RadioRotary

Dr. Barbara Chatr-aryamontri, Medical Director of the Sleep Center at Northern Dutchess Hospital, but known to her patients as Dr. Chatr, discusses the nature and treatment of sleep disorders. She focuses especially on the common condition of sleep apnea, which people may not even know they have. Co-host Jonah Triebwasser has suffered from this problem, and he describes how treatment improved his quality of life. Dr. Chatr discusses many other sleep disorders and urges those who suspect they are affected to seek treatment because some are not benign.

Interact clubs are service organizations for teenagers (and sometimes younger students) sponsored by local Rotary clubs. The Interact Club of Pawling is sponsored by Pawling Rotary Club and the Pawling Recreation Department. Teens in the club enjoy volunteering to work on community and humanitarian projects, from fundraising to implementation. So say the two Pawling Interact Club members who were interviewed with their Advisor, Robyn Woolley, Assistant Recreation Director for the Town of Pawling and Advisor to the Pawling Interact Club. Unlike most Interact clubs, which are affiliated with a specific school, this Interact club is community-based and open to all teens (grades 5-12) in the Pawling area. The club meets after school. Its activities include a strong summer day camp program for ages 3-14 and representation of the club at Rotary International Day at the U.N.

Catherine Forbes, Dutchess County SPCA Director of Development, discusses the no-kill Hyde Park shelter with a 141-year history of providing shelter and services for unwanted, abused, abandoned, or neglected animals. SPCA Adoption Counselors are trained to match families with pets, now called “companion animals.” Using a rescued puppy as an example, Ms. Forbes describes the medical attention veterinarians provide that finally allows a rescued companion to live a happy life in a good home. She offers many suggestions for protecting pets, such as a microchip (small as a grain of rice) injected under the skin for easy identification. The Hyde Park’s yearly Annual Petwalk, a unique and well-known county fair for dogs now in its 18th year, includes activities such as competitions in catch-a-ball, racing, tail wagging, singing, speaking, begging, tricks, and so forth, as well as unusual activities like “paw reading.”

Rotarian Doug Martin Sturomski discusses the Worldwide Peace Bells Foundation and the work it does to promote peace. Mr. Sturomski believes strongly in Rotary’s message of achieving peace through service. His Peace Bells across the Hudson this year, where symbolically people on two sides of the bridge will meet in the middle, is a fund raiser supporting Family Promise, a non-profit organization that helps families in economic distress. Discussing the historical significance of the bell symbol in most countries around the world, Mr. Sturomski shares his belief that “peace is on the move” and will soon overshadow the preference for conflict. His website asks visitors to commit acts of peace and gives many examples of how to do so.

Pleasant Valley Rotarian Dave Kruger, Chair of District 7210’s Vocational Training Team, a professional exchange program, discusses how this program promotes international goodwill and understanding. Mr. Kruger describes Rotary’s positive impact in the world with its various successful humanitarian programs throughout its 100+ year history, starting with Rotary’s influence in the formation of the United Nations. Some of these programs include ShelterBox, Polio eradication worldwide, Peace and Ambassadorial Scholarhips, and more. Mr. Kruger says he always finds it “inspirational” how Rotarians meet major critical challenges in the world by working together in service to others “to further the greater good.”

Carolyn Klocker, Senior Water Resource Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension in Dutchess County (CCEDC), discusses important updates about our water supply, describing and emphasizing watersheds and their importance. She provides easy methods that will conserve and protect our water supply and corrects misinformation about our knowledge of water. Ms. Klocker also describes the vital work of the CCEDC, which strives to extend the educational resources of Cornell Univerity and the NYS Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Human Ecology, Veterinary Medicine, etc. In addition, Ms. Klocker explains the program called “No Child Left Inside,” a movement in the United States that seeks to encourage environmental literacy for students between kindergarten and 12th grade. Ms. Klocker says: “Water will be the next oil. The more we conserve it, the better off we’ll be.”

Girl Scout Leader Kristen Reid and two teenage Ambassador Level Girl Scouts from Troop 10452 of the Millbrook Service Unit, Heart of Hudson Council, discuss its mission: to provide leadership training to girls, empowering them to connect with others in making the world a better place. Today’s girl scouting experience retains many traditional programs, such as badges, Silver Award, Gold Award, and community services while adding contemporary programs that address current issues, such as financial literacy; Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) programs; self-esteem programs; and multi-cultural appreciation.

