125 Denison Parkway E
Corning, NY 14830 United States of America
We meet the first and third Thursdays of the month at the Corning Radisson. There are exceptions in July and November. More information below, center column. Arrive 11:30-11:45, buffet, then meeting, which ends at 1pm.
President Jen Batzing; Gil Sweet, sponsor and Tom Samuels - new member
Corning Rotary welcomed Tom Samuelsinto our club on 11-13-25.
Tom Samuels is the rabbi at the Congregation Kol Ami synagogue in Elmira, NY. He recently relocated to Elmira from British Columbia, Canada, and before that from Chicago, IL where he served as the rabbi for a variety of communities. Being a rabbi is a relatively new path for Tom in his pursuit of a life of meaning, purpose and of service.
Prior to attending and graduating from rabbinical seminary, Tom worked as an urban designer for the City of Chicago organizing local communities to take ownership of the design of their built environment. Ultimately, whether designing roadway intersections or leading a prayer service, Tom’s mission, his calling, is to build holiness with others in our everyday lives.
Jen Batzing, Rotary President; Gretta Tomb, sponsor; Pam and Bob Walker - new members
Corning Rotary welcomed Pam and Bob Walkerinto our club on 11-13-25.
Bob Walker Bob was born in Toronto and grew up in Tucson, Arizona and Cocoa Beach, Florida. He went to college in Atlanta, earning a B.A. in math at Emory University and a master’s in electrical engineering at Georgia Tech. Bob began his engineering career at Motorola in Phoenix.
Pam Walker Pam grew up in Pittsburgh and northern New Jersey. She attended Yale University and met Bob in Phoenix while working for the summer at Motorola. She earned a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University, and returned to Phoenix where she worked as a city planner.
Bob and Pam Walker Bob and Pam got married in Phoenix in 1986 and moved to southern California, where Bob worked for American Fiber Optics and Pam was a planner for the City of Seal Beach. A subsequent move took them to Cocoa Beach, Florida, where Bob worked in the space program and Pam was Chief Senior Planner for Brevard County.
The Walkers moved to Corning in 1992. Bob has held multiple positions with Corning Incorporated, spanning every division. Pam was Executive Director of Literacy Volunteers of the Central Southern Tier for several years, during which time she was a Rotarian. Pam and Bob have both held many volunteer positions in the community with the Five Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America, in their churches, and in the schools. Bob retired from Corning in 2019. Pam retired from teaching English at the Alternative School for Math and Science in late 2020.
Currently, Pam is Mayor-elect of the City of Corning, a member of the Planning Commission, and Chair of the Steering Committee for the Corning Comprehensive Plan Update, and is past-president of the Twin Tiers Five Rivers Chapter of Fly Fishers International. Bob currently volunteers at their church, for Meals on Wheels, and for the Bath VA, and serves as quartermaster for the fly fishing club.
In their free time, Bob enjoys motorcycles and boats, Pam fishes with a statewide group of women anglers, and they enjoy bicycling together.
October 30, 2025, members and guests of the Rotary Club of Corning gathered at the Mud Creek Bison Ranch for a lively evening of fellowship, food, and fun — all in support of Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign. Despite the rainy weather, the event drew about 21 attendees, including several guests and potential new members who joined in the camaraderie.
The Membership and Rotary Foundation Committees teamed up to host the social, which featured great conversations, laughter, and the kind of Rotary spirit that makes it hard to leave — though the ranch’s 7:00 p.m. closing time finally helped wind things down.
The Mud Creek menu offered something for everyone: pulled bison BBQ, bison cheeseburgers, shredded bison nachos, and other creative twists on classic bar fare. There were also chicken and beef options, and even vegetarian-friendly choices. Local and regional beer and wine selections rounded out the evening.
The rustic venue was a hit, with its warm atmosphere and friendly service — and Ted took a moment to check out the bandstand and joked about a future Leah Brown and the Side Hustle concert there. Bill [photo, left] gives you an idea of the size of the Bison.
It was an evening that perfectly captured Rotary fellowship — good food, good company, and support for a great cause. Many thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to Rotary’s ongoing effort to End Polio Now.
Mayor Bill Boland / Yannick Basabakwinshi / Rotary President Jen Batzing
Corning Rotary welcomed Yannick Basabakwinshiinto our club on 10-17-25.
