Niagara County Central News

Posted by Deb Brewer

A PRESIDENT REFLECTS

I am President of the Rotary Club of Niagara County Central. My name is Dan Ljiljanich.  I am following in the footsteps of Past-President David Evans who helped navigate the club through the uncertainty of COVID-19. Though I would have hoped the pandemic was weakening, the new variant is attempting to create its own havoc. We can only hope and pray that Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines, and yes boosters too, are the answer its demise.  However, despite COVID, I am proud to say that Niagara County Central Rotarians have stayed true to the club's commitment to our community and the environment:
 
In April, the club celebrated Earth Day with a cleanup at the Wilson-Tuscarora State Park’s Roosevelt Beach. Rotarian and Wilson Superintendent, Tim Carter explained, “This was a great opportunity to not only celebrate our community, but to ask ourselves what we can do to conserve it for ourselves and future generations. Past President Evans said, “It is a great way to educate the public about the effects of littering, the importance of recycling, and instill a sense of stewardship about our planet.”
 
At our Installation dinner in June, we awarded $500 scholarships to three deserving high school seniors from the Niagara Wheatfield, StarPoint and the Wilson School Districts. We wish them well in their future endeavors. We also welcomed Rotarian and Assistant Governor, John Cooper, as he was sworn in as a new member of the Rotary Club of Niagara Country Central. Cooper is not new to being a Rotarian, having been past president of the Niagara Falls Rotary Club and past governor of Rotary District 7090. We proudly presented the Paul Harris Award to Rotarian and past President David Seaman. 
 
In October, Community Collaboration was the strength of the Niagara Wheatfield Eco Campus Revitalization project at the Niagara Wheatfield Schools; sponsored by the Niagara Wheatfield Central School District, the Rotary Club of Niagara County Central, and the Niagara River Greenway Commission. Cayuga Creek is the schools’ direct connection to the Great Lakes, which provides our community with everything from clean drinking water to economic and recreational benefits. Rotary President & Niagara Wheatfield Superintendent, Ljiljanich explained, “Our project will not only continue to make those tangible improvements to local water quality, but it will also provide tremendous learning opportunities for our students and nature-based recreation and fitness opportunities for our community.” Chairperson and AG Pat Sullivan remarked...“Though it was hard work no one ever said they would not do the tasks. It was a rewarding experience for all."
 
The Auto Parts Swap Meet and Car Corral was held the last weekend in October. Almost 300 people attended and despite being masked, they enjoyed food and the thrill of winning raffles and baskets.
 
In November and December, the Rotary Club of Niagara County Central annually donates dictionaries to third grade students in the Niagara Wheatfield and Wilson School District. Rotarian, the late Joseph B. Emmons, began this project locally in 2006. We proudly continue his worthwhile endeavor to bring these keepsakes of written knowledge to the students.
 
We personally donated funds to the Interact Club at Niagara Wheatfield High School to adopt a family at Christmas time. We remain impressed by the outstanding leadership of the Interact advisor Ms. Pyskaty and the commitment of the students to service above self. We know from where our future generation of Rotarians will come.
 
As I reflect back on this past year the word determination comes to mind. I salute my fellow Rotarians for their accomplishments and applaud them for their participation in achieving our goals for 2022.
 
Happy New Year, Dan.