RadioRotary

More brief updates about the work of humanitarian organizations around the world: Prevention of Child Abuse, Stop Hunger Now, Interact (Rotary supported high school service organization), Maternal Mortality, Rotary Leadership Institute, and Rotary Family Health Days.

Latest episode of RadioRotary

Andy Imperati, General Manager of the Dutchess County Fair, and Red Hook Rotary President and Fair Volunteer Niki Weaver talk about the fun events, new ones and those back-by-popular demand, at this year’s 168th Dutchess County Fair. Besides sharing fascinating statistics about various elements of the Fair, Mr. Imperati discusses volunteer positions and the details involved in organizing this huge yearly event, which has become an international attraction. Ms. Weaver also describes Red Hook Rotary’s humanitarian contributions locally and worldwide.

Two members of the Highland Rotary Club describe the enormous success of their club’s now-famous Hudson Valley RibFest. Steve Laubach, District 7210 Secretary, and Don Verity, Station Manager for radio stations in the Hudson Valley, discuss the exhibits, cooking demonstrations by professional chefs, a sanctioned Barbecue Contest where winners advance to National Finals in Kansas City, and more–all of which attract 15,000 visitors of all ages from the Hudson Valley and around the world and benefit numerous humanitarian efforts here and abroad. New this year: a kickoff concert before the start of the Ribfest and a sightseer train around the Fairgrounds to view it all.

In this highly informative interview, Karen Preuss, Marketing Director of Hawthorne Valley Farm in central Columbia County, NY, describes the Farm’s commitment to organic farming practices based on the Rudolf Steiner philosophy about effective agriculture to sustain the earth. Throughout the year, the Farm invites children to participate in experiential learning (i.e., milking cows) so that they learn about nature and witness a working farm based on recycling. Ms. Preuss discusses topics such as raw milk, pasteurized versus non-pasteurized milk, sauerkraut’s benefits, the definition of “organic,” and how the consumer can identify products that are certified “organic.” The Farm offers various classes for all ages, including a class on cheese-making. The Farm’s store, open to the public, is interesting in itself, especially the produce department.

Fascinating set of short interviews recorded at the 2013 Rotary International Convention in Lisbon, Portugal. Humanitarians from around the world discuss topics that address global issues: medical concerns including Alzheimer’s disease, polio eradication, better vision services; literacy needs; and problems facing the environment. Especially interesting is a fabulous interview with anthropologist and U.N. Messenger for Peace, Dame Jane Goodall.

Rotary eClub 7210’s Past President Ana Johnsen and current President Richard Wilson discuss the need for eClubs, a nontraditional approach to encourage membership in service organizations such as Rotary that may be losing members due to rigid attendance requirements. Maintaining membership is vital for the survival of service organizations, but recruitment is often difficult because work and family obligations as well as health issues may prevent people from attending ordinary meetings. To address this problem, Rotary created eClubs. These require members to provide humanitarian service of their choice and to pay basic dues, but do not require attendance at meetings. Chartered in 2012, Rotary eClub 7210 includes members from several countries (including Sweden, Nigeria, India, and Turkey) and U.S. states. Members communicate mainly through email, considering that time zones make it difficult to meet any other way.

Marion Licchiello, author of Anyone Can! Live a Happier Life, describes one of the major elements needed to live a happier life: changing thoughts from the negative to the positive. Ms. Licchiello once spent nine months in bed as a result of a severe case of Lyme disease, during which time she learned that thinking positively led her to happiness. Using additional examples, including more from her own life, the author points out that people’s stories vary considerably in how they turned their life around through their thought-changing process that can ultimately make the world a better place.

awling Rotary President, Patty Moore, who is the Executive Director of the Pauling Resource Center, discusses the various forms of support that the Center provides for the community: transportation to medical appointments, a food pantry, an extensive medical loan supply with equipment such as hospital beds, information and referrals to other agencies that can provide what the Center cannot, as well as occasional services such as gift baskets at holidays. An important part of the interview discusses the surprising number of people in all communities, even those that seem well off, who are in various stages of need in today’s difficult economic environment. Ms. Moore tells many heartfelt stories about how the Center’s more than 75 volunteers have helped folks in need over the years.

