I am happy to get back in the swing with 5 regular meetings in April. This week, State Senator James Welch will be our guest speaker. Sen Welch is at the front of efforts confront the opioid crisis facing our community and across the state as chairman of the Joint Committee on Health Finance in the state legislature.
On April 8th, Gwen Burke from the Friends of the Homeless will be joining us to give an update on the various programs at the shelter beyond the serving of meals. We will be serving the FOH dinner nextt Thursday, April, 7th this month. If you have not had a change to participate, I urge you to do so. The difference your presence makes to the dinners is phenomenal.
On April 15th, we have a snapshot of the Civil War’s impact on Springfield. Thank you to Ed Sunter for arranging the visit of Wayne Phaneuf and Joe Carvalho. The topic will not only include the Springfield Armory but some of the social and economic experience of Springfield’s mid-19th Century citizens. The evening of April 15th, MaryAnne Herron’s Cambodian Medical Clinic Foundation annual wine and beer tasting will take place at the Springfield Country Club. Tickets are $35 and the proceeds from each Rotarians ticket will go directly to the purchase of water filters. You can purchase your tickets at any upcoming Rotary meeting.
Then on April 22nd, we take the show on the road to the Clifford Phaneuf Environmental Center. Thank you to Steve Jablonski for arranging the venue and to Rowland Hawthorne for coordinating our box lunch. Please let Rowland know if you will be attending so we know how many lunches to order. Directions and parking information will be provided prior to the meeting.
On April 29th, we back at Max’s for a talk form Springfield native son Tony Cignoli. Without being able to go a New York Minute without hearing about the presidential election and the latest Tweet, we are all excited to hear some concrete thoughts from Tony.
Please do make an effort to join us for fellowship, firsthand knowledge on the effort to remedy the opioid crisis from a State Senator Jim Welch, the impact your commitment to Friends of the Homeless has in our community, a look at Springfield in the mid-19th century at lunch and support for clean water with MaryAnne Herron in the evening, a road trip to one of Springfield new gems the Clifford Phaneuf Environmental Center designed by our own Steve Jablonski’s, and insight on historic events being made around the 2016 presidential election to round out the month of April.
It's on this Saturday 2 April: the inaugural Cycle Dindi event. Jointly hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Alexandra and Yea, this family friendly event will have see participants ride the Great Victorian Rail Trail from Alexandra to Yea via the Cheviot Tunnel. Full details at www.yearotary.org.au
If you've been in our Club for a few years, you likely have a fond memory of one of our longtime stalwarts, Bill Massida, who relocated to York, Maine in 2012 to be closer to family. Bill's beautiful singing voice and warm, outsized personality were a hallmark of our Club. On the evening of April 30th Bill will be honored by the York Club for his 50 years in Rotary (46 in Springfield!).
York President Pat Murray has requested interested friends who may wish to attend to contact her at: ybmepat@gmail.com
If you can't attend, won't you take a moment to jot out a card or note of good wishes to Bill that will be shared with him that night? Bring them to President Jack by next Friday April 8th and he will get them to the York Club.
This is a reminder that the Rotary Rock Stars will be meeting at 11:00 AM This Friday, April 1st, to go over some organization and practice for their next performances adding song to our meetings. Please let Dee know if you can make it:kuerzeld@comcast.net
State Senator James (Jim) Welch will address the Springfield Rotary Club's luncheon meeting this Friday, April 1st. Senator Welch will give an overview of his work -- the Health Care Financing Committee, the budget process and the opioid crisis and marijuana legalization issues that face the Commonwealth.
State Senator Welch was born in Springfield; raised in West Springfield, and is the youngest of James "Red" and Peggy Welch's five children. He attended St. Thomas the Apostle grade school and later graduated from West Springfield High School. Upon graduating from West Springfield High, Jim attended Springfield Technical Community College then transferred and graduated from Westfield State College with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. After graduating from Westfield State, Jim began his career in the Financial Industry with State Street Corporation and later with A.G. Edwards Financials.
In 2001 Jim began his career in public service, by joining the staff of then Rep. Stephen J. Buoniconti. In 2004 Jim was elected to the West Springfield City Council representing District 4. In 2004 Jim was elected to represent the 6th Hampden District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
During his time in the House of Representatives, Jim served on the Committees of Ways and Means, Financial Services and as the Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Bills in Third Reading.
Jim was elected to the Senate in 2010, representing a district that includes West Springfield, Springfield, and Chicopee. He currently serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. He is a member of the Joint Committees on Public Safety and Homeland Security, Election Laws, and Post Audit & Oversight.
The Cambodian Clinic Wine Tasting will take place on April 15th, 2016 from 5pm to 8pm at the Springfield Country Club. The cost of tickets is $35 and will be available for purchase as the next two Friday Rotary Club meetings. Proceeds from each Rotarian and their guest’s tickets will go directly to the purchase of water filters for Cambodian families served by the program. Among local vendors featured will be New City Brewery of Easthampton. Wine tasting courtesy of Nick DeCesare & Yiannis Distributing Co. and the Springfield Country Club staff with serve hot hors d' oeuvres and several food stations. Each guest will receive entry into the door prize raffle. Door prizes will be drawn every 30 minutes Please join us as we continue our partnership with the Cambodian Medical Clinic. (For information on the clinic, go to: www.cambodiamedicalclinic.orgTickets for the event are $35pp and may be purchased at the door on the day of the event or online through Eventbrite by visiting the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-cambodian-medical-clinics-4th-annual-wine-beer-tasting-event-tickets-21235588216 )
Thanks to those who have made their reservations to join us on May 12, 2016 as we honor Paul Harris recipients and hold a community celebration for individuals and organizations who are making a positive difference!
This week reservations were made by: Rick Lee, Jay Leib, Lucie and Jim Lewis, Jack and Liz Toner and Sue Mastroianni.
We have a wonderful evening planned at The Colony Club that includes appetizers, dinner, and a cash bar. Tickets are on sale for $55. Click the icon below to register online.
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