From Ukraine to New World

 

Artem Matviichuk, right, was our speaker on Thursday, and was introduced by the Rev. Jim Hale, one of our Rotary members who is pastor of The Saratoga Chapel on East Line Road.

A year ago, Artem was living in Irpin, near Bucha, northwest of Kyiv, Ukraine, with his wife and two sons, now aged 10 and 6. The younger son has special needs, having encountered grave health problems from infancy. Toward the end of February last year, tensions increased with Russia, and there were rumors an invasion was imminent, but "Nobody believed it could happen." In particular, no one expected a Russian attempt to capture Kyiv, so when that did happen Artem and his family were shocked by bombs falling not far from their home. 

They fled in their car from Russian helicopter gunships and tanks, but weren't sure where to go, were delayed by checkpoints and witnessed a shooting incident "like what you see in movies." The couple's parents lived -- and still live -- in the Odessa area, but Artem and his family headed farther west in Ukraine, and then crossed the border into Poland.

"At first we expected to go back," he said, but then came the reports of many civilians killed and most property destroyed in his hometown vicinity, which was eventually recaptured by the Ukrainian military after the Russians failed to take Kyiv and withdrew from that area. They travelled via Tijuana, Mexico to San Diego, California, and now live in Scotia, NY. Artem, a graphic designer, received US work papers this year, and is seeking employment.

Jeff Kimble, a neighbor of Artem's and member of The Saratoga Chapel, also was at the meeting. "Jim's church helped us a lot," Artem said. (Jeff spoke to our club last year on a different topic.)

Artem said many people have helped his family along their way. He is left with the realization of "how life can change, fast, in a second."

   

Woerner's World

Carrie Woerner, a Malta Sunrise Rotarian who is entering her fifth term as a member of the New York State Assembly, was our speaker this morning. 

Carrie said she agrees with much of the agenda laid out in Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State address, including adjustments to the bail reform legislation and a large boost in funding to address the state's "mental health crisis," while not raising taxes. She also agreed with fellow Malta Rotarian Helen Endres, former Saratoga County public health director, about the urgent need to increase funding for other parts of the health care system, including nursing homes, and invited Helen to speak at a Jan. 24 press conference. 

Carrie was skeptical, however, about measures to restrict usage of gas and wood stoves.

Asked about the Senate Judiciary Committee's 10-9 vote yesterday to reject Hochul's nomination of Hector LaSalle to be chief judge of the Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, she said that from the outside "it looked like he was railroaded." Carrie Woerner, Hochul, LaSalle, and the anti-LaSalle senators are all Democrats.

 

 

Seeds for Peace Regroups

 Linda LeTendre from Seeds for Peace was our speaker on Thursday. She had Covid so did not appear in person; but the Zoom presentation was clear and vivid with easy communication back and forth, thanks to our tech gurus Bob Bonney and Kristen Stanley.

Linda, who is a Burnt Hills Rotarian, last spoke to us about Seeds for Peace in 2020. She said the organization has been changing its focus since then to support a model of organic, sustainable family farming, mostly in Uganda at this time. It is looking for volunteers, including committee members to oversee the expenditure of grant funding. Those interested should email her at seedsforpeacerequests@gmail.com

Next week's speaker will be club member and New York State Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner.

Library Back Running at Full Steam

 

Round Lake Library Director Jennifer Hurd was last week's speaker, telling us how the library got through the Covid pandemic and is returning to normal with programs. It was founded in 1897 in the Village of Round Lake, where it remains in place at the Clark House on Wesley Avenue. It opened a second branch in 2009 at the Malta Community Center on Bayberry Drive.

Jennifer has worked for the library since 2008, and has been its director since 2013. Current plans include expansion of the museum pass program. Graphic novels are popular among young adults now, she said, and "We have gone almost fine free."

This Thursday we will have a business meeting. Next week's speaker will be Linda LeTendre, a Burnt Hills Rotarian, who spoke to our club in 2020 about Seeds for Peace. This time she will speak about sustainable agriculture in East Africa.