Rotary Meeting

Rotary Meeting

Rotary Meeting

Rotaplast

I don't think anyone could see the program today and not leave the meeting feeling very thankful not only for living in the United States but also for the comfort and convenience of our lives here. The program was a report of four of our local Rotarians who joined other Rotarians for a medical mission trip to El Salvador. It was part of Rotary International's Rotaplast effort.

Members John Wheaton, Clayton Lee, Susan Sheridan, Eric Solis and our own Jenifer Jackson reported on their 12 day trip in June of this year. Eric Solis is a native of El Salvador and visited some childhood sites but mainly, the group put in 12-18 hr days assisting visiting and local medical personnel in treating cleft lip and palate maladies. During the 12 day stay, over 70 children were operated on. Such things happen rather routinely in our lives here but this was far from routine in El Salvador where 30 per cent of the population live below the poverty level.

Some of the parents had traveled for hours, walking or by bus to bring their children for treatment. Pictures brought reality to us showing major deformities being treated and the miraculous results that were achieved. Because of the severity, some of the patients need to return for sequential repairs after some healing of initial repairs. Later teams will do these.

Some of the most severe cases had palates that were open to the nasal cavities but all prevented normal eating procedures in addition to the cosmetic factor.

During Emperor Wes Yee's year, donations were made to Rotaplast each week in honor of each speaker. It is just one of several programs of service sponsored by Rotary members.

Fledgling President Tim started the meeting with two small omissions but recovered and had a smooth meeting. He presented a medallion to Past Pres. Walt Dahl for conducting a good meeting last week to start the new administration. MDN

NEXT WEEK

Dave Stewart, Meeting July 28, 2008 by RCS Staff Wornel Simpson Chair of the Day

Dave Stewart's big-league career lasted 15 seasons, but he is best known for a four-year stretch with the Oakland Athletics from 1987 to 1990 in which he notched 84 wins - all 20-victory seasons - and led the Athletics to three consecutive World Series appearances. In 1989, Dave "Smoke" Stewart won 21 games, two more in the American League Championship Series and two more in the World Series, winning the Series MVP award as the A's captured their fourth Series championship in Oakland.

Dave was drafted in 1975 by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a catcher, but was converted to the mound during his minor league days. He made his big-league debut at age 21 in 1978, pitching two scoreless innings of relief against the Padres at the end of the season.

In 1983 the Dodgers traded Dave to the Texas Rangers and in 1985 he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. In 1987, he took a spot in the Oakland rotation and ran with it, winning 20 games and becoming the first Oakland hurler to fan 200 hitters in a season since Vida Blue in 1971.

Dave was the pitching coach for the 2002 Milwaukee Brewers. If you are are a ball fan this is a meeting you will not want to miss!