Governor’s Newsletter

District 7490

Bergen, Hudson & Passaic Counties

New Jersey, USA

November, 2012 District Governor Bonnie Sirower

Dealing with the Hurricane Sandy Disaster The Casino in the Park in Jersey City, where the PM club meets, was also flooded. My Fellow Rotarians, The District Governor-Elect of District 7500, in Ocean, Bur- At our staff meeting on November 5, which was surprisingly lington and Monmouth Counties found her home in Nor- well attended considering how close it was to Hurricane Sandy, mandy Beach covered in sand and filled with water up to I started out my speech by citing Charles Dickens introduction the attic, and found her refrigerator on top of her car. The to A Tale of Two Cities. “It was the best of times; it was the District Governor Nominee there told me her home in Sea- worst of times.” side Heights was uninhabitable. All of us experienced power When Hurricane Sandy hit our shores between October 28 and outages and lack of communication without Internet or 30, it was definitely the worst of times for our NY and NJ Met- phone for many days, but these were just inconveniences – ropolitan area. We have all seen the devastation wreaked by except to Senior Citizens who could not walk down the the super storm. In the newspapers (and for those among us stairs, or were cold in their homes, or get food because the lucky enough to retain power and cable), we saw scenes of great elevators didn’t work. destruction – Seaside Heights’ famous amusement park roller coaster floating in the sea, Staten Island’s South Shore sub- At our District Staff meeting, in addition to our very special merged, pieces of boardwalk thrown up on the shore and boats guest, Past Rotary International President and Rotary Founda- everywhere along the roads. Homes washed away. Let me share tion Chair Wilf Wilkinson, we had as visitors Joan Vas, the some of the Rotary stories that resulted in the aftermath of the District Governor for District 7500; John Andrews, DG for Dis- hurricane. trict 7640 in Atlantic, Cape May, Salem and Gloucester

In Moonachie and Little Ferry in our own District 7490, as you Counties; and Matts Ingemanson from District 7230, en- know, a berm broke along the Hackensack River, shortly en- compassing Bronx, Staten Island, Manhattan and gulfing both towns in water and virtually wrecking thousands Westchester. Each one of our visitors patiently explained of homes and destroying their infrastructure. Schools and li- the extent of the damage that had befallen their areas. That braries in both towns, the ambulance corps building in was definitely the worst of times. Moonachie, the Senior Citizen Center, the Civic Center, (Continued on Page 3, Col. 1)

Moonachie’s trailer park – all were washed away. AG Mukesh In this Issue Malkan (Paramus Sunrise Rotary Club) went door to door in Photographs of Hurricane Relief Efforts (Pp. 2, 4 & 6) 2 Little Ferry and reported that waves over six feet had deluged the entire area. What devastation! Mukesh reported that it PRIP Wilkinson Visits BH/R Rotary and Wayne Clubs 7 looked like a war-torn country. Cars were all underwater. Even District 7490 Staff Meeting Devoted to Hurricane Relief 8 now, some of the streets are under two feet of water. District Recognized for Youth Protection Efforts 9 Ruby Tuesday in Support of Military Assistance Center 10 Residents of Hoboken were also swamped with water, some- District 7490 Donates $2,000 to PolioPlus Fund 10 times slick with oil and sewage, and basement apartments may not even be covered by FEMA. On Staten Island, the restaurant Invitation to Dec. District Staff Mtg. & Holiday Party 10 where the South Staten Island Club met was swept out to sea. District Committee Raises $3,000 11 WD Head Contributions Urged at JC Rotary Meeting 11 All of the towns on Long Island south of Merrick Road were Paramus Rotary on Cardio-Start and Vest Purchase 12 flooded with water. A 17-year old youth exchange student from Scenes from Rotary Foundation Seminar (Pp 13 -14) 13 , Mateus Laurino, saw the homes of his next two host District 7490 Holds Interact-React Conference 15 families totally destroyed. Jersey City President Sharon Kenya Trip Planned in Support of Maasai Mara School 16 Flynn had to be rescued from her home in Secaucus before YE Students and PDG Joe Laureni at Rotary UN Day 16 the flood waters filled her condominium. GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER – DISTRICT 7490, November, 2012 2

Scenes of Hurricane Relief Relief Efforts by Rotarians and Other Volunteers .

GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER – DISTRICT 7490, November, 2012 3

Letter from the District Governor DGN Calisto Bertin secured warehouses from Paramus’ (Continued from Page 1) Nick Laganella, PDG Emil Geering (both Paramus) and But then, there were the best of times. That was because of Rotarian Andy Topp (Ridgewood AM) where we could store the swift and enthusiastic response from Rotarians all over donated items and use the warehouses as a staging area to our District, all over our country, and indeed, all over the distribute donated goods. We ultimately had two ware- world to express concern for our plight, send supplies and houses on Route 17 in Paramus – one northbound, which donate monies to help restore what has been damaged. even had forklifts that could help unload larger trucks at what used to be the Men’s Warehouse, and one southbound The very first ones to step up to the plate were right here in at what used to be Tower Records. So far, we have had more our own district. Peter Wells (Park Ridge Rotary Club), our than 160 volunteers, many of them not Rotarians