Meet a TwinBridger: Debbie Spaner-Smith
By Richard Landers
Debbie grew up in Albany and now resides in Latham. She has lived in this area her entire life except when she went to college at Buffalo State University. Retired now, Debbie taught second and third grade in Albany schools for some 30 plus years.
“I love Rotary,” she says. “I’ve met a lot of good people, people who like to give back. I now have some very good friends that I met through Rotary.”
She likes the social events and the fundraising events. She is on the Twin Bridges Board of Directors and has chaired several events including the Easter Bunny Breakfast and the club’s Black and White Dinner Party. Two years ago, she was the recipient of the highest honor the Club awards-- Rotarian of the Year.
The caring profession of elementary school teacher is still reflected in Debbie’s Rotary work on behalf of children. This year alone she joined in building beds for area kids who don’t have one and shopping for Christmas presents for area families in need.
Debbie originally joined the Capital Region Rotary about ten years ago, joined Twin Bridges four years ago and has been one of the Club’s most active members attending almost every event and meeting.
Three other Twin Bridges members have joined Debbie in what she calls a special friends group—13 women “of a certain age.”
The special friends group goes out to celebrate all kinds of events—birthdays, holidays,” grandma showers” and recently had an “Italian Night.” Grandma showers, by the way, are a relatively new thing for honoring and gifting new grandmothers.
This group also travels together, taking trips to Boston and the Finger Lakes this year. Planned was a trip to Las Vegas but that got cancelled due to the effects on air travel of the government shutdown. They are planning to go there next September.
Included among the three other TwinBridgers who belong to the group is Debbie’s identical twin sister, Roni Basle. Roni is also a very active member of the Club. A lifelong companion to Debbie and still a best friend, Roni also lives in Latham. Brother Bobby lives in Arizona.
Another key part of Debbie’s life are her two boys, fraternal twins Austin and Connor. Now 26, the two boys, like Debbie and Roni, are very close, went to the same college and took the same classes. Debbie is still close to her boys, perhaps because she raised them as a single mom.
Debbie and Roni joined Twin Bridges at the same time and immediately confused most members who couldn’t tell them apart. Now, a few years later, most people can tell them apart as there are some physical differences—for example, one of them is an inch or two taller.
How has being a twin been for Debbie?
“It’s all good—we’re best friends,” she says. “We talk on the phone for an hour at 10 am every morning and plan our days.”
The sisters do enjoy doing things together and frequently make the same choices. Debbie jumped on the recent trend of “pop-up” Christmas trees—artificial trees that are easy to assemble, not expensive and “look beautiful,” according to Debbie. Now Roni has the same tree. (Check Amazon or Walmart if you’re interested.)
Yes, they are used to people confusing the two of them—they even answer to both names. Debbie denied trying to confuse any boys in their younger years by pretending to be the other sister. But Debbie did have one date with a guy who is now Roni’s husband—he approached Roni, thinking it was Debbie.
(Editor’s Note: Are you sure you’re interviewing Debbie right now and not Roni? Answer: Yes, I’m certain . . .well, I’m really very sure . . .really.)
“Rotary is an important part of my life and another group of friends.” Says Debbie. “It’s a good social network, especially for retired people. Service really is now a part of my life.”