Rotateller Rotary Club of Owego, NY
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 Gary Williams, Editor

VISITORS AND GUESTS:

• Marjean, Paul’s daughter
• John Fitzgerald
• Patricia Sharpe, who is Gwen’s granddaughter who she has been raising since she was two. It was also great to have Gwen back!
• Carol Cavataio, who is a former member who would be wonderful to get back in the Club.
• Joe Whalen, who works for Wegman’s as a chef. He was very interesting to listen to and reminded me that it is worth going back to the Pittsford (flagship) store the next time we are in the Rochester area.
• Heather Kirkland
• Laura Spencer, John’s daughter
• Michael Weiss
• John Loftus (our mayor)
• Ann Laudermilk
• Doug Every

While young members (actually a mix) would be good, the future of Rotary will rest heavily on those who are older and those who are retired who have the interests, skills, and time to devote to community projects. Our Club is a prime example of this.

Happy 30th birthday to Laura.

MUSIC:

Carl and Carolyn led us in: “Sing Out a Song of Rotary”

FINES:

Carl (with Al’s help) levied fines. Those who brought guests paid $1.00. Those who did not bring a guest paid $2.00.

We received a thank you note from the Literacy Volunteers for our donation of $135.

MEMBERSHIP:

Merlin had applications for the guests who were interested in joining. He and Orv (and also Mark Bowers) succinctly summarized Rotary; influencing the community – both local and our international community. There are various avenues of service. Each of us contributes as we can in the areas which interest us the most.

CHRISTMAS PARTY:

Paul announced that the Treadway will contributes $75 to our Club for the next four weeks in recognition of our Club’s contribution to their Christmas Party.

POINSETTIA SALE:

Bill Moon shared that we raised $3000 for the Club through the sale. The committee of John Spencer, Judy Kip, and Al Sunderwirth – chaired by Bill – did an excellent job! Speaking of Al, just three weeks after surgery, Al can pedal 360 degrees on a stationary bike, is more comfortable, and is moving much better!

RELAY FOR LIFE:

Maria Dixson announced that a committee has been formed with John Jones, Vern Fronek, and Maria Fronek, to organize to have Owego Rotary have a presence at this year’s Relay for Life. (This is why we need younger members!)

STUDENTS:

Listening to the students points out one way in which our members make significant contributions (and yes, we could do more). Laura is involved with them every week (sacrificing church and dragging herself shopping, for example). This week, Steven and Wendy had Suzanne over. Mrinalini was at St. Patrick’s school today speaking to the fourth grade. How many of us had an experience like that in fourth grade? I’m not sure that I could have found India on the map when I was in fourth grade!

PROGRAM:

Maria Fronek introduced Scott Riegel and Mark Bowers who spoke about the Greenway and showed some wonderful pictures which I wish that I could pass along in the bulletin. This has gotten bigger than I realized. We see so much of what is wrong, that we can miss some of the changes which enhance our area and can enrich quality of life.

Since this relates to health, I will share that there is an article in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Public Health Association about obesity. This is a problem which could reverse the health gains of the last 50 years. While the US is a leader, the problem is also increasing in Europe. The World Health Organization passed a policy statement recommending that people have no more than 10% of their diet in sugar. The US rejected this and there is a move to drop our membership in the Organization (which is lead by the sugar industry).

On a related topic, in The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt, one person sells 30% of the world’s rat poison. He mentions that the large amount of garbage in the world is the biggest challenge for killing rats. In the 1950’s people threw out ½ of 1% of their food as garbage. It is now 7%.

And since Merl mentioned books at the table today, I will share that I really enjoyed The Camel Club by David Baldacci. I have read far more novels in the last six months than I usually read and this was one which I liked as did others in our family.

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