Saratoga Bridges

 

Brian Dwyer (at top right of photo), chief financial officer of Saratoga Bridges, was our speaker last Thursday. He said the goal of Saratoga Bridges is to have the developmentally disabled in the community, not institutions. This involves job training, housing, and various levels of support. Most of its funding comes from Medicaid, and rates are set by New York state. Volunteers can help with fund-raising projects, as listed on its website.

Rick's Life

 

Our member Rick Handley was the speaker this morning, interviewed by Bob Bonney. Rick is chairman of the Malta Democratic Committee, but he didn't talk about politics. He told us about his past life in Oneida County, his wife and family in Malta, working for the state energy office, his interests in baking and harness racing. He has an idea for a "porchlight project" to check up on seniors living alone, and mentioned the upcoming food concession we'll be operating at the Nov. 8 Malta Harvest Craft Fair. 

He also spoke about some recent health issues, when he had trouble breathing, was referred to a cardiologist's office, and after testing was told "You can't go home". 

A heart bypass operation at St. Peter's Hospital in Albany was successful, and now "I can breathe again."

Asked whom he would invite, living or dead, to a dinner party, he said Kurt Vonnegut, Albert Einstein, and his father's father who "was born on a canal boat on the Black River Canal."

Also joining us this morning were new members Donna Gizzi and Melanie Delaney.

On the left of photo (and mirrored on right) you can barely make out Brian Farrell, who will be playing in a benefit concert tomorrow (Friday) evening in Rensselaer County. See Upcoming Events or here for more details.

From Army to Pub; and Local Events

 

 Jim Cahill, left, was last week's speaker, seen here with our member Brian Farrell. They are friends from Power's Pub, the historic tavern and restaurant on Route 9 and Farm-to-Market Road a few miles south of Malta. Cahill is manager of operations there.

But he spoke mostly about his 36-year career in the US Army, which he joined as an enlisted man in 1985 and retired from as a National Guard colonel in 2021. His service included tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He and his wife have a 12-year-old daughter who is a student in the Shenendehowa School District.

Brian, a contractor, is also a drummer, sometime singer and songwriter in the band Enjoyous, which is putting on another concert to benefit St. Paul's Center in Rensselaer, which shelters homeless mothers and children and provides supportive housing for seniors. It will be held on Friday Oct. 10 from 7 to 9 pm at Hope Lutheran Church, 470 Winter Street Extension, North Greenbush, with light refreshments, raffles and a silent auction.

The event is connected to the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary, and tickets can be purchased for $15 at the door.

Speaking of gatherings, some Malta Rotarians were at the forefront of this regional event last week at The Parting Glass in Saratoga Springs.

Solar and presidential power

 

Dan Havens, a systems administrator at UAlbany, was our speaker on Thursday, talking about solar power.  He powers his own house that way, in Guilderland on the border with Albany, and says "Solar just works."

Havens says he saves money on solar, but noted "There are a lot of shady salesmen out there." He recommended checking out NYSERDA's ratings of installers.

Also speaking was Robert "Bob" Balk, president of Central New York Rotary (which includes our club).

"We're here to help you," he said, focusing on three areas: service, fellowship, and public image (ie increasing awareness of Rotary). He said Rotary clubs can "drive membership by delivering services," getting people involved in projects and (quoting the Rotary International president's theme this year) "United for Good".

A Quilt, a Geologist, Two Celebrations and Community Day

 

This handmade quilt by Susan Kipp is her second such gift to Malta Sunrise Rotary. We plan to raffle it off, maybe at the Harvest Craft Fair on Nov. 8 at the Community Center. Thanks, Susan.

Our speaker on Thursday was Malta resident Chris Mack, who is a geologist at the Albany office of Continental Placer Inc. Before he, his wife and their young son settled in Malta, Chris said, he "bounced around a lot," working on mine and quarry operations in the western United States, Africa and Saudi Arabia. Now he deals with many clients in the southeastern US.

There is no morning meeting next Thursday, Sept. 4. Instead, Larry Levine will host a party for Rotarians and prospective members from about 2 pm into the evening.

On Sept. 9 from 3 to 6, Miles Cornthwaite and his wife Nancy will host a 25th wedding anniversary celebration to which club members are invited. RSVP requested to 518-587-7388. 

On Malta Community Day, Saturday Sept. 6 from 10 to 3 at Shenantaha Park, we'll be running a cornhole game with various prizes. Stop by and say hello.

From Bobsleds to Baseball

                                            Last week's speaker, Norman Miller, is a 33-year US Air Force veteran, a former Olympic bobsled coach, and a participant in end-of-the-Cold War adventures involving the Soviet Union, its soldiers and the KGB, the CIA, alloy composites, Latvian athletes and an Estonian escape route to Finland. Miller has fictionalized those experiences in two novels, IceSpy and Inside the Cold War, and is working on a third with a Mafia element. 

Shaun Francis, this week's speaker, is a Malta resident who grew up in Colonie, and became a professional baseball umpire. He also became a labor activist, leading the Association of Minor League Umpires, and supporting its affiliation with the Office and Professional Employees International Union. He now works for the New York State Public Employees Federation, and attends law school.

In other business, we're sponsoring the AOET booth at the Glenville Oktoberfest on Sept. 27.

Banner Project Update

 

At a reception on July 24 at the Malta Community Center, the following 10 paintings were announced for the ongoing banner project in Malta.

They are:

Cyclist on Iron Truss Bridge by Tammy Handley

First Rose of the Season by Kristina Guernsey

Trail Traipsing by Maggie Dinneen

Winters Past in Luther Forest by Sean Campanie

Whimsical Faces- Zee Zee by Lisa Santy

Whimsical Faces-Buzz by Lisa Shanty

Helping Hands and a Monarch by Annika Nerf

The Malta Drive-in by Kristen Hardy Allen

After the Rain, Luther Forest by Ottavia Huang

Geese on Pond by Maggie Dinneen

Town Supervisor (and Rotary Treasurer) Cynthia Young said at the reception, "You can't have a community without art."

Chris Havens has led the project for Rotary.