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.