Coping with Loss and Grief: It Takes a Village, and Sometimes a Global Community
We have all experienced loss in our lives to varying degrees. The loss of family and friends, loss of a job, “empty nest,” and other forms of loss. We have also been offered opportunities to support others through their grief and loss. Join us on March 2 as Harry Coffey shares the story of one family’s grief and the support they received from a global community on their healing journey. He also will invite us to participate in a conversation about grief and loss, personally and/or professionally.
Last Thursday we were taken on a magical journey to Portugal by Santa Rosa Sunriser, Mark Campbell. Mark, an avid world traveler, works for one of the most elite traveling tour companies in the world- Abercrombie and Kent, and has a deep passion for the Portuguese culture.
All members who attended live and on Zoom had the pleasure of experiencing Mark’s love for this incredible country. There is no doubt we all want to win the grand prize at the raffle following Mark’s presentation.
Our journey began in Lisbon where we learned that this capital city is like San Francisco. There is a lovely balance of tradition and modern architecture. The city is rich in culture with an abundance of excellent food, shopping, and a robust nightlife. Mark introduced us to Azulejos, which are small, polished tiles found throughout Portugal. These predominantly blue and white colored tiles became prevalent during the 1200’s during the Moorish invasion of the Iberian Peninsula. The National Museum of the Azulejo in Lisbon is the perfect place to dive deep into the history of the Azulejos.
The selection of seafood in Lisbon is divine. They are known for their cod, dishes called lapas and calderada, and the Portuguese are crazy for sardines. Mark explained it is not uncommon to see vibrant colored tins of sardines on market shelves and speckled on people’s dinner tables.
Mark shared pictures of the Belem Tower that was built during the 16th century renaissance. It was built in a style referred as Manueline, and Mark described this type of architecture as, “Gothic on Steroids.”
Our next stop on our adventure was to Sintra, a town 30 minutes outside of Lisbon also known as “heaven on earth.” We were dazzled with photos of fairy tale buildings and ruins. Pena Palace is a must-see, and on a clear day, it is visible from Lisbon. The citadel of Quinta Regaleria has tunnels and caves and was erected with the assistance of the free masons.
Mark shared that the Portuguese are pastry diehards and take their coffee extremely seriously.
We were introduced to the walled town of Obidos, which was a wedding gift to the queen of Portugal in 1282, and then were whisked away to Porto. Porto, the country’s second most populous city, is in the Duoro Valley where it is hot and dry. It is the prime location for Port wine. This is the foodie capital of Portugal. If you are not a port fan, no worries! This area of the country is also creating world class red wines. It is best to visit this area with a private driver. Mark described Portuguese drivers as some of the craziest in the world.
Mark regaled us about the Alentejo Region, with its 12th century Roman temples, vast fields of sunflowers, and the Capela dos Ossos-an eerie chapel lines with human skulls. We were introduced to the Barcelos Rooster, which is the unofficial national symbol, which has a fantastic tale of resurrection and redemption.
Mark saved the best part of the journey for the last portion of his presentation: Madeira Island. This is Mark’s favorite spot to visit in Portugal. He and his wife, Julie, exchanged their wedding vows on the “Island of Eternal Spring.” The island has lava rock pools and is lush with orchids. A toboggan ride down one of Madeira’s crazy roads perfect for the adrenaline junkies in the group.
Mark’s enthusiasm was extremely contagious, and we were so fortunate to get insider tips on one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Thank you, Mark!
Click HERE to see a recording of Mark's presentation available for a limited time.
On a regular basis, our resident photo pro Warren Smith, submits pictures of what is going on at the weekly meetings. You can always find the most recent pictures at the websites photo journal called "Meeting Sighting" Please note that all the meeting photos for the entire Rotary year are at this location with the most recent on the last page.
Thanks for all the great pictures Warren!Link to Meeting Sightings. The most recent are on the last page!
First it was "Fines". And when that was thought to be "negative" it became "recognitions" and after that "High Five". But Jack has announced a new twist for these moments, designed to fit every celebration as well as sorrowful news. And it does not have to be a "High Five". "Happy Dollars" and "Sad Dollars" can be whatever you want them to be. Or whatever you feel is appropriate.
