Season's Greetings

The photo (taken Thursday by Stuart Williams of the Ballston Spa School District) shows recipients of grants from the Town of Malta/Global Foundries Foundation at the David Meager Community Center. (And at bottom left that's David Meager himself, who chairs the foundation.)

We applied for and received a modest $500 for a new emergency gas card program, which we'll be setting up in the New Year. (Barbara Conner, third from left at top, picked it up.)

No meeting next week, December 26. Next meeting is January 2. On January 8 there will be a board meeting, followed as usual by a business meeting the next day.

Assemblywoman Woerner's Update

Carrie Woerner, at center in white jacket, is shown with some other club members at our meeting on Thursday. Carrie, who is a member of the New York State Assembly, gave us one of her regular updates on legislation and related issues, taking questions and engaging in discussion.
No meeting next week -- Happy Thanksgiving.

Tots, Polio

Tom Disinger, left, was our speaker today, about the Capital Region Toys for Tots Campaign, which last year was selected as the 2018 US Marine Corps Toys for Tots National Campaign of the Year.
Some of our club members helped out with last year's campaign and Tom was encouraging us to do the same this year, especially by helping sort and distribute toys at the warehouse off Route 146 in Clifton Park, near Starpoint Church. This Saturday between 10 and 3 would be a good time, he said, and there will be plenty of other opportunities in this busy season running up to Christmas.
At right of photo is Doug Ford, Ballston Spa Rotarian and co-chair of the Rotary District 7190 polio campaign. He told us about an upcoming polio fund-raiser on the evening of Friday Dec. 13, at the Adirondack Thunder hockey game in Glens Falls. Then there's the Polio Plunge on New Year's Day in Lake George. Money is needed, Doug said, in part because cases have been on the uptick in Pakistan and Afghanistan, meaning we need to keep pushing to eliminate polio.
Another guest was Rich Griesche, district governor-elect, seen below.

Catching up on Doing Good; Plus Craft Fair

Our speaker on Thursday was Sue Catroppa (left), executive director of CAPTAIN Community Human Services.
She talked about the growth of the organization from its founding in 1977, to serve not just teens but people of all ages, and in Schenectady and Fulton counties as well as Saratoga. Much of the focus, however, remains on young people, and among the grim issues CAPTAIN is currently trying to deal with and fight in our area are sex trafficking and homelessness. CAPTAIN continues to rely on volunteers for a lot of its good work. Volunteer opportunities include helping kids with homework, staffing the food pantry, office and thrift store, mentoring, writing, companionship, driving, shopping and light housekeeping. Contributions of money and goods also are accepted. Click on the link in the first paragraph above to find out more, and how you can help.

The previous week, our speaker was Janet Friauf (below), who leads the Homelessness Action Team at The Presbyterian New England Congregational Church (PNECC) in Saratoga Springs. The church has been working with Shelters of Saratoga and government officials on addressing homelessness in Saratoga County, where a new Code Blue shelter will open soon on the south side of Saratoga Springs. Like CAPTAIN, Shelters of Saratoga is seeking volunteers and donations.

And in Rotary news, our club will be raising funds by providing food service tomorrow, Saturday Nov. 2, at the Arts, Crafts and Gift Fair, from 9 to 3 at the David Meager Community Center in Malta. Come on by and have a bite.

Library and Pancakes

Round Lake Library Director Jennifer Hurd was our speaker on Thursday. She talked about the ongoing renovations of the Clark House in the village, where the library was started in 1897, and the 10-year anniversary of its second branch at the David Meager Malta Community Center. Use of the library has gone up steeply during that decade, and continues to increase, she said -- also expressing appreciation for a Rotary-sponsored early-reading program there.

In other business, we have a pancake breakfast coming up this Sunday, Oct. 20, at the new Round Lake Fire House. Come one, come all, for eggs, sausages, coffee, orange juice and pancakes, from 8 to 11:30 am. It's $7 for adults, $3 for kids aged 6-12, free for those 5 and under. Tours of the fire house will be available.

Backpacks and Food Security

Several Malta Rotarians helped serve on Saturday, and more bought meals, at an event in Brookside Museum put on by the Ballston Spa Rotary Club to raise funds for the Scotties BackPack Program in the Ballston Spa School District. That's the district where most Malta residents attend school.

But the only public school actually located in our town is Chango Elementary in the Shenendehowa district. Shen has a similar Bountiful Backpacks program, and our club (usually Bob Conner) makes a weekly pickup of food from the district's main campus in Clifton Park, delivering it to Chango.

