INSPIRATION
PP Anthony Hollingshead quoted from 14th-century Iranian poet Hafez:
“And still after all this time, the sun never says to the earth,
you owe me.
Look what happens with love like that.
It lights the whole sky.”
ANNOUNCEMENTS, Etc.
President Don invited President-elect Art Norwalk to the podium to receive a multi Paul Harris Award for many contributions in support of Rotary International.
Don reminded members to return ballots electing officers and board members for next year and noted that candidates are not allowed to engage in any form of electioneering.
PP Anthony Hollingshead urged members to “Bring a Guest” when Senator Jack Reed speaks on March 5 (Note new date). If bringing someone who may be interested in joining Rotary, there will be no charge for that guest.
PP Randy Dittmar asked for volunteers to complete the dictionary drive by delivering books to two large schools.
Kris David announced a training for new Board members to be held at White’s in Westport on Feb. 10, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Applications for grants from the club foundation for area nonprofit organizations that benefit children are available on the club website. Grant proposals are due by March 31.
PP Barbara Harris sends greetings from Florida, with a photo of her flag exchange while making up at the Miami Rotary Club.
Jackie Gourd has been ill, and Jim Alexander has expressed appreciation for those honoring his late wife Judy.
Two Pakistani Rotary volunteers were shot to death during a vaccination drive Thursday – underlining the need for Rotarians worldwide to continue supporting the PolioPlus campaign to eradicate the disease once and for all.
HAPPY BUCKS
Esteemed Patriot alum Pete Brock led donations saying he no longer needs to exercise because his heartbeat goes so rapidly while watching the games.
PP Paul Segal looks forward to his next two months in Florida.
Ron Hoak celebrated the Patriots win and Coach Belichick’s reaction.
Terri Adelman for her father’s surgery scheduled in two weeks.
Bill David for losing quarterback Tony Romo.
Cap Willey for multiple vacation cancellations from airlines and a hotel.
Walter Adamowicz, whose daughter’s $400 gift card had been used by someone else, was happy that Lord & Taylor honored it anyway.
George Burman for PP Mike Kelly’s return from Florida.
TRY MEDITATION:
YOU’LL BE A NICER PERSON
Meditation trainer Mary Jane Pagan was introduced by PP Anthony Hollingshead who had previously engaged her to offer stress reduction techniques for his staff.
Mary Jane said the state would be happier and healthier if meditation practices were generally adopted. Her research demonstrates that stress has risen from 80% to 90% and that technology has introduced a whole new form of tension.
She said that, while we normally have 50,000 thoughts a day, mindfulness rewires your brain, slows down the number of thoughts and unwinds your brain.
Before closing she took the audience through a relaxing meditation session.