTS - $8.00

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE ROTARY POLIO FUND

“THANK YOU!”

TO CHRIS KUHN’S JOB CORPS ACADEMY

FOR SPONSORING MICHAEL JAMES

Program Notes from Meeting on 10/6 Dr. William Asbaugh

2011-10-12T15:25:00.001-04:00

Our speaker was Dr. Willaim Asbaugh and associate professor and chair of the History Department at SUNY Oneonta. He is originally from California but has been teaching US Diplomatic and Asian History at SUNY Oneonta for the past 10 years. He has won the Chancellors Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Susan Sutton Smith Prize for Academic Excellence. In February he returned to the US after teaching through the Fulbright Program at Doshisha University and Kwansei Gakuin University in the greater Kyoto area of Japan. He explained that there are things the US looks at from studying the Japanese schools and there are things the Japanese look at when studying the US schools. In Japan students do well on standardized tests but those skills do not translate, they take tests to get into high schools, and college. In Japan college is a vacation for students. Businesses look at the ranking of the college you get into and what clubs you were in and how you got along in those clubs. The Japanese are fabulous at teaching mathematics. Grading is inflated. In Japan an A is 80-100 and tracking of students is difficult. In Japan they have a difficult time using critical thinking skills. We need to go back to teaching the old values of school Reading, Writing and Critical Thinking.

Other things that were interesting there were the electronics are amazing there, all businesses that get cleaned on a regular basis have a slightly sloping floor and the water after mopping gets drained right out the front door, there is no hot water in the public restrooms, and rock and roll shows start at 7pm and end before 10pm before the subway closes.

Flood Relief by the Oneonta Rotary Club

2011-10-06T16:01:00.005-04:00

Oneonta Rotary was charged with coordinating the collection efforts of the 8 clubs in our District plus Hartwick College and the NBT bank. Over the course of two weeks it is estimated that about two tons of clothes and supplies were collected at the Elks Club. They were sorted, boxed and labeled for delivery to Hobart Rotary Club, where they were distributed to flood victims. Prominent among the sorting and packing volunteers were Larry and Joyce Guzy, Barbara Lilly (with a cameo appearance by husband Paul) and Peg and George Brown. For the loading we called on 3 Job Corps students who volunteered to help load the truck which had been loaned by Exit Realty. To help us load the truck properly Schuman's moving company loaned us Keith Wilson, who also pitched in lugging boxes.

The loaded truck was then driven to Hobart by Dan Mattice and the collections were offloaded in Hobart by Dan, David and Connie Mattice, Joe Fodero, Alan Sessions and George Brown.

Books for the World Project Oneonta Rotary 9/24/11

2011-10-06T15:56:00.003-04:00

A cooperative effort between St. Mary's School and Oneonta Rotary. St. Mary's had to find a home for some 8,000 books plus text books due to the school's closing. We contacted the Rotary Books for the World project, coordinated by Rotarian Ward Vuillemot of the Skaneateles club. He provided all the materials required for boxing and shipping the books to Johannesburg, South Africa, where they will be distributed to schoolchildren.

On Saturday, September 24^th we had a total of 24 volunteers show up at St. Mary's to pack, label and tape about 175 boxes of books. They did it all in under 3 hours. And then, on Wednesday, September 28^th, three volunteer Job Corps students loaded up the truck, loaned by Exit Realty. It was driven to the Medical Coaches warehouse where the books were unloaded and placed on pallets ready to be shrinkwrapped and shipped to LaPorte, Texas, for onward shipment to South Africa.

Almost 8 pallets were filled, each of which held 24 boxes. It cost Oneonta Rotary a total of $1,320 for the entire project. Funding was provided by The Oneonta Rotary Fund, a Rotary member who wished to remain anonymous, and thru a Rotarian contact made by Marie Lusins.

Meeting Notes from 8/18/2011 Binghamton University Small Business Center

2011-08-23T10:35:00.002-04:00

Our guest speaker was Michelle Catan from the Binghamton University Small Business Development Center located here in Oneonta at 189 Main Street on the second floor. The center opened 2 months ago here in Oneonta. The organization began in 1984 in Binghamton and since then it has helped over 12,502 clients, saved or created 9,563 jobs and invested $162 million.

They are funded by the US SBA and the State of University of NY. It is made up of talented and dedicated NY State certified business advisers who take a personal interest in the success of your business. They help small businesses solve their problems through no cost one on one assistance in such areas as: start up assistance, business plan assistance, accounting and financials, acquisitions, marketing, woman, minority and veterans programs, and they have a client specific research center in Albany.

In the last 2 years in the Binghamton area they have had 211 clients, had a financial impact of $18,328,627, saved or created 712 jobs.