Happy Dollars
Merle Hayes recognized Jim Gray for a publication about how he, with his mom and three sisters, helped found the NAACP in Sonoma County. Merle was proud to have served with them! (Editor hopes he got these details correct).
Marty Behr reported a wonderful Wednesday walk with five Rotarians. Walks and hikes are well underway!
Leroy Carlenzoli would not let his his marriage anniversary go unmentioned (even Leroy remembered). After 58 years on February 6th, he and Carol explored antique shops from Willits and Fort Bragg to Mendocino.
Sad Dollars
Steve Zwick had troubling news - Terry Stark says Jon is back in the hospital with a weak heart.
Jack Strange, while leading our meeting remotely announced he injured his knee pretty badly. He and Randy are now walker buddies.
Do you have Happy or Sad Dollars to share? There is no need to wait until the meeting. Send them to the editor.
Redwood Empire Food Bank BLOW OUT EXTRAVAGANZA 3/8
I hope everyone is staying warm and dry. I want to make an amendment to my announcement from this morning. Our Food Bank Blow Out Extravaganza is in two weeks! Please mark your calendars for:
Wednesday, March 8th
Time: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Redwood Empire Food Bank
3990 Brickway Boulevard
Santa Rosa, CA
Remember the good ole' days pre-pandemic when we got to pack boxes in the warehouse and rock out to groovy music? Well, they're back!! If we get enough people to sign up, we get the honor of participating in one of our favorite past times: food and assembly lines!!!
OMG, I have goosebumps, and so should you. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
1. A woman shoots her husband. Then she holds him underwater for over 5 minutes. Finally, she hangs him. But 5 minutes later they both go out together and enjoy a wonderful dinner together. How can this be?
2. What has cities, but no houses; forests, but no trees; and water, but no fish?
Send your answers to the editor. Brownie points and answers will appear in next week's bulletin.
Answers to last week's brain teasers:
1. A doctor and a bus driver are both in love with the same woman, an attractive girl named Sarah. The bus driver had to go on a long bus trip that would last a week. Before he left, he gave Sarah seven apples. Why?
A) An apple a day keeps the doctor away!
And Rich Randolph goes a bit further with this: This goes way back “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” ha ha. I would give honey crisp or galas :-) not a granny Smith
2. I left my campsite and hiked south for 3 miles. Then I turned east and hiked for 3 miles. I then turned north and hiked for 3 miles, at which time I came upon a bear inside my tent eating my food! What color was the bear?
A) White, since the only place you can do that is the North Pole and polar bears are the only kind of bears that live there.
Mind matters: Interactor shares her wisdom about mental health
By Diana Schoberg
Image credit: Devpriya Mohata
Sara Pimprikar has seen her high school friends stressing out during exams or over important papers or projects. She’s occasionally felt that way herself. “If I see one of my classmates is troubled, I try to talk with them,” says the 17-year-old, who is a member of Interact Club of Wisdom High International School, Nashik, India. “Sometimes all they need is a listener, but sometimes they need help.”
About 1 in 7 people from ages 10 to 19 experience mental health conditions, and depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability for that age group, according to the World Health Organization.
Pimprikar’s mother, Aabha, is a member of the Rotary Club of Nasik Grapecity and the founding president of District 3030’s Action Group on Mental Health Initiatives. When Pimprikar overheard her mother talking about the group, “it plucked a string with me,” she says. She volunteered to create Instagram video clip reels for the group and began writing for Mind Matters, the group’s monthly newsletter. “Mental health is a stigmatized issue,” she says. “As a society, it is our responsibility to talk about it more openly.”
Pimprikar’s work on mental health and her involvement in her Interact club led to her selection by the Rotary Action Group on Mental Health Initiatives to speak at Rotary Day with UNICEF in March 2022 on a panel devoted to mental health and positive well-being. The session was moderated by Zeinab Hijazi, UNICEF senior mental health technical adviser.
“It is absolutely OK if you are facing issues related to mental health,” says Pimprikar. “The only thing you need to understand is there is treatment available. You can always reach out. You don’t have to go through it alone.”
This story originally appeared in the February 2023 issue of Rotary magazine.
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