When Oyster Bay Rotary held its second meeting of the season, it was run by new president, former senator Carl Marcellino.
“Last night’s meeting was a success in spite of the rainy weather. New member Ed Curry Sr. was installed. Rotary’s Oyster Bay Charitable Fund donated $1500 to the Youth and Family Counseling Agency of OB-EN. OBCF chair, James Fuccio presented the check to YFCA Executive Director Barbara Rakusin, herself a Rotarian.
Rotarian James Werner, YFCA president was thrilled with the donation and said,
“Rotary and YFCA. Two great organizations working together.”
(Photo by Patricia Marcellino)
Curry, Sr. joined Rotary after meeting Beverly Zembko, Oyster Festival Food Court chair at a veteran’s event. “She said she needed help at the Oyster Festival,” he explained. He is ready to volunteer in the community. Curry retired from his business, Perfect Communications, where he sold complete phone systems, many in the garment district where he met big name designers like Henry Segal of Chic Jeans, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. He is an Air Force veteran, and a member of AmVet Post 21, now incorporated into the American Legion, at 120 South St., Oyster Bay. Curry has some interesting suggestions for youth outreach events.
As Rotary continues to donate funds earned from their food booths at the Oyster Festival, they are planning for this year’s event. Oyster Festival co-chairs Walter Imperatore and James Fuccio; along with Zembko, gave an update on the status of the 36th Oyster Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19, and Sunday, Oct. 20.
(Photo by Patricia Marcellino)
The Oyster Festival Committee has hired a new promotional firm: Experiential Events & Strategic Marketing, under the leadership of Carson Tang. Imperatore explained, “Jim and Carson met during college at Stony Brook. Carson had already begun creating events back then.” The firm is MWBE Certified by the City, and State of New York, and Port Authority of NY/NJ. They specialize in Specializing in nationwide events, festivals, event marketing, pop-ups, campaigns, conferences, meetings, conventions, and expos.
Tang seems like a great fit for Oyster Bay. His avocation is sharing his love of the outdoors with others. He is an Appie Award winner: it is given for volunteering for the Appalachian Trail. He was in charge of 24 groups involved in the environment, conservation, biking and hiking. In all, about 6,000 people reported to him.
“I take people into the outdoors on hiking trips to introduce them to the environment to reconnect them with a love of our outdoors – away from the artificial and into nature,” said Tang. He has been walking segments of the 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail that runs from Georgia to Maine.
(Photo by Patricia Marcellino)
