Fall is a time for heralding change, and thus it is with the North Central Zone. We wish to thank Nancy Roberts for the fine job she has done as the NCZ PR Co-Chair for almost 14 years! Nancy is a gifted writer and editor. She possesses a great deal of common sense and excellent judgement. Over the years, Nancy has served NCZ/RENY in a number of positions and receiving a Certificate of Recognition in October 2021. We wish Nancy and her husband Al Roberts health, happiness & continued success in retirement. We welcome Jackie Maloney, our NCZ Membership Chair, who has graciously volunteered to partner with Patricia Newell in covering the NCZ news for York State.

The NCZ Fall Business Luncheon was held on September 16^th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Watertown. This is always a celebrated event. It is a wonderful social occasion in which business is also conducted. We welcomed four new members who attended the luncheon for the first time. There is always time for a little comic relief! During our business meeting, the fire alarm at Hilton Garden Inn went off!! It was just like old times. We all filed out & stood in the sunshine & chatted while a fire truck pulled up. Thank goodness it was not anything serious. No one was endangered, and lunch was still delicious. It was a remembrance of things past.

Congratulations to our newly elected officers for 2026-2027! These dedicated officers along with our Executive Council members spearhead NCZ activities. Elwood “Woody” Lyndaker will continue to serve as Secretary. Barbara Cole-Russell and Patricia Newell will also continue in their roles as Treasurer and 2^nd VP respectively. Toni Gigliotti will be back as 1stV-President. Rick Morris will continue as President until the November NCZ Executive Council meeting. Members plan to brainstorm solutions to lend support for Presidential leadership succession.

NCZ President Rick Morris presented Patricia Newell with a Certificate of Appreciation at the luncheon. The award was given in recognition for the job she has done providing informational and also entertaining programs for the NCZ June & September luncheons. She also makes the agenda cards for these special events. Pat was quite surprised & appreciative of this recognition for a job that she loves to do.

The entertainment at the Fall Luncheon was provided by 16 Stage Notes students who study under Artistic Director, Ticia Aumell. Stage Notes students performed at our 2018 September luncheon. We felt so fortunate that this dynamic company could be with us once again. They always bring their singing and dancing talents along with enthusiasm for a memorable show. A specially written narrative provided the framework for their selected songs. Members of the audience could be seen smiling as they listened to “All the World Needs Now”, the “Jet Song” from West Side Story, “Summer Nights” from Grease, “September” from the musical group Blood, Sweat & Tears, etc. These students received a standing ovation!!

At each of our luncheons, Pat Dietrich, NCZ Community Service Co-Chair, organizes the raffle for the activity “Love Your Public Library.” At our June 2026 luncheon, the names of four lucky libraries were drawn. The winners were: Depauville Free Library, Flower Memorial Library in Watertown, Hay Memorial Library in Sackets Harbor, and Macsherry Library in Alexandria Bay. The winning libraries at the September luncheon were Flower Memorial Library in Watertown, East Hounsfield Free Library in Watertown, William Bush Memorial Library in Martinsburg, and Port Leyden Community Library. Literacy is at the heart of education. We are very pleased to be able to award each of these libraries with $50 to help build their collections or to fund a special project.

The 2026 RENY Convention was an elegant affair. Hats off to Jan Mullins and her Eastern Zone team for the planning and work that they invested in this undertaking! Our NCZ delegates Barbara Cole-Russell, Jackie Maloney, Rick Morris, and Jim & Pat Newell rose to the occasion and shined in “Glitter and Gold”!!

There is usually a surprise or two at each convention. This year was no exception. We are very proud that Dr. James Newell was awarded the Certificate of Recognition for Distinguished Service. He has served the organization with his leadership skills as NCZ President, RENY State President, and is now the Co-Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Health Insurance. He is very deserving of this honor. We are also delighted that fellow colleagues Mary Lou Wood from the Southern Zone, and Janice Mullins from the Eastern Zone were also recognized and honored for their accomplishments. This was indeed a memorable Convention.