Cogitator Nov 2, 2011

VISITING ROTARIANS 

None this week.    

GUESTS

Bill Mueller, retired businessman from Connecticut and good friend of President Mike Gemma, joined us again. 

CLUB ANNIVERSARY

Five years ago on November 1st we inducted a stellar blue-chip group of Rotarians--Jonathan Widmark, Jane Boynton, and Bob Petrucelli--and each has been lending a strong Rotary hand since. 

CITRUS UPDATE

The Tutti Frutti team was off to a fast start in the team sales competition, with an impressive 25 orders in the first two weeks.  Team Tutti Frutti earned this week's coveted prize of huge, delicious homemade eclairs.  Fearless Citrus Leader Bonnie Sauer was also kind to President Mike.  In recognition for his efforts getting in a slew of orders from the East Greenwich Rotary website, Mike, while no Tutti Frutti, was able to take an eclair of his own back to work.  Reports came later that he made a happy chocolate mess in the car.

VETERANS DAY PARADE

The Rotary Club of East Greenwich is proud to announce that we will be in this year's parade on Friday, November 11th, Veterans Day.  Mike Gemma will lead the troops down Main Street with Rotary signs, a classic car or two, and of course our strong Rotary spirit.  The parade begins at 10am, so please let Mike know you'll be there in support of our club and, most importantly, to salute our American veterans who have served the nation so proudly and so well.

PAUL HARRIS AWARD

George Popella announced yet another EG Rotary Paul Harris Award recipient.  Judy Pratt's name was chosen from her team of five to receive this year's award.  Congratulations, Judy!  And great job to George and the Club for again stepping up in support of the Rotary Foundation.  

FOUNDATION MOMENT

Speaking of the Rotary Foundation, John Wolcott spent a few moments speaking about two recent Disaster Relief and Recovery campaigns.  First, John pointed out that Rotary stepped up tremendously during Pakistan's last major earthquake which destroyed whole sections of the country.  Also, closer to home, District 7950 has applied for a $25,000 matching grant to aid Vermonters affected by nightmarish flooding recently.  All clubs in the district are urged to raise funds so the Rotary Foundation can match 50 cents on the dollar.  (During our upcoming November 10th board meeting the issue of how our club can best help Vermont will be discussed.)

SPEAKER/PROGRAM

Laura Pulsifer, Executive Director of Atria Harbor Hill Senior Living  

Laura Pulsifer is a graduate of URI, class of 1995, and resides in nearby Cowesett.  She is also the Executive Director at Atria Harbor Hill Senior Living Community located at 159 Division Street in East Greenwich.  Laura is a proponent of assisted and independent living for seniors.  She has been in the field for ten years, including working for the Elder Care Department for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 

Laura cited a stunning statistic: 1 of 2 seniors over the age of 85 has some form of Alzheimer's.  She also noted that the other 50% would do well with more significant advocacy and care.  

Seniors don't like change.  But then again, who does?  For those in assisted living it often takes some gentle nudging to help them 'join in' with things like bridge clubs, trips around town, going to the library, and simply making new friends.  It calls for lots of understanding and support when helping people change their routines.  Medications, so prevalent today especially in the elderly community, can also effect behavior and contribute to the bad habit of isolation.  

New technology can present great opportunities for interaction.  Laura mentioned that social networking on sites like Facebook, as well as computer games like Wii, and even telecommunication like Skype are wonderful, while sometimes they do present some interesting challenges for those who are not very 'tech savvy.'  

Atria Harbor Hill has 88 assisted living units, and they are almost always at full capacity.  

At Atria Senior Living, older people find more than a place to call home—they become part of an assisted living community of neighbors and caregivers. Our residents enjoy the highest quality senior care and services; a wide choice of activities that nurture the body, mind and spirit; delicious, nourishing meals; a variety of senior housing options; and just the right amount of personal attention to face assisted living with confidence. Helping seniors embrace independent living—that’s what Atria Senior Living is all about.  (--From Atria Harbor Hill's website--see link below.) 

 http://www.atriaseniorliving.com/community.aspx?id=1598