Skaneateles Rotary Club notes for March 9, 2017
PRESIDENT’S CORNER … by Prez Bill
Greetings, Skantarians! A huge thank you to Amy Tormey and her committee on another successful IWD program! Lori Ruhlman’s speech tying Rotary‘s mission in to the event was one of the best I’ve ever heard. Thank you also to our contributors and volunteers without whose generosity this event would not have been possible. For those who attended, the event speaks for itself and for those who could not, I am sure PP Bill Conole’s Last Week summary will be comprehensive.
Thursday evening 132 Rotarians, Spouses & guests gathered in the beautiful Welch Allyn Lodge to participate in our Skaneateles Rotary Club’s third annual International Women’s Day Celebration. As Promised this year’s celebration turned out to be a dynamic blend of community activism, Rotary goodwill & fun among friends. During the cocktail hour guests enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres. Loren Barrigar serenaded everyone with his sweet-sounding guitar and our key-note speaker, Rev. Cynthia Huling Hummel with vocal accompaniment. An extra treat!
IWD Committee Chair Amy Tormey welcomed everyone & introduced our special guest Rotary District Governor Peter Cardamone & his wife Dee. Suzanne Major offered a deeply moving invocation. Prior to dinner Chair Amy Tormey opened her remarks by presenting a brief history of Rotary & how Rotary brings people together to better serve their communities. Amy proudly recapped our two previous successful IWD Celebrations The keynote speaker was the Chairperson of the National Women’s Hall Of Fame. In 2016 Carrie Lazarus was our Keynote Speaker. All of the 2016 Dinner proceeds were donated to the St Joseph Hospital Breast Cancer Center.
This year our dinner is dedicated combating Alzheimer’s Disease. Our keynote speaker this year, the Rev Cynthia Hummel is an accomplished woman who is battling Alzheimers. Amy stressed that thanks to courageous women leaders in past years , like Rev Hummel, women today have a great deal to celebrate.
Dinner co-chair Lori Ruhlman described how women Rotarians are making a difference today around the world & in our community. Without question Rotary makes our world a better place. Lori pointed out that everyone will benefit by living our Rotary model of “Service Above Self”. There are 55,000 Rotary Clubs in 200 countries throughout the world. After decades of fundraising & outreach programs Rotary has almost eradicated Polio worldwide. Now Rotary is ready to for the new challenge of combating Alzheimers. Lori noted women comprise 2/3s of afflicted with Alzheimers & that 2/3s of the Alzheimers caregivers are women.
After dinner former club president Cheryl Silvestrini introduced our Keynote Speaker the Rev Cynthia Hummel. Cheryl noted that in 1996, after a successful career, Rev Hummel was ordained a Presbyterian Minister. Rev Hummel poignantly told of how her mother served as her role model. When she was young her favorite book was “the Little Red Hen” Like the “Little Red Hen” Rev Hummel aspired to be a bold leader. Before her call to the ministry Rev Hummel enjoyed a successful & fulfilling career. Ten years ago Rev Hummel was diagnosed with early stage Alzheimers. Since being diagnosed with Alzheimers Rev Hummel has made it her mission to share her story & insights about the disease. Rev Hummel’s message of being bold in the face of adversity is uplifting & inspiring. By being bold & by being ready to take bold steps together all of us can meet the challenge of Alzheimers.
