Ramon Guzman & Jeffrey AmPratwum - Bronxrotaryclub.org

Rot a r
Tu e y Cl u
s b of
day th e Br o n x , NY, i
s
n c .
Mee t s Ev e r y Tu e s d ay a t 12:15PM
Th e Sh r i m p Bo x • 64 City Is l a n d Av e n u e • City Is l a n d, NY 10464 • 718-885-3200
Published Bi-Weekly
Mary Springman
Publisher
718-617-1600
Marguerite Chadwick-Juner
718-885-0933
Editor
Rotary Theme 2012-2013:
“Pe a c e Th r o u g h
Se r v i c e”
Volume 96 • Number 14
October 23, 2012
Re p o r t o n t h e Oc t o b e r 23, 2012 Meeting
Guest Speakers ~ Ra m o n Gu z m a n
a n d Jeffrey AmPr at w u m
President William J. Gouldman
Bronx Rotary Club
PO Box 49
Bronx, NY 10464
Cell: 914-582-7290
Lo o k i n g Ah e a d
11/20 - Preparation of Thanksgiving
dinner grocery boxes & Birthday
Babies
12/4 - Birthday Babies
12/11 - Bronx Opera Company presents
their annual holiday program
12/18 - Christmas Party for children
12/25 - Christmas ~ No Meeting
1/1 - New Year’s Day ~ No Meeting
1/8 - President Bill Gouldman presents
his year end plan & Birthday
Babies
1/15 - Observance of birthday of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Op e n i n g s...
President Bill Gouldman opened the
meeting. Jim Romeo led the Pledge of
Allegiance and Mary Springman gave the
Invocation.
Ch u c k-A-Bu c k
Mary Springman won $16 in the 50/50
drawing.
Visitors a n d Guests
Speakers Ramon Guzman and Jeffrey
AmPratwum were guests of the Club as was
Diane Cerino. Al Zdrazil visited from the St
Paul, MN Rotary Club.
Dr. Ha p p i n e s s
Jim Romeo collected $22 from happy
Rotarians and guests.
Pictured from l. to r.: Ramon Guzman and Jeffrey AmPratwum.
Guest Diane Cerino has been a State tive in the Bronx is to involve more children
in the different community scout-
Committeewoman for the past 6 years
and ran in the recent election on the ing troops as membership numbers are
petition of Mark Gjonaj who ran for the low. In spite of this, they are starting 7
80th District Assembly. Mr. Gjonaj is the new units throughout the Bronx.
first Albanian-American to be elected to This summer they had over 1,000 kids
a position at the state level.
from the Bronx spend 1-2 weeks at Boy
Ms. Cerino said that she had been Scout camps. He stated that it is a wonderful
experience for them because for
contacted by Ed Birdie and Jim Romeo
about the upcoming Gift of Life fundraiser
in February. She is responsible for out of their familiar urban surroundings.
many, it is the first time they have gotten
connecting GOL host Megan Charlop He said that there are 25-30 Eagle
with GOL and she hopes to do the Scouts in the Bronx. For the past 2
same with Mr. Gjonaj. She is going to years, through a partnership with the
schedule Mr. Gjonaj to come and speak Yankees organization, they have held
to the Club. She is also going to reach and Eagle Scout Recognition Day at
out to Mr. Gjonaj’s extended family to Yankee Stadium. The scouts are called
potentially host the next child from the by name out onto the field and the fans
Montenegro/Albania/Kosovo region. are informed about what it means to be
President Bill Gouldman then introduced
Ramon Guzman, the Field 400 other scouts to the stadium to wit-
an Eagle Scout. They also brought about
Director for the Boy Scouts of America ness the ceremony in order to inspire
(BSA) in the Bronx. Accompanying Mr. them to strive to become Eagle Scouts.
Guzman was Jeffrey AmPratwum who is The District also holds a Pinewood
the District Secretary in the Bronx. They Derby at the Bronx Zoo in which Cub
are the only 2 professional Boy Scouts in Scouts race cars that they have fashioned
the Bronx.
from blocks of wood that they are given.
Mr. Guzman said that their main objec- Continued on page 2
www.bronxrotaryclub.org
Photo courtesy of Jim Romeo

Ra m o n Gu z m a n a n d
Jeffrey AmPr at w u m
Continued from page 1
The top 3 finishers advance to the 5
borough race at Yankee Stadium. The
trophies are presented to them at home
plate.