New City Rotarian and Appalachian Trail expert Larry Luxenberg has enjoyed educating people about the joys of outdoor adventure for over 30 years. Author of Walking the Appalachian Trail, called the “classic of the genre,” and featured in the May 2013 edition of The Rotarian magazine, Mr. Luxenberg has also established and is CEO of the Appalachian Trail Museum in Pennsylvania, with over 20,000 visitors since 2010. Working many years to protect the environment around the trail from pollution, pipelines, and other environmental hazards, Mr. Luxenberg is an example of a Rotarian who has used his own skills and volunteer efforts to make the world a better place. Here he shares interesting stories and such fascinating statistics as the length of the trail is over 2,000 miles.

A ShelterBox Ambassador was interviewed “live” at a meeting of the Red Hook Rotary at the Bread and Bottle Restaurant in Red Hook. ShelterBox is a program that provides disaster relief in the form of a specially designed tent that can hold an entire family and also the tools, food, cookware, and water filtration needed to support that family for up to half a year. Before deploying the ShelterBoxes, which resemble trunk-sized Tupperware boxes, a highly trained team of SRT’s (Shelterbox Relief Team members) performs reconnaissance of the disaster and its needs.

Brian Doyle, CEO for Family Services in Poughkeepsie, describes the enormous scope of his organization such as Youth Services, Comprehensive Crime Victim services (and Forensics), Domestic Violence Service, and Substance Abuse Prevention and Family Education. The Family Partnership Center, a centerpiece of Family Services, collaborates with several other organizations for a unified approach to human services and building community. With over 43,000 clients last year, this extraordinary organization responds to societal ills that threaten families and seeks ways to prevent those problems, with a focus on youth activities (athletics, homework support, etc.) and programs to help young people grow to be caring and effective parents. Although Family Service in Poughkeepsie is located in the Hudson Valley, similar centers operate in neighboring counties, and the Hudson Valley organization can provide contact information for them.

Loads of fun at this on-site interview with two sets of high school Rotary Youth Exchange students: Inbound students from all over the world who have spent a year in the Hudson Valley and Outbound Hudson Valley students who will be leaving to spend a year abroad. The students are endearing, charming, and at times very funny. Inbound students describe the foods they enjoyed (for example—the Thailand student’s favorite is lasagna), the difference in schooling here and at home, and what they learned from their experiences. Outbound students describe why they decided to participate in an exchange program and what they hope to learn.

Walden Rotarian Brian Maher is Chairman of Hudson Valley Honor Flight, an organization that brings World War II veterans from Montgomery, New York, to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. At Montgomery, the veterans are escorted by 100 Rolling Thunder motorcycle riders to Stewart Airport where hundreds of appreciative citizens waving American flags greet them with cheers. The Honor Flight Network program now has over 70 chapters throughout the United States, and 2013 marks their ninth year running. They have transported over 81,000 veterans. The interview contains lots more interesting information, including what happens on the return flight back to Stewart. Mr. Maher is mayor of Walden, re-elected since his first campaign at the age of 23.

David Violante, Assistant Director of Emergency Medical Services in the Arlington Fire Department and Director of Disaster Preparedness and Training for NYC Medics, describes his experiences during 20 years of training medics here and abroad. Training paramedics to care for people in emergency situations includes not only teaching them how to deal with basic emergencies such as delivering babies, but also how to provide emergency aid while awaiting transport of a patient to a location with more complete medical services. Mr. Violante studied under Rockland County’s Dr. Martha “Bobbie” MacGuffie, who founded SHARE Africa, an organization which provides public health services in Africa and which has been supported by Rotary clubs over the years. This subsequently led to his work in Kenya where he trained local paramedics, empowering them to help the public in their own communities.