It was our last gathering in October! We numbered 25 Naples Rotarians and our guest speaker Theresa Hays, the Director of Operations at Hospeace House, our incredible comfort care home in Naples.

 

Jack started us off with the Pledge and singing God Bless America. Patrice had a poem she found in the Pennysaver entitled "Leaves". It described the various colors and movements of leaves falling this time of year. "I feel in the moment, a joy in my heart, each leaf is an emblem, a color-filled art."

 

Announcements: Jack and Frank gave a wrap up of the Camp Onseyawa raffle and dinner. Each won a terrific raffle prize and the dinner was a success. * World Polio Day was last Thursday at Brew & Brats. We had 18 attendees including 3 Interact students and 4 District 7120 dignitaries. Several of us joined Polio Plus! * The next meeting of the Light Up Naples committee will be next Tuesday, November 4th at 6 pm at Alliet's, 174 South Main St. All are welcome! * We received a letter from a new representative, Truman Mortillaro, from Boy Scouts Seneca Waterways Council. He offered to visit us and provide a connection with Rotary. We are the charter organization for our local cub scout group.

 

Theresa announced that November is National Hospice Awareness Month. She thanked Naples Rotary for our support and noted that many individual Rotarians are a huge part of Hospeace House, past and present. Three of the current Board of Directors are Naples Rotarians! Several others are volunteers. We are fortunate that there are a number of comfort care homes in our area and most have 2 beds. Hospice care is for people with a prognosis of six months to live. Comfort care is usually for 3 months. Many residents spend much less time at the home.  Theresa dispelled many of the myths around hospice care. Hospeace does not charge anything and will not deny food and water. They give medications to provide comfort for the residents. Info on their website includes grief support groups. Much of the focus is on support for the family's grief along the journey and help with options and decisions. Theresa is an End of Life Doula, earned from the University of Vermont this summer. Volunteers are always needed for resident care as well non-care activities around the house. Call Hospeace House to learn more. 585-374-2090. There are also several fundraising events coming up soon!

 

The Ace of Hearts was $243. Nancy had the lucky ticket #9504. She chose the Queen of Diamonds. There are 10 cards left for next week!

 

Happy Bills went to Theresa's talk and the mission of Hospeace House. We are so fortunate to have it in our community! The Wildflower campaign doubled all the donations this year. "Theresa is a treasure!" Jill's mom passed at Hospeace 4 years ago. Thanks to all participating in LUN and all that Rotary does. Charlie was home for the weekend. Two authors are writing books based in Naples!

 

A Rotary Moment was from Nancy - if you leave your door unlocked during the day, a Rotary president may bring you banana bread! Also, Judy Miller and Sherry attended Rotary leadership training over the weekend and learned a lot.

 

Jack led the Four Way Test and rang the bell to adjourn at 6:59pm.