Rotateller Rotary Club of Owego, NY
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 Gary Williams, Editor

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. Mark Twain

Happy birthday to Carole LaPlante and Deb Demers

MUSIC:

Carolyn lead us in “White Christmas”

FINES:

Matt challenged us with questions about the stock market.

EVENING MEETING:

Last week’s program was a great success due to Steve. The next evening meeting will be the first Tuesday in March. The OFA Jazz Band will be playing.

POOL:

Orv raised $872.50 for the pool with his benefit performance.

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S:

Since the holidays fall on Tuesday this year, Kiwanis has graciously invited us to join them to meet on Thursday December 27, and January 3.

POINSETTIAS:

Judy nicely delivered plants to the office today. Following Bill Moon is a tough act, but we sold 847 plants (with a few members contributing enormously) which is more than we had contracted for. Please bring in your money as soon as possible

Joao spent two weeks in FL and seemed to like to warm weather. (I just found out that it was in the 80’s in Tuscaloosa today). He enjoyed the trip and show. He also enjoyed the party on Saturday giving gifts (Toys for Tots Train) Joao saw snow for the first time in his life (and had a snow day off from school). He moves next weekend.

Mati has moved in to live with the Phillips. He went to Bainbridge on Saturday and to Lancaster on Sunday.

PROGRAM:

Steve introduced Chris Evans who teaches English at OFA and is the varsity basketball coach. He came to share thoughts about Owego and our kids. Chris is a product of this community and feels strongly that teachers should be part of the community in which they teach. Graduating from OFA gave him many opportunities, but he is very glad to be back. He loves the small town and the opportunity to see the students outside of school. It bothers him that we hear too many of the negatives and that the negatives are frequently so much more visible than the positives. Our youth have a lot to offer and make significant contributions.

Since they are young, their decision-making skills are challenged, but that is part of growing up and brain maturation as it was for all of us. They push the limits and adults push-back which is normal. He shared how Steven King and Jake Burdick came to his son’s birthday party and did their drum-off. He shared how some of the musicians got together and played downtown for the holiday season. He mentioned “Toys for Tots” and the athletes who go to the elementary school to read to the young students. He mentioned the girl who makes cards for people and another young lady who wants to become a nurse so she can help people. Some of them have tremendous challenges and are really trying to find their ways.

He is not naïve and realizes that some of the most visible images we see are not positive, but as always, the outside does not always truly reflect the inside. Being an adolescent has become increasingly challenging. Can we help to change the culture?

NEXT WEEK’S PROGRAM WILL BE AN ATTORNEY GENERAL FROM NYC.

50/50 Doyle

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