Minutes of January 23

Minutes of January 23, 2017

 

Prez. Bob Beaumont called the meeting to order promptly at 07:15, acknowledging that we had several guests prior to starting the Pledge of Allegiance. He than called upon Ron McLaughlin for the Invocation.

 

Bob welcomed guest speaker Ben Tipton of Mid Coast Hospital and asked our two other guests invited by Fred Burgess, Andrew and Debra, to introduce themselves. Prior to starting Happy / Sad dollars he made two quick announcements.

 

The Food Pantry in Bowdoinham is making good use of the Children’s Literacy Program books we are providing though the District.

We are scheduled to meet at Mid Coast Hunger Prevention 5:30 PM on Tuesday, January 24 to pack backpacks.

 

Bob then called upon Joel for Happy / Sad dollars. Joel had a happy dollar for the Patriots win on Sunday and upcoming Super Bowl appearance and also for attending the District Visioning seminar. Bob Beaumont also had a happy dollar for the Patriots. Bill Briliant had a happy dollar for a nephew re-enlisting in the Navy. Fred Burgess then made a late arrival with much chiding and fining. Ron McLaughlin, our Clubs only Patriot hater (a lifelong NY Giants fan) had a sad dollar for the Patriots, predicting dark days ahead for us with a big Atlanta win. Russ Andrews relayed getting two very early calls from children of friends and relatives wishing him a happy birthday this past week. Fred Burgess had happy dollars for his guests attending the meeting and for obtaining Bruins tickets for the Music ant the Museum fundraiser auction. Bob Guerette had a dollar for seeing 5 long time fishing friends while attending a funeral in NJ. Gordon got us off on a discussion about birthdays.

 

Under Announcements Prez. Bob reminded us that we could drop off precooked meals for recovering Bill Gillespie with Betsy at the Priority Business Center (our meeting building) front desk.

Bill Brillant reminded all to purchase tickets to our February 10 fundraiser event.

Bob Davis said we can use additional items for the Silent Auction.

The Success by 6 Read Aloud at local schools to encourage reading and literacy is March 2. Please contact United Way to sign up. Our Club is one of the Read Aloud sponsors.

 

 

Bob Davis then introduced our guest speaker, Ben Tipton, a long time Physicians Assistant with Mid Coast Hospital. He discussed a recently introduced new educational program at Mid-Coast Hospital called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Ben relayed information about the national research that determined that people are healthier and heal quicker when they are not stressed emotionally. A primary aspect of Mindfulness-Based Stress reduction is learning how to be “in the moment”, concentrating on what you are feeling and seeing at that present moment, not dwelling or worrying about past events or upcoming activities. Learning to recognize and accept feelings in the present moment has been found to reduce stress and stress related illness, including Type 2 Diabetes, Heart rhythm irregularities, chronic pain, depression, and other recognized illnesses. The Mid Coast program is an 8 week course of once a week 2-1/2 hours classes plus a 6 hour one day retreat on a weekend. Participants are also expected to practice on their own 45 minutes per day. Thanks Bob for arranging another interesting program.

 

Club meeting on Monday, January 30

 

Submitted: Tom