Cogitator Oct 17, 2012

Posted by George Cooper 
on Oct 17, 2012
 

Meredith Sheehan from National MS Society’s RI Chapter  

 

VISITING ROTARIANS/GUESTS

None today.

HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!

…this week to Lou (and Joan) Lepry, married just 59 short years ago on October 17th, 1953! 

23rd ANNUAL CITRUS DRIVE

Bonnie Sauer will be again at the helm of our Citrus Drive, which means it should be another terrific year in sales, profits, and enthusiasm.  Our goal this year is $12,000, a bit more than last year’s $10,000 net.  The extra $2,000 will be allocated to the Greenwich Odeum Restoration Project. 

One significant addition to the product lineup—a $55 ‘deluxe basket’ which will hold oranges, pears, grapefruit, candy, and delicious nuts. 

Bonnie asked everyone to chip in with at least one new customer this year.  That’s not so hard, is it?  And if we meet our goals, she will be happy to provide the club with loads of world famous Sauer éclairs in late November.  So let’s get going!

Saturday, December 8th will be citrus pickup day at Greene Industries, on Rocky Hollow Road.  Bonnie thanked Bob Greene who every year graciously allows us to use his place of business for one of our largest fundraisers. 

MILLION DOLLAR MEAL

We’re doing another field trip this week on Wednesday, October 24th.  Our Million Dollar Meal will be held this day at New England Tech, off Division Road (One New England Tech Boulevard).  It should be a great meal, the Rotaract Club will join us, and we’ll be able to tour the NEIT campus afterward.  Vin Meola urged everyone to be there…and reminded all that those who don’t make it are charged anyway for Million Dollar Meal funds which are at year’s end sent to the Rotary Foundation. 

PHONEBOOK

The printer is working diligently on putting together the 2012 East Greenwich Rotary Phonebook, but Richard Waterman again mentioned a great opportunity—you can get one of the remaining inside pages for a super-last-minute-bargain-basement-deal.  Those pages need to be filled anyway!  So see Richard as soon as possible if you’re interested, or, if you know someone who might be. 

ROTARY AFTER DARK

By this printing, Keith Peacock proudly led droves of thirsty Rotarians on October 18th to Café Fresco for some fellowship, light appetizers, and cocktails during this month’s Rotary After Dark.  Nice work, Keith!  Let’s continue to support this monthly club social event begun only last year…and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attend each month! 

THE GREAT DEBATE, 10/24, 6:30PM

http://eastgreenwich.patch.com/events/the-great-debate

The Varnum Armory on Main Street will be the site of ‘The Great Debate’ on Wednesday, October 24th.  Actually, there will be two debates that night featuring local candidates.  First will be Senate District 35 debate contestants Winter Hames and Dawson Hodgson, moderated by the East Greenwich Patch’s Elizabeth McNamara.  After that, candidates for Representative District 30 will have a chance to discuss important issues.  Kevin McDonough, Mark Schwager, and Anthony Giarusso will square off in ‘Round 2’ as Channel 6’s Mark Curtis moderates.  Admission is free. 

ELECTION DAY BREAKFAST

Election Day nears, and so does our great biennial tradition—Election Day Breakfast, at St. Luke’s Parish Center.   John Wolcott said simply, ‘You all know what to do!’  He’s right.  So.  1) Sell those 6 tickets John gave you (face value $6 apiece) and round up $36.  2) Sign up to take a shift stirring eggs, flipping pancakes, serving food, and/or cleaning tables.  3) And, c’mon down the morning of November 6th to have some fun!

SPEAKER/PROGRAM

Meredith Sheehan, Programs and Services Coordinator, National MS Society, Rhode Island Chapter

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system.  It affects women and men, although women outnumber men 3 to 1.  MS patients are usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, and some 200 Americans are diagnosed every week.  Today, there are approximately 4,500 Rhode Islanders living with MS.   

Research suggests that while there may be genetic connections for some, MS is most often not hereditary.   Oddly, it seems to affect lighter skinned people, mostly Caucasians of Northern European ancestry.  The theory—a vitamin D deficiency may be a root cause.

Symptoms range from numbness and tingling in limbs to blindness and paralysis.  Oftentimes, an eye doctor can spot the first signs of MS by viewing optic nerves.  Since 1993, the FDA has approved nine therapies for MS.     

Meredith Sheehan works with Rhode Islanders affected by MS.  She deals one-on-one with people, helping with them with various requests for items such as wheelchairs and air conditioning units. 

‘Research is the key,’ noted Meredith.  The National MS Society continues to search for a cure, while local chapters get the word out and continue to help those in need locally.   

Meredith is also very involved in advocacy and local legislative efforts.  Recently, she succeeded in getting Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) to purchase ten handicap accessible taxis for TF Green Airport. 

Some of the events of the local Rhode Island Chapter include: a 2-day 150-mile bike ride, which includes riding over the Newport and Jamestown Bridges; a 25-mile bike ride in Narragansett; a wine-tasting gala; a crafts fair; and, a ‘Jet Pull,’ in which volunteer teams attempt to pull a Fed Ex jet (at Green Airpot) twelve feet in the least amount of time.

You can visit the Rhode Island Chapter’s website for more information, including upcoming events--

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/RIR/index.aspx