February 14, 2013

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                                 February 14, 2013

In his continuing effort to keep our Club nimble, President Marty waited until Wednesday morning before issuing his invitation to all members to bring their significant others to today’s Valentine’s Day luncheon.  Apparently we need more work.  Only five spouses showed up, but these few were treated to the full impact of our weekly fellowship and entertainment.  Marty did not have his atomic clock in his hand and allowed 12:15 to come and go before belatedly attacking the bell.  The Pledge was almost drowned out by the chatter from investor Tom Gnuse’s meeting in the adjacent room before Eric employed his best evangelical projection to make the blessing audible to all.

When it came time to introduce Visiting Rotarians and guests there were none of the former, but Hazel Hobbs, Nita Nordgaard, Barbara Burns, Babs Horner and the fetching Ron Malloy were introduced by their respective spouses.

Assistant District Governor Ben then explained that our area clubs have agreed to combine our efforts and finances in applying for a challenge Global Grant project which will, if successful, support the Darien Person to Person food pantry operation to the tune of at least $40,000.  We need an international partner which Ben is confident we can attract.  The New Canaan contribution to the project is expected to come through our normal distribution process and not require additional funding.  More to come.

 Rob Avery then rose to ask if anyone has, or knows of, some storage space which the St.           

A’s Boy Scout Troop 70 can use between April 5 – 22 for their tag sale inventory.  Let

Rob know.

It was then John Marlow’s turn to report that he is working with Chamber of Commerce

Honcho Tucker Murphy on the concept, developed by The Ad Hoc Spring Project

Committee, of a pop-up children’s art project for the corner of Morse Court and South

Avenue for sometime in the spring.  Once again, more to come.

 Amy has three host families for Friendship Dinners.  She circulated sign-up sheets for

guests to select compatible dates.  The results are that one additional couple can be

 accommodated at the March 16 event, three couples at the April 13 dinner and

five couples for April 27.  If you would like to participate, let Amy know.

 On this perfect winter day Sergeant Scott told a weather-related story that warmed

the cockles of the collective heart before passing among us.  B.T. celebrated his 45^th

at Sole and left a giant tip for the waiter who told him that he looked only 34, Keith

cheerfully paid a happy fine for having just helped his mother cut her birthday cake

 on the occasion of her 99^th [the waiter thought she looked 34], Ben had a sad dollar for

 having had to put his beloved cat down due to a losing battle with kidney disease, and

 Scott came up with some cash for last night’s Blue Devil hoops victory over

the Tar Heels.

Program Chair Jim Cole then continued his hot streak by introducing New Canaan

 Medical Director, Columbia Medical School professor and practicing general

surgeon Dr. David Reid to educate and inspire us with the tale of his recent surgical

trip to Burma [which their criminal government wants us to call Myanmar].  He

joined a team of seven surgeons and five support personnel from St. Luke’s Roosevelt

Hospital who brought their own supplies and equipment to Wachet Hospital

 in the center of this ethnically diverse country.  They were able to make use of

the two operating rooms because they were there during the week and surgeons

from Mandalay Hospital only used them on weekends.  Burma was once a wealthy

country, but after years of oppressive and ineffective governance has an annual

per capita income of less than$1,100 per person.  He pointed out that in the developing

world the doctors are the consultants, the nurses are the doctors and the families are the

nurses.  Standards of hygiene and safety are very different and the lack of modern

equipment requires imaginative solutions to medical problems.  The team, in addition

to their surgery taught some courses at the national medical college and donated

some equipment which will expand the services available to the populace.  They

treated 154 patients during their visit and laid the groundwork for future

cooperation with the Department of Health.  A trip worthy of a Service Above

Self Rotarian.  Great program!

 

Paul Farmer