Cogitator August 25, 2010

VISITING ROTARIANS

Jenny Miller joined us from the Providence Rotary Club. 

GUESTS

Doug Moody, long time member of our club, former owner of Moody Tool in East Greenwich, and happily retired sailor joined us.

BIRTHDAYS/ANNIVERSARIES

George Popella had a birthday on August 24th.  Wil and Shirley Yoder celebrate their 42nd anniversary this year on August 30th.    

ANOUNCEMENTS

--Tired of paying a fortune to see sports in Boston?  President Ed reminded the club of District 7950's Providence Bruins Night, Friday October 15th.  Tickets are a steal at $10, and, $5 of the ticket price will go to Polio Plus.  District Governor Charlie Murphy will drop the ceremonial first puck.  We're hoping for good attendance from the club.  It will be a great night out, and it's for a great Rotary cause, Polio Plus.   

--There was a board meeting August 19th.  President Ed made his tee time easily after the meeting, but while we were there much business was accomplished:

* The Board voted to move the segregated $3100 seed money for Serve back into general Project/Charity funds, since Serve has been disbanded.

* A modification to make-ups was approved.  Committee meetings now count for make-ups, with a maximum allowance of 3 make-ups per Rotarian.

* Chuck Sauer's Community Service requests were approved as follows:  $1500 for a local ecumenical food 'cupboard' at St. Luke's church; $1500 for local volunteers on a Mission trip to South Carolina; $750 for this year's Muscular Dystophy campaign, including a challenge to other Rotary clubs; $300 for the New England Wireless and Steam Museum; $500 sponsorship for an Alzheimer's walk-a-thon.  

* The Board approved $7000 to be contributed to the East Greenwich Rotary Scholarship Fund. 

--Finally, George Popella is looking for Paul Harris team members.  For years George has put together a new Paul Harris team as a tribute to the incumbent president, and he needs your help this year.  Here's the scoop:  five members contribute $200 annually, for five years, and each year one team member is chosen (randomly) for a Paul Harris Fellowship Award (honoring a $1000 contribution to the Rotary Foundation).  After five years, all team members are Paul Harris Fellows.  George's efforts, along with generous club members, for more than a decade have made our club a true standout in the District for our contributions to the Rotary Foundation.  So, please see George Popella if you're interested in joining a Paul Harris Team, whether for the first time, or, if you'd like to become a Paul Harris Fellow once again.

NEW MEMBER INSTALLATION

Steve Lombardi, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, was welcomed into the club by President Ed Neff. Sponsor Pat Lenihan, and past presidents Bob Sloan and Bob Miller, did a good job assisting.  Welcome Steve!

HAPPY BUCKS

--Bob Sloan was happy to see long-time friend and fellow salty dog Doug Moody. 

--Lou Lepry was happy to see Doug, too.

--George Popella happily recently endured 6 grandkids staying overnight on his boat.

--Pat Lenihan was pleased to note progress in both Rabbi Amy's synoagogue and with her church's major imporvements (St. Francis de Sales). 

--Doug Moody gave 4 happy bucks for his Rotary visit.

--Newest member Steve Lombardi was happy to be installed.  He also thanked club members who attended his Chamber welcome party at the EG Yacht Club. 

PROGRAM

(Couldn't find a picture of the real Dr. Cox...figured Quincy would do...)

Dr. William Cox, Acting Chief Medical Examiner for the State of RI, spoke to our club.

As an 8th grader, he told a nun in his orphanage that one day he'd either be a priest or a doctor.  His love for microscopes and pathology work led him away from the seminary and eventually to his current field of expertise.

Dr. Cox hails originally from Columbus, Ohio.  He attended Juniata College in Pennsylvania.  He then attended Temple Medical School, in Philadelphia.  During his time at Temple, he signed on for a 2-year Vietnam War commitment with the US Air Force.  He became chief pathologist at Langley AFB, where he developed great interest in neuro-pathology. 

Now in RI, as cheif medical examiner, he works alongside 3 other forensic pathologists with various backgrounds.  Specialists from other states assist often, due to the workload. 

In the past year, there were 2100 cases reported; 800 actually came in to his office; 650 or so had autopsies; the others were external exams.  

Dr. Cox assured us that the CSI shows on TV hardly represent his routine, which is much more mundane and methodical.  Instead, his main job is determining the exact cause of death in each case, done primarily through slow and methodical exams, dissections, and pathology/toxicology reports. 

Dr. Cox hopes funding will soon be available to reinstate Brown University's 2-year fellowship.