President John opened the special Jim Boeheim meeting at LaFayette Country Club. Leo Eisner delivered the invocation for the Celebration of Anticipation as we all look to a great basketball season and Coach Boeheim’s first philanthropic cause – cures for cancer.
Announcements
District Governor Fred Cholet then discussed Rotary International’s strangulation of polio. It is active in just two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan. With the $255 million of Bill Gates and Rotary’s $100 million contribution, our 1.2 million members in 3300 plus clubs will soon be able to rid the entire world of polio. Locally on November 16 our Club will host a former DeWitt resident who grew up with polio in her family and lost a brother to the disease. Lastly, Fred presented Past President Richard Jenkins with an award for spearheading DeWitt’s contribution to the international polio campaign. Congratulations Richard.
John noted that MPH last week kicked off the first EarlyAct Club involving children participating in community service activities through their self-directed club. Channel 10 covered the event which was arranged by Kristin Hempel.
Contact Michelle Burnett if you are available to participate in the upcoming SamaritanCenter feeding.
Group Study Exchange applications are due by November 30.
Happy Birthday to Jack Schultz.
Basketball
The Pres conceded that becoming an Orangeman took some time since he had to overcome his MichiganState handicap. With that off his shoulders he invited Leo to introduce the Coach.
Needing no introductions, Leo reminded the crowd that the season overview and audience questions would be followed by the annual auction for Coaches vs. Cancer.
Coach Jim mentioned that he and Julie will still be running their charitable event at Turning Stone and donating the proceeds to Coaches vs Cancer for one reason: the entertainment facility provides highly discounted services to them which means that substantially more funds are retained for the charitable purpose. In fact, nearly $4million is raised nationally in 11 galas held for C vs C.
Coach Boeheim, Leo Eisner and guest .The Reverend Bill Grossman, Marcellus Rotary Club (standing) and from left to right
sitting are Judy Williams, Don Pair, Jim Merithew, Holly Wallace (facing) and
Gay Pomeroy.
The Coach reminded us why coaches do NOT listen to fans: because they would end up being a fan according to Marv Levy.
The off-season is vital for all players to prepare themselves. In response to his encouragement, Chris Joseph, Scoop Jardine and Arinze Onuoku all lost weight and gained strength. Andy Rautins played overseas for a Canadian team.
The Carmello Anthony practice center which recently opened has everything a basketball could need and is the best in the country. No longer does the team need to practice at the Dome and travel to Manley for weight lifting, treatment, etc.
At the conclusion, Leo conducted the auction of basketball memorabilia including team-signed posters, basketballs and history book of the Orange.
Dick Robb, Guest Editor