Catching Up

Today's speaker was Jennifer Frame, director of development for Special Olympics New York, who talked about how the organization helps participants develop independence and social skills.(Check out that link to find out how to volunteer or donate, and about the November 9 Polar Plunge in Lake George.)

The speaker on September 19 was Dr. Melissa
Ehlers, an anesthesiologist, who talked about the Gift of Life International Program and its connections to Rotary and Albany Medical Center.

On September 12, our member Chris Luhn spoke about his experiences practicing family law.

An additional speaker at today's meeting was Jeff Wiechowski, who talked about the growing sport of disc golf, including a course he is helping develop at Shenantaha Park in Malta.

Wet, yet Undaunted

Malta Supervisor Darren O'Connor prepares for yet another dunking on Saturday, which was Malta Community Day in Shenantaha Park. Thanks to him and all other Rotarians who helped with our dunking booth, and to members of the public who participated and the Round Lake Fire Department for filling it up.

Dunk or Be Dunked

Malta Community Day is tomorrow, Saturday September 7, at Shenantaha Creek Park on East Line Road.

Stop by our Malta Sunrise Rotary's famous Dunking Booth and try your luck, skill and arm at dunking our Rotarians and brave volunteers. If you're up for that dunkee gig, contact club President Mike Williams or just stop by tomorrow.  All proceeds go to charitable causes and local needs.
Special thanks to the Round Lake Volunteer Fire Department for filling the dunk tank tomorrow. 

State of the Town

Malta Supervisor Darren O'Connor gave an update on town issues at Thursday's meeting, leading a lively discussion. Topics treated included a potential water district for Maltaville, and trying to get a small patch of sidewalk built on the east side of Route 9 just north of the downtown roundabout at Route 67.
O'Connor, along with fellow club members Paul Sausville (a former town supervisor), Miles Cornthwaite and Barbara Conner, were among the donors Wednesday at our Red Cross blood drive, which produced 28 units.

Blood Drive Wednesday

We are sponsoring a blood drive tomorrow, Wednesday, August 28, at the Malta Community Center. It is scheduled from 1 to 6 pm, but most of the earlier slots are filled up already. If you would like to schedule an appointment to donate blood, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS, using the sponsor code MALTA, or go online to redcrossblood.org. We can probably accommodate drop-ins during the late afternoon.

Business Updates

District 7190 Governor Larry Jones (right, with Malta Sunrise Rotary President Mike Williams) was our speaker this morning. Larry, a member of the Glenville Rotary Club, discussed some international successes, such as The Rotary Foundation's 100 percent rating from Charity Navigator, the virtual elimination of polio from Africa, and how both Gift of Life International and ShelterBox originated from Rotary. He also spoke about upcoming district events -- an October peace summit for young people, and a Nov. 9 bus trip to the UN -- and local membership ideas.

We also discussed this morning and at last week's business meeting upcoming local projects, including an August 28 Red Cross blood drive we are helping run, Malta Community Day on September 7 at Shenantaha Park where we plan to operate the dunking booth, an October 5 chicken barbecue at Brookside Museum where we'll be helping the Ballston Spa club raise funds for elementary students' weekend food supplies, and an October 20 pancake breakfast at the Round Lake Fire Department.

Health Concerns

Rachel Maxwell, left, (shown with club President Mike Williams and member Helen Endres), was our speaker on Thursday. Rachel is senior public health educator at Saratoga County Public Health (a department formerly led by Helen).

Rachel talked about her efforts to prevent diabetes, tick-born diseases, and suicide. The suicide prevention Lifeline phone number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Alzheimer's Advice

Alison Farison, volunteer coordinator (alfarison@alz.org) for the Northeastern New York Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, was our speaker today. As Alison told us, and can be seen on their web site, the NNYCAA provides numerous services free of charge to those who may be suffering from or affected by Alzheimer's, including caregivers. The Alzheimer's Association also has research, education, lobbying and fund-raising roles, along with many opportunities for volunteers. A Capital Region Walk to End Alzheimer's is scheduled for September 21. 

The organization has a toll-free 24/7 help line at 800-272-3900.

