Rotary Ramblings - January 13, 2009

[ynotsue at bellsouth.net]

   Normal  0      false  false  false                     MicrosoftInternetExplorer4   Rotary Ramblings –January 13, 2009
 
We were entertained by our own Bruce Williams.  Invocation was given by Pat Archer and SamAldorffer led us in the “Battle Hymn of theRepublic” and “Americathe Beautiful”.  We also sang a HappyBirthday to Leo Phillips.
 
Harvey Brown introduced our numerous visiting Rotarians:  Ray Butterfield from Cranston, RI; HaroldLipvoski from Berrington, IL; Jay Ackerman from St. Clair, MI; Chris Hart fromBrighton, Canada (a rural town on the north shore of Lake Ontario) was presentedwith a banner from us; Tom Harrington and Frank Brennan from Rotterdam, NY whopresented us with a banner and received a banner in exchange.  Our new member, Stephen Alexander, along withSteve Butera made up online.  Guests wereSue’s mom, Patsy Foster, Les Deck and Christina Dombrowski.
 
Fred Bonardi gave the stock report which indicated it was aquiet day on Wall Street (for a change) with the Dow being down 4 points,NASDAQ up 12 points and S&P up 5 points. Gold is also up and oil is down.
 
Announcements:
 
Our member and District Governor, Betsy Owen is going to Indiato assist in the polio vaccinations of 135million children with 39 otherRotarians.  She is requestingtoothbrushes or beanie babies to take to the children.  Please bring these items to the next meetingas she is leaving soon.  Please also keepher in your prayers as there are many other diseases that can be contracted –so much so that they are required to leave any clothing they take with them soas not to transport diseases back into the US.
 
Opportunities for Service:
 
Thurs. 1/29 – Achievement Center for Children andFamilies (we’re back to the last Thursday of the month).  Available time slots are 8-9am; 9-10am; 3-4pmor 4-5pm.  Please see Bob Teninga to signup.
Today, 1/20 and 1/27 – Souperbowl of Caring collection.  Pat Robinson and Sarah Martin will begreeting you at the door with the soup bowl collecting funds to be donated tothe Caring Kitchen.  Over $500 werecollected last year.  Let’s beat ourrecord.  The need is even greater thisyear.
Mon. 2/16 – Presidents’ Day Celebration at Phillips PointClub by the Breakers to honor past, present and future governors. Tickets$65.00 and a sign up sheet will be in the lobby next week.
Sat. 2/28 – Paint up Delray. Sign up sheet will be posted in the lobby next week.
 
Candace Etzler announced a call to service from Pine GroveElementary (one of the schools we deliver dictionaries to).  They are starting a birthday club as many oftheir students do not get anything on their birthday.  They are collecting new children’s books forages kindergarten thru 5th grade to be given to the students ontheir birthdays, so they get something. We are going to start collecting these books at our club starting nextweek.  When you are shopping at Target,Walmart, Walgreens or any of the book stores, pick up a couple of books forneedy kids.  Not only will you beproviding them with a birthday gift, but also will be helping them to lovereading.
 
Sue Miller introduced the student and teacher of themonth.  The student, Allie Klionsky, isthe editor for the school newspaper, president of the Classical Music Club andLiterary Club founder and president and a member of the National Honor Society,Spanish National Honor Society, Poetry Club and Drama Club.  She has also been involved in many communityservice ventures including Milagro Center, TOPS piano and band camps,adopt-a-family to name a few.  She isapplying to several schools specializing in journalism but her first choice is Swarthmore College.   Her teacher, Ken Swart, is an Englishteacher and the advisor for the school newspaper.  He encouraged Rotarians spreading the wordadvocating education since so much funding is being cut federally and from thestate.  He not only honored students whoparticipate in community service projects, but also commended Allie for hercourage in getting involved in controversial and unpopular ventures such as theschool newspaper and classical music club, dealing with unhappy administratorsand students over stories written in the paper. Many high school students prefer to remain under the radar.  
 
Bob Teninga introduced our speakers the Mignons, who arecurrently working diligently with an Ecuadorian village containing 123 verypoor families with 59 senior adults. They are supported by 150 American families who help to sponsor thesefamilies in Santo Domingo de los Colorados.  They have also started a medical project totreat these people supplying $3,500 to $4,500 monthly.  They were taking US doctors, but realize itis more economical to utilize Ecuadorian based doctors for treatment.  The Mignons support these projects andprograms thru the non-profit store they have in Michigan for 3 1/12 months a year in thesummer.  They personally visit thevillage and these families several times a year sending pictures to the USsponsors.  The current emergency is forclean water.  The primitive latrines andwashing (carrying water from a dirty river); old wells are the only sources ofwater.  Their newest project (which theyare seeking partners in Rotary) is for the Bio Sands Water Filter system willprovide 320 bio sand filters for 250 families and 70 for the schools whichservice 4000 children.  These providesanitary toilet stall and sink capabilities, plus the filtration systems tosanitize the water.  Utilization of thesesystems will eliminate a substantial amount of bacteria preventingdiseases.  For a very small clubinvestment (and grants from Rotary International), our club can finally be partof a water project.    
 
The green hat is up to $1,948.50, and there were 3 cardsleft.  Bob Teninga did not pull thewinning card.  Only 2 left for next week.  
 
 
 
 
 
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