Warwick Rotarians induct Dempsters as co-presidents

For the first time in its 48-year history, the Warwick Valley Rotary Club will have co-presidents — the husband-and-wife team of David and Patti Dempster.

Patti Dempster is a retired pharmacist and Dr. David Dempster is professor emeritus of clinical pathology and cell biology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York. He continues to present lectures to medical conferences, most recently at two Korean locations in mid-June.

The Dempsters and other incoming Warwick Rotary officers, directors and foundation officials were sworn into office this month at the Town of Warwick’s Mountain Lake Park.

Neil Sinclair turned over the presidential gavel after completing his record fourth one-year term as club president. On July 1, fellow Warwick Rotarian Leo R. Kaytes became district governor for the eight-county, 56-club Mid-Hudson Rotary District 7210, and Sinclair assumed the role as an assistant district governor.

Other newly installed club officers are president-elect Deb Giuliani, vice president Laura Barca, recording secretaries MariaCodd-Perez and Deborah Guiliani, corresponding secretary Cindy Vander Plaat and Patti Dempster, treasurer Susan Lynch, club advisor Leo R. Kaytes, and past-president Neil Sinclair.

Incoming club directors of the avenues of service include: Laurene Iammatteo for club and membership service, Joyce Perron for community service, Paul Ruszkiewicz for vocational service, Michael Johndrow for new generations/youth services, and John Mickowski for international service.

Warwick Valley Rotary Foundation incoming officers include Tina Buck as president, John McGloin as vice president, Leo R. Kaytes as treasurer, and Olga Papagianopoulos as secretary.

Outgoing president Neil Sinclair received a standing ovation for his leadership during the past 12months. The club added more than 10 new members, assisted three dozen non-profits with financial and donated labor help, and provided four $2,000 scholarships to Warwick college-bound students.

Ed Wiley, local Rotary International Foundation chairman, reported Warwick Valley Rotarians have donated $300,000 to the Rotary International Foundation for-life-improving projects. Rotary Region 6 assistant governor Ed Lynch added that Warwick Rotarians ranked first in most performance categories in District 7210.

The Warwick Valley Rotary Club, an 80-plus member non-profit service organization, meets every Wednesday at noon at the Landmark Inn. Prospective members are invited to attend.