High Gear, May 28, 2014

President George Schoen gave the invocation today.

Lunch was a succulent meal of roasted pork loin, sweet potatoes, corn on the cob and ice cream with chocolate sauce for dessert.

Visiting us today are District Governor Mike Barnett, our guest speaker Kim Trowbridge from Vitas, Dr. Hugh Finch, Mike Kerrigan, the new Director of the YMCA, Robert Dugger from the Glastonbury Rotary Club, Interact leader Rachael Buck,

Our Interact Advisor, Rachael Buck

and the CIBA interact members: Megan L. , C. Lee, Brianna H., Anthony & Mikayla B.  

The Welcome song was performed in perfect harmony by Neal Cunningham & Doug Willett.

Sergeant at arms Dan Larson with a short list of collections from today:

Pat Gately – Celebrating 9 years as a Rotarian

George Agnelli – late & also paid for Steve Jacoby

Alex Wicz – marched in 3 parades this past weekend

Nick Cecere –for fibbing a little to Mike Kerrigan! (Shame, Shame Nick!)

Bill Saunders – for having the lovely Brianna sitting at their table!

Ruth Sheehan & Ned Lynch – Because the Red Sox are on a winning streak!

Bob Buettner with friends takes it all in

Frank Collins – His picture was in the Gazette

Sue Hansen – got to drive the book mobile in the parade!

Bob Buettner – for all who helped putting the parade together & all who helped to clean up!

Dan Larson – Good to have Doug Willett back!

District Governor Mike Barnett thanks Club for Convention Hospitality Room

DG Mike Barnett presented a citation to the CIBA Interact Club for outstanding community outreach!

They have been involved in many projects this year, to name a few: cleaning up the Hockanum River, food drive, cleaning up the yard of an elderly person,

IB Interact Club is recognized by DG Mike Barnett

participating in a walk/run to raise funds for

Great Work!  They deserve a standing ovation!pediatric cancer research and hair donations to make wigs for cancer patients.

DG Mike also thanked President George & the Club for our outstanding contribution & assistance with the Hospitality Suite at the District Conference this year.

Mike Kerrigan made an announcement that the YMCA has raised over $90,000 and could not have done it without our help, especially to Dan & Betty Russell for opening their home for the annual kick off meeting.  Mike will be recognizing EHRC with the George Stewart Award, and the George McDonald Award to the Russells. 

Mike Kerrigan announces YMCA Recognition Awards

Alex Wicz gave us an update of the Duck Race:  FOCUS IS ON TICKET SALES!!!

Duck Tickets:  Amount collected as of 05/21/14 is $6000.00 FANTASTIC!.  Opportunities to sell:

Just a reminder, deadline date for turning in sold tickets is June 11 ^th.

June 13^th, Rock Cats game, $22pp, and $4 is returned to Rotary towards Polio Plus!  We have about 50 people signed up to go.   See Gil Wishart for tickets

Installation Banquet:  Wednesday June 18th, 6pm, at the Gallery.   See Ceil Collins to sign up & meal choices.   ($45pp) – she will be sending out an email as a reminder!

August 4^th – District Golf outing at Twin Hills Country Club in East Longmeadow, MA  - it is open to Rotarian golfers, partners & friends, scramble format only.  $125 per golfer.

Raffle winner this week: Dr. Hugh Finch!

Our guest speaker today is Kim Trowbridge; she is an RN, and Clinical Team Manager at VITAS – she has been a nurse for many years, after graduating from Capital College in Hartford with high honors, she started her career at St. Raphael’s in New Haven where she worked on the inpatient oncology floor.  This work ignited a passion for end of life care.   She moved on to VITAS Innovative Hospice where she has been a clinical team manager for over 4 years. Kim works to ensure exceptional end of life care for about 60 hospice patients every day via her inter-disciplinary team of providers.  Kim also holds a degree in bio-genetics and has worked in the mental health arena as well.

Kim Trowbridge, From Vitas Hospice, our speaker today.

   Kim was a wealth of information on Hospice Care, what it means, how it can be beneficial, how you can control the type of care you receive as well as where you can receive hospice care, how to inform family members and friends and how they can be involved in the care.  She also explained who is a part of each care team:  team leader, team physician, RN, chaplain, social worker, aides and volunteers, and how each person is involved in the end of life care. Pamphlets & Advance Directive forms were distributed and Kim is available for any questions.