Needham Rotary Club

Tuesday:     December 10, 2013

Location:  Needham Sheraton

Pledge of Allegiance: Glen Davis

Song:  ‘God Bless America’ Led By: Ron Sockol

Prayer: Led by Karen Wetmore

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Well, the biggest announcement was that this is Bill Curry’s last meeting. He and his wife Beatrice are moving to North Carolina on Thursday. Bill has been a member since 1968.That is 45 years! When he moved to Needham, he bought the veterinary practice of Dr. Gersha, who no surprise, was a Needham Rotarian. Dr. Gersha invited Bill, and here we are 45 years later saying goodbye to a terrific Rotarian and Vet!

Bill spoke and said how much he has enjoyed Rotary, and that while he had many chances to move, he has stayed in Needham because of the Rotary Club.

Glen pointed out how much he will be missed, and the fact that our BOD has awarded Bill a Paul Harris Fellowship, which will be delivered to him shortly.

Bill, thank you for your years of dedicated service to the club. We all will you the best in your retirement!!!

• Greg reported he is getting a lot of interest in the music event; Capron Light will be going over to town hall to see what they can do and Bill Rosenthal will provide electric keyboard.
• Salvation Army bell ringing was held last Saturday. Members who participated were:

                        -Karen Whitney who started us off with the 8 am shift

            -Bob Cocks and Karen Wetmore

            -Doug George and Marty Lindemann

            -George Hoffmeister and Chuck Buyer (who actually did 2 hours: thanks Chuck!)

            -Charles Nelson and son Cam who did 6 to 7pm

We collected $ 645.87. While not as high as last years $916, it was a wonderful effort by all of our members. Every one who worked the event said how much they felt enriched and humbled by the donations. See you next year!

• Lois reminded us that of Temple Beth Sholam’s Project Ezra, which will be providing meals for seniors on Christmas Day for Needham shut ins. Contact Lois if you know of someone in need.
• Next weeks Happy Dollars will be given to the Hotel servers who have served us so faithfully over the last year.
• Also, the club has upgraded the web service (Club Runner) we are using to host our web site and send email. If things look a little strange, pardon us while we get it perfected.

Guests:  

•    Libby Pero, of Capron Lighting, potential Rotarian.
•    Chas Eberly visting Rotarian from Seattle.
•    DA Michael Morrisey, guest speaker.
•    Shelia Pransky, Michael’s Assistant.
•    Shelia Britz, guest.

Happy Dollars:  Many $1 and $5 donations for Bill Curry’s 45 years!! Many Happy Dollars for our success in raising money for the Salvation Army last Saturday; Doug gave a Happy Dollar for his 36the wedding anniversary. When challenged why so little, he replied "The rest is going to 'The Capital Grill' tonite; 

Sad dollar for Ron Gronkowski’s injury; Scotti for being a Grandfather; To Savino for his son playing the timpani for the Wellesley Symphony Orchestra; Chuck for not being recognized by our DA guest speaker.

Birthdays: None.

50:50:  Karen Wetmore had the right number, but wrong card. Pot: $183

. Better luck next time Karen….

Humor:  

Guest Speaker:  Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey was our guest speaker today. Michael was a State Representative from 1977 to 1992; State Senator from 1992 to 2010, when he was elected District Attorney for Norfolk County.

His office consists of 150 people, including 75 Attorney’s and 18 State Troopers. He has 8 Attorneys working just on motor vehicle crimes. He figures it is Norfolk County’s largest law practice. From Weymouth to Wellesley to Bellingham, he covers all of Norfolk County.

He says Norfolk County looses (passes on) one person per week. 60% of them are alcohol or drug related. This year, we have lost to date about 58 individuals due to drug overdoses.

With all the highways in the county, we loose a number of people due to highway accidents.  Norfolk County averages 6 to 8 homicides a year.

To counter all of the drug related deaths, first responders in some Norfolk County towns and cities are carrying NARCA, a nasal spray to counter the overdose on some opiates. This has saved some 41 lives, and they are trying to get it deployed to more first responders.

In Dedham District Court, they have a ‘Veterans’ Court’, where they work with Veteran’s so they can be rehabilitated, where the circumstances warrant it.

When asked about the State Chemist Annie Dugan case, the DA said they had to let 67 people out of jail, after they reviewed some 5000 cases. This was a very costly issue.

It was fascinating to hear about the work and size of the DA’s office. Go to their website

www.mass.gov/norfolkda to learn more about the cases they have been involved in, and their efforts to limit crime.

Next Meeting: Next Tuesday   Reminder: There will be no meetings On December 24 and December 31.