Special Olympics Manager for Development, Phoebe VanScoy-Giessler, was our speaker today. In this role, Phoebe is responsible for the management and coordination of state-wide events/campaigns/relationships, including: Major Gifts, Planned and Memorial Gifts, Social & Service Organizations, Online Auction, Awards Gala, and Direct Marketing. In addition she added that she is the general mischief-maker. She lives in Tuftonboro and is a former Laconia Rotarian. She is always delighted to have a chance to speak about Special Olympics New Hampshire and the incredible athletes and families across the state.
Phoebe provided a broad overview of Special Olympics and then turn the program over to Karen Steele, a Special Olympics "super star". What follows is information provided by Karen, and then a broad overview of Special Olympics shared by Phoebe.
Karen currently lives in Loudin, NH but grew up in Allentown, NH. She is in her early 30s and had learned to flourish despite a brain injury that occured at birth. She struggled as a student, often being bullied. It was hard to fit in as many didn't understand or want to understand what made her different from other kids her age. After losing out on a opportunity to be selected for a softball team, she met a person who encouraged her to find her path to sports via Special Olympics. At first she was afraid, but quickly learned that those involved in Special Olympics wanted to help her find "her best self". It was a community that supported her and helped her grow and reach her potential.
Karen shared that she is now the breakfast hostess at the Holiday Inn in Concord. She is a avid baker, ice cream maker, and an author of one published book, and is close to publishing her second book. She is also the club administrator for the Lions Club.
Her favorite Special Olympics memory is the opening ceremony of of her first competition, snowshoeing. She will never forget the opening ceremony and the fireworks. She also remembered being in an outdoor hot tub catching snow flakes on her tongue.
She is now dealing with degenerative arthritis that keeps her from competing, but she has a new place in special olympics as the candlepin bowling coach. She has also learned how to play bocce.
Bowling Team
Picture from SONH web page photo library
Special Olympics has a athlete leadership course that Karen has completed. She has been asked to be part of the leadership training team. This program helped her gain the confidence to do the public speaking she is doing today. There are currently 50 athlete leaders in NH and the goal is to grow this number to 200.
Her motto is to always try to turn a negative into a positive. Her book to be published soon is called The Girl Who Never Listens. It is a story about her life. She will donate a book to us to give to the Kilton Library.
Volunteers are always needed to support Special Olympics. Karen said the reason to volunteer is to do something good; and to build friendships.
Karen's mother, Debbie drove Karen to be with us today. When asked what changes she had seen in Karen over time, although claiming to be shy, she shared many examples of the growth she has seen in her daughter, and gushed with pride as she talked about Karen, and the skills she has developed. She reminded us that we all could work harder to understand those we perceive as being "different".
Here is some info about Special Olympics provided by Phoebe:
The mission of Special Olympics New Hampshire is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Athletes are the heart of Special Olympics. Our athletes are children and adults with intellectual disabilities from across the Granite State. They are finding success, joy and friendship as part of our global community. They’re also having lots of fun!
They start working with kids as early as age 2. At this age the programs are geared to fine motor skills. Classes are open to children with and without intellectual. Children who participated in just two months of Young Athletes program saw 7-9 months of moor skill improvements.
Volunteers are the backbone of the Special Olympics movement. They are coaches, trainers, officials, event organizers, fundraisers and managers. They can also be unified partners—playing alongside athletes with intellectual disabilities—or fans cheering in the stands.
On top of providing training and competition opportunities in 17 sports, Special Olympics New Hampshire offers health, wellness, athlete leadership and school-based initiatives to 3,024 athletes across the state—all completely free of charge.
Improving Quality of Life
MYTH: Special Olympics is all about fun.
FACT: Special Olympics New Hampshire delivers high-quality training and competition in a culture that stresses athletic excellence, rewards determination, emphasizes health and celebrates personal achievement. Sixty-five percent of parents feel that participation in Special Olympics has raised their expectations of their sons and daughters.
Empowering Athletes
MYTH: People with intellectual disabilities are not contributing members of the workforce.
FACT: A person with intellectual disabilities who has participated in Special Olympics is twice as likely to be employed as a person with intellectual disabilities who has not participated in Special Olympics
Building Inclusive Communities
MYTH: People with intellectual disabilities are accepted as part of society.
FACT: Although inclusion, at least as a philosophy, has become broadly accepted, the full acceptance of individuals with intellectual disabilities has not yet been achieved. Individuals with intellectual disabilities often fall victim to bullying or social exclusion. In schools, for example, only 10% of students identify themselves as having a friend with an intellectual disability. But Special Olympics teammates without intellectual disabilities improve their attitudes toward people with ID as a result of participating in the program, with 79% reporting an increased understanding of people with ID.