He is a distinguished professional with degrees in Computer Science, Mathematics, and a master’s from Cornell University. He is an entrepreneur and IT consultant who founded a software company with over 80 solutions, contributes to U.S. government projects under security clearance, and co-owns an AI platform with significant market potential.
In addition, he has built an extensive real estate portfolio over 18 years, strategically investing in residential and commercial properties with a focus on long-term, high-quality tenants.
For more information about Corning Rotary, please visit: https://corningnyrotary.org/page/join-us
We gathered at the Carder Room for our meeting: lots of information about PolioPlus and the Foundation, a proclamation from Mayor Bill regarding World Polio Day in the City of Corning, AND news about the upcoming Club Social/PolioPlus gathering at the Bison Ranch!
Thank you for your Club Service:
Invocation: Stu Sammis
Greeting/50:50: Ernie Danforth
Photographs: Rick Davis
Guests: Pam [Corning Mayor-elect Pam and Bob Walker, Colleen Coro - Corning Chamber of Commerce President
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Guest Speaker: District Governor Jim Crane and Nancy; Peter Vogt, District Governor Nominee [Jim: left photo above; Peter: right photo above]
We had a report on the OktoberfeAst - surveys are going out to see what we did well or could do better.. OktoberfeAst 🎥video
Mayor Bill updated us with a PSA regarding the City of Corning's plans re the city parks and potential contamination.
Lots of good news and Rotary Cares news from President Jen: a Paul Harris Award for Jim Webb and the introduction of new member Yannick Basabakwinshi.
DG Jim gave us the details about PolioPlus. He also told us about the Foundation Brunch on 11-2-2, which will feature a wonderful guest speaker about eradicating Polio. See the video for his full presentation.
🎥 Here's this meeting's video - with markers so you can see/find what you'd like: 🎥 video [individual segment links appear when you reach the video]
➡️ Reminder: next meeting is 11-13-25 at the Radisson and it is BREAKFAST/ 7 a.m.😀
➡️ Second November meeting is our Three Service Clubs Lunch at the Radisson on 11/25/25.Signup here.
Crystal City OktoberfeAst 2025: A Community Celebration of Fun, Food, and Fellowship
Corning Rotary’s inaugural Crystal City OktoberfeAst was held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, on the skating rink and surrounding plaza at Corning’s Nasser Civic Center. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the area offered a lively mix of food, music, and fellowship on a crisp fall day.
More than 48 volunteers from the Rotary Club of Corning and the community helped make this first-time major fundraiser for Corning Rotary programs in the community possible. Guests enjoyed a range of local food vendors, beer tastings, and live performances by Leah Brown and the Side Hustle and Second Wind. For extra fun, Bobby K provided games such as cornhole and giant Jenga, and others for friendly competition throughout the day.
T-Shirts from Studio LMG were for sale and we had sketchers from 171 Cedar Arts!
A highlight of the event was the appearance of Michael Joseph II, representing Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., Claude B. Govan Chapter. He presented Faithful Pursuit II, a striking chrome-wrapped 2015 ROUSH Ford Mustang modeled after the famed P-51 Red Tail Fighters of the 332nd Fighter Group. The car, unveiled earlier this year at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, attracted steady attention and conversation. Michael spoke individually with visitors about the extraordinary history and postwar accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen.
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With positive comments about the food, beverages, and overall experience, as well as recommendations for the future, OktoberfeAst 2025 marked a strong beginning for what is planned to become an annual Rotary tradition—bringing people together in fellowship while supporting local service initiatives.
Thank you to all those that helped make this possible!
• our community guests • all the volunteers from the community and Corning Rotary • City of Corning • Saratoga Eagle • Corning Chamber of Commerce • Corning Gaffer District • Michael Joseph - Tuskegee Airmen • Sponsors: First Heritage, Chemung Canal, Mengel Metzger and Barr, The Welch Firm • Breweries: Tub Town, Horseheads Brewing, Rising Storm Brewing • Musicial Groups: Leah Brown and the Side Hustle; Second Wind • Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine • Friends of the Library • Studio LMG • YMCA • Bobby K • RTG • Southern Tier Library Corning • Seven Mountains Media • BIG FOX WYDC / Frank Acomb • Cheryl's Pierogi Shop • Moonies • Cousins Maine Lobster • Graze and Gather • Stef's Sweet Treats
k menu
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