Farewell to Constitutional Moments
After twelve Rotarians joined by three guests completed the rituals and offered a rousing rendition of When Irish Are Smiling, sat down to a traditional St. Patrick’s Day dinner of corned beef and cabbage.
DG Caroline was first on her feet to announce the retirement of A Constitutional Moment. In closing out this popular meeting feature, she hoped we had a new awareness of the role that the
constitution plays in our lives and helps us to better understand the various decisions that are rendered from courts at every level. Kudos were expressed by Rotarians for helping us increase our knowledge of the Constitution and the role it plays in making judicial decisions . These moments will be missed. Thanks again, DG Caroline!
Since Last We Met
Birthdays: Angelina Debeaupuis March 1
Eddie Rousse March 2
George Milne March 2
Diane Rossi March 5
Bertil Agell March 11
Club Anniversaries: Jim Catone March 3
On this day in history: In 44 bce Roman dictator Julius Caesar was launching a series of political and social reforms when he was assassinated this day, the Ides of March, by a group of nobles, among whom were Cassius and Brutus. 1965: About a week after a civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, was halted due to violent opposition, U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered his We Shall Overcome speech, in which he introduced voting rights legislation that was passed later that year.
Reminders and Announcements
Eddie reported on the progress on the Annual Rotary Breakfast. We are all set with maple syrup and tents have been secured. Thanks to a donation by Bob Nelson, new toasters have been ordered. Eddie will be meeting with Bob Woodard to develop a list of supplies. A letter is being drafted which will go out asking for sponsorship. He also reported having a positive experience at PETS and presented a mini-banner from that event to President Nicole.
President Nicole reminded Rotarians that the Pie for Bunch will take place on Saturday, April 8th, from 11:00 am-1:00 pm at the American Legion. Rotarians are asked to bring two pies of the same kind, one for selling and another for the pie tasting contest. She passed around a sign up sheet and those present signed up and indicated if they will donate a savory or sweet pie. She also announced that social media training is scheduled during Club Assembly on March 29th thanks to a $400 district grant.
Karl announced that some of the sculptures for the Barre Art Splash are finished and being coated at Cody’s.
Happy Dollars----Sad Dollars----A Fine
Tony was first up to give a Happy Dollar for the change to Daylight Saving Time.
DG Caroline threw one into the basket because her son is conducting research this summer with a professor at Norwich University. A fine was proposed on Joe for reading text messages during our meeting. Tom came to his defense by pointing out that all of us do it. He added that the benefit of Joe reading his texts meant that he could ask questions; it got a laugh, but the fine did not pass.
Art added to the coffers with three Happy Dollars: one for his son’s help in finishing a project; another for being plowed out by a friend; and that he did not have to give any dollars this week to Joe.
Joe gave a Sad Dollar for not attending Game Night because his back “went out” and because he was sad to hear the news that the director of the Opera House had resigned.
Tony gave a Happy Dollar because he was happy that he attended Game Night and heard the winner of round one of the Speech Contest.
President Nicole gave a Sad Dollar in announcing the passing of her mother and praising the work of the hospice staff in Arizona who cared for her during her final days.
Advanced Care Planning Tom introduced today’s speakers from Central Vermont Home and Health & Hospice; Emily McKenna, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer; and Teagan Martel, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Therapist in private practice in Barre.
Emily began with an overview of the services of CVHHH. Its services include: Adult Home Care; End-of-Life or Hospice Care; Long-Term Care; Community Clinics & Support Groups; Maternal Child Health Care: and Health Promotion. She noted that last year, CVHHH made 25,198 visits and served 866 patients.
Tregan continued with an explanation of the Vermont Advance Directive for Health Care. She discussed the following areas: the Health Care Agent; Health Care Goals and Spiritual Values; Limits of Treatment; and Organ/Tissue Donation and Burial/Disposition of Remains. Her major emphasis centered around the importance of the selection of the health care agent. This is a person who can make health care decisions when you are unable or unwilling to make decisions for yourself. The agent should be one whom you trust and who understands your wishes and agrees to act as your agent. She explained in detail the conditions under which one would prolong life or sustain it and the limitations of treatment which provide direction for medical teams to guide their courses of action regarding treatment.
Throughout the presentation, Rotarians posed many good questions and described their personal experiences with hospice care and generally praised the work of the organization. For a clearly presented and informative talk, Rotarians showed their appreciation with a warm round of applause at the conclusion of their talk.
Until next time, that's all folks......