Posted December 30, 2003
Last issue of the year!–may we enter the New Year with lightness of heart and clarity of thought.
Don’t forget: Ed will want $21.00 for a regular meeting, more $$ if you’ve had other absences.
The Tar Wheel Committee wants to express its thanks to you for your support during 2003.
See you Friday!
Philip
IN GEAR—December 19—A true holiday spirit filled AVS this day for the holiday luncheon of Asheboro Rotary. Joy Menius, assisted by young Ms Meredith Menius, provided delightful holiday music for our enjoyment. The Christmas feast of ham and turkey, dressing (with the Southern mandate of gravy), corn, green beans, cranberry sauce and salad was topped off by choices of pecan pie, pineapple cake, or peach cobbler.
President Mike Freeland gonged the meeting to order. In honor of flu season, he recommended that our greeting of fellow Rotarians forego the customary handshake. Instead, we might consider the far Eastern hands-together and bow, or simply pat someone on the shoulder. All members were still gracious and sincere in their greetings, regardless of the degree of physical contact. Following the Pledge, Mary Joan Pugh offered an invocation. Her prayer encouraged us to give of ourselves, of our time, talent, and treasure, especially in this season of gifts.
Sergeant of Arms Prithvi Hanspal introduced Dr. Jack Atwater, guest of Jim Culbertson. Also formally introduced was Meredith Menius, daughter of Dr. John Menius and a most able musical assistant. Our lone visiting Rotarian was Linda Brown of the Randolph Rotary Club. Even though this was one time President Mike remembered to introduce them, there were no student guests.
Several announcements were allowed. Richard Pugh is still soliciting proctors for End of Course exams at Asheboro High School. For convenience of scheduling, a training session for proctors will be held on January 9 immediately following our regular meeting. This training should last 30-40 minutes. Richard has 9 volunteers but needs a total of 15. On a happy note, Rebecca Redding presented a check for $2,281.86 to the club as proceeds from our golf tournament. The Honorable Robert Mason (although the “honorable” term was challenged from the floor) also made a special presentation. Robert was in recent receipt of a 2004 calendar produced by the BNA which features national and international tax legal authorities and proffered this to our leader. Mike was astounded to receive a free gift from an attorney and was encouraged to cherish the moment.
No Tax Talk Moment was presented. Instead, Mike asked us to reflect on the genius of the Wright Brothers and their accomplishment of the first manned flight 100 years ago.
Rebecca Redding introduced our speakers for the day. Naomi and Ralph Kilpatrick are long-time members of our club who have given their lives to the service of others. According to Rebecca’s “little bird,” Naomi and Ralph were married via the telephone. They also have the unique distinction of belonging to a very close-knit extended family, where brothers and sisters married brothers and sisters. For the past 34 years, Ralph and Naomi have participated in a volunteer dental practice that has taken them to several countries all over the world. Ralph began the presentation, but soon deferred to the “nuts and bolts’ person, Naomi.
Contrary to Naomi’s belief that she is not a good communicator, she shared wonderful information about their volunteer efforts with Esperanca in Santarem, Brazil. Here communication is not such a problem, since all staff must speak a little English. Esperanca is located 500 miles up the Amazon River. To appreciate the enormity of the Amazon, its average width is 40 miles, but at its delta, it is 200 miles wide. At its entry point into the ocean, the Amazon emits more water than the next eight largest rivers combined. This is so much water that the muddy river water continues to stream into the ocean for 150 miles.
The Esperanca clinic (Esperanca means “hope” in Portuguese) was founded by Luke Tupper, a military medic on the Amazon who was appalled at the medical condition of the natives. Upon completion of his military service, Luke learned Portuguese, studied for the priesthood, and returned to the Amazon to begin the volunteer medical program. Patients are charged according to their ability to pay, but the clinic is primarily supported through volunteers and organizations that fund humanitarian efforts. Rotary organizations have been larger supporters of the efforts.
The area is truly the world of the poor and the needy. Only 5% of the population finish high school. Clean water is a scarce commodity. Staff at Esperanca teach nutrition as well as hygiene. While a clinic exists in Santarem, a team of nurses go out into villages to provide medical services. To reach one village they must travel 28 hours by boat.
The Kilpatricks have traveled to Esperanza 13 times. Our visitor, Dr. Jack Atwater, is also a volunteer with the program and will leave January 24 to spend the month of February in Brazil.
Reminding us that we will not meet next week, Mike wished us a Merry Christmas and rang the bell to adjourn the meeting.
Atmospherically actuated by Denny Jennings
