The Bulletin -- May 26, 2010 (#1041)

Above: DAVID NAPOLITAN AND JON COOPER LOOK ON AS BILL ROWE DISCOVERS HE IS THE PROGRAM TOPIC FOR TODAY. Below: ALAN BOOTH AND BOB SMITH SHARE SOME LAUGHTER WITH BILL ROWE.

Above: BUNNY ROWE SHOWN CENTER—A ROSE BETWEEN THORNS.

Program: The One And Only: Bill Rowe; brought to you by Phil Green, Rod Giltz and friends.

The roasting was warmly received by long time club member, Bill Rowe, who was surprised to find that he was the topic of today’s program.

Phil Green began the celebration of Bill’s many escapades by explaining his lifelong friendship with Bill. “I’ve never had a better, more dependable friend than Bill Rowe,” said Phil. Having said that, Phil then stated that would be the last nice thing he’d say about Bill.

According to Phil, Bill’s wife, Bunny, is a saint. A great “Bunny” story recalled by Phil happened at the Newport Boat Show. While Bill was hob-knobbing with some important and influential people, Bunny approached him. Bill said to the people he was with, “I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Ba-bbb-bah-bbb...DARLING!” She’s been “darling” to many of us ever since.

Phil remembered a time when Bill bought a cannon to help the local historical society. He built a nice mounting for it and decided to clean it up—make it work again. Well, the honing got stuck in the barrel. Bill decided he’d just shoot it out. Which he did, successfully, but in doing so he took out the top of the hot water heater while Bunny was showering.

Forty-five years ago, the Junior League was the fundraising arm of the hospital. Rod Giltz recalled a contest called “The Big Cheese” where you paid a dollar to vote for your candidate. Rod’s wife, Dodie, and Bunny were nervous about announcing the winner because the competition was heated among the Police and Fireman. Rod and Bill arrived in dresses and wigs posing as Bunny and Dodie. Their humor and chutzpah neutralized any negative feelings.

Ernie Mason had a story from 1960. Ernie was seeing a woman in Plattsburgh, and the two of them met a third girl friend at the marina for a night out. The two girls were walking ahead of Ernie and he saw them get stopped in front of a huge party boat. Two men in their forties (Rowe and LaDuke) said to the girls, “Come on girls—We’re havin’ a party!” Ernie claimed the girls were about 13 years old.
Ernie shared a most famous story about the time Bill sold him his first boat, signing the deal on a cocktail napkin at the Butcher Block. They took it out for a sail despite not having a motor (Nautical Bill said, “you don’t need a motor!”). Ernie said it was “blowing like stink” as they sailed out of the marina hitting three boats on the way.

After a few drinks and lunch, Ernie said, “How are we going to get back?” Bill replied, “The same way we got out. We’re going to sail it back in.” Fortunately they didn’t hit any boats on the way in, but they were met on the dock by a group of unhappy boat owners. Erine said one of the owners said to Bill, “You hit my boat! What are you going to do about it?” Erinie said Bill pointed to him and said, “The captain is up there.”

Bill Dempsey recalled a reenactment of the Battle at Valcour. In an attempt to make it as realistic as possible, Bill Dempsey said Bill Rowe was using live ammunition and a shotgun. When they lit a smoke bomb for affect, it actually caught Ernie’s boat on fire.

It is funny that many of the stories about Bill Rowe have to do with boats. Sara Rowden explained that she was from Illinois and her husband, Bill, was from Texas, so neither of them had experience with boating. When they moved to Plattsburgh, Sara remembers staying at the Valcour Lodge cabins. She saw a fleet of sailboats on the water and as they passed by, she heard a booming voice call our, “Bunny!!!!” That was the first time Sara heard Bill Rowe’s voice. Later, she learned that Bill had managed to land a spot as crew on one of the boats and from that day on, the two of them, (Bunny and Bill) became avid sailors—whether she Bunny wanted to or not!

Visiting Rotarians: Charlie Lewis, Naples FL

Guests: Keith Matott (David Bray), Ernie Mason, Henry Hale and Bill Dempsey (Phil Green), Faith Osborne Long (Anne Cutaiar), Ben Kimmel (Dave Kimmel)

This Week:

• The club received a thank you note from the Elk’s staff member who recently lost a daughter. The club made a donation to the family.
• Welcome back Don Anderson and Nick Pope.
• T-shirts are in. Jody Carpenter has them, so please pay her for your T-shirt today.
• Don’t forget the Board Meeting at CCC Dining Hall on Monday, June 14.
• First Thursday will be held at the Naked Turtle on June 10 at 5 p.m.

Auction Item: Mountain Lake PBS donated 4 tickets to see Curious George in Lake Placid. The item is valued at $75 and went to Courtney Chandler for $20.

Committee Moments:
Golf Outing: The outing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 9. Tee time is 9 a.m. sharp, and the format is a four-person scramble. Sara Rowden has registration forms and is also accepting donated items for prizes.

RI Foundation: Polio Plus has raised $121 Million toward the $200 Million goal as of May 2010. Worldwide. there are 84 polio cases as reported by the World Health Organization.

Bed Race: Jon Cooper explained that 64 beds will compete for almost $1,000 in prizes. This first time event hopes to raise $10,000. Teams are comprised of five people with four pushers and one person in the bed. The race is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 11, during the Battle of Plattsburgh festivities, and it costs $50 to enter a team. Please sign up a team or help volunteer.

Fishing Tourney: There are still openings left for volunteers at weigh stations. See Bonnie to sign up and help the club with this awesome tournament. Check your email for a mandatory meeting about the changes to the weigh station rules/procedures.

RI Convention: Wednesday, June 16, at 11:30 a.m. before the club’s regularly scheduled meeting, there will be a meeting for those working the “House of Friendship” booth in Montreal.

Bonnie’s Bucks:

• Elle Berger expressed gratitude for her recent safe return from Portugal and Spain.
• Kevin Killeen announced that Irish band, “Hair of the Dog,” will be back for the annual YMCA fundraiser on Sunday, June 13 at the Naked Turtle. Tickets are available at the YMCA, Olive Ridley’s and the Naked Turtle.
• Patrick Ryan announced that Tuesday, June 1, the Boy Scouts will be hosting a breakfast at the American Legion. The meal will begin at 7 a.m., and Congressman Bill Owens will be the Keynote Speaker.
• Maria Alexander had a happy dollar because she found a cousin she had been looking for over 30 years via the Internet. He’s alive and well and lives in Oregon.
• Jack Helfgott is proud that his daughter will be inducted into the National Honor Society this evening.Past Pres. Steve Frederick
• had a dollar for Paul Sands. His 10-yr. old daughter, Megan, was watching Paul’s editorial and asked, “Do people ever write back with their opinions?” He said of course they can. She replied, “Can I write to him and tell him I like his tie?”
• Bob Smith’s daughter, Kristen, the chemist, has named her daughter, Varillia. Congratulations Bob!

50/50: Today’s drawing was the six of clubs picked by Courtland Wood.

Another Candle Burning For: Terrianne Pavone (5/31), Ray Guydosh (6/3).