If you know someone looking to start a small business or know one that needs a little help, please pass along the following information- Michelle Catan Business Advisor, 189 Main Street 2^nd Floor, 607-432-4500 ext 208, fax 432-4506. Email her at mcatan@binghamton.edu

Meeting Notes from 8/11/2011

2011-08-15T11:28:00.001-04:00

Our speakers this past week were Gary Russo and Jeanette Tolson from “Friends of Recovery-Delaware and Otsego” (FOR-DO).

It is a nonprofit organization founded in 2000 as part of the National Recovery Advocacy Movement. It has 2 community centers one in Oneonta located at 22 Elm Street called The Turning Point and one located on Main Street Delhi. The Turning Point was opened in 2007 which is a facility that is a safe haven for people in recovery and their families provides a location for 12 step program and other recovery meetings, as well as social and educational events. They also advocate for legislation and community activities that support recovery from diseases of addiction. On average at the Turning Point they see 1016 people per month. Who are their participants and where do the referrals come from- self referrals, drug court, probation, outpatient treatment clinics, DSS, veterans including National Guard, adults with dependent children. In the United States substance abuse costs our nation more than $484 billion per year more than diabetes at $131.7 billion and cancer at $171.6 billion. Some of the barriers to recovery in Otsego County include- rural area, college town and seasonal economy, in Delaware County- rural area, no public transportation and agricultural area.

There are many ways to get involved: attend an end of month dinner, volunteer, consider making a donation not only monetarily but with items, refer family and friends to the center.

For more information contact Gary or Jeanette at 607-267-4435 or visit their website at www.friendsofrecoverydo.org

100% Attendance for July

2011-08-12T15:51:00.000-04:00

Loree Allen, Ken Baldwin, Dick Breuninger, George Brown, Robert Davidson, Joe Fodero, Ed Forman, Les Grummons, Barbara Ann Heegan, Rosalie Higgins, Gordon Jones, Sam Koury, Dave Mattice, Sally Miglianti, Dick Miller, Bob Moyer, Charlie Nicosia,Paul Patterson, Sarah Patterson, Jim Salisbury, Helene Seldin, Alan Sessions, Lynne Sessions, George SIlvernell, Cindy Struckle, Verne Thomas, Catrina Truesdell, Dave Weaver, Sherm Whitney, Eric Wilson

Oneonta Rotary Hosting Fathers Day Brunch Sunday June 19, 2011

2011-06-16T08:34:00.002-04:00

Come on down to the Plains at Parish Homestead (Traditions Restaurant) from 11:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. for a Father's Day buffet and fundraiser to support the Oneonta Rotary Club. The food will be warm and delicious for all families who come.

The price is $10 for Adults, $5 for children from 12 to 6 years of age and free for children 6 and under.

The menu will consist of pastries, fruit salad, scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage, lasagna, assorted cookies and cakes and hot coffee, tea, and other beverages will be served.

The location is at 163 Heritage Circle on the West End of Oneonta just off of state highway 7.

We hope to see you there!

Oneonta Rotary Club Receives Awards at the District Conference

2011-05-10T13:24:00.003-04:00

The Oneonta Rotary Club was awarded a Presidential Citation and a Community Service Award from the District. Also, the new Oneonta Community Interact Club was awarded a Presidential Citation from the District. Way to Go Oneonta Rotarians!

23rd Annual Joe McCarthy Oneonta Rotary Golf Tournament Re-scheduled to May 15th Due to Weather

2011-05-10T13:03:00.005-04:00

The fun begins... Sunday, May 15th 12:00 Registration at the Oneonta Country Club. Captain and Crew Format, with Prizes for First, Second, and Third Place Teams, Straightest Drive, Longest Drive, Hole-in-One Contest for a New Car, Closest-to-the-Pin Contest, Skins, 50/50 and some amazing door prizes (new golf bags, cooler, weekend get-away at the Otesaga, new OCC hats, plus a dinner buffet and dessert. We currently have 8 teams and would be happy to accommodate more. Please contact Catrina Truesdell at 607-434-4381 for More Info. Cost is $100 per person which includes greens fees, cart, dinner buffet and a goodie bag.

All proceeds go to support the Local Oneonta Rotary Club.

Let's hope for some nice Spring Weather.

Sign up for the 23rd Annual Joe McCarthy Oneonta Rotary Golf Tournament

2011-04-26T13:40:00.002-04:00

Saturday May 7th , 12:30 Registration; 1:30 Shotgun, Captain and Crew Format.

Time to break out the sticks after a Loooong winter! It's not too late to sign up. Contact Catrina Truesdell at 607-434-4381 or catrinapt1@hotmail.com

First, Second and Third Place Prizes, Long-Drive, Closest to the Pin, Straightest Drive, 50/50, Skins, Excellent Door Prizes (Drivers, Putters, Weekend Getaway at the Otesaga, New Hats) and a putting contest.