Mr. Guzman said that is the main
thing they are trying to create for these
kids. Lifetime memories that build character,
good values, citizenship and physical
fitness. He states that it is his job to
offer this opportunity to every kid in
the Bronx. It is then up to the parent to
decide if they want their child to join or
not.
Mr. AmPratwum added that they raise
awareness by visiting schools, community
centers and churches. Curiously,
Mr. AmPratwum was not a scout growing
up. He does wish that he had been
because of all the “cool things that scouts
are involved in”. The activities help kids
focus on what they might want to do
when they grow up. The leadership skills
they learn can help them get scholarships
or an Eagle Scout ranking among other
things.
He also emphasized that the Cub
Scout programming involves the parents
which strengthens the bond between
parent and child and helps them learn
values.
Thank you Mrs. Ramon Guzman and
Jeffrey AmPratwum for the inspirations
you are to youngsters in the Bronx.
Offering Prayers
For Nancy Wallace who has been in
intensive care in White Plains Hospital.
She has water in her lungs, and an intestinal
infection.
Ma k e Ups
John Mauk Hilliard had a make up at the
Portales, NM Rotary Club. Debby Appel had
a make up at the Waters, OK Rotary Club.
Sticky Note
Place your Shaklee orders with
Ann Ward or online at:
http://bronxrotaryshop.myshaklee.com
for the benefit of you & the Club!
Mary Springman,
Bronx Rotarian
Printer of this
newsletter.
HUDSON VALLEY BANK
3130 East Tremont Avenue
Bronx, NY 10461
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Assistant Vice President Fax: (718) 892-4769
E-mail: idemichele@hvbank.com
Eric J.
Oppenheimer
Licensed Real Estate Broker
t
730 C West Broadway
Woodmere, NY 11598
(516) 569-1560 Fax (516) 569-1562
Dr. Jo n a t h a n Ka z d a n ’91
808 Al l e rto n Av e n u e • Br o n x, NY 10467
(718) 655-0487
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Real Estate - Investments
Management - Sales
2123 Williamsbridge Road
Bronx, NY 10461
(718) 824-5001
Fax 824-5053
Ra m P. Gu p t a ’87
Birthday Babies
OCTOBER
Edward Hicks - 10th
Eric J. Oppenheimer - 12th
NOVEMBER
Beatrice Castiglia-Catullo - 1st
Lt. Col. Floyd Jr. Carter - 2nd
Cheryl Simmons-Oliver - 4th
Rev. Andrew M. Pane - 10th
Ram P. Gupta - 12th
Dr. Ian Amritt - 21st
Arthur Wolstein DPM - 22nd
Igina DeMichele - 25th
Sharlene Brown - 26th
sinnott maNagement co.
Real Estate Management
Peter J. Sinnott, III’68
35 Clinton Place, Apt. 1B
New Rochelle, NY 10801
914-355-4555
Email: sinnottco@aol.com
718-325-7200 914-725-3300
Fax 718-325-7595 Telex 371-2767
PASCAP CO. INC.
Dealers in Scrap Iron,
Non-Ferrous Metal and Plastic Scrap
4250 Boston Road • Bronx, NY 10475
In Memory of PP Frank G. Capasso ’88
www.bronxrotaryclub.org

ROTARY FOUR-WAY TEST: 1) Is it the TRUTH? 2) Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP? 4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Rotary Theme 2012-2013:
“Pe a c e Th r o u g h
Se r v i c e”
Volume 96 • Number 15
November 13, 2012
Op e n i n g s...
President-Elect Ralph Scottino opened
the meeting, Rick Sherman led the Pledge
of Allegiance and Bea Castiglia-Catullo
gave the Invocation.
Ch u c k-A-Bu c k
Barry Fitzgerald won $26 in the 50/50
drawing.
Visitors a n d Guests
Speakers Richard Castellano and Ron
Tocci were guests of the Club. Felicita
Torres was a guest of Luis Torres and Walter
Pofeldt and Veteran Paul Gill were guests of
the Club.
Ma k e Ups
John Mauk Hilliard had a make up at the
Portales, NM Rotary Club.
Dr. Ha p p i n e s s
Ralph Scottino collected $74 from happy
Rotarians and guests.
Th a n k Yo u !
Bea Castiglia-Catullo donated $96 to
the Club in honor of her birthday.