Since Ernst was away...He appointed John Yacavone to lead our meeting.
John called the meeting to order at 12 noon.
Marion Steiner led us in reciting the 4-Way Test.
No Ernst, No Music
We welcomed WRJ Rotarian George Wenz to our meeting. John introduced our speakers after lunch.
Jane Mason joined us via WebEx
John Yacavone provided a thought for the day from Author Roy T. Bennett:
Great things happen to those who don't stop believing, trying, learning, and being grateful
We are all different. Don’t judge, understand instead
Then it was time for our buffet lunch.
After lunch, John Yacavone introduced our speaker, Phoebe VanScoy Giessler and Karen Steele. and Karen's mother from Special Olympics, New Hampshire (SONH)
John Yacavone presented the books given to the Kilton Library children's collection in honor Phoebe and Karen,
Summer: A Solsticeby Kelsey E. Gross (Author), Renata Liwska (Illustrator)
From Kelsey Gross and New York Times bestselling artist Renata Liwska comes a companion to the stunningly beautiful and lyrical Winter telling the story of a group of animal friends who come together on the Solstice to celebrate the wonder of the summer.
The long summer days are here, and in the peace and stillness of the morning, the forest seems quiet and asleep. But there is always life everywhere if you know where—and when—to look. Solstice is here! On the longest day of the year, friends Squirrel, Raccoon, Bear, Sparrow, Rabbit, Woodpecker, and Deer gather to share the gifts of new light and life that summer brings.
Announcements
On behalf of Ernst Oidtman, John Yacavone asked everyone to put next week's meeting on their to-come-to list. Ernst would love to have us all come to greet, welcome and hear our Rotary 7850 District Governor, Kelly Drew. It would mean a lot to Ernst to see a full room + a screen full of Rotarians on WebEx.
Brew Fest: Over 1000 people came to Brew Fest! Phil Rentz then thanked the team that helped organize Brew Fest 2024 and all who volunteered at the event. A post event meeting will be held next Wednesday, 9/11, at Service Credit Union at 11:30 AM. If you have thoughts on ways to improve Brew Fest, send them to Bruce Pacht. He will summarize them and take them to he meeting.
From Will Koppenheffer: Pocket Park Volunteers Needed for Saturday, September 14 from 9-11 AM
Pocket Park By Goss Logan’s Office
4-5 volunteers needed (Phil Bush and Mila Dela Pena plan to be there)
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 9-11 AM
Bring your preferred weeding tool(s) and edging tools, if you have one.
You can park some cars in the Goss Logan parking lot, or you can park in the lower parking lot behind River Valley College and walk over via the tunnel. The park is just to right after you exit the tunnel.
Flu Clinics...Can you help? We hope to focus on the clinic in Enfield.
Dear Ernst, Marilyn, and Lebanon Rotary Club Members –
I have appreciated the support of Lebanon Rotary Club members at our past flu clinics. I am hoping some of you will want to help us again this year.
The full schedule is below. You can use the Sign Up Genius to find open slots. If there is a clinic you really want to help with, but the slots seem full please let me know. I may need extras and would definitely want a back-up list as people do drop out for various reasons.
To sign up to volunteer, please use this SignUp Genius tool:
HealthFirst Family Care Center/Mascoma Community Health
18 Roberts Rd, Canaan, NH
Saturday, November 9th
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Windsor Welcome Center
3 Railroad Avenue, Windsor, VT
Best, Alice
Alice R. Ely, MPH
Executive Director
Public Health Council of the Upper Valley
One Court Street, #365
From the Aging Resource Center at D-H and Lori Fortini
The Aging Resource Center is sponsoring a 4 part class with Vital communities called “Making Connections”. (see attached flyer)
This is a four-part workshop for people interested in helping solve transportation and mobility challenges facing older adults in the Upper Valley. Participants learn key concepts of healthy community design, share their own experiences, get tips on different mobility options, and learn about advocacy techniques. The goal is to help seniors make connections between different choices on where to live and how to get around as we age in place.
The format for the workshops are presentations by co-facilitators Mark Bradley (White River Council on Aging) and John Haffner (Vital Communities), group activities, “world cafe” style small group activity where participants will be able to rotate between different discussion tables on topics such as: Planning & Government, Transportation, Housing, and the Social Determinants of Health for deeper discussions on these topics, and ending with a walking tour of Lebanon.
The workshops are from 9:30 to noon There will be a light breakfast available at 9 am and lunch will be provided after the session from noon to 1 pm.
Session dates and topics:
Monday, September 16. Workshop 1: Why We Drive.
