Wayne Patterson heads Warwick Rotary Club

Rotarians also elect new officers and award three scholarships WARWICK - Wayne Patterson, a local real estate agent and Warwick school board member, has taken over the helm of the Warwick Valley Rotary Club for 2011-2012. He will serve as president of the 55-member local chapter of Rotary International. Roger Gibboni, chief operating officer of the international consulting firm Dulye and Company, will serve as Rotary president-elect. Lisette Cuba, Warwick branch manager for Sussex Bank, will become vice president. Other officers for 2011-2012 include Alan Fernandez, recording secretary; Leonard Bakker, corresponding secretary; Stuart Arthur, treasurer; Mary McClurg, assistant treasurer, and Brenda Harburger, past president. Elected to the board of directors are Maggi Verhagen and Stan Martin, community service; Ed Lynch, public relations; Richard Savino, club service; Ed Maddalena, international service; Eric Heffler, vocational service; Leo R. Kaytes, membership service. Bill Bassett performed the oath of office during the 35th annual Warwick Rotary installation dinner held at the Warwick Valley Country Club. Bassett is retired as district superintendent of schools for Orange-Ulster counties and executive officer of BOCES. He has been serving as vice chairman of the board of directors for Orange Regional Medical Center. The incoming Rotary governor-elect praised the Warwick club officers and members for being honored as one of five clubs in the 66-club, eight-county district to earn the prestigious “Presidential Citation with Distinction” from Rotary International President Ray Klinginsmith. Dr. Ray Bryant, Warwick superintendent of school, was named “Rotarian of the Year.” He was praised for his involvement in numerous community projects, including the Empty Bowls project which raised about $22,000 for the Backpack Snack Attack and the Warwick Food Pantry. The role of young people Three $1,750 scholarships were awarded to Warwick Valley High School graduating seniors. Winner of the Warwick Valley Rotary Silvio Petrucci Scholarship for the Arts was Nicole Bartolatta. Also honored were Warwick Valley Rotary Scholarship winners Samuel Schenkman and Danielle Passaflume. For the first time in the 35-year history of the local service club, a high school student served as master of ceremonies for the installation dinner. Caroline Zielinski was asked and accepted the challenge from incoming president Wayne Patterson, who said he will emphasize youth programs “to develop our future leaders.” Zielinski, is the epitome of such a student, said Patterson. She is valedictorian of her 2011 graduating class, president of the senior class and president the high school Interact Club. Outgoing President Brenda Harburger and Dr. Edwin Wiley. Warwick’s Rotary Foundation chair, spoke of the many accomplishment of Warwick Rotarians this past year, including the club’s being in the top three in the district in most gift-giving categories, “epitomizing Rotary’s motto of 'Service Above Self.’” Harburger presented tokens of her appreciation to her officers and board members, including an award to “her mentor,” Stan Martin, a Rotary assistant governor and former Warwick Rotary president. Martin, in turn, presented John Buckley, former Warwick Valley High School agriculture teacher and retired principal, with the Region 6 Rotarian of the Year plaque for Vocational Achievement. Warwick Paul Harris Fellows, named for the founder of Rotary, were recognized for their contributions to the humanitarian and educational programs of The Rotary Foundation. About Rotary Rotary International is a worldwide service organization of business and professional men and women. There are over 32,000 Rotary Clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Local Rotarians sponsor the Warwick Valley High School Interact Club, which has more than 100 members. Jeanine Fogler is the Interact advisor. Warwick Rotarians help sponsor dozens of local projects and organizations through donations and volunteering of time. They also assist in far-reaching projects, including disaster relief, pure water and sanitation projects, Rotaplast for cleft-palate operations and Polio Plus for eradicating polio worldwide. The Warwick Rotary Club meets every Wednesday noon at The Landmark Inn. Persons interested in membership are invited to attend.