Rotary meeting April 4, 2024Club Service: - Greeter: Gail Hostuttler
- 50/50 Collector: Cory Walker
- Invocation: Pauline Emery
- Photographer: Rick Davis [more photos here]
- Cogs Editor: Ted Goldwyn
Guests: - Maya Kutty, daughter of Rugmani Kutty and a medical resident at Penn State.
Birthdays! Corning Rotarians celebrating their April birthdays this month include Rick Davis, Stu Sammis, Dale Wexell, Tony Spycher, Cathy Buck, Kate Foss, Mike Platt, Bob Cole, Richard Fastiggi, Nancy Dubendorfer, Damien Barrett, Rugmani Kutty, and Gretta Tomb. The Club wished them all a Very Happy Birthday! In honor of our April birthdays, President Dale shared a few facts about those born under Aries, which is the first sign of the Zodiac! Who knew? (Dale did.) Aries tend to be assertive and active, energetic, enthusiastic, optimistic, competitive, independent, quick to anger, and courageous. They are also driven by their own desires and passions, and enjoy change and novelty. Announcements and Happy Dollars: - Wendy Winnett thanked all those who donated to the Rotary Foundation March Madness pool.
- Les Rosenbloom announced that our most recent Honorary Paul Harris Fellow, Ernie Danforth, has also earned his first sapphire, thanks to reaching the $1,000 mark in lifetime donations. According to Ernie, his recent donation to the March Madness pool put him over the top. Also, Jim Webb has earned a Paul Harris pin with a whopping five sapphires!
  - Ray Defendorf mentioned that tickets for the International Celebration (April 13th) are now on sale both online and in person. Sponsorships are also available. Today is the deadline for registrations. Every Rotarian received two tickets, and you must purchase, sell, donate or return them.
- Rugmani Kutty reported on what to expect at the International Celebration: entertainment! 70 people volunteering for the event! 40 people for the fashion show, and almost 30 for the other entertainment: Indian, African, Filipino, Mexican dance and music.
- Gretta Tomb and two of her sons are going on a medical mission trip to Guatemala. She will be the only dental provider. Contributions to help with this mission are requested and can be made by going to www.helpsintl.org/donate. Search for the 2024 Morton Eye CDTMulrenin/#2729. Our club has already donated $250 to the cause.
 - Jan Harvey, our Treasurer (and recently honored Paul Harris Fellow), reported on how our Club's money is being used. We have given $250 to Gretta for the Guatemalan trip, sent in application for a District simplified grant for benches and lights to be installed at the community garden at the Food Pantry, and we are donating $4,000 to the Pantry of Angels in Lindley to purchase bags for a drive in food pantry. We have also donated $2,000 to the Science and Discovery Center for the purchase of STEAM bags for summer events. We are also looking to support the Baby Bank; more details to come.
- Ray Defendorf gave a Global Grant update. The Rotary Foundation liaison for Uganda is reviewing the project request. Once approved, it will be submitted to the Rotary Foundation. The project has raised a total of $27,000 so far, against a goal of $23,000. Participating local clubs include the Elmira and Elmira Sunshine Clubs.
- Damien Barrett shared that he has been working with two Eagle Scouts to support the community gardens greenhouse project. This represents great synergy between two of Damien's favorite organizations! He recognized Stu Sammis for helping to organize this project.
 - Our exchange student Nino has moved into her third host family home with the Barretts.
- Stacy Ward announced an upcoming joint social get-together with the Corning Area Young Professionals (CAYP), to be held on Wednesday, April 24, 5:30 - 7:00 pm at The Office on Market Street.
- Stacy's mom (shoutout Fountains of Wayne) is turning 80 in April. Stacy is traveling to California with other family members to surprise her.
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