Rotary Newsletter June 3rd, 2009: Bernie Westerveld speaks on "Computers, Internet, Fundraising and Beyond"
Rotary Newsletter June 3RD, 2009
It was the last night that President Bob could officially ring the meeting to order and so many emotions were evoked, including those of the author of this letter, as it is also my last official meeting . However soon-to-be President, Candace, will be calling the meeting to order next week in the absence of the Birmingham Seven (attendees at the Rotary International Convention in Birmingham, England), and Janice will take on my duties as Secretary
Our guests for the evening included: Lois and Lambert Brandes, Ed Karsch and Walter Driscoll. Members present were: Pr. Bob, Dietrich, Lew, Janice, William, Candace, Catherine, Walter, Michael, Joe, Karen, Connie, Bart, Paul, Bob P., Arthur, Sandi, Janet and Bernie.
In the theme of Farewell, President Bob read a very heartfelt letter that Bill Coulter sent to the club as he and Joyce have now moved to Clinton, MA, where they are closer to family. They wished our club continued growth and success in the future and so we return the thoughts and blessings to them and their family.
The Scituate Rotary Club chose two graduating Scituate High School Students to receive 2009 Jared E. Fitzgerald Memorial Scholarships of $2,000 each. Bethlehem Ghidey and Colleen Farragher will be honored next Wednesday at the home of Eric and Cheryl Foote, 225 First Parish Rd. in Scituate. Please plan to support our scholars with your presence and also plan to bring a covered dish to share at the BBQ.
Bart was very gracious to offer renewed support for the Cambodian Literacy Project. He originally initiated the Cambodian Project in 2003 to sponsor a dentist in the Angkor Hospital. Now the project has grown into supplying pure water filters and needs donations toward a library and books. We thank every one in advance for your generous support. Treasurer Joe is writing out a club check for $1,000 that Bart will under write for the difference. Thanks again to Bart for holding onto the vision of this project.
HAPPY AND SAD BUCKS abounded and revealed that CATHERINE and CHRIS will be expecting their baby on July 3! LEW was thankful for receiving a District Certificate congratulating him on 66 years of Rotary Service Above Self. JOE and KAREN gave a wistful memory for the 4th year of the passing of their son Michael and yet giving thanks for the First Anniversary of the Michael J. Kelley Tactical Training Base named in memory of him. ARTHUR rejoiced in the bountiful returns of his book The History of Hingham" that allowed him to donate $50,000 to the new Dana Farber Breast Care Center at South Shore Hospital. Gracious donors of his also matched with another $50,000! Wow, what a DREAM MADE REAL. We look forward to our input in his newest endeavor on the history of Chief Justice William Cushing. Guest ED KARSCH rejoiced in the fact that he and his wife are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary! BERNIE gave a Happy Buck for their Belgian Tervuren Shepherd dog who won an award for Best of Winners. WE ARE ALL WINNERS in ROTARY.
It was Bernie's time to take us down the Information Highway and that is just what he did, very deftly as he reminded us of just how far the computer technology has brought us since 1946!!!!! Not very many of us remembered that it was a 30 ton, 19,000 vacuum tube behemoth that first gathered electronic information as a data processing integrator. Price tags ran over $1,000,000! It was in 1975 that an affordable computer inspired a college fledgling named Bill Gates, to write a manual in computer language (Geek Speak)!!! Commodore came out with a game computer that didn't sell, so they marketed it as a personal computer. Promptly IBM began the competition with the PC-XT prototype that all of us recognize.
So from there Bernie reminded us that it wasn't until the government opened up Internet Protocol that the true World Wide Web became user friendly in 1996. In 2001 Blackberries were launched and now the sky has no limits!!!
Thanks to Bernie, we are hopeful to expand our ClubRunner and allow our Rotary links to hook in to make our Club interesting and accessible to all. You can go to our present website that Bernie has enhanced for us at: www.ClubRunner.ca/scituate. Also check out the Rotary International web site (www.Rotary.org) and the Rotary District 7950 web site (www.Clubrunner.org/7950).
Next week, we meet for the Scholarship Presentation at the Foote's residence.
So for now.., So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, and Good-Bye , I must leave and bid Adieu to all.
