Kerry Flathers of Lancaster's Perkins School spoke about the school's focus on children with psychological and social issues.
 
 
Guests
 
  • Brian Burke
 
Announcements
 
  • Purple Pinkie Day, to wipe out polio,  has raised over $1700 so far; we’ve yet to hear from Center School in Stow.  Update: PPD has been scheduled there for January 13.
  • Bolton Repair Café was a  big success.
  • We had 10 people attend the Rotary Day at the UN. It was very inspiring and informative.
  • We also had a large turnout for Foundation Forum—11 members—where we were given an award for lat year’s contribution toward ending polio.
  • Thanks from Richard Simon to those who helped get the shipping container loaded with dental equipment for the Dominican Republic and the mobile dental clinic, in only two hours. Special appreciation to Dana Gray, for his expertise in shoring up the contents against shifting in transit.
  • The Veterans Day breakfast in Stow was a big success—our first time hosting the event.
  • The Health Care Fair will be November 18, at the Bolton Public Library. State representatives Benson and Flanagan will both be there; in fact, their staffs have taken responsibility for publicity.
  • A New Generations conference will be held December 13 at the Holiday Inn in Boxborough. All are welcome.
  • This year’s holiday party will be on December 18, at Nancy Bishop’s house.
  • Agents of Change will be held January 22 (29 in case of snow), at the Fenn School in Concord, with the cooperation of the Concord club. Three speakers have   been identified; they will  be introduced, participate in a panel discussion, and then be given awards for their work to inspire change in society’s attitudes towards women.
  • The Stop Hunger Now meal packaging will be held February 7, at Nashoba Regional High School.
  • Our club will sponsor scholarships to students intending a career in health care and attending a community college.
  • We’ve contributed $350 to RAD, our speaker from last Thursday morning. We’ve also given $350 to Warm Hearts, and are contributing a Thanksgiving basket.
  • Jim Stone, as president-elect for next year, would like to meet all members individually, to discuss what keeps us in Rotary and how Rotary can meet our interests.
 
Happy/sad fines
 
  • Nancy: happy for her new granddaughter’s bright smile.
  • Don: happy that he’s going to visit his new granddaughter over Thanksgiving.
  • Mary: Sad, that the house of a good friend had burned down, just months after the family lost the mother due to cancer.
  • Rich: But the family is all safe.
  • Chris: happy about his business trip to China.
  • Natascha: happy about Purple Pinkie Day
  • Cyndi: saw Mary on TV.
  • Jackie: happy about the Veterans Day breakfast, and her trip to Florida
  • Laura: also happy about the Veterans Day breakfast, and that she was able to hear a 103-year-old veteran of the Women’s Army Air Corps speak; also that she was able to attend the RYLA play; also that she’s now a graduate of Rotary Leadership Institute.
  • Jim: happy that the Veterans Day breakfast came off so well.
  • Richard: has his garage back, now that the dental equipment is packed; packing took only 2 hours, so no extra charges were involved; Fatima is moving in! And happy that Fatima gave a great presentation on Brazil (Sao Paulo conference).
 
Awards
 
  • Carol received a New Members award.
 
Induction
 
  • Brian Burke was inducted into membership. He has his own business strategy and marketing company. He was recognized for having done so much for the club since he began attending; and he’s interested in development and digital media.
 
Speaker
 
Our speaker was Kerry Flathers of the Perkins School in Lancaster.
 
First, Perkins in Lancaster is not to be confused with the Perkins School for the Blind, in the Boston area. It does outstanding work, but Lancaster’s school is for children with psychological and social issues. The school was founded 118 years ago, for children with cognitive difficulties. Currently it serves severely depressed, bipolar, and autistic children for the public schools. 50 live in, and 50 more commute. Classroom ratio is 2/10. Students are mostly from Massachusetts, but also from New Hampshire and Connecticut. The school offers three regular programs for the community: a child development center providing day care (not special needs); a community-based mental health clinic; and a program for riding and caring for horses. And through grant funding, they have a Veterans program. The student population is aged 5 to 22; they also have adults unable to care for themselves, who live in a separate home called Davis Manor.
 
Next meeting
 
Thursday, November 20, morning meeting at Colonial Candies, 7:15-8:30 a.m. The speaker will be Kelly Shultz, "How Twitter, social media and blogs can help your business."