ROTARY CLUB OF VINELANDFebruary 13, 2007 Newsletter |
Editors: Carol Smith & Linda Foster
Photos: Jay Parks
Website: www.vinelandrotary.com
Email: vinelandrotary@comcast.net
Flag Salute & Prayer
Marty led our singing, the flag salute and 4-way test. Cornell gave the blessing.
Guests
Welcome to our newest member, Melanie Druziako. Dave Parry visited us from the Bridgeton Club. Eileen Duffy was the guest of Ed Duffy. David Kotok was our guest speaker.Birthdays
Dan Theokas - February 13thMembership
Please be sure to visit the "Members Only" section of the web site for prospective member information.Announcements
Leslie Durham announced the Phantoms evening will be Feb. 23 at which volunteer “Big Brothers/Sisters” will accompany “Littles” to the game. More volunteers are needed. Chalky Ottinger rose to comment on the value of the program, since he was once a beneficiary in his childhood after the death of his father, he said.Abbey Bradway, of the International Committee, said the committee is collecting used sneakers in good condition. They must be washed and provided with new laces; bring them to meetings for distribution.
Shannon Kennedy said the Valentine’s Day dance at the Vineland Developmental Center has been rescheduled to Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Gerry Batt presented a “membership moment” exhorting members to make up meetings they miss at other Rotary chapter locations. President Mike Loyle said his comments were “very moving.”
Betsy Frank thanked all the sponsors of the Dream Date raffle, deemed a success. The drawing was made by the newest member, Melanie Druziako, who picked Andy Brown, a Rotary member, as the winner. Congratulations, Andy!
Finemaster
Ed Duffy was a worthy substitute for absent finemaster Bill Plick. Included in his fines were Wayne Triantos, whose love story appeared in the Vineland Daily Journal’s feature for Valentine’s Day, and Mike Benson, who had the misfortune of telling his story at the lunch table. |
 |
Today’s Program
David Kotok of Cumberland Advisors (and son of Shaye Kotok) spoke on trends in the stock market. “Global Bond Risk Premiums” are shrinking, he said, and inflation and volatility have fallen. In addition, money is leaving the U.S. for foreign markets.Regarding the U.S. deficit, he said, “We’ve incurred more debt and it’s now at an unprecedented level and growing all the time.” The problem is, “We borrow faster than we experience growth.”
Listing several “shocks” to be wary of ––including terrorism, nuclear threats, bird flu and national disasters––he said “protectionism” coming from political sources may be the most severe. “Politicians often don’t give us the whole side of the story,” he said. “For example, using corn-based ethanol as a substitute for gasoline.” Kotok pointed out that corn-based ethanol is very inefficient to produce; sugar-based ethanol, available in Brazil, is the most economical.
In closing, he said that health care is by far the fastest growing industry in the country, with demand constantly on the rise.
Upcoming Programs
February 20th – Vineland Rotary Valentine’s Day Party, Vineland Developmental CenterFebruary 23rd - Phantoms Hockey Game
April 14th - Duck Race