THE BRONX ROTARY
OFFICERS
President......................William Gouldman
President-Elect................... Ralph Scottino
1st Vice President............Richard Sherman
2nd Vice President................... Amir Asadi
Secretary......................... Mary Springman
Assistant Secretary..................... Ann Ward
Treasurer............................. Edward Hicks
Assistant Treasurer................... Jim Romeo
Immediate Past President....... Debby Appel
DIRECTORS
Marguerite Chadwick-Juner
Geoffrey Ukekweh
Bea Castiglia Catullo
Miguel Santiago
Dr. Arthur Wolstein
Cheryl Simmons- Oliver
Toba LaCrown
Re p o r t o n t h e November 13, 2012 Meeting
Guest Speakers ~ Ri c ha r d Ca s t e l l a n o
a n d Ho n . Ro n To c c i
For a celebration of Veteran’s
Day, Dr. Arthur Wolstein introduced
the Hon. Ron Tocci,
former State Assemblyman and
Chairman of the Assembly
Veteran’s Committee. He is
also the NYS Commissioner for
Veteran’s Affairs.
Mr. Tocci acknowledged the
difficulties inflicted upon the
populations of NY and NJ
by Hurricane Sandy. He said
that when asked to speak at a
Veteran’s Day observance on
Sunday, he drew an analogy
between the sacrifices and deprivations
being experienced by
survivors and those experienced
by service men and women since
the inception of the military.
Troops are away from their families,
may not have hot meals,
have minimal living situations
and are constantly worried
about their safety.
He said that we should be
more aware of the issues that
face service people when they
return and transition into civilian
life. He asks that we make
our elected officials understand
the daily sacrifices made by
these people. There are 315
million people in the U.S. and
only 1.2 million people in all
the military services taking care
of all of us.
The all volunteer army of
today is deployed all around
the world helping children and
adults they don’t even know
and can’t communicate with
because of language barriers.
We owe them a debt that cannot be repaid.
In the Vietnam War 58,000 soldiers were killed. Since then, 126,000 service
persons have committed suicide. Mr. Tocci says that with all the money we
place in foreign hands, it is a travesty that we can’t properly take care of our
own people.
In introducing Richard Castellano, Mr. Tocci said that it is absolutely paramount
that veterans have at the very least, quality healthcare. He says that
without that, they cannot take care of themselves or their families or make
meaningful contributions to society. He said it is a privilege and an honor to
have a friend like Richard Castellano who is dedicated to taking care of veterans
and serving at the Kingsbridge VA Hospital. He is a leader in advocacy for
the disabled American veterans. He takes their claims, processes them, advises
them, and fights for their rights to prop- Continued on page 4
www.bronxrotaryclub.org
Photos courtesy of Walter Pofeldt
Richard Castellano is a champion for veterans.
Retired NYS Senator Ron Tocci has always and continues
to be an advocate for veterans.

Ri c ha r d Ca s t e l l a n o
a n d Ro n To c c i
Continued from page 3
er healthcare, all as a volunteer.
Mr. Castellano is a combat Marine
Corps vet of the Vietnam War. He
said that of the 5,000 Marines in his
unit, 3,200 did not make it home. He
was proud to have served his country,
but also had survivor’s guilt.
The attitudes in the U.S. at that
time were very anti-war and he suffered
people cursing and spitting
at him. As a result, he became very
depressed and rarely admitted his
military service. When he went to
make a claim at the VA, he found
that there was no exact way to do
so. No one knew how to handle
the entire process. This is when and
why he made the commitment to
volunteer his time to make sure that
claims procedures were made clearer
to vets. As a result, he became proficient
at what he does and a part of
that is staying on top of the monthly
changes to procedure.
As a volunteer, he was given a
$5.75 daily meal voucher as compensation
for his 7-8 hour days. One day
he was told that the meal voucher
was being revoked because he was
not a volunteer. When pressed for
an explanation, he was told it was
because “technically, you are working
against the government”. All
this because he was perceived to be
taking money out of government
coffers by helping vets successfully
make claims! He said he could not
believe that he was considered the
enemy because he was helping vets
get what they deserved and earned
with their military service. He said he
didn’t care what anyone thought, he
was going to do what he thought was
right. He further urged anyone who
knows a vet that is in need of help to
send that vet to him and he will make
sure he or she gets taken care of.
Thank you, Hon. Ron Tocci and
Richard Castellano for the informative
discussion of veterans rights and
what is sorely lacking in their care.
CORP.
718-993-4747
Andy Pane ‘72
Dr. Arthur Wolstein read a Dear Abby letter
about veterans.
Ve t e r a n s
Appreciate Gr at e f u l
Acknowledgement
Dr. Arthur Wolstein read the following
“Dear Abby” letter at the meeting:
Dear Abby: As Veterans Day
approaches, may I share a few guidelines
that can be helpful when interacting
with veterans or service members?
