Pledge: Pres. Gerri Lewis
Prayer: Doug Wisner
Song: Bill McLaughlin
Brents Card Game Winner: Arlene Mingione
Guests: Brian DeBlasis, Dick Mason (Pres. Haddam-Killingworth club), Arlene Mingione
Meals on Wheels: John Donnelly, next week Bill McLaughlin
Sergeants Report: Rick Beck filling in for Joe Arcari
Raffle Winners: Marty, Charlie R, Amber
Happy Bucks: $ for our guests, the golf tournament - thank you Brent!, Arlene was happy for her 3yr old niece who is doing well after an accident, Bill M is happy we are underway in the process of getting a matching grant for the Estuary, Pete was happy to win the womens longest drive contest and closest to the pin (??), Dick Mason was thankful for our club getting their club started and talked about the Indian Fiesta they are having on Sunday Oct. 9 - see details under Club Activities.
Brent Taylor reported on the golf tournament. We will clear about 14K which is down from past tournaments. Brent wants to go back to the original venue and date (Portlant CC in May). Charlie Norz suggested this should be a club decision so there will be further discussion on this.
Program: Arlene Mingione - her trip to Nicaragua
Arlene talked about how she came to embark on this mission. Arlene decided on a second career in nursing after she found out she had and ultimately defeated cancer. She heard about "Hope for Nicaragua" and decided this was something she needed to do. Our club helped with $1000 grant which helped cover the $2300 cost. Her son, a chef, also went. Starting in Managua, her group made their way to La Estrellita a poor town not far from Managua. People sleep under mosquito tents and they cook food in their dwellings which do not have proper ventilation or running water in most cases. Asthma in children is rampant due to the poor air quality inside. Animals (dogs, pigs, etc.) are everywhere and animal health is also a concern. In this society, the older children take care of the younger children. Schools are fenced in and secure and the churches are active.
A mobile vet clinic, dental clinic, medical clinic and pharmaceutical services are among the things concerning this mission. Because fruits are a staple in the diet of the local people, tooth decay is a common problem because fruits are acidic and can break down enamel. They saw 242 patients and did 444 extractions. A gynecological clinic provided immediate treatment to those in need. The pharmacy filled 15,895 prescriptions and gave out pill packs which among other things, contained pills for worms and parasites found in the drinking water. In all, Arlene's team saw 3,000 patients in 3 days. Some people had to walk 4 hours to get there and waited without complaint to be seen sometimes for several hours. There were lots of ear issues - in the dry season there is a lot of dust which along with earwax can get impacted inside the ears. They did wound care as well. House calls for those who could not walk were also done. 770 pairs of eyeglasses were given out as well as 1000 bibles. Arlene and her team came back exhausted but fulfilled knowing they helped so many. Arlene plans on going again.
They partnered with Project Life and the Babtist Medical Dental Mission.
The meeting adjourned following the recital of the 4-way test.
FOUR WAY TEST of the things we say and do
1) Is it the TRUTH
2) Is it FAIR to all CONCERNED
3) Will it build GOODWILL and better FIENDSHIPS
4) Will id be BNEFICAL to all concerned
md
