The Spoke - Archive  Apr 7, 2009

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And the winner is.....

Recognitions and Fines: 

Viktoria Talebian announced that there were many guests this week:

Bruce Whear brought Alicia Diozzi and Amy Sollins.  Tim Clarke brought Norman Kraft.  Denise Flynn brought Rose Fisher and Bob Dionne.

Visitarians included Tom McNulty from Marblehead and Deb McNulty, and Ron Sipple from Saugus.

Fines and Recognitions:

Jeff Shribman recognized his son, who was the Patriot League player of the week.

Deb McNulty paid for her upcoming 37^th wedding anniversary to Tom.

That reminded Jake Segal that he is celebrating his 49^th anniversary with Marilyn this week.  He paid extra for the timely reminder.

Mike McLaughlin announced that he needs volunteers for the Mary Jane Lee park on Saturday, April 18 from 9:00 to noon.  That’s the Saturday just before school vacation week, so bring your strong kids too.

Denise Flynn paid for her husband appearing in the Salem News.  He was one of 8 inventors nationally who won an EPA contract for his invention to clean factory emissions.

Viktoria Talebian paid for many birthdays.  She and her kids have birthdays this month.  Her kids are turning 3, 5, and 8.  She paid $66 for all of their birthdays – you can do the math and figure out her birthday.

Frank Campbell paid for a Rotary fishing trip in Florida.  He didn’t mention who was with him, but he did boast a new tee shirt.

Randy Burba paid a fine for his daughter, who turned 10 this week.

Dave Benson recognized himself for a recent appointment to the Board of Directors of New England Roofing.

Bill Kielbasa announced the upcoming RYLA weekend for high school juniors.

Jim Bailey paid for a nice warm stay in Naples, Florida.

Tim Clarke paid a fine for a delicious meal cooked by Juli Lederhaus and his wife, Alice.  The food was so delicious that he gained two pounds, despite running a half marathon the very same day!

Mary Ann Lyons announced that she collected $400 for the WALK for HAWC.

Susan Berton was made an official Salem Rotarian today.  She also met many, many new friends.

Program for the April 7th Meeting:

Jake Segal introduced the guest speaker today, Dr. Patricia Messervy, the President of Salem State College.  Dr. Messervy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing as well as a Master’s Degree and PhD in Higher Education.  She sees herself as a problem solver and an optimist despite the recent budget cuts and the problems with the college library.

Dr. Messervy mentioned that she is an official Salem resident, which saves her hours of commuting time each day.  She asked the group if any had enjoyed the previous night Speaker Series with Jay Leno, who is donating some of the proceeds for a scholarship in the name of his good friends, the Sogoloffs.

Salem State began as a school with a focus on teacher education.  It is so much more and now functions as a comprehensive university, despite not having the official title.  In addition to strong programs in nursing, education, and buisness, the college has many graduate degree programs – in fact, over 700 graduate students will receive a Master’s degree in May.

Dr. Messervy recalled October of 2007 when she discovered that the library was structurally unsound for students.  It was both the hardest and easiest decision to make.  Ultimately, student safety could not be sacrificed, and a temporary library was erected.

Currently the College has embarked on a Strategic Plan that included the following:

1)      Academics First – Determining courses of study that will be most in demand in the coming 5 – 10 years.

2)      Student Life  - Strengthening the Theater, Arts and Athletic Clubs to provide a well rounded experience for students.

3)      Civic Engagement – Making community service a part of every student’s college experience.

4)      Finance and Facilities – Keeping the college affordable is a priority, as is expanding the resource base via private donations.

5)      Marketing and Communications – Positioning the college for the future and promoting that position within the community.

Dr. Messervy conceded that the recent budget challenges were intense, but that she was optimistic that Salem State College would continue to expand with the following projects:

1)      New library to be completed by 2012

2)      New residence hall for 500 students to be completed by fall of 2010

3)      New development of the Atwood Morrill property

4)      Growth of the small business development program and the Enterprise Center

Events to be aware of -- Save the Dates!!

• 4/14/09 Kristin Gallas, Boston Ballet
• 4/21/09 Jennifer Bell, Salem Main Streets

                          Please visit the calendar section of our web site

                                       for additional important dates.  

And now a few announcements....  

The Following is a "travel report" from John Neely

This is my twelfth day in South Africa, with daughter Abby in and around Bulwer, where she lives--except for a brief trip to Lesotho, a separate country.  In Lesotho we spent the night in the "highest pub in Africa"--almost two miles high with a hare frost at night.

Most time has been spent with Abby in the three rural Zulu communities that are the focus of her research.  Highlights include:

My introduction to Zululand--delivering six frozen chickens after dark in a heavy rain to the Gogo (grandmother) who would host a formal lunch the next day.  The power had just failed (always exciting for children).  Almost all of the family of 18, from five generations, were in the kitchen, with the only light from a wood fire and not quite all of th e smoke escaping through the thatched roof.

Watching two teams of gogos play soccer as part of a fitness-for-elders program.  I'm not sure our club could beat them; I know we couldn't if we used members of only the same age.

Drinking a fermented (but not alcoholic) corn-meal beverage.

Hiking all over the place.  Driving on the left around potholes on the paved roads and through washouts on the dirt ones.

Seeing the wonderful relationships Abby has built with the community members.

Discussing politics, religion, governance and life with people grounded in very different traditions.

Went to a meeting of the Rotary Club of Pinetown.  By happenstance met a PDG who is chairman of District 9270's Rotary Foundation Grants Committee.  Could be a very useful contact in the future.  Offered to introduce a Zulu man who lives in Pintown and works in Bulwer to the club president.  If I recruit a new member here, can I and our club get credit?

Adventures ahead:  attending an Easter mass that will start at 4 AM and end at sunrise.  Abby and I will be the only white people there.  Going to a folk and rock music festival in the mountains.  There will be plenty of white people.  Going hunting in the mountains with an Mkhulu (granfather) and his dogs, which look like whippets

Will try to attach a picture or two.

Stumpers  

This week's stumper:

Which 1/2 Marathon did Rotarian Tim Clarke complete before overeating at Juli's?

Last week's stumper:

What running of the Boston Marathon will take place on Monday, April 20?

Answer to last week's stumper:

 114th Running

Happy Birthday to:  

Although there were no birthdays this week, John Hooper did stop by earlier to drop off a check for his upcoming birthday.

Please email all announcements to be added to the Spoke  and/or feedback to salem_rotary@yahoo.com by Noon on Wednesday.  Also, feel free to contact any of the committee members listed below.

Committee Chair:  Brenda Smith

Editors:  Brenda Smith

Photos: John Quinn (Jay Cue), Trip Mason and File

Graphics and Photo Editing:  Rich Eisner

Members:  Denise Flynn, Jim Haskell and Sandy Heaphy