a modest group of semi-losers April 2, 2015

New Canaan Rotary Club Bulletin                                             April 2, 2015

 

On the first day of 2015 that actually felt like spring a modest group of semi-losers, what with the Easter break imminent, gathered at the Roger for the weekly meeting with full hearts and hopeful heads.  President Eric called the meeting to order, led the Pledge and then Pastor Eric offered a prayer of gratitude for the change in the weather before asking for God's blessing on the members and their rations.

 

Thank goodness for John Bemis who was the only leader of one of our local efforts to actually be in the room.  The rest, apparently in fear of being branded as semi-losers, had departed for sand or slopes.  President Eric, standing in for Bill Walbert, announced that Bill had published the Friendship Dinner dates and is in the process of receiving responses from non-host members.  When all who wish to participate have been assigned, Bill will reveal the identity of the hosts and the makeup of the guest list for each evening.

 

President Eric, standing in for dictionary impresario Keith Simpson, informed us that the situation is unchanged from last week.  The books have been received, the labels adhered, the tab is largely covered, and Keith is negotiating delivery dates with the various schools.  Apparently Pope Francis has to sign off on the St. A's date.

 

President Eric, standing in for Rob Avery, reminded us that our Clean Your Mile effort will occur on Saturday morning, April 25^th.  Fred Baker was pictured in the Advertiser holding an example of the bags we will be expected to fill with roadside detritus from South Avenue between Farm Road and the Parkway.  Mark your calendars.

 

John Bemis, who did not need President Eric to stand in for him [what a semi-loser!], discussed the District Conference to be held at the Dolce Hotel and Resort in Norwalk on the weekend of May 14 – 17.  In recent years our attendance at these events has been sparse.  With this year's event being in the next station to the next station to heaven President Eric is hoping [expecting] a larger and more enthusiastic delegation from New Canaan.  John Bemis will not be among the group as he will be attending a daughter's college graduation.  Nevertheless he encouraged all Paul Harris Fellows who will be in town to attend the Paul Harris Luncheon on the 14^th.  To this end, President Eric recognized new Fellow Gene Tonkovich and, in absentia, Mr. Magoo for his designation as a Paul Harris Fellow + two, and, in a revelation explaining multiple presidents' forebearance when Kevin treats the 12:15 start time as a mere suggestion, Dr. Kevin McLaughlin as a Paul Harris Fellow + seven!!  Our president is looking for a volunteer to help coordinate our participation at the Conference.  If you are looking for a way to enhance your reputation in the Club and wish to be viewed as someone other than a burden on the membership step up and help our overworked and underappreciated president get the troops to the Dolce.

 

Sergeant Scott then served up a little IRS humor in honor of the imminence of Tax Day and moved among us with plate in hand.  George "President John Adams" Baker had a happy for encountering long-time New Canaan Tax Assessor and Rotarian Gordon Donley following a gig in Bath, Maine; John Engel a happy for daughter Lillian who has received a prestigious Communication Fellowship at Elon College in North Carolina; B.T. a happy for his son having inherited his athletic ability from his mother who made the varsity tennis team as a freshman; and a happy from Scott who is pleased with the men's tournament Final Four and assumes that Duke will move on to the championship game where they should have little trouble with either Wisconsin or Kentucky.

 

Then President Eric, standing in for Program Chair Ken Campbell, introduced our speakers, Columbia Presbyterian Hospital oncologist Dr. Gregory Mears and New Canaan resident journalist/yoga instructor Leigh Leibel who work together in a venture named Ashta Yoga.  Dr. Mears encountered Ms. Leibel when he sought her out to help him with his golf game.  While that was apparently unsuccessful he thought that perhaps his  patients, many of whom were in very difficult physical and emotional situations, could benefit from Leigh's ministrations.  The two have teamed up with her accompanying him on rounds and collaborating in the infusion center where patients receive their chemo.  The results, which are being recorded in a high level peer-reviewed study, leave no doubt that those patients who are being treated with traditional medicine plus yoga are doing much better than those receiving only traditional medical treatment.  They recommended a number of factors for forestalling or preventing cancer:  do yoga and meditate, decrease fat, be physically active, decrease carbs, take aspirin [anti-inflammatory], consume olive oil, consume turmeric, consume green tea, and don't microwave food in plastic containers.  Anyone wishing more information may contact Leigh Leibel at  203-920-1181.  Really informative and interesting program.

 

Mehmet Oz