Minutes for May 9, 2016
Posted by Michael McIntosh
on May 16, 2016
The Casper Rotary Club
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Rotary Club of Casper WY
Meeting Summary
05/09/2016
President John Starnes called the meeting to order promptly at 12:24, with the ring of the bell and welcomed everyone to today’s meeting, with a special welcome to Brown Ewing.
Inspiration, Pledge, 4-Way Test:
Stephen Schnell
Greeters:
Tucker LaPrade and Dave Elmer were the greeters today, and Dave introduced the members who brought guests:
First, our exchange student Elise;
- Martha Rakestraw introduced parents of the SOM, Julie and Troy Pierentoni and Linda Johnson;
- Dennis Lower introduced his son and Daughter in law Bob and Theresa Lower;
- Tara Short introduced the Casper Classical Academy Interact students, Darrah Short, Andrew Brown, Katie Johnson, and Rachel Trujillo;
- Tucker LaPrade introduced Jacob Goodwin (New York Life);
- Red Nickerson introduced Scott Nickerson (Retired);
- Grant Stumbough introduced Dennis Sun (Publisher);
- Eric Easton introduced Beth Andress (Keep Casper Beautiful);
- Stephanie Sneesby introduced Leslie Fritzler, Drew Fritzler, and Rachel Fritzler (award recipients and parents);
- Susan Griffith introduced Interact student from Roosevelt HS, Hope Gillespie;
- Casey Allison introduced Starla Atkinson (MVRH);
Song and Merriment:
Dennis Lower cracked us up with a couple of good jokes, and then Gary Pehrson had us all stand and lead us in singing “Vive Le Rotary”
Students of the month:
Martha Rotary introduced the students of the month today; we had two great young students from KWHS. Priscilla Wigington, and Jason Pierentoni, two great seniors who have wonderful futures ahead of them.
Special Award:
Today we awarded our 4-way test scholarship winners; Lily Lower won the first place Scholarship of $1,000. She was unable to attend today as she had a test at school so her parents Bob and Theresa Lower were here to accept the award on her behalf. The second place award of a $750 scholarship went to Drew Fritzler who was present and thanked us for the award. The winning essays will be sent out so that those interested can read them.
Family of Rotary:
Martha Rakestraw said that Ronna Boril’s Father-in-law passed away in MN this past week.
Rotarians of the Week:
Susan Griffith nominated the interact club of Roosevelt High for all of their hard work this past school year and especially for this past weekend when they took 20 baskets to the moms at the rescue mission along with goodies for the kids.
Bill Schilling nominated Greg Jensen of the Five Trails club for his work with the Leadership Wyoming graduation ceremony in Sheridan.
Mike Sullivan nominated Bill Schilling for his work with Leadership Wyoming and his introduction of the 40 graduates that he did with grace and a degree of conciseness.
Steve Loftin nominated all of those that helped last week at the Food Bank of the Rockies packing food; Tucker LaPrade, Tom Bromley, Dave McNulty, and Rick Diamond.
Red and Missy Nickerson were nominated for receiving volunteer of the year awards from Meals on Wheels.
Dave McNulty nominated Susan Thomas for her foundation expanding to help those who have lost their jobs in the energy industry, and also Eric Easton for being on TV this morning and for his work on the Casper Marathon.
Liz Becher nominated Charles Schoenwolf for his award as one of the nursing professionals of the year.
Mike Ward nominated Mike Sullivan for being in the club since 1966 and Bob Barnard since 1957.
President John Starnes nominated Dennis Jack for attending RLI this past weekend.
Announcements:
- Tara Short introduced the interact students from CCA and turned the mic over to Darrah Short to tell us about their fundraiser. They are selling raffle tickets for $1 each and the winners get to pie teachers in the face. They are doing this to raise money for the Rotary International Foundation and challenged our club to match the money they raise.
- Eric Easton reminded us that the Casper Marathon is coming up and we need Rotary Volunteers to man the Rotary Aid station. He then introduced Beth Andress from keep Casper beautiful who told us that the cleanup of the trail along the river will be held this Saturday at 8:30 am and they will meet at the Pump House.
- Greg Brondos let us know that this Saturday at the District conference in Jackson at 10:00 in the morning will be the annual bike ride so come join in.
- John Jorgenson told us that the 18th annual Wyoming Reads will be this coming Tuesday; Governor Mead has named it Wyoming Literacy Day. They will have first graders all around the state participating and each will be receiving a book. Many Rotarians are volunteering and he thanks all of those who do.
- Bill Schilling told us that last Tuesday they had a meeting to look at the layout for the amphitheater and he said that the plans changed a little, the stage will be looking the opposite direction and the parking will be moved a little. Both of these changes were to lower costs and to make it easier. Tuesday June 14th they will have the hearing about the permits to start the work.
- President Starnes said that June 27th will be the meeting for the changing of the gavel where he will turn it over to Jim Ruble and pass out his awards so please put that on your calendar and be here for that.
Program (Dr. Eric Linford):
Jim Ruble introduced our speaker today, Dr. Eric Linford. Dr. Linford is an orthopedic surgeon that specializes is feet and ankles. He spoke to us today about arthritis damage to feet and ankles and treatment options. He said that ankle replacement surgery is much less common than knee and hip replacements. Ankle arthritis is much less common than knee and hip arthritis and is usually caused by injury or damage. Numerous ankle sprains or breaks will cause the arthritis to show up. Arthritis in general is the number one cause of disability in the U.S. with manual laborers having higher incidents of arthritis due to the walking and jumping etc. while working. Sometimes it can be treated with braces and pain medicine or some arthroscopic surgeries. Steroid injections can provide some months’ worth of relief to get someone back to working and then they can also do some modifications of footwear to help give more stability to the ankles and feet. For global ankle arthritis there are two options, ankle fusion where the joint is removed and the bones are fused together and the other is ankle replacement. The fusion slows down your gait but gets rid of the pain and helps immensely and historically this was the only option. Replacement helps with the pain relief and keeps the movement of the ankle so less slowdown of the gait. Replacement is better for keeping more arthritis from coming in and lasts longer than the fusion. There are four different ankle replacements available in the market at this time. They have 15 to 20 year data and they have 90% survival rate meaning they are lasting nicely without having to be removed and replaced. Ankle replacements started back in the 1960’s but they were not successful due to the types of metal being used not lasting the way the new materials last. In the last four years ankle replacements have doubled in numbers so people trust them more. There is a piece of plastic between the metal similar to the cartilage in between your bones that they can go in and change out if needed after a few years, like changing brake pads on your car. Replacement surgery does limit what activities you can participate in. Usually the replacement surgery is not the first course of treatment there are certain qualifications that need to be met. After the surgery in two to four weeks you can start doing light weight and back to normal walking after about 4-6 weeks depending on the healing process. It is not for everyone but it is definitely an improvement over suffering with the pain of arthritis.
President John Starnes concluded the meeting at 1:24 with the ring of the bell and reminded us that next week we will be back at the Parkway Plaza. Dr. David Mueller will be talking about stroke awareness.