West Point-Highland Falls Rotarian John Willis discusses his position as Director of Research Operations at the Institute for Innovation and Development at West Point’s U.S. Military Academy. A retired Lieutenant Colonel, Mr. Willis describes several of the 37 research centers and programs as well as his family’s history of three generations in the military. Pointing out that West Point is not only a training center for tomorrow’s officers but also a highly respected four year college, Mr. Willis reviews the admissions process in some detail. He also identifies West Point’s many additional activities open to the public, such as its tours, concerts, and theater, which attracts top talents.

In an on-site interview at the Apple a Day Diner where Red Hook Rotary meets weekly, Dutchess County Fair Board member Lou Ruge and Fair Operations Manager Andy Imperati describe exciting events at the world famous Dutchess County Fair (Aug. 21-26, 2012). Of special interest are the new exhibits devoted to local agriculture and to educational programs showing how food gets from local farms to our kitchen table. The categories of shows are best described by the Fair’s various buildings (horticulture, poultry), arenas (horse), pavilions (livestock, sheep), and tents (canine, entertainment). Fair favorites in food, gifts, demonstrations, competitions, the petting zoo, and more all return this year. Now in its 167th year, the Fair attracts visitors worldwide!

Highland Rotarian Don Verity discusses this year’s events at Hudson Valley’s annual celebrated RibFest on August 18-19, now in its 8th year. The RibFest is the region’s largest and most unique food event, attracting people from around the country. Visitors enjoy delicious culinary experiences, cooking demonstrations and competitions, popular music, and various entertainment for the entire family. Proceeds benefit charitable organizations, including Rotary’s global polio eradication program, local food pantries, literacy groups, and more.

Sara-Elizabeth Clark’s interview was selected in June, 2012, by the New York State Broadcasters Association to receive the prestigious Broadcasting Award for Excellence in the category of Public Affairs in a Program/Series. In Sara-Elizabeth’s interview, which aired in October, 2011, she discusses her life with epilepsy and how at age 16 she has developed her philosophy: “I will not let my epilepsy define me. It’s what I have, not who I am.” Sara describes the many misunderstandings and misinformation among the public that add to the burden of those with this neurological condition and describes the support available to those with epilepsy. Sara helps support research by major epilepsy organizations with Sara’s Strikes for Seizures, a bowling afternoon that raises money for the cause.

Giorgio Balestrieri, a Rotary UN Representative in the International Service Division, epitomizes Rotary’s passion for peace through service. He discusses examples of Rotary’s effectiveness in worldwide efforts such as polio eradication and clean water. In one very emotional segment, he describes how Rotary’s efforts brought peace and understanding between Armenians and Turks in 2005.

Penny Hickman, Distribution Coordinator for the humanitarian organization Hunters Helping the Hungry, discusses the process by which this program brings thousands of pounds of game (venison and birds) to soup kitchens, churches, food pantries, and other food distribution sites. She describes how the local deer population would breed themselves out of existence without controlled hunting. Volunteer hunters collect the food, bring it to a processing plant donated and staffed by hunters, cut up and vacuum-pack the meat, freeze it, and distribute it–58,000 pounds distributed since 1993! For young people involved in hunting and fishing, Ms. Hickman describes various ways to help the next generation learn about conservation and the outdoors, such as hunter safety courses, conservation programs, and summer camps. Ms. Hickman urges hunters to wear blaze orange, also known as safety orange, instead of camouflage for safer hunting. Hunting permits include Ms. Hickman’s contact information.

William BreMiller and John Roger, physical therapists with extensive medical and academic credentials, discuss the benefits of physical therapy, especially orthopedic therapy. Therapy is commonly used for treating movement disorders caused by aging, arthritis, injuries, and so forth. But there are also a wide variety of conditions that physical therapy addresses, including post-trauma rehabilitation, surgery follow up, sports injuries, and even headache management. The interview covers tips to prevent conditions from becoming chronic as well as the ways that modern therapy strategies speed recovery. There are many reasons why more people today are seeking physical therapy, especially young athletes.

Rotary International’s long-term Youth Exchange Program provides students ages 15-19 with the opportunity to live in a different country for a full school year. Enjoy this lively interview with current Inbound and next year’s outbound students participating under the direction of Rotary District 7210’s Inbound Co-Chairs Nan and David Greenwood and Outbound Chair Donna Bemiss. Inbound students describe their experiences–including their food preferences–living with Hudson Valley host families and attending local public schools. Outbound students discuss why they look forward to living abroad. Through Youth Exchange, which began in the 1920s, students learn firsthand about life in another country, planting the seeds for a lifetime of international understanding. Students applying for the program do not have to have family affiliated with Rotary.