All funds will go to support programs like operation warm coat, boys and girls club, youth exchange program, christmas fund. youth leadership and much more...)

Cost is $100 per person (which includes carts, greens fees, dinner and goodie bag)

If you would like to sponser a tee sign it is also $100.

We are still in need of door prizes if you would like to make a donation.

Come out and sponser the Oneonta Rotary Club. It will be a great event had by all.

Italian Fundraising Lunch a Success

2011-02-21T09:02:00.005-05:00

Just a quick note to thank you all for your support of the fundraising lunch. A total of about 70 people attended. The proceeds, which are around $400, go directly to our Oneonta Rotary Fund. Special thanks to Charlie Nicosia and Gary Herzig for their assistance. Also, thanks to Emily Ernsberger who supplied the Italian Wedding cookies and John Frisch who provided the Italian Background music.

The Elks club is very generous in allowing us to self-cater at the club with no facility charge. It was good fun and the atmosphere was great.

See the attached pictures from the event

VALENTINES DAY BRUNCH FUNDRAISER AT PLAINS PARISH HOMESTEAD

2011-02-04T10:53:00.004-05:00

The Oneonta Rotary will be hosting a Valentine Day Brunch Fundraiser on Sunday, February 13, 2011 from 11:00am to 1:00pm in the Traditions Restaurant at the Plains Parish Homestead.

This will be open to the public to attend. Laura Chocolates will also be selling her delicious treats which a portion of the proceeds will go towards the Oneonta Rotary.

This will be an all you can eat buffet for $8.00 and a portion of the proceeds will go to support our local Oneonta Rotary Club

Program Notes from Meeting on 1/27

2011-01-31T14:50:00.002-05:00

Our guest speaker was Tracy Allen, Ph. D. He is the department of Geography chair, associate professor of Geography and Environmental Sciences Program at SUNY Oneonta.

He spoke very enthusiastically and passionately about water, clean water in the world. It's about Quality and Quanity of the water in the world that matters to him. Tracy reported that water should be a basic human right in the world. In developing countries 2.2 million people die each year because of dangerous water. 16 jumbo jets crashing every day is equal to the number of people who die due to poor water. There are over 20 water related diseases known. 1 n 6 do NOT have access to clean water, 1/2 the hospital beds in the world are filled with people suffering from diseases due to poor water. More people in the world have a cell phone than a toilet. In developing countries they use 2.67 gallons of water a day and in the US we use an average of 100 to 175 gallons of water a day.

Solutions according to Tracy include: Education, Government Intervention, Community Based Aid, Small Community Projects one community at a time.

Three New Members Inducted in the Month of January

2011-01-31T14:48:00.002-05:00

Congratulations to the new members of the Oneonta Rotary Club

Heidi Yorke: General Manager of the Hampton Inn in Oneonta

Chris Kuhn: New Director at Job Corps

Dave Coury: Works for the Oneonta Recreation Department

Please give these new members a warm Rotary Welcome

22nd Annual Oneonta Rotary Ross Cordell Tournament a Success

2011-01-10T14:04:00.005-05:00

Thankfully the 22nd Annual Oneonta Rotary Ross Cordell Tournament went off without a hitch this year. We were anticipating a huge winter storm to hit on Friday and last through to the weekend, but the weather decided to keep it's ugly claws in check for this year.

Thanks to the help of many Oneonta Rotarians, Catrina Truesdell, John Remillard, Bob Moyer, Bill Davis, Charlie Nicosia, Elaine Baird, Dr. Bob Davidson, Loree Allen, Lary Guzy, Laurie Zimniewicz, Emily Ernsberger, Lindsay Drake, Paul Paterson, Tom Kelly, Sam Koury, Don Ball, Geoff and Chad Smith we were able to keep everything running as smooth as possible.

Once again, the wrestiling was top notch, as always. Levitown came out at the winners of the whole tournament, BG/A (Bainbridge-Gilford/Afton) finished second and Oneonta finished ninth. Sandy Creek Wrestler, Derek Pfluger (Last years State Champion at 135 in D II) recorded his 200th Career win at the tournament.

We want to thank all the tournament sponsors who helped support the Oneonta Rotary Club and the OHS Booster Club who will benefit directly from this tournament.

Oneonta Rotarians Helping out the Local Salvation Army

2010-12-14T09:40:00.003-05:00

Our very own Jim Broe (long time Rotarian) helps out with the annual bell ringing at the Southside Mall to raise money for our Local Salvation Army. Thanks Jim and all the other Rotarians for your service to the club and our local community.