Ribfest at Ulster Fairgrounds (Aired on August 10 and 11, 2019)

Highland Rotarians Steve Laubach and Tony Marmo tell about the glories of
eating barbecue (and listening to music) at the fifteenth annual Ribfest, Ulster
County Fairgrounds just outside New Paltz. In addition to great food and music
by local performers, the Ribfest has many activities for children and some special
events. The $7 admission–$5 on Friday night with free parking always– allows
you to experience all the music and an opportunity to experience ribs, pulled
pork, pulled chicken, roasted corn-on-the-cob, and a variety of other great foods.
Those who opt for the VIP all-you-can-eat special on Friday and Saturday
evenings, also get the best seats for the shows—mostly country music by local
bands. The adult-beverage tent specialized in local craft beers, but also has wine
and soft drinks. In Competition Alley, barbecue chefs compete for cash prizes
and a grand prize of entry into the World Series of Barbecue in Kansas City.

Learn more:
Hudson Valley Ribfest: https://hudsonvalleyribfest.org/
Highland Rotary Club: http://highlandrotaryclub.com/
Northeast BBQ Society: https://www.nebs.org/
Kansas City Barbeque Society: https://www.kcbs.us/
World Series of Barbecue: http://www.americanroyal.com/bbq/

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September 16, 2019 · Posted in Events, Hudson Valley, Nutrition, Rotary Club Projects, Volunteers  

Firehouses Celebrate 100th Anniversary (Aired on August 3 and 4, 2019)

For 100 years, the villages of Red Hook and Tivoli, New York, have been served
by their respective volunteer fire departments, so they are jointly celebrating the
anniversary in 2019. RadioRotary gets the whole story of the history and of the
celebration from guests Stephen Fell, Chief of the Red Hook Fire Company, and
Marc Hildenbrand, Chief of the Tivoli Fire Department. In the 19 th century, fire
companies were mostly privately owned, often specializing in a particular aspect
of fire fighting, such as a hook-and-ladder company or a hose company. Near the
beginning of the 20 th century, the villages moved to consolidate everything into
two volunteer fire companies—both villages are part of the Town of Red Hook.
In this program, you will learn about the training and equipment a fire fighter
needs; the other services of a fire company, including EMT-staffed ambulances;
duties of the fire police; and much more. You will also learn about the recent
disaster when the Tivoli Fire Station burned and how the community is coming
together to rebuild and re-equip it.

Learn more:
Red Hook Fire Company: http://www.redhookfire.org/
Tivoli Fired Department on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tivoli-Fire-Department-275848023267/
Dutchess County Volunteer Fireman’s Association: http://www.dutchesscountyvolunteerfiremensassociation.com/
How to Become a Volunteer Firefighter: https://www.firerescue1.com/fire-products/fire-helmet-fronts/articles/1063900-how-to-get-involved-with-a-volunteer-fire-department/

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August 15, 2019 · Posted in Events, History, Volunteers  

Older Peace Corps Volunteer (Aired on June 15 and 16, 2019)

RadioRotary interviews Kathy Sanderson, who decided at age 61 to join the
Peace Corps after she became a widow “and the children left and the dog died.”
After preliminary training, Ms. Sanderson was stationed on the island of Vanua
Lava, among the larger of the 82 islands that make up the nation of Vanuatu in
the South Pacific, a 3-hour airplane trip west of Australia. Having been a
mathematics teacher in the United State, Ms. Sanderson’s assignment was to
teach arithmetic and algebra to about 200 middle-school students. Vanuatu is
part of the British Commonwealth, so classes were in English, although students
also spoke a form of pidgin English among themselves. Although she loved her
students, the actual school was not in very good shape and there were also local
hazards, such as centipedes and spiders. Because electricity was on and off, she
became used to rising at dawn and going to bed at sunset. A fascinating program
that may make you want to sign up for the Peace Corps, whatever your age.

Learn more:
Peace Corps Opportunities: https://www.peacecorps.gov/
Vanuatu: http://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/vanuatu
Life on Vanua Lava where Kathy Taught: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6fxuecfr38

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June 28, 2019 · Posted in Aging, Education, International Programs, Travel, Volunteers  

The Good Works of John Flowers Live On (Aired on March 23 and 24, 2019)

John Flowers was one of the most important community organizers in recent
years in Poughkeepsie. In this interview, his son Frankie Flowers tells some of
the history of his father’s charities and describes how he and his sister Yvonne, a
Council representative in the city, are continuing his legacy. It started 25 years
ago when John Flowers observed a lonely and unhappy woman in Vassar
Hospital. He decided to cheer her up—and also the other patients—with stuffed
animals. Somehow this original charitable impulse, which has been repeated
every Christmas since, inspired other holiday celebrations—an Easter egg hunt,
roses for Mother’s Day, a march on Father’s Day, a picnic for Labor Day, and
(with the help of Eileen and Dan Hickey) dinners at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
All of this, as well as “Christmas in February for Veterans, is accomplished by
dedicated volunteers, known as John’s “Band of Elves.”

Learn more:
John Flowers Community Events on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnflowerscommunity/
John Flowers Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/poughkeepsiejournal/obituary.aspx%3Fn=john-flowers%26pid=175641649%26fhid=27389
Liberty Medal for Flowers: https://trackbill.com/bill/new-york-senate-legislative-resolution-3988-honoring-john-m-flowers-posthumously-as-recipient-of-a-liberty-medal-the-highest-honor-bestowed-upon-an-individual-by-the-new-york-state-senate/1272903/

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April 7, 2019 · Posted in Children, Humanitarian Service, Volunteers  

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