| Posted by Ted Goldwyn on Dec 23, 2021 |
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Next Club Meeting: December 30, 2021, ZOOM We are currently meeting only by Zoom. There is no in-person meeting component for the immediate future. This is only temporary. Thanks to all who have made suggestions on new venues. Club Service: - Invocation: Tom O'Brien
- Photos: Dick Perry
- COGS: Ted Goldwyn
- President Jeff Ugoretz presiding
Guests: With the notable exception of Dick Puccio's granddaughter, who made a surprise appearance, there were no guests present at this week's meeting. Announcements: - President Jeff thanked all who rang the bell for the Salvation Army last Saturday, December 18.
- Jeff also said great fun was had by all at the holiday party! We missed those of you who couldn't make it or didn't feel comfortable in attending in person. Many thanks to Kelly Copp for all her work in planning this wonderful event.
- Also at the party, we inducted two new members: Kathy Buck and Morgan Kemp. Welcome!
- Sam Sanfratello and his wife Audrey are celebrating their 50th anniversary on New Year's Eve. Congrats!
- Gil Sweet announced that Corning Civic Music is back, beginning in February. Stay tuned for more details!
- Next week's meeting, come prepared to discuss your hopes and plans for the new year. Jan Harvey will serve as host in Jeff's absence.
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Program: - In honor of the holiday season, this week's program consisted of an open discussion of our fellow Rotarians' holiday traditions. It was an interactive and festive conversation. Here are a few of the high (low?) lights:
- Tom O'Brien and his wife Bobbie are enjoying two parallel traditions this year, a traditional Christmas, and a "COVID celebration." For Christmas, they will visit with their children and grandchildren. They are also digitizing their family photo albums and recording songs to give to relatives. They will attend church, and sing in the choir. For their "COVID Christmas," Tom and Bobbie will walk outside, get another vaccination, call relatives, and learn duets.
 - President Jeff will perform his pastoral duties at the Corning First Presbyterian Church, which will have one service at 5:30 on Christmas Eve this year. There is no holiday dinner for the community this year, but hopefully, the long time tradition will return next year. First Pres did support the Salvation Army's efforts for residents at Dayspring Apartments, by supplying frozen chickens.
- Stu and Barb Sammis will deliver pies to first responders this year on Christmas, on behalf of the Presbyterian Church.
 - Rich Fastiggi will enjoy a rib roast with his wife and son (just in from NYC). They will also enjoy a traditional Italian dinner of baccala (fish). However, this will not include cod, eel, or lutefisk (Scandanavian jellied fish), for that matter. Rich recently visited with Hari and Indira Sharma down south. they are all settled into their new home in Cary, NC, where there resides a large Nepalese community!
- Gil Sweet recently celebrated Hanukkah and will spend Christmas with his daughter's family locally. He is very disappointed that you apparently can't send candy internationally anymore!
- The group enjoyed a spirited discussion of the origins of Christmas traditions, like the Christmas tree, which reportedly came from early pagan and Roman traditions. For a deeper dive, per Andy Rochester, check out any of Ruth Goodman's series; they each include fascinating origins of these holiday traditions, from an agricultural prospective. Typically, you can access through NPR ONE/ PBS. EG: Secrets of the castle takes you into the construction of a castle, currently being built in France, using the techniques from the Middle Ages.
 - Dale Wexell wowed us with tales of family Christmases past. Typically, they begin on Christmas eve, with 15 to 30 people going to church, then gather at house #1. for minestrone, ham, perogies, and cookies. Midnight Mass. Next day: several homes. house #2 for lunch. Secret Santa gifts. Exchanges are allowed! Dinner at 5:30 at house #3. at least 8 kinds of pie. games. very competitive, and at least one person gets annoyed and leaves. next day: Boxing Day for lunch and libations. done by 3:00! Starts with religious content, and goes downhill from there. Will look different this year due to covid.
- Rich reminded us that today is Festivus ("for the rest of us")!
- Dick Puccio feels lucky to be getting together with his son, wife and 1-year-old grandchild this year.
- Stacy Ward visits the lights each year. Makes Lefsa - "Norwegian tortilla" bought online this year.
- Jan Harvey misses the Montgomery Ward catalog. She shared a funny story about her illuminated garden obelisk, that can not be shared here.
- Thank you all for sharing your traditions of the season! It is well worth the time to watch the video of the meeting for details.
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