Nov. 5, 2008 Bulletin

The Bulletin -- Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008 (#966)

Program:

Alan Booth (L), Marci Hall, Director of Marketing at Fort Ticonderoga (C) and Cornelia Forrence (R)

Marci Hall on Fort Ticonderoga ~ 100 yrs and Counting

“Fort Ticonderoga has played an instrumental role in the history of the North Country,” said Fort Ticonderoga’s Director of Marketing, Marci Hall. The Fort is a stunning example of an 18th Century stronghold. Its strategic location on the western shore of Lake Champlain allowed easy control over water traffic and trade. To this day, Fort Ticonderoga is an important waterway for tourism.

A Little History: The Fort was originally built by the French in 1755 and remained under their control until the British took it in 1759. American troops captured the Fort by surprise in 1775 when Ethan Allen, Benedict Arnold and the Green Mountain Boys came from Vermont and caught the British unaware. In 1777, the British managed to regain control, but then abandoned the Fort following the British surrender at Saratoga. The Fort fell into disrepair, and in 1820 it was bought by private citizen, William Ferris Pell. He stopped the pilfering, turned the decaying ruins into a hotel and began the long history of restoration.

Visitors Experience Today: Changes have been made to the Fort. “If you’ve been to the Fort in the last 100 years, you know there were no restrooms. This has since changed,” Hall said. In addition to new facilities, there is a full roster o.f educational programs. Visitors can wander through the King’s Garden and Pavilion, visit the battlegrounds and witness re-enactments.

Events Big and Small: In 2008, Hall said 2,196 re-enactors battled it out at Fort Ticonderoga. Weddings, business meetings, field trips and small private functions were common occurrences. Currently there is an initiative to build special partnerships with Clinton and Essex counties. Hall is developing a trip that will take visitors through the Adirondack Park, to the Wild Center (tupper Lake) and to other historic/ tourist spots throughout the region.

The Mars Center is the new economic engine for the North Country. Fort Ticonderoga received a wonderful contribution from Deborah Clarke Mars. The Mars Center is an incredible building and brilliant resource for conferences, weddings, dinners and other special events. It’s an educational resource that should be utilized more often by the North Country.

The Future Fort Ticonderoga is currently experiencing some financial upheaval. Hall said they have had to close some buildings and make some changes in staff. Despite this they are forging ahead optimistically. In closing, Hall said, “Any rumor of our demise is greatly exaggerated.”

Q: Will you have to sell items in order to stay afloat financially?
A: I’m not really sure what the board of directors is planning. It is in the board’s hands at this point. Several of the Pell family are still involved. There was some hope that we could sell some items as a quick fix (i.e. a painting), but they are not able to do that according to NYS Law.

Q: Do you have facilities for mooring boats?
A: Not only did working on the Pavilion get put on the back burner, but the Fort is also without a proper dock at this time. Intrepid sailors moor out in the lake and row to shore.

Q. Can you tie up at the Ferry Docks?
A: Yes, but it’s a bit of a walk from there.

Q: The structure is independent, correct?
A: Yes, it’s privately owned and Fort Ti is a National Historic Site. Options for the State taking the Fort over is not a solution people are excited about. So, it hasn’t been look at.

Q: Forbes said the Mars Family is worth about $10 billion. Why didn’t they come up with a few more million to finish the projects they started?
A: It was a personal falling out. Fort Ti is still part of the Mars Foundation and surprisingly it does some fuding from them. Funding now comes from grants.

For more info, click on Fort Ticonderoga

Announcements:

The Membership Committee will meet briefly following today’s meeting.
Monday, Nov 17, is the next board meeting at CCC Dining Hall (PARC). This can be used as a make up meeting for any club member.
The Rotary Store will be open on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
On Wednesday, Nov. 26, and Dec. 3, the Club will be taking collections for the Salvation Army, Christmas Bureau and the local nursing homes. Please come with a generous spirit!
Saturday, Nov. 29, is the Rotary Bell Ringing for Salvation Army. See CJ Soper to sign up next Wednesday. Ringing site: Wal-Mart, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 10 is the Annual Meeting. This is the only day of the year set aside for tipping the staff who work hard for us every week.
Wednesday, Dec. 17 is the Annual Meeting at Lake Forrest.

October Food Shelf Report — Elle Berger

A generous Rotarian is prepared to donate $300 if the Club is able to raise $500 for December. Save your pennies and contribute what you can.
In October, $183 went to Food Shelf and $178 was raised for the Salvation Army.

Happy Thoughts:

Ita Bullard donated $20 to announce the opening of her art show at the Inn at Smithfield. The work will be displayed through the coming weeks. Ita has donated a painting to be auctioned and the proceeds will support the Nicaragua mission.
Colin Read had a dollar to congratulate President Steve for taking on a new role at Clinton Community College.
Plattsburgh State is holding a forum to discuss the political landscape of the upcoming election. Visit their website www.plattsburgh.edu for details.
C.J. Soper announced his 59th Anniversary.
Paul Sands received a call from his son who is now engaged to be married.
Tony Searing joked about his role as “Visiting Rotarian.”
Sandy Walker is pleased with the engagement of her daughter.
President Steve has a dollar for Kevin Killeen who was seen barreling down the middle of the road in West Chazy.

Other News:

The Chronicle of Philanthropy listed the top 400 nonprofit organizations. Rotary International was number 151 for raising $132 million.
Congratulations to the United Way, which was ranked #1.
Note: University of Michigan raised substantially more this year than Ohio State.

Seasoned Members:. Cornelia Forrence

Corn attended University of Pennsylvania where she earned a B.A. She received an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School and went to work for Chase Manhattan. She got married, moved to New Jersey and moved to the Adirondacks in the ’90s. She has two very successful children. Corn currently works at UBS Financial Services as a Financial Adviser and is pleased that Rod Giltz introduced her to the club.

Guests: Roger Ahrens (Jon Cooper); Sybil Kiroy (Paul Connelly)

Fines:

Bob Donlan spun for $4.
Heidi Clute spun for $5.
Corn Forrence’s phone rang twice for $20.

Auction:

Gibson Brothers tickets for the show on November 22 at Peru High School. Two tickets worth $30 went to PP Marty Mannix for $20.

50/50: The pot today was $1,709, and Tim McSweeny drew the King of Clubs.

Another candle burning for:

PP Martin Mannix (11/7)
Robert Miller (11/11)

Upcoming Programs

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008

Program/Speaker --Progress at Novabus, Jim Tooley
Greeters -- Martin Mannix & Vicki Marking
Hospitality -- Lori Mathieu
Blessing -- Jack Dee
Introductions -- Bill McBride
Program Intro. -- Bob Smith
Thank Speaker -- John McGaulley
New Mem. Talk --
Seasoned Mem. --
Food Shelf --

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Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008

Program/Speaker -- TBA -- (U.S. Attorney General's Office). Topic -- Internet Safety,
Greeters -- Tim McSweeney & Robert Miller
Hospitality -- Donald Moore
Blessing -- Kevin Killeen
Introductions -- Ellie Murray
Program Intro. --Bob Parks
Thank Speaker -- Dave Napolitan
New Mem. Talk -- Kristen Shrives
Seasoned Mem. --
Food Shelf --

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Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2008

Program/Speaker --Annual Meeting, Pres. Steve Frederick
Greeters -- Faith Long & Charles Paepke
Hospitality -- Bob Parks
Blessing -- Stan Ransom
Introductions -- Bob Perkins
Program Intro. --
Thank Speaker --
New Mem. Talk --
Seasoned Mem. --
Food Shelf --