Still Farming in Malta

The speaker at Thursday's meeting was Malta farmer and entrepreneur Dave Avenarius (shown here with Miles Cornthwaite from our club). Dave shared his story about growing up in Malta and becoming intrigued by a neighboring farm, wanting to work there even as a young boy. Years later, he was able to buy the farm bit by bit and now lives there with his family. Lake View Farms is currently about 135 acres at the intersection of Malta Avenue Extension and Nelson Avenue Extension. There, Dave raises beef cattle, a few pigs, and sells farm fresh eggs at a roadside stand. He also produces local honey, which can be purchased at Spa Cleaners in Ballston Spa. He works to improve the soil and produce healthy, humanely-raised products.

TU Reporter, Paul Harris Fellow

Times Union reporter Wendy Liberatore was today's speaker -- or rather at her request she was interviewed by Bob Conner. Her many insights about local issues and the news business prompted wide-ranging discussion among Rotarians and guests, including most of the current members of the Malta Town Board.


Today's meeting was also the last one under our current president, Tom Disinger, closing out a successful year. He presented a Paul Harris Fellow award, named after the founder of Rotary, to our fellow member Steve Ames for his service to the club. (No meeting next week, because of the July 4 holiday. There will be a board meeting on July 10, and then the next day, July 11, no morning meeting but a change-over gathering in the afternoon/evening at Larry Levine's house.)

The News From Uganda

Speakers on Thursday included John Gamble and our own Paul Phillips, who told of the mission to Uganda which they participated in recently with AIDS Orphans Education Trust (AOET) and the Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church of Saratoga Springs. Our club donated $500 to that mission earlier this year.
 AOET is an African charity whose scope has expanded to helping poor children who may not have been orphaned by AIDS. The main speaker Thursday was Teo Nakubulwa (pictured left), child social welfare officer at AOET-Uganda. 
" I have seen so many children's lives changed from hopelessness to hope," she said, but the need remains "overwhelming." Her work includes securing homes for children in Uganda, finding financial sponsors for them (including a good number from our area), and training women to be hairdressers or tailors.
More information about AOET, including how you can help through sponsoring a child's education or by making a donation to support clinics and outreach programs in Uganda, can be found at https://www.aoetusa.org/.

Rebuilding

Our speaker last Thursday was Michelle Larkin, founder and executive director of  Rebuilding Together Saratoga County. We handed her a $200 check (as agreed last week).

With some funding from the Town of Malta/GlobalFoundries Foundation, and some of our own money, and work by John Amo, we facilitated the repainting and cleanup of the gazebo on Dunning Street in the center of town. It is named after the former supervisor Paul Sausville, who is a member of our club.

This and That

At this week's board and business meetings, we agreed to contribute $200 to Rebuilding Together Saratoga County, and another $200 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region for its new project in Lake George.

We also elected a slate of officers for the new Rotary year starting July 1. They are: President, Mike Williams; president-elect, Larry Levine; vice president, Chris Luhn; treasurer, Cynthia Young; secretary, Bob Conner; Finance Committee chair, Steve Ames; Foundation chair, Estelle Genest; seargeant-at-arms, Bob Bonney. 

Photo above was taken at our June I fund-raiser, with Tom Disinger, Helen Endres, Larry Levine and Steve Ames selling food at the Spring Into Summer Malta Marketplace craft fair. Other participants included Miles Cornthwaite, Cynthia Young, Jim Hale and Bob Conner.

Wind and Hamburgers

Our member Mark Braaten, who used to work on wind turbines at the GE Research Center in Niskayuna, gave us an overview of the subject at Thursday's meeting. While he cited various advantages of wind power, one cost drawback for both it and solar is the need to build storage capacity.

Tomorrow, Saturday, we'll be selling food at the Spring Into Summer Malta Marketplace.

Gift of Life

Our speaker Thursday was Guillermo Trujillo, on left in photo with our president Tom Disinger. Guillermo is president of the Glenville Rotary Club, and a board member for the District 7190 Gift of Life Program, on behalf of which he was speaking.

Gift of Life helps poor children with grave medical needs in various countries. People can contribute by attending its annual golf tournament and/or dinner on the third Monday in September at the Pinehaven Country Club in Guilderland, or in various other ways including donations of money or used clothing and shoes. It also can be designated as beneficiary of the amazonsmile program, without increasing the cost of online shopping.

Our members Bob and Barbara Conner, below, ran into Guillermo this past Saturday on a Rotary Day of Service at Pine Grove Christian Camp, the summer home of backstretch race track workers and their families, on the western edge of Saratoga Springs.

