Lexington Spoke

Posted by Murry Awrach 
on Sep 10, 2012
 

Just a touch of fall, with a 66o temperature and an overcast sky – it appeared to be refreshing for everyone.  Hopefully, the summer will not slip away too soon.  The main feature of lunch was the Shepherd’s pie.

This was good practice for PE Jim S., as he very capably ran the meeting in place of President David, who was unable to attend today’s meeting.  Good job and congratulations, Jim!

We had 26 Lexington Rotarians, 3 guests, for a total of 29 attending.  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by VP David S (aided by PP Bob S); the first verse of America by PSA Charlie V., and PDG Jack M offered the invocation.   

Following introduction of the guests, PSA Charlie V led us in the welcome song, Happy $$ and fines abounded.  PE Jim Shaw for fixing his boat successfully; PP Dan B for the guy on jet skis and his boat blowing up and his landing on the dock facedown and surviving after having been blown 20 feet into the air; PDG Jack M. - $50 for a wonderful summer on Cape Cod, and for not having to see any of us in the club during his absence during the entire summer – he was very happy about this!  Bob C for something of which I do not know; Steve K. for his daughter Josie, who has been working at this very restaurant, Waxy’ s, for a long time, and who has successfully landed a position as the coordinator of the Massachusetts Audubon Society in Martha’s Vineyard; PP Don M. – for winning big, along with his wife, in Las Vegas recently; 1st VP, David S. – for a well spent vacation with his family at the Cape; Michelle G. – for being in New Hampshire and being with her family; and a fine on PP Bob S. for pre-empting PE Dave S. in the Pledge of Allegiance; all of the dentists for sitting together at the August 20 meeting – it was strictly Rotary business, as you all know!  Since PP David B and yours truly were the only dentists attending, each paid $5.  I will leave it up to SAA Connie N. to be sure to collect from PP Dan O and PP Don S when they return.

PP Murry then took the podium one more time to present two certificates of appreciation to PDG Jack M for all his mentoring and advice during his presidency last year.

Announcements:

  • Saturday, September 22 – the 300th Anniversary Kickoff at Hastings Park, 11AM to 4PM.  Let’s all be there! PP Dan announced that all the committees have been loaded onto the Rotary Club of Lexington Website.  Dan said that via our website all of the various committee members can communicate with other members in their respective committees.  Please take advantage of this.
  • It was announced by PP Ed G. that PP Dan L is back at Lahey – he has pneumonia.  Let us all wish Dan the very best for a quick recovery.  It would be nice to see him back at the club soon.
  • Acting Pres. Jim S. announced that the Lexington Fund is supporting the folks from Argentina, who recently visited us, and that they are doing well here in the Boston area and receiving much help.
  • PP Don M. announced that the Lexington Fund is sponsoring a Veterans breakfast, Saturday, November 3 at St. Bridget’s Church.  We as a club should be there to help out.  Don said there are approximately 1,300 to 1,500 Veterans actually living in Lexington.
  • Next week's visit by DG Terry Kidder and Asst. DG Ray Graber has been postponed.
  • September 26, - regional fundraising and membership forum.  Place to be announced. Be sure to let Pres. Dave know if you wish to attend.   Several letters were read from our scholarship recipients.  Also, a letter from the Carey Memorial Library Foundation was received, thanking the club for the $1000.00 donation we gave to their, “Help Me Get Ready to Read” program for children.

ImageOur main speaker today was Michael Prager, of the Boston Globe.  Michael has served on the staffs of numerous newspapers in the past.  He has recently written a book, Fat Boy, Thin Man. Michael pointed out that there is a large number of Americans, including 1/3 of American children, who are overweight.  He discussed how he himself had the problem, and how he ignored it for many years, but with the help of some people who came into his life, it finally hit home that he must lose the weight and control his eating disorder.  Michael pointed out that overweight people are on their way to a shorter life, and he was very adamant on this point.  Food addiction is the problem, and it  concerns two groups: (1) the addicts themselves, and (2) everyone is affected – it costs all of us in this country more on insurance and in the care of those individuals affected by being overweight.  It was pointed out that not all food addicts are overweight, and not all overweight people are food addicts.  Sadly, a number of the 17-24 year olds who are overweight could not pass the physical examination for military service.  Interestingly, 15,000,000 American adults are food addicts.  Food addicts favor certain foods, and some favor all foods – they just want to eat.  Michael described how people made comments about his weight: when he was sitting in a subway car; or when he was at a ballgame, and an individual told Michael he should charge Michael for his ½ of seat, since Michael was taking up a part of the other person’s seat.  It was a sad time.  Luckily, he met his wife, and finally took the positive road, having his first child at age 52 in 2009, and his son and family are the most important things in his life. His weight and eating disorder are under control, finally!  Anyone wishing to look up more on Michael can find it at michael@fatboythinman.com


Our 50/50 raffle winner this week:  3rd VP Dominic S.   

PP MAA

Late Bulletin: Please note that there will be no meeting on Monday, Sept. 17