Meeting Highlight:  President Sally inducted our newest new member, Jeffrey Wells, sponsored by Will King. Jeffrey comes from New Jersey as well as from a family full of Rotarians, including his father who was a past Rotary International director. Jeffrey is an architect with Coastal Design Group and also heads a nonprofit agency targeting literacy.

 

Laurie Harrison, Rotarian of the Day, introduced Dr. Jerry Nadler of Strelitz Diabetes Center, an affiliate of Eastern Virginia Medical School. Dr. Nadler, EVMS Internal Medicine Chair and Vice Chair of Research, enlightened and surprised us with facts about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

 

With nearly 26 million children and adults suffering from diabetes, it’s likely we each know someone affected by this chronic disease. In Virginia, diabetes is the 8^th leading cause of death. Dr. Nadler called Hampton Roads “the buckle” of the “Diabetes Belt,” a section of the southeastern U.S. with one of the nation’s highest incidences of the disease.

 

EVMS' research grants are helping it become a national leader in diabetes prevention research. Current studies strongly suggest a viral connection with incidence of Type 1 diabetes. Once a virus is identified, scientists can focus on developing a vaccine to prevent diabetes. In other research, Dr. Nadler and his colleagues are close to developing a blood test to detect whether a person has a predisposition to diabetes.

 

Unlike other diseases that manifest with visual signs or pain, diabetes is a “silent” malady. Its symptoms are common to many benign issues: frequent urination, unusual thirst, irritability; tingling or numbness in legs, feet or fingers; extreme hunger; rapid weight loss; weakness and fatigue; blurred vision or other change in sight; frequent skin infections or itchy skin, and the slow healing of cuts and bruises. There is a strong correlation between heart disease and diabetes. Many people don’t find out that they are diabetic until they are in the hospital being treated for heart disease. Type 2 diabetes, the most prevalent form of the disease, can be avoided by maintaining a healthy weight and active lifestyle. Dr. Nadler says to:

Before and after the meeting 25 Rotarians took advantage of a voluntary diabetes screening (blood pressure and quick finger-prick blood test). Each received a personalized feedback and recommendation report.

 

After the program, President Sally told our guest speaker a book, “Sick Simon” will be presented in his honor to this week’s school in the spotlight, Chesterfield Academy. Dean Rogis won $16 in the daily raffle. President Sally couldn’t find the gavel to ring the bell, but dismissed us anyway, at 1:30 on the dot!

 

The bell rang us to order at 12:31, and President Sally began the meeting with a moment of silence in memory of our former fellow Rotarian Tom Moss Jr., who passed away on November 26.  She then called on Frank Whitman at the piano and Pam Tubbs to lead the singing.  After a rousing chorus of “The More We Get Together,” to usher in the December holiday mood, we warbled “Jingle Bells” (with corporate percussive accompaniment of house and car keys). Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Bob Heely offered a thoughtful invocation reflecting the Thanksgiving season, remembering all the blessings in our lives for which we are grateful.

 

Bob Powell informed us that Bob Latimer was still having trouble speaking, and he cannot drive; however, saith he, “Hot Dog Day shall go on!”  The date is Dec. 18. Former Rotary Club of Norfolk secretary Ellen Michael is suffering mobility issues, and her husband is bedridden. Walt Grandy is improving. Former member Howard Brantley suffered a heart attack. Finally, Bob reported that Octogenarian Jerry Adamson has a new girlfriend, proving once again that age is no impediment to love!

 

Dona Overstreet introduced her guest, Susan Smallwood from Wells Fargo Bank.

 

 

A joyful "Happy Birthday" was sung to the following Rotarians with December birthdays:

 

On the 3^rd, Jack Kavanaugh; on the 10^th, Ted Baker and Joe Massey; on the 12^th, Dyteya Lewis; on the 14^th, John McLemore; on the 15^th, Mal Branch and Barbara Lifland; on the 19^th, Anthony Walters; on the 20^th, Joel Heaton and Angela Kerns; on the 27^th, Bob Ash and Will King; on the 29^th, Mike Goldsmith; and on the 30^th, Dick Lammers.

 

New member sponsorship pins were awarded to Lisa Sands (for Ed Ware), John Searing (for Greg Bockheim), Chip Vogan (for Ned Alderman), Ted Baker (for Rachel Bellis) and John Padgett (for Anthony Walters).

 

John Lynn was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow +4.

 

Look for your membership survey and be sure to complete and submit it ASAP!

 

The Norfolk Rotary Charities Grant application process has begun—check your email for information.

 

Election of officers is set for our December 15 meeting.

 

To maintain perfect attendance, please note that all months have THREE lunch meetings and ONE makeup event.  Months with five Tuesdays do not change that.

 

Submit your November Make-up reports to Jane Dembert no later than 14 December.