This Thursday we celebrate the changing of the guard, as I leave the post as Club president and Ed Lee assumes the post. I know we all wish Ed good luck as president.

As you know Sandy packed a one-two punch, but not a knockdown blow. As Rotarians we have been on the forefront supplying first response supplies and responding to the needs of our nieghbors. District 7470 has set up a 501c3 fund to help those who have suffered from Sandy and for the possible crisis in the future.

WE WANT YOU TO VISIT OUR MEETINGS!

Can't make our Tuesday lunch meetings at Rio Rodizio in Newark at 12:30pm at the corner of Rt 21 & Bridge St.?  Come to our Wednesday evening meeting scheduled on the third Wednesday of the month at 5:30pm at Martini 494 Bistro, located at the corner Broad and Bridge Sts. Parking is available free next the building.

You may buy Super Bowl Raffle tickets at any meeting also.   Contact Joe Marino for additional information, jmarino@theappliedcs.com

Our meeting location is Spanish Pavillion, at 31 Harrison Ave., Harrison, NJ 07029.  Join us at 12:15 Tuesdays for fun and fellowship. 100+ years and counting....

It is with deep sadness that the members of the Newark Rotary Club bid a fond farewell to Dominic A. Lisanti. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scotch Plains Rescue Squad or the Newark Museum.

This year we will join efforts to support the District 7470 and sell raffle tickets. Proceeds will support the Gift of Life, http://giftoflifenj.org/. The grand prize is still Superbowl tickets...... interested? Contact a club member Sophia Modu using the email mamazeke at gmail tickets are still reasonable and support a great cause.

Our Club has an important place in Newark and Rotary history.

http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/clubs/cities/clubs/49newark.htm#.UxDMAIWwXdc

While the meeting room at Martini 494 is under construction our evening meetings are on a temporary hold.....  until further notice.

Stay tuned!

There is still time to participate, interested let us know.

We are blushing.....

You missed a fabulous event where our Club celebrated President's Ed Lee tenure!

 Our Super Bowl winner is an active duty army medic; he and his mother share their excitement in winning the prize:

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=8524455&syndicate=syndicate§ion

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/02/02/nj-soldier-heading-to-super-bowl-after-mom-wins-5-raffle/ 

http://newarknj.patch.com/ (story links to CBS story)

http://www.news12.com/articleDetail.jsp?articleId=306209&position=1&news_type=news®ion_name=NJ®ionId=2

Our publicity keeps going on!  Congratulations Rotarians!

We celebrated the 2011 Holiday season with fellow Rotarians on Tuesday, December 20,

The Russo Brothers and the Cioppiettini's hosted the event with approximately 15 children from WISOMMM Charter School, Bruce Byrne leading the singing and even Santa!

The Newark Patch covered the event for us and we were featured in a story!

Thank you to those who gave of their talent and treasure to make the event a success.  We could not have done it without you and your continued support. 

The link to the Story in the Patch: http://newarknj.patch.com/articles/newark-rotary-club-spreads-holiday-cheer

Happy Hanukkah!

As you celebrate the "Festival of Lights" blessings to you and your families.  Also wishing you a healty, happy and prosperous New Year!

Thank you to everyone who supported us in our efforts to continue the Dictionary Project this year.

Highlights of the evening were:

Rotary Chorus led by Bruce Byrne

Installation of new member Rob Schwarz

Presentation of John Wilson's 4th Level Paul Harris Award

An overview of the year's accomplishments by Joe Casale

Past President's Pin presented to President Maureen by Rich Russo

Passing of the gavel from President Maureen to 2011-2012 President Sophia 

Attendees included our oldest and newest members, and special guests. Club members welcomed Frank & June Cioppettini, Ian Edelson, Todd Edelson, Stan Holland, Phyllis Lisanti, Chi Modu, Elizabeth Russo, Madeline (Russo), Dottie Schwarz, Kathy Tilley, Paul Torre, and Pat Wickens. Thank you to Rio Rodizio management and staff, who were wonderful partners in creating a special event. The evening was just what a Rotary family gathering should be.  

Our club hosted five mid-career professionals (and their leader) from Bogota, Columbia on April 19, anchored by the exchange visit at our luncheon. Showing off the best of the City, the group had a personalized tour of the Newark Museum by Ms. Sue Smith of the museum staff, and a Liz Del Tufo - led City Subway/walking tour of Pennsylvania Station, Branch Brook Park (during Cherry Blossom season) and the historic Forest Hill neighborhood. We stepped out the following evening to show off Ironbound dining at Mompou, after which our GSE member (2009, Finland) Nelson Rodriguez took the group out on the town for the rest of the night. New member Jeff Tilley provided a vocational visit at Hoffman LaRoche for the group's leader. Assistant Governor John Deermount (and his wife, Cindy), were valuable partners for the entire day. All in all, our club was an excellent ambassador for the City of Newark, and for Newark Rotary.