The Spokesman - Archive  Apr 15, 2009

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PO Box 1033, Springfield, MA 01101 Telephone and Fax: 413-733-5097 E-Mail: SpringfieldMARotary@verizon.net

SPEAKERS:

April 17th - Eric Fisher, ABC 40 meteorologist: His topic will be "Weather in New England"! Fisher, a Southwick native currently living in Northern Connecticut, graduated Magna Cum Laude from the State University of New York at Albany in May, 2006, where he received a bachelor's degree in Atmospheric Science. While in Albany, Eric held a position at the National Weather Service where he learned one thing: it really is harder than it looks, so be kind to your local weatherman!  

April 24th - Sarah Tsitso, Director of Development and Communications for the Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity, Inc: Tsitso became the director of development and communications at Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity in February 2008. She is responsible for writing and researching grants, soliciting and coordinating volunteers, meeting with existing and potential donors and also serves as a media contact. In addition she performs a host of other duties that, in the end, help ensure that low-income families have access to simple, decent, affordable housing. Tsitso previously worked for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation¹s West Hartford (Conn.) chapter and the Dana-Farber Center in Boston where she served as the hospital¹s full-time production coordinator within the Communications Department. She left non-profit for eight years and worked for Turley Publications as editor of a weekly, community newspaper. While serving as an editor within Turley Publications, she won two awards from the New England Press Association, and was named to BusinessWest magazine's Forty Under 40 list.

April 24th Meeting Service Fund Presentation - The Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County will be presented $1500 towards their project of installing new lines in the new office space which their server needs. Their goals for the next three years include increasing the number of children served by 15% per year.

ADDITIONAL CLUB NEWS:

Group Study Exchange Update - Yesterday morning our hosting of the G S E Team from Thailand came to a end. What a wonderful experience it has been. Needless to say, it is sad to say good bye. The team heads to Portsmouth New Hampshire Friday am and will address the District Conference on Saturday. When the conference is over they will spend their final week with the Franklin County Rotary Clubs. We have an opportunity to say good bye at the farewell cocktail reception on Thursday April 23, 2009 at Storrowtown Tavern in West Springfield MA.

The reception is from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Cost is $20.00 per person for finger foods.
There will be a cash bar.

It would be great if the members of our club could turn out and say good bye. Please call Jim Russel at 567-0700 or e-mail Jim at mhdjar@hotmail.com if you plan to attend.

STCU to host 3rd Annual Shredding Day on Saturday May 9th 9AM-12N

The STCU Credit Union will host a “Paper Shredding Day” co-sponsored by the Springfield Rotary Club, on Saturday, May 9th from 9AM-12PM at STCU’s main branch at 145 Industry Avenue in Springfield. Residents are asked to bring any paper documents they want to have shredded to the STCU that day. The event is open to the public and free of charge.

“This is our 3rd year and each year we get more and more people,” said Gary Fishlock, President and CEO of the STCU. “In this day and age, where everyone is concerned about identity theft, it gives people a safe and free way to dispose of sensitive documents.”

The event is free of charge and open to the public. You do not have to be a member of the STCU to have your documents shredded. Residents are asked to donate a non-perishable food item for the Open Pantry in Springfield or to make a monetary donation to the Service Fund of the Springfield Rotary Club. The Rotary‘s Service Fund provides grants for educational and charitable projects throughout the community.  Click here for the press release

UPCOMING EVENTS:

May 1st - Allan Ingram, Springfield Superintendent 

May 8th - Michael Quijano-West, Springfield Armory

May 15th - Eric Bachrach, Community Music School

May 22nd - NO MEETING

May 29th - Susan Brooks, Altzheimers

FROM THE ARCHIVES:  From the September 4, 1942 Meeting it was noted that Mr. William P. Forrest, the Executive Director of Civil Defense in Springfield spoke concerning the whens and wherefores of the local Civil Defense Organization from its beginning with 10 men aboard in 1941 and, in one year, growing to 6000 workers, all engaged in a necessary effort. The first real test for Springfield was to be held on Sunday, September 20, when all workers were to be at their posts. Various suggestions were given in answers to questions asked by Rotarians as they applied to just what to do in an air raid under varying circumstances.