November 20, 2004

Last Week’s Program...
Owensboro Rotarian Jeff Jones, the self-proclaimed CEO of Humor, kept the club laughing throughout his presentation. He began by remarking on the benefits of humor and laughter. According to Jeff, people who laugh a lot live longer. Psychological research now supports the "feel good" effects of laughter, including lowered blood pressure, increased immune response and improved memory. There’s a reason 75% of television commercials incorporate humor - it helps you remember the product. Jeff mentioned some of the benefits of humor in the workplace (decreased absenteeism, decreased injury and increased staff cooperation) and the fact that humor can be useful in coping with stressful situations. He discussed sources of humor and related numerous examples (including a few dubious tales about some of his fellow Rotarians!) in support of the theory that you can find humor everywhere you go.

Thanks, Jeff, for lowering our blood pressures, increasing our immune responses, and improving our memories – at least for half an hour or so.

Attendance: 94

Highest Attendance This Year: 103

Invocation, Pledge & 4-Way Test: KC Thomaskutty

Fellowship Report: Joy Horton

Introduction of Guests: Nancy Kamuf, guest of Jeff Jones; Terry Brownson, guest of Gary Sisk; Jay Riggs, visiting Rotarian from Sarasota, Florida.

Proposed New Member: Terry Brownson, CEO of the Wendell Foster Campus, proposed by Gary Sisk.

Thought for the Week: The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving. ~ H.U. Westermayer

YOUR PRESIDENT SPEAKS:      
On the fourth Thursday of November every year, we pause to give thanks for all the good things in our lives. Doing so is an American tradition. Almost 400 years ago, after surviving their first winter at Plymouth, the Pilgrims gave thanks with a harvest feast. George Washington proclaimed the first National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789, and Abraham Lincoln revived the tradition during the Civil War. Since then, Americans have gathered on Thanksgiving with family and friends to rejoice in the blessings and beauty of living.

As I count my blessings this week, Rotary certainly makes the list.
• I’m thankful that our club is strong and continues to grow.
• I’m thankful that we have so many talented, dedicated and enthusiastic members.
• I’m especially grateful that there are always volunteers ready to help out with projects, whether it’s Readifest or ringing the Salvation Army bell.
• I’m thankful that our members have the willingness and resources to support our indoor playground project.
• I’m grateful for the humanitarian, educational, and cultural programs of Rotary International and the opportunity we have through those programs to make a difference worldwide.
• I’m thankful that our spouses, children, grandchildren and friends join us in the Family of Rotary to offer support, encouragement, and ideas.
• And I’m thankful to have the opportunity to serve as your president and to work with each of you in this wonderful club.

Pat

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...   
Larry Moore - November 24
Sara Jane McNulty - November 25

ROTARY ANNOUNCEMENTS...
• Mark your calendar! Owensboro Rotarians will be ringing the Salvation Army Bell on Friday, December 17 at both Kroger and Kmart in Wesleyan Park Plaza. Project coordinator Tom Smith is looking for volunteers to sign up for one-hour shifts between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. A sign-up sheet will be available at the Fellowship Table.
• Indoor Playground contributions and/or pledges may be mailed to Jeff Ebelhar, Owensboro Rotary Foundation treasurer, at the following address:

Jeff Ebelhar
100 West Third Street
P.O. Box 1824
Owensboro, KY 42302

ROTARY FOUNDATION FACTS
Did you know…
that the Rotary Foundation will match contributions raised by Rotary clubs and districts for international service projects? Such a project has helped villagers along Guatemala's Rio Dulce who needed care and had no reliable access to a clinic serving the region. Most lived in areas with no roads and the clinic (4 to 6 hours away on foot) was not always able to borrow or hire a boat to transport them for treatment. Today, a 6.4-meter (21-foot) fiberglass motorboat, provided by a Rotary Foundation Matching Grant project, is helping the villagers obtain vital medical and dental services on a regular basis.

Since 1965, almost 18,000 Matching Grant projects in 166 countries have been funded at a cost of more than $182 million. In 2002-03, 1,873 new grants totaling $17.3 million were approved for projects in over 115 countries.

HOLIDAY ANNOUNCEMENT   
There will be no Impetus published (paper copy or email versions) the week of Thanksgiving.

ROTARY REMINDERS...  
• Don’t forget to make up your missed meetings at Daviess County Rotary, 7 a.m. on Tuesdays at Heavenly Ham Restaurant in Towne Square North.
• Marilyn Brookman is the program chair for November.
• Joy Horton will be at the Fellowship Table during November.
• If you have an email address and are not receiving the Impetus online, or you have changed your email address, please send an email to kim@mediaworksadvertising.com and you will be added to the Rotary email address list.
• Log on to Rotary’s website at www.owensbororotary.org. You’ll find our current member directory, photos of new members, past copies of the Impetus, some interesting history, and more!

Please mail any questions, suggestions, or comments regarding the Impetus to:

Mike Wallace
MediaWorks Advertising, Inc.
208 West 3rd Street
P.O. Box 1866
Owensboro, KY 42302
Phone: 270-684-4554
Fax: 270-684-7314
Email: mike@mediaworksadvertising.com

DEADLINE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE IMPETUS IS THE WEDNESDAY PRIOR TO MONDAY'S PUBLICATION DATE.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS
December 1: Eric Davis, President of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Corporation
December 8: Tish Correa-Osborne, Director of Girls, Inc.
December 15: Chief John Kazlauskas, OPD
December 22: Christmas Program with Alma Randolph
December 29: TBA

2004 - 2005
OWENSBORO ROTARY CLUB OFFICERS
President: Pat McFarling
Vice President: Bill Dexter
Past President: Jeff Ebelhar
Secretary: John Kurtz
Treasurer: Bob Nation
Directors: Tish Correa-Osborne, Todd Inman, Patty Drury, Tim Bradshaw, & Noel Maddox

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