RFE planned for Long Island

By Donna Pedace, Chair
District 5520 RFE Program

We are delighted to see Covid numbers dropping in our District and in most of the country. It bodes well for all of us beginning to get back to some form of normal life. The reopening of the Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) is one example of that hope.

District 5520 members have the opportunity for two different RFEs this year. The first will be with District 7255, which covers Long Island, Brooklyn, and Queens, New York. A description of the district is shown at the end of this note.

Please respond by email as soon as possible if you are interested and willing to host the district’s inbound team for 2-3 days in May, or if you wish to travel outbound to their District in August.

Details:

Request for host families/clubs for incoming Rotarians from District 7255 and for those interested in traveling to District 7255

• We need 6 host families in 3 different host clubs/communities for 2-3 days each during May 10-20. Multiple clubs in a given area may share the hosting of the guests between the clubs. If you are willing to host the incoming group, please notify me as soon as possible by email at pedaceabq@aol.com.

• If we can provide enough host homes for this incoming group from District 7255, we will send a return group to their district from Aug. 2-12, 2022. If you are interested in traveling to District 7255, please notify me as soon as possible by email at pedaceabq@aol.com.

Reservations to travel will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. Travelers will be asked to provide a $100 check (made out to Rotary District 5520) to hold your reservation. The check will be torn up when you depart on the RFE. Should you cancel and we are unable to fill your spot, the check will become a donation to our district.

Please let me know if you have any questions about RFE, or this specific trip at (505) 349-8850 or pedaceabq@aol.com

Description of District 7255 – Long Island, Brooklyn, and Queens

Our Rotary District 7255 covers the geographic area of Long Island, Brooklyn, and Queens. It is approximately 115 miles long from Brooklyn and Queens at the western end, to Montauk at the easternmost point. At its widest, the island is approximately 20 miles from north to south. Long Island is the longest and largest island and the most populated island in the United States and 18th in the world. It houses approximately 8 million people.

Long Island is noted for beautiful beaches along Long Island Sound on the North shore and the more famous South Shore, which is home to Atlantic Ocean waves and white-sand beaches. The North Fork is also home to many wineries, farms, and culinary outlets. Other attractions include the North Shore harbor towns such as Port Jefferson, Huntington Village, Stony Brook, and Northport, where a variety of eateries and small businesses thrive in a bohemian atmosphere.

Tourists can swim at any of the great South Shore Ocean beaches, splurge at the many shopping malls, dine at famous eateries, and partake in the exciting nightlife that Long Island is known for.

History is all over Long Island. To mention a few sites:

• Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory where DNA was first discovered.

• The Oheka Castle listed on the coveted National Register of Historic Places has been devoted to the art of entertaining since 1919.

• Sagamore the former home of Theodore Roosevelt with a museum, nature trails, and beaches.

• Montauk Point Lighthouse offers scenic views and a museum at the historic 1776 lighthouse authorized under President George Washington.

• The Cradle of Aviation Museum, an aerospace museum located in Garden City commemorates Long Island’s part in the history of aviation.

• The famed musician Louis Armstrong’s home along the Queens Jazz Trail is fun to visit.

• The Panorama of the City of New York at the Queens Museum is a remarkable sight.

• The wonderful Brooklyn Botanic Garden and the famous Brooklyn Bridge and the gorgeous 85-acre waterfront park offer history and beauty all wrapped up in one.

New York City (Manhattan Island) is about 30 minutes to 2 hours away by car or train, depending on the Long Island location you would be traveling from. New York City is famous for its sights, museums, shopping, eateries, and theaters. Many Long Island tourists visit New York City during their stay and get to enjoy all the fun and exciting attractions both islands have to offer. New York City is not part of District 7255, though we do provide some sightseeing excursions there for our Inbound Friendship Exchange Teams.

In August you can enjoy the warmest season and dig your toes into our beautiful white sand beaches, shop and dine at quaint seaside villages and tour world-class wineries. The weather averages around 83 degrees Fahrenheit and is perfect for swimming and outdoor sightseeing.