It was another beautiful day in our neighborhood as nineteen Rotarians gathered for service and fellowship! John rang us to order, began the Pledge and led us in The Star Spangled Banner. Sherry shared our blessing this evening. Karen was the greeter and introduced our speakers and two guests, Tom and Robert. Kaitlyn Carhart, Director of Development,  and Emily Mastellar, Director of Partner Engagement, came to present our program on Mercy Flight Central. 

 

John showed a photo of the Day of Service crew at Rose Ridge Cemetery as well as pics of some of the brush clearing accomplished! Thank you John, Sherry, Sue and Holly for all your efforts on a rainy Saturday!

 

Upcoming events are noted on the Club Calendar. The Memorial Day parade starts from Wilcox's parking lot at 10 am.  Please meet there at 9:30, bring a veteran! Final float prep will be Sunday at 4 pm at Rose's driveway.

Our Club's donation gives an opportunity for 6 golfers to play free in the Pawlak golf tourney on June 16th. Let John know of your interest!

 

In the mail:  Thanks from Aimee Bristol and the teachers at Prattsburg Elementary to Sherry and Rotary for labels and trees given to students on Arbor Day.

Thanks from Sebastian and Judy for our donation to the South Sudan project.

Thanks from Hospeace House for our donation to the Wildflower Challenge.

 

A Thank You card was signed to accompany a gift basket for the volunteer who fell into the Digger to retrieve the "Grapes" at the Great Grape Derby.

 

Mercy Flight and Hospeace House are benefitted by the Canandaigua Trout Derby on June 3-4.  Brews & Brats hosts a dinner for that event on May 31st at 6 pm.

 

Mercy Flight Central directors, Kaitlyn and Emily, are based at the Canandaigua Airport location. Two other locations are in Marcellus and Rome. Mercy Flight is an independent, non-profit, air medical professional service incorporated in 1992. Initially it consisted of a pilot and a paramedic. Since 2000, they have a RN adding an elevated service to critical care transport. Physicians can participate in a Ride Along program. About 45% are calls to a scene, 55% are interfacility transport. 2014 added Night Vision goggles and this year 4 new helicopters are coming in, replacing the 30+ year old work horses.  One helicopter is based at each location with one in reserve to cover for maintenance and inspections. New helicopters have increased storage and technology. Transport goes to local hospitals, to tertiary care centers or wherever the best options are for the patient.

Local open houses are held for the public and we are welcome to visit the Canandaigua location with prior arrangement. (585-396-0584 or 585-283-1003,  kcarhart@mercyflightcentral.org)

Questions posed included size of landing spot (about 100' x 100'), winter considerations (de-icing of pad) and costs to patients (some coverage by insurance). It was a huge inspiration to hear what Mercy Flight does for our communities!

 

Ace of Hearts was $15, ticket #433 belonged to Karen (no surprise!!!) who drew the 10 of Hearts. 

Happy Bills included many thanks to our presenters, Nancy's award from the Ontario Office of Aging, Bruce and Betty's return from Florida, Laurie's son's visit and good health reports, Rose's daughter's baby shower and a successful and FUN Monte Carlo Night for Hospeace.

 

John concluded the gathering with this Ralph Waldo Emerson quote:

Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.