Monday, September 23. Workshop 2: What Choices Do We Want as We Age?
Monday, September 30. Workshop 3: Becoming a Mobility Advocate. We hope you will join us for this session!
Monday, October 7. Workshop 4: Field Trip! Walking/rolling in downtown Lebanon"
Visions for Creative Housing Solutions
~ Celebrating 10 years of providing lifelong homes for people with disabilities
among a caring circle of friends in the Upper Valley ~
Visions Newsletter Link Information
Thank you so much for your interest in sharing our newsletter! Here's the direct link:
We sincerely appreciate Bruce Bergeron's support and the support and interest of the entire Lebanon Rotary!!
Happy Dollars
Marilyn Bedell shared she is grateful for the humanitarian pause that is permitting children in Gaza to get the polio vaccine. She is thinking about the school shooting in Georgia, and assumes that is is of concern to students in Lebanon too. It is puzzling that the world leaders seem more concerned about children becoming paralyzed than a child dying from a bullets.
George Wenz was visited by his daughter and she surprised him by hanging painting that have been on boxes for a long time. He shared his place feels more like a home now.
Phoebe VanScoy Giessler is grateful for Karen and Debbie Steel.
Hank was delighted to report that Carol's cyst was successfully treated and that the "old Carol" is back! Happy dance!
Phil Bush reported happy and sad news. His granddaughter in Maine is now a senior, and able to drive her little brother to school. The sad news is that as his granddaughter stopped to let a pedestrian cross the street the car behind her rear-ended her. Happily, no one was hurt. On the plus side, the driver that hit her helped his granddaughter learn what information should be shared after an accident.
Ron Michaud let us know that Paul Tierney continues to improve and is more mobile. He was able to take a walk in his neighborhood.
John Yacavone shared that his son is home from a very busy time at the Olympics in Paris where he was in charge of a computer room (newsroom technology) for journalist and staff at the New York Times, and still looking after computers back in NYC too without a backup person. His son, Alan got his start at Whitman Communications her in Lebanon, and now has been promoted to be a Vice President at the New York Times.
Queen of Hearts
Ed Friedman pulled the seven of Diamonds The hunt for the Queen of Hearts continues.
Car Wash
Ron Bedell won the car wash.
Upcoming Speakers
Coming in September, 2024
September 12 District Governor Kelly Drew
District Governor, Kelly Drew, District 7850
North Conway Rotary Club
As a third generation Rotarian, Kelly was born with Rotary in her blood. After graduating with a BA in Business Management at New Hampshire College, she began a career in commercial lending at a statewide bank. Kelly joined Rotary the same year she was promoted to Assistant Vice President. A few years later, she saw a need to help small start-ups and offered assistance in drafting business plans. She then joined her family’s construction company sliding
into the office manager position while working alongside her brothers - one a former Rotarian.
Kelly is currently a member of the Rotary Club of North Conway in District 7850. She is a three-time Club President and has chaired many committees in various capacities such as International Service, Fundraising, Community Service and Youth Services to name a few. Over the past two years, she spearheaded, organized and chaired an annual multi-club project that involved cleaning two notches equating to 48 miles of road. Six clubs in the District are
currently participants.
While not involved with Rotary, Kelly turns to sports. She was a member of a traveling softball team competing throughout New England and received an All American designation as a pitcher during the Nationals held in Pennsylvania. Locally, she elevated women’s softball as its league President by doubling its membership and shared the use of the same diamond the men’s league used in the town’s park. She still plays in co-ed tournaments when “tapped”, umpires Little League baseball and is active in golf, hiking, cross country skiing and fitness training.
September 19 Lisa Bozogan, Waypoint Family Resource Center
September 26 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
Coming in October, 2024
October 3 Melanie McDonough Chief Innovation Officer, City of Lebanon.
October 10 Rob Stenger co-owner Simple Energy
October 17 Nicole-Food Burley, City of Lebanon Historian
October 24 Tamira Martel, Governor’s Institute of Vermont
October 31 Steve Fine Melanoma Cancer Foundation (webex)
Attendance
Bill Babineau, Marilyn Bedell, Ron Bedell, Phil Bush, Dave Clarenbach, Hank Clarke, Mila Dela Pena, Ed Friedman, Ahmad Haidari, Christian MacDonald, Jane Mason*, Ron Michaud, Bruce Pacht, Phil Rentz, Marion Steiner, Rich Wallace, Richard Wallace, Steve Whitman,John Yacavone
Youth Services: Second Wednesday of the month at Noon
Contact: Christian MacDonald
Charities: Third Wednesday of the month at 1:00 PM
Contact: Bruce Pacht
Board Meeting: 4th Tuesday of every month at 4:00 PM via Zoom
Contact: Ernst Oidtmann
Golf: 2025 schedule to be announced
Brew Fest: Post 2024 event meeting on 9/11 at Service Credit Union at 11:30 AM. The 2025 Schedule to be announced
Other Events and Service Projects
2025 Rotary International Convention
Join us in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for the 2025 Rotary International Convention!
