"I'm dreaming of a White Christmas" is all that I can do. Driving to the meeting I encountered unseasonably warm temperatures and at times a very thick fog. It makes it hard to believe that Christmas is only a day away.

 

That being said, the spirits inside the Ridge adjusted well and were more in concert with the appropriate season!  President Marc called the small but enthusiastic group together and proceeded with the usual opening ritual. Art Bradbury was called upon to give today's Invocation.  Among his thoughts were the following - We, as a group, are truly blessed and should be grateful for the abundance we enjoy!  Most importantly, we should treasure the joy and the meaning of the Christmas season.  Well done, Art.

 

We were then dispatched to the now traditional buffet table to fill our plates with mixed vegetables, chicken parmesan, ziti, salad and rolls.  Could this be a traditional Italian Christmas feast? I venture not!  Dessert was a selection of cookies - good - but too standard?

 

Following lunch we were called back into session with the introduction of guests.  Kathy McCabe and Tom Galvin were both introduced - both not needing it!  It was great seeing these former Rotarians, and Doug Willett and Nick Cecere were given the honor of leading the Welcome Song. Hope this doesn't discourage future ex Rotarians from visiting!

 

President Marc called up the Park Department's set up crew and presented them with their Christmas gratuity.  Jay "the Grinch" Stewart, acting Sgt. at Arms, recited a list of miscreants which included Sue Klock's 18 years in Rotary, birthdays for Ted Mosebach, Anwar Hossain, and Doug Willett, and various infractions for George Schoen, Ned Lynch (something to do with the Patriots), Dan Larson, Mike Kerrigan, Jay Stewart (flowers, anyone?) and finally the O'Connors for their daughter honeymooning in Madrid for Christmas.

 

Other business included the announcement of a Board Meeting on Monday the 28th. Mary Martin spoke out about our ''adoptive' families for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and their appreciation for how we helped out.  Peter Klock spoke about a Shelter Box initiative to provide solar lighting for the tents.   We collected $400 which will provide 20 such lights.  In our caring moments we were asked to keep the Amberg family in our thoughts and prayers as their son, David, still in a coma, stays at Hartford Hospital.  Also for the Buettner family.  Bob's wife, Sandra, has a cousin who was killed in an accident while on vacation in the Caribbean, and the family has had difficulty bringing the remains back home to America.  And finally, the raffle winner - Ruthie Sheehan!!!

Our speaker, Tom Galvin, was almost introduced by President Marc.  He tried, but we all understood.  Tom, soon to be full retired, spoke of the changes occurring in the health care field. It's scary! The high cost of medical education is making it so difficult to enter into the medical profession.  Student debt can reach the hundred thousand dollar and beyond limit very quickly.  Costs are rising and prices are being determined by large insurance groups.  It is predicted that it soon will be much more difficult to see an actual Doctor, but rather a PA, APRN, or other type assistant will be the first line of contact.  Now there are about 190,000 dentists in America with about 80% in private practice - in ten years only about 10% will be in private practice.  Tom asked if our Club would be willing to work on some type of mission project with maybe 6 - 10 people willing to travel and become involved.  He would love to organize such a trip. 

Food for thought!!!!!

 

'til next week - Have a Merry Christmas!  Bob Wood