News of Two Meetings and More

Malta Sunrise Rotary member and state Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner gave one of her regular updates at yesterday's meeting. There was spirited but civil conversation about controversial state legislation regarding assisted suicide, abortion, drivers licenses for illegal/undocumented immigrants, and marijuana legalization, as well as the quieter topic of how people can navigate changes to the STAR property tax exemption.

Last week's speaker was Natalie Sillery of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region,  which is planning to establish a new house in Lake George. Also at that meeting, our member Mark Braaten discussed the upcoming Tour de Cure for the American Diabetes Association. And Bob Bonney reported on our recent pancake breakfast, the proceeds from which included a $100 donation to our host, the Ballston Spa VFW, and about $800 for our co-sponsor, Leatherstocking Honor Flight.

Speaking of upcoming events, tomorrow (Saturday May 18) is a Rotary District 7190 Day of Service at the backstretch worker camp (Pine Grove Christian Camp) located on Grand Ave and Pine Rd in western Saratoga Springs. Needed are painters, and people with gas powered leaf blowers, chain saws, and rakes etc. for general yard cleanup. 

Pancakes, Kayaderosseras

Come one come all to our pancake breakfast this Saturday, May 4, at a new (temporary) location, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 358, 68 E. North St., Ballston Spa. We'll be partnering with Leatherstocking Honor Flight. Thanks to the VFW for its hospitality, and to Stewart's and Hannaford for donations.

At out business meetings this week, we approved a $200 donation to Friends of the Kayaderosseras, whose representative Josh Ness spoke at last week's meeting.

Kayaderosseras Forever, Trash Tomorrow

That's 8 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday April 27, when we will meet at Forest Cleaners on the south side of Dunning Street to pick up trash along that road, and possibly beyond. Members of the public, friends and strangers, are welcome to join us.

In other business, our speaker Thursday was Joshua Ness, a Skidmore College biology professor and Education and Outreach chairman for Friends of the Kayaderosseras. That organization also does cleanups, of the creek (i.e. not connected to our trash cleanup tomorrow). It also does many other things to preserve and enhance this vital area resource.
 The Kayaderosseras runs through Milton and Ballston Spa, then forms the border between Malta and Saratoga Springs as it flows toward its endpoint, Saratoga Lake  -- and from there to Fish Creek and the Hudson River. Ness told us about initiatives including the new Ax Factory Preserve in Ballston Spa, and the still unsettled fate of the former Boyhaven Scout camp in Milton.

Car Talk

Our speaker on Thursday was Dawn Morrison, whose company, KAR-MA, will take care of your car for you. She'll also help you buy a new one, and her talk provided some tips for prospective car buyers doing it on their own.
The end of the month is the best time to shop at car dealers, she said, and "Everything is negotiable. Just ask." Don't fall in love with a car -- and if you do, don't let the dealer know. "Be willing to walk away from the deal."
Your bank may have a better loan rate than the dealer, and privately selling your old car may make you more money. "Gap insurance" is worth it. And "Make sure you like the car" -- test drive it.

In other business, our member Paul Phillips attended his last meeting for a few weeks because he is leading a local delegation on a mission trip to Uganda, to which we donated $500 earlier this year.

Wellness Testimonial

Our speaker Thursday was Janet Levine, who talked about her daily use of an AmpCoil machine to address Lyme disease and other health problems. 

In combination with a changed diet -- eliminating gluten, dairy, refined sugar -- Levine said the machine has transformed her health and life in positive ways.

Rotarian of the Year

Tom Disinger, shown here at the Toy for Tots warehouse last December, was voted our club's Rotarian of the Year on Thursday.
Also at last week's board and membership meetings, we contributed $100 to the upcoming District 7190 Rotary Peace Summit for Youth, to be held on May 11; and we discussed other upcoming events, including an April 27 roadside cleanup and May 4 pancake breakfast.
With our regular fire house site still under construction, the pancake breakfast will be at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 358, 68 E. North St. in Ballston Spa (east of Milton Avenue on the north side of the village).
On Saturday, board member Bob Conner and President-Elect Mike Williams attended a district event in Schenectady, and are shown here with ladies from the Schenectady Rotary Club.

The Woerner Report

Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner is a member of our club, and this morning gave us one of her regular updates on state budget negotiations and other goings-on at the Capitol.
Darren O'Connor, the Malta supervisor, was relieved to learn that cuts proposed by the governor to the Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM)  program would not be enacted by the Legislature.
Carrie also talked about an ethics reform bill she is co-sponsoring, and improving the continuum of care in drug treatment. She noted the most common overdose deaths currently being recorded at Saratoga Hospital are not from opioids, but rather a combination of alcohol and benzodiazepines.