Calgary calls
For centuries, people have gathered at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers in Calgary, Canada. Next year, it will be Rotary’s turn, as members, family, and friends worldwide will gather there for the 2025 Rotary International Convention, 21-25 June. Get a preview of what lies in store for those attending the convention in the September issue of Rotary magazine. And read about Canada’s fourth-largest metropolitan area, a big city without big city problems. Register now to be a part of the magic in Calgary in June.
Register before December 15, 2024 to receive the preferred rate of $525!
District 5360 is excited to welcome the world to the Rotary International Convention!
Prepare to be captivated by Calgary’s vibrant culture, embraced by warm hospitality, and inspired by the spirit of Rotary as we gather in this iconic destination.
Calgary is Canada's third most diverse city – over 240 ethnic origins and 165 languages spoken.
It is home of the famous Calgary Stampede, founded in 1912
You will be only one one-hour drive from the iconic Canadian Rockies (but you can see them from Calgary!)
Israel and Hamas have agreed to pause fighting for eight hours every day during the vaccination phases - MOHAMMED SABER/Shutterstock
Almost 100,000 children in Gaza have been vaccinated against polio in the first days of a major campaign to contain the virus, UN officials and local health authorities have said.
The UN launched a vaccination campaign on Sunday after a 10-month-old baby became the first person to be infected with polio in Gaza in 25 years.
Polio vaccination coverage has dropped from 99 to 89 per cent since October 7 which, together with the breakdown of sanitation in the enclave, has led to the re-emergence of the highly contagious virus, which can cause paralysis and death in young children.
The vaccination drive aims to immunise 640,000 children under 10 against the ‘type 2’ polio strain to prevent a wider outbreak from potentially spreading across the Middle East.
The campaign is being conducted in three, three-day phases targeting central, northern, and southern Gaza over the next week and a half. A second round of vaccinations will be administered in four weeks to ensure full protection.
The turnout to receive the polio vaccine has been significant, officals said - Ahmad Salem/Bloomberg
Currently, the UN and its partners are focused on vaccinating 150,000 children in central Gaza by Tuesday before moving on to the northern and southern regions.
Children are being given the oral polio vaccine (OPV), which is easier and cheaper to administer than a jab and more effective in stopping transmission of the virus.
While the ceasefires have been mostly respected, there has been some military activity in areas designated for vaccination efforts, according to officials on the ground.
“Humanitarian pauses are being respected overall, but this morning around 7am, there was heavy gunfire in the Nuseirat area, where fighting was supposed to be halted,” said Louise Wateridge, Senior Communications Officer for UNRWA, who has been accompanying vaccinators in Gaza.
“Yesterday, there was shooting around 6.30am that sounded like tank gunfire,” she told The Telegraph. “But as the days have gone on, it’s remained calm and quiet. Before the vaccination program began, the bombs and gunfire were relentless.”
There has been a “fantastic turnout” with “very long lines” at health facilities offering the vaccine, Ms Wateridge said. On Sunday, vaccinators reached 87,000 children.
Dr Hareen De Silva, a GP who is managing a primary health facility in Deir el Balah run by British charity UK-Med said the vaccine drive was going well and that his clinic had managed to reach 1,500 children in the space of two days.
“We haven’t had any resistance and our team has been going into the community to explain to families why their children need the vaccine, and our clinic has been very busy,” Dr De Silva told The Telegraph.
“We’re using permanent markers to draw a line on the left hand of children who have been vaccinated. Then we go tent to tent, shelter to shelter, to find the children we haven’t reached yet,” said Ms Wateridge.
Ms Wateridge added health officials have not encountered resistance from children or families offered the polio vaccine, but said some had been put off by long lines at medical facilities.
“I visited a school in Deir al-Balah housing 15,000 people. In that shelter, 1,300 children were vaccinated yesterday, almost the total number of children under 10 there.
“Today, we returned, going classroom to classroom to encourage the remaining children to get vaccinated. No one refused the vaccine, but some said the long lines the previous day had been a deterrent” she said.
“We are trying to reach that 90 per cent vaccination coverage, but there are a huge number of challenges,” Ms Wateridge stressed.
“We don’t have estimates of how many children need the vaccine - we don’t know how many children have been killed, there are children separated and alone from families, it’s very difficult circumstances to operate in.”
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