Charlotte-Shelburne Rotary - Newsletter

From our archives: Arch had a great love of music. At age 18 he began to study the flute, and three years later he received a chair in the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra. He played with the orchestra for 14 years and was a lifelong sponsor of it. "My heart is in music and my head is in business," he said. Arch balanced his love of music and theater with his professional business and dreamed huge dreams beyond Cleveland to the theater of the world, with spectacular success. One of those dreams was The Rotary Foundation. Your contribution to The Rotary Foundation keeps Arch Klumph's dream alive and fulfills the dreams of many people around the world who need our help.

Announcements

Barbara gave an update on the Williston Rotary’s “signature event” – their Ski and Ride Challenge, an event to raise funds to help people who are having trouble paying for heat this winter. She encouraged the club to partner with Williston, as other clubs have done, to sponsor the event, and to donate a silent auction item.

Additional announcements:

Thank you received from Burlington Emergency Shelter for our gift of $1,000
We will be serving lunch at Charlotte Senior Center in March – volunteers needed
The District Training session coming up will include a raffle
The District Conference at Basin Harbor Club on May 14 to 17 is including a silent auction and would like a donation from our club
Theme of the district conference is “linking the past to the future” and the Hands to Honduras team will present

Sergeant at Arms

Kris Engstrom levied a birthday fine for John Dupee, a couple of notoriety fines on herself, and pin fines on Fritz Horton, Carol Obuchowski and Sharon Beal.

Happy fines:

Kris gave us the “on the spot” report on the shooting incident that occurred right next to her shop last Friday evening – and credited Officer Barrows with acting in the interests of keeping the community safe. It was noted the Officer Barrows went to Honduras with the H2H group last year and helped train local law enforcement officers.

Michele Lash – her daughter is recovering from wrist surgery
Barbara LeWinter – for letting her present her pitch
Eric Hanley – for his long-time friend Carol Smith joining the club; and for the UVM girls winning after five overtime periods in hockey
Linda Gilbert – nice to be back from Honduras – and in honor of Bill Adams, a member of Rotary for 49 years in Michigan who went to Tela with H2H and accomplished amazing dental work for an appreciative community – also for the donation of Spanish books for children donated by Williston Club
Ric Flood – his daughter was successful in selling her townhouse

Lucky draw: Barbara drew Gary Bergeron’s ticket, but he chose the wrong card and didn’t get the $80.70 pot.

Guest Speaker

John Beal and Audrey Butler

Pat Sokolowski introduced guest speaker Audrey Butler, executive director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Vermont. Pat said that as the mother of a daughter with epilepsy, she has been appreciative of the good work Audrey does for families and those with epilepsy. Audrey has been with the Foundation for 31 years.

Audrey did a great job of explaining and demystifying epilepsy, which she said is characterized by recurrent seizures and affects one person in ten in the United States. It is a disorder, not a disease, she said, and severity may range from a few seizures in a lifetime to daily occurrences.

Although there have been great advances in medications to control seizures, finding the right medication or combination of medications may be a long process, and some cases are not controlled.

In addition to working with people with epilepsy, families of those with epilepsy, Audrey also spends time raising the awareness of teachers, school nurses and children.

Causes of epilepsy may be head injuries (use of seat belts, and helmets for sports, are key to preventing this), brain tumors, stroke, meningitis, measles, mumps and lead poisoning.

In spite of treatment which may involve medication, surgery or vegal nerve stimulation, 30 to 40% of individuals continue to have seizures and Audrey said it is important for the Foundation to raise funds to continue research into better treatment and prevention.

She estimated that 3 million individuals in the United States have epilepsy and that number is expected to increase.

The impact of the disorder is very stressful for a family who don’t know when a seizure may happen, seriously limits an individual’s ability to take part in social or sporting activities and may lead to depression and even suicide.

The Epilepsy Foundation raises funds with a golf tournament at Vermont National in August, a Big Chill in Malletts Bay on April 5 and a Mud Volleyball tournament.

Their website is www.epilepsyvt.org.