1) It is never OK to ask a veteran if
he or she has killed someone or to joke
about it. If we have, we can’t even talk
about it with our spouses, much less a
stranger.
2) When you thank us for our service
SUNDAY
Central Bronx
MONDAY
Bedford-Armonk
Bronxville
Chappaqua
New York
Northeast Westchester
St. George’s
MEETING TIMES & PLACES of ROTARY CLUBS in DISTRICT 7230
6:30p Parkchester Tax & Immigration
6:30p Kicho Japanese Bistro
12:15p J.C. Fogarty’s Town Tavern
12:15p Crabtree’s Kittle House
12:00p Harvard Club
6:15p Primavera
6:30p Grotto Bay Beach Resort
Tuesday
Bronx
12:15p Sammy’s Shrimp Box
Chinatown
1:00p Hop Lee Restaurant
Croton-on-Hudson 12:15p Justin Thyme
East Yonkers 12:00p Luciano’s Restaurant
Hamilton
12:30p Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club
Harlem
6:00p Gran Piatto d’Oro Restaurant
Hastings, Dobbs Ferry,
Ardsley & Irvington 6:15p Doubleday’s
Mount Pleasant 12:15p Casa Rina Restaurant
PortChester-Rye Brook 12:10p T&J Trattoria
Scarsdale
12:00p Moscato’s
Staten Island 12:30p Ligreci’s Staaten Restaurant
Upper Manhattan 6:00p Gran Piatto d’Oro Restaurant
White Plains 12:15p Crowne Plaza
Wednesday
Eastchester 12:15p Ciao Restaurant
Gateway
7:15p Lake Club
Hartsdale
12:15p Alaroma Restaurant
www.bronxrotaryclub.org
or pay for our meal, it is really appreciated.
3) Please don’t tell us that wars are
a waste of dollars or lives or are fought
for oil. What we hear is that, in your
opinion, our best friend died for nothing.
We know many people disagree
with war, but it’s better to keep your
opinions to yourself.
4) Many of us now have PSTD. If
you see us acting anxious or moving
away from crowds, turning our backs
to the wall or fidgeting, simple kindness
or a little distraction will be appreciated.
Talk to us about something
interesting and give us some breathing
room.
5) Please remember that 15 percent
of those who serve in the military are
women, and some have been in combat.
It’s better to ask, “Are you a veteran?’
rather than “Was your husband
a soldier?”
6) As with any person who has a disability,
please do not stare at us. We can
be sensitive about our scars or injuries
and would prefer not to be asked to
relive a difficult experience by being
quizzed about what happened. Please
also understand that war injuries today
are very different than in the past and
are often not visible. It is not OK to tell
someone they “don’t look disabled” or
appear to need help.
Those of us with disabilities appreciate
light conversation and assistance if
we look like we are in need.
It was my pleasure to serve our country,
–Amanda C.
U.S. Army Disabled Veteran
Inwood Manhattan
Metro NYC
Mount Kisco
Mount Vernon
New Rochelle
Ossining
Pelhams
Sandys
Tarrytowns
Wall Street
Yorktown
7:00p Garden Cafe
7:30p Trattoria Dopo Teatro
12:15p Mt. Kisco Holiday Inn
12:15p Bona Sera Restaurant
6:15p Davenport Club
12:30p The Tuscan Grille
12:15p Bistro Rollin
6:30p Henry VIII Restaurant
12:15p Westchester Marriott Hotel
6:00p Downtown Association
12:15p Kirby’s Restaurant
Thursday
Cortlandt Manor 7:00p Cortlandt Colonial
Elmsford
12:15p Doubletree Hotel Tarrytown
Mamaroneck& Harrison 12:15p Emilio’s Restaurant
Mid-Island
7:30a Dakota Diner
North Shore 7:00p LiGreci’s Staaten Restaurant
Peekskill
12:15p Cortlandt Colonial Restaurant
Pembroke
7:15a Royal Bermuda Yacht Club
Pleasantville 12:15p Riviera Restaurant
Riverdale
6:45p The Riverdale Greentree
Somers
6:45p Somerfields
South Shore 12:15p Marina Grand
Yonkers
12:15p Luciano’s Italian Restaurant
Friday
Briarcliff Manor
Larchmont
Rye
12:15p Briarcliff Recreation Center
12:15p Larchmont Yacht Club
12:15p Coveleigh Club