Logo for: Rotary Old Saybrook

OS Rortary Meeting 4/30/14

Pledge/Prayer: President Gerri Lewis
Song: Rick Beck
Brents Card Game Winner: Ken Roche

Welcome to all our guests!

Sergeants Report: Kathy Callinan
    Raffle Winners: Mary MacDonald, Judy Norz, Paul Moore, Heather Asch
    Happy Bucks: Charlie R. was happy to be sitting at a table with 2 former students, for our guests, Sandi was happy everyone was working hard on the golf tournament, Brent told a story about cows and bulls in Wisconsin, Ken was happy for a lot of things.

    Following a great meal, we were treated to an interesting program by Charlie Renshaw who taught at the high school for many years. In 1988, Charlie and his son took a 10 day expedition to St. Croix through the organization Earthwatch. At the time, the leatherback turtle was an endangered species due to many factors including the poaching of their eggs by people who thought they were aphrodisiacs. A big part of their effort was to get on the same schedule as the female turtle, working from 7pm to 7am digging up the eggs and transporting them to safe areas away from motor vehicle traffic (ATV's and SUV's) and erosion areas where they could get washed out to sea. They worked with 2 scientists walking a 3 mile stretch of beach every night looking for turtles. The female turtle comes onto the beach, digs a hole and deposits her eggs which are round and about 2" in diameter. The leathery, tough eggs drop about 3 feet into the hole and are then covered up by the turtle using her powerful flippers. The incubation period is 2 months and the baby turtles, working together, must fight their way out of the hole and go to the ocean. Light effects the babies so if there is a source of light nearby when they come out of the hole (basketball lit courts and baseball field lights for example), they wander toward the light and face peril (roads, cars). Some eggs are infertile but they serve a purpose to allow air circulation in the nest. Warmer eggs hatch into females, cooler ones into males.
    The leatherback turtle is the largest turtle reaching 6-8 feet in length and weighing 1/2 to 1 ton. They feed on jellyfish and their natural predator is the shark. Today, the population of the leatherback turtle in St. Croix is no longer in danger going from 80 to 1,000 nests today. For more information, go to
earthwatch.org


md

The following is a letter from Pres. Gerri:

Good day Rotarians.  Thanks to all who came out for our evening dinner meeting at Luigi's....we had a grand time, as always lots of laughs, and Charlie's slide presentation on the Leatherback Turtle was not only informative and enlightening but entertaining as well.  A good time was had by all and, of course, the food (especially the prime rib) was delicious as always.  Charlie, we can now see why you were a "favorite teacher." 

So, it's back to The Estuary for our great breakfast on Wednesday.  We will have 4 extras for breakfast, Stu, and look forward to it as always.  Thank you!

Sandi Taylor will be joining us for breakfast (think golf).  Remember to check-in with Marty on what you will sign up for the golf tournament.

Our guest speaker on Wednesday will be Jim Enderle.  I have attached his bio for your convenience.  John Donnelly will introduce his guest speaker on Wednesday.  Please remember to let me know of any guests for the food count.  Thanks.

The 10-day letter for our prospective new member, Heather Asch is attached as well.

Every year, Jack Solomon, our ADG this year, has a picnic on his "Solomon's Island" which is a small island on Lake Pocotopogue (sp?) in East Hampton.  We park at his house and he has a boat that takes us over to the island for a cook out and greet our incoming District Governor, this year Mukund Nori of the Branford Club.  It's lots of fun and great picnic food.  Everyone brings a dish or something to share and what they would like to drink.  Jack has invited our club members this year.  More later on the date and time.  Please consider joining me.

Last Wednesday at Luigi's Rick Beck brought in his newest purchase....a "pitch pipe" for our favorite song(s)......Thanks, Rick....will this make us sound professional now???!!....or I should say carry a tune??!!!!  I can't tell you when the last time I saw one of these...high school??....as I said, "can't (and won't) tell you when I last saw one of these!"  Looks like Andy, Bill and Paul - you have been replaced!!

So, folks I will see you Wednesday at The Estuary and hope that you all enjoy the rest of this great weekend.    THINK GOLF... take care and be well.
 

Gerri Lewis, President

Rotary Club of Old Saybrook

FAR   District 7980