New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                                 January 31. 2008

 

President Amy, clad in her new spring skirt, was back in command as a large gathering of Rotarians, visitors and guests assembled at the Roger on a crystal clear mid-winter day.  She clanged the bell at 12:15 sharp and called on clerical collared and bow tied John Engle to ask the blessing, which he did without invoking the codicil present in most Tomaselli prayers.

 

The food was especially good today highlighted by the tray of beef brownies [a traditional Swiss specialty].

 

Amy called for introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests.  John Winterly was with us again, as was John Watson with his better half, Deborah Burns, as well as Assistant D.G. Phoebe Lees and John Engel’s guest, Jeff Sandreuter.

 

Amy then reported that David Bryant was vacationing by driving around listening to talk radio in a funky and eccentric town in the high desert of Southern California.  And they say that those of us still here on February 21 are the losers! 

 

David Rucci summarized his meeting with the Young Women’s Club regarding this year’s March 15 Easter Egg Hunt.  For the older children it will be more of a hunt, requiring volunteers to arrive at 0830 to distribute eggs to the far reaches of the Waveny field.  He implied that there would be a price to pay for those ignoring his call for volunteers, or for arriving late on the appointed day.

 

Sandy Malloy then directed the male members to go home and ask their wives if it would be maybe, possibly ok to host an annual Friendship Dinner at their house.  The format will be a host couple with three guest couples splitting responsibilities for appetizers, primi patti, secondi patti, pasta, salad, dessert and wine.  The dinners to occur in February or March.  Once the hosts are known, Sandy will conduct a drawing for the three guest couples.

 

Sergeant Scott then gave the membership a glimpse of the future of technology which, while appreciated by all,  was especially pleasing to Phoebe Lees.  Rucci the Elder contributed a fine in recognition of “the end of civilization as we know it.”

 

Amy once again asked all members who intend to attend the Valentine’s luncheon on February 14 and the Losers Dinner on the evening of February 21 to kindly rsvp to her immediately.

 

Program Chair extraordinaire Ken Campbell then introduced Peter McLaughlin, a certified Aging in Place specialist.  Who knew there was such a thing?  Peter, shouting to be heard above the raucous audience, gave an upbeat and optimistic report about the joys of aging.  Seventy-seven percent of women over 70 are widows and 42 percent of men the same age are widowers.  They deal with bruises and other injuries, including falls, some of which result in death, failing hearing and sight, painful joints, limited mobility, depression and dementia.  It is so uplifting to contemplate the Golden Years.  He provides many solutions to some of these problems including handrails, grab bars, modified sinks, countertops and appliances, chair lifts, elevators, increased lighting, ramps, wide doors with recessed hinges, lever door handles. anti-scalding devices, telephone jacks in the bathroom and medical response devices.  Nordgaard, Rucci and Hobbs looked really depressed.  All in all a very useful program.

 

Next week Allan Shope, who was previously snowed out, will join us to report on his family trip to visit the upland gorillas of Uganda.  This is an experience not to be missed!

 

Livingston