Pioneer Woman

Nancy Sausville was expertly interviewed by Bob Bonney at Thursday's meeting. While Nancy, like her husband Paul, is a longtime member of our club, her history as a Rotarian precedes its founding. Nancy, who then worked for the American Red Cross, along with two friends became the first three female members of the Ballston Spa Rotary Club.
 Nancy said she is grateful that all three of her and Paul's children live nearby.
Speaking of Ballston Spa, we'll be holding our next pancake breakfast there (because our usual site remains under construction) on May 4 (a Saturday). That's thanks to a generous offer from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 358, at 68 E. North St. We will be partnering with Leatherstocking Honor Flight, which will share in the proceeds.
And we have a couple of events on tap with the Ballston Spa Rotary Club: an April 27 street cleanup, and a tentative plan for a public meeting on opioid addiction this fall.

The Guv

Rotary District 7190 Governor Tammy Heckenberg was our speaker on Thursday.
She reminded us about this year's Rotary theme of "Be the Inspiration," and her own personal "Attitude of Gratitude" which she is urging clubs to adopt, toward, for example, our family members.
As a nurse for more than 30 years, she is also asking clubs to consider doing an "elder project," as well as contributing to the Rotary Foundation and other connected worthy causes, and increasing membership.
At the previous week's board and business meetings, we heard about discussions of potential joint projects with the Ballston Spa Rotary Club, including an April 27 cleanup. (And we donated $50 to the Ballston Spa School District after-prom party.)

Kidneys

Our speaker last Thursday was one of our members, Darren O'Connor, who talked about the complicated legal, medical and ethical issues involved in kidney transplants. Transplants are regulated by federal law and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) under contract with the US Department of Health and Human Services. Darren became involved with the subject when his brother needed a kidney.
In other business, the deadline has passed for scholarship applications, and our Scholarship Committee is evaluating those which have been submitted.

Ballston Spa, Prevention Council

We held a joint meeting this week with the Ballston Spa Rotary Club, and  agreed to partner for a service project this spring. 
At last week's board and business meetings, we OK'd a $100 donation to The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention Council of Saratoga County.

Good Dog

Guest speaker at last week's meeting was Julia Gates, coordinator of the New Skete Monasteries' kennel and German Shepherd dog breeding program in Cambridge, Washington County.

Julia brought along her well behaved certified therapy dog, Maverick, and told us about working with therapy dogs in hospitals and nursing homes. She was the guest of Chris Luhn, who can provide information about how to get involved with the New Skete programs (or follow the link).

Cuba

Our own Paul Phillips spoke at this morning's meeting about his recent trip to Cuba with a group representing the Presbyterian New England Congregational Church in Saratoga Springs. They were linking up with Presbyterians there and seeking out a sister church. Paul shared his observations about life in Cuba and the challenges faced by its people. 

Awakening

Fellow Rotarian and club member Jim Hale was our breakfast speaker Thursday, on the topic of his fellow Christian minister Asahel Nettleton, who was a key figure in the early 19th-century Second Great Awakening. Jim is pastor of The Saratoga Chapel on East Line Road. 

 Nettleton, who was from Connecticut, came to Saratoga to rest and restore his health, but soon became active in ministry in the area, including in Malta in 1819-20. At that time, Jim said, there were many unchurched people in Malta, and then, as now, families grappled with problems such as gambling and alcohol abuse. "Something extraordinary happened here," he said, as a result of Nettleton's ministry.

Foundation Work

Sue Austin, District 7190 Rotary Foundation Chair, was our speaker on Thursday. A former district governor, Sue was accompanied to the meeting by Harriet Noble, who is herself a former district governor.
Among other things, Sue noted that the Rotary Foundation has a four-star rating, the highest possible, from the Charity Navigator site. While much of the Foundation's work is overseas, some of its money comes back here to help fund our scholarship program.

Club Donates $500 to Ugandan Mission

At Thursday's business meeting, we voted to donate $500 to help fund projects in Uganda sponsored by a Saratoga Springs church, which works with the Ugandan nonprofit AOET. Paul Phillips, one of our members and a leader of the upcoming trip, said it will focus on expanding school facilities in a poor area of northern Uganda, which was devastated by civil warfare.
In other business, we voted to appoint Estelle Genest (pictured) to the board as Rotary Foundation chair.