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Dan Dwyer presiding tonight filling in for President Brandon Barnhart.  Guests:  Mike Wittemore, friend of Joey Pierleoni; Rich Tantalo&  Kristina Daugherty from Monroe County Dept. Of Public Safety; Sue Magee & Chris Henning from Irondequoit Garden Walks; Nicole McCree & Bridgette Jones-Waters from Swim 1922; and Carrie Carl from Villa of Hope.  Busy Night!

Last week's social event in lieu of a meeting was listening to the Blues at Record Archive.  Great time had by all.

Director of Monroe County of Public Safety Rich Tantalo and Kristina Daugherty, Central Police Services Administrator  were here tonight to tell us about the Monroe County Bike Rodeo on Saturday, May 16th from 10-1pm at St. Michael's Church (869 North Clinton Avenue).  Our club is a sponsor and this year we donated $500 worth of bike accessories (locks, bells, and lights) to the event that encourages bike safety skills to participants aged 4-14.  Rich would love to see Irondequoit Rotarians attend the event.

Reverse Drawdown Fundraiser Dinner is next Wednesday, May 13th at Glendoveers.  All tickets have been sold and over 50 people will be dining with us.  Looking forward to another great time.  

Dan Dwyer has picked Tuesday 6pm 5/12 to work at the Irondequoit Rotary Garden at the Lighthouse at SeaBreeze.  Please lend a hand as many hands make light work!

Change-over Dinner on June 24— Incoming President Steve Schwock is now looking at Artisan Works as Glendoveers was not available for the date we wanted.  More info soon!

Bike Racks - are in Lou’s garage and they will be installed on Town Campus.  Tom Kosanke is working with the town on a date to install them.  Guy Kittelsen's  family has sent in a donation for the bike racks and are honored by this tribute to their father.

Student Scholarships - Bob Spatola reports that the date is set for June 10th for the students to attend our meeting.  So far, one student cannot attend but hoping others will be there.

RYLA - Jim Kozlowski has received one excellent application from IHS thanks to the help of Dr. Aaron Johnson.  We are hoping to see some applications from Eastridge soon.  We hope to send 2 students to this week-long Leadership training program.

PFC William P Spain Memorial Bench - The Soap Box Derby will be hosting its 2026 Local Championship races on Saturday May 30th on Lakeshore Blvd. between Kings Highway and Horseshoe Road, starting at 8:00 am.  At 10am, the Irondequoit Rotary Club will be rededicating the restored memorial honoring, PFC William P Spain the 1935 local Soap Box Derby champion who was killed in action during World War II. The Greater Rochester Soap Box Derby has been sponsored by Wegmans for the past 31 years.  Our club has purchased a new bench and a plaque to restore the original memorial from 1935.  This has been in cooperation with Monroe County Parks Dept.

Joey Pierleoni's New Member project will be to help the Shire at Culverton redo their garden boxes.  He's in contact and working through the details.

June 3 meeting program: Ray has a speaker, his cousin veteran Major Steve McAlpin, to talk about his program entitled: Welcome Home!

June 6 Car Show for Haccamo:  See Ray for FREE Car Show tickets.

Sue Magee and Chris Henning from Irondequoit Garden Walks are excited about their second year running this event.  See their presentation HERE.  The club and Dan Dwyer are showing their gardens & the Club is sponsoring again this year.  It will be held on the third weekend of July (7/18 & 7/19). It is FREE to all to attend.  Because of the great response last year they have extented the event to 2 days this year.  Last year, there were over 1000 attendees.   All kinds of gardens are welcome including vegetables, garden art, etc.   Small Gardens are welcome as they show people how to get started.  The Vineyard Church has a large vegetable garden and they will be Welcome Center this year.  The event is NOT all about gardens, it is also about people & community getting together.

Most attendees were from Rochester but they did get some people from around the area to come and see the gardens.  Post research showed people wanted more time to see more so they added a day.  They are adding live painting at some of the gardens and one painting will be selected as the poster for next year.  They are working on ASL interpretation accessibility.  Up to 42 gardens signed up so far.  To get involved:  Follow on our social media, Newsletter Signup, Register to host a garden, Volunteer, Consider becoming a sponsor.

Looking for sponsors as the date is coming up.  Many different levels of sponsorship…gift cards are welcome as well.

Swim 1922 is a program sponsored by Sigma Gamma Rho.  Nicole McCree & Bridgette Jones-Waters were here to tell us about their program.  Kids of color have much less opportunities to learn how to swim.  The goal of Swim 1922 is to teach kids and parents to swim (many Parents are afraid to swim and pass this onto their kids).  There are only two pools on the west side of town so opportunities to learn are slim.  Swim program is this weekend (May 9th) at East High School. Last year, they gave out scholarships to YMCA for free swim lessons.  

Carrie Carl is President and CEO of Villa Of Hope. (Previously St. Joseph’s Villa).  Villa of Hope partners with individuals, families and communities to Rebuild relationships, Recover potential, and Renew hope for the future to those with mental health or dependence issues.   Their goal is to destigmatize it as it is a health issue just like any other physical issue.   She wants to make it ok to ask for get some help.  Mental health vulnerability does pass down generations so personal histories do matter.  The organization is moving their programs “upstream” to prevention as opposed to previously just focusing on rehab.  When working with kids, they try to get the whole family involved because all loved ones are needed to help.

The non-profit is looking to increase brand awareness so more people in need know where to call.  They are always in need volunteers to help and would be glad to partner with us on programs.  Sept 22 at Ravenwood golf course is their fundraiser golf tournament.  

Many contributions for all of tonight's programs, Bob Kosinsky's dinner and last week's event.  Aaron Johnson for son's 1st home run.  Kenn Van Dieren shared a health issue and all are sending prayers and letting Kenn know we are here to help.  Bob Spatola for being a home sponsor for kids with drug issues and an upcoming trip to Italy.  Lou DiPrima's Birthday was one day last week - ask him to tell you the story…).  Joey’s Friend John Wittemore for being hers and the great Sicilian Beef dinner.  Tom Kosanke:  China trip , social at Record Archive and daughter Colleen Kosanke moving to Liverpool, England to work for Unilever.  Dave Long’s son scholarship to Syracuse.  Joey Pierleoni - new socks.