Okay-We'll try this again....JB

Needham Rotary Club Bulletin

August 11, 2009

Opening: Pledge of Allegiance- President Ryan, 'God Bless America' led by Ron Sockol, and Karen  led us in Prayer.

Guests: Connor Sullivan, a Needham Rotary Scholarship winner from 3 years ago, who is gong into his senior year at Bentley College; Michelle Buyer, Chuck's daughter; Joan Linsky, our guest speaker from West River Care; Jennifer Lynch of Independent Blessings, a future speaker who wanted to attend a meeting before her presentation.

Announcements:

-Next Tuesday, August 18^th we will visit Wingate Nursing Home for a cookout at noon, instead of the Sheraton. Bill Swartley, who just turned 102, will recount some of his experiences as President of Boston Rotary. We anticipate that Bob Day will be there as well, as they are Wingate roommates!

-Ryan pointed out that the club had received 2 thank you letters from 2 RYLA students, Jessica Dunning and Rebecca Nobel. 

-December 20^th: The day Needham Rotarians are scheduled to work on the Habitat for Humanity home here in Needham. Hold the date!

-Connor Sullivan visited the club to thank us for the support from his scholarship. He is attending BentleyCollege, where he is majoring in Accounting and Finance and plays Lacrosse.

-The Bandy-Hefler exchange is still looking for host families for several days in September. Contact our own Karen Wetmore if you would like to host. It is a great experience!

-If you have Rotary flags you have received from other clubs (near or far), pass them on to Karen. She and Miriam will be sewing them together to make a new banner for our club. Sounds great !!

-The club had discussed having a Fall '09 golf tournament, but the consensus is that we don't have enough time to plan it. Perhaps in the Spring of next year.

-Ryan pointed out that the gift of a 'Shelter Box' we made to that organization may have been deployed to Taiwan, during their recent problems. See http://www.shelterbox.org/index.asp for more details.

-Ted Shaughnessy updated us on Gift of Life. 2 young children from Kosovo, a 4 year old and a 7 year old who are coming separately with their Mother, are due for surgery at CHMC on September 11 and 9 respectively, The 4 year old is being hosted by Natick Rotary, and the 7 year old by Waltham Rotary.

In addition, another child from Albania is coming, and the group is looking for Albanian translators. Several members spoke up who know of Albanian people.

Humor:

50/50: We have a winner ! Yes, Gary Donelan had ticket number 696, and drew the Ace of spades. He won 50% of the $529.00. Congratulations!!! Next week, we get to start all over!

Happy Dollars: Lots of Happy Dollars for the Brockton Rox trip;  Scotti for getting a call from Greg Buscone (former Needham Rotarian) inviting him to see Paul McCartney at Fenway Park, and for being in his boat at Pres. Bush's summer dock in Kennebunk Port (surrounded by Secret Service ???). Deb Donovan gave $2.00 to thank Joan Linsky, our guest speaker, for 'pinch hitting' as guest speaker on about 15 hours notice, and, for Rich Forte's presentation to Wingate's Senior Center in Andover; Chuck Buyer for being able to bring his daughter to visit today, and for the eminent visit of his mother in law; Kathy Whitney for 4 weeks of sailing; George H for being able to sit with 'Coach' Chuck Levin; the Sockol's for a visit to Washington DC; Deb for

Birthdays:

Guest Speaker:  Joan Linsky, Clinical Liaison of West River Care in Needham (www.westrivercare.com) was our guest speaker. Joan's Dad, Bernie Segaloff, is a Past President of the Natick Rotary Club, so she is no stranger to Rotary.

WRC is a hospice, and provides services to those in need. Joan tried to dispel the notion that Hospice is only for those who are in the final weeks and months of their lives. She presented the example of her Mom who utilized hospice services (on an out patient basis in her home) for several years before passing.

WRC provides medicine, supplies, equipment and services to folks in need, and their families. One person whose parent passed on said she utilized the services of WRC for 13 months after the relatives passing, to try and close the gap, and to get them through  the 'firsts': first birthday, first Thanksgiving; first Anniversary of this one's passing.

Clearly this is a wonderful service, and one which we all should be aware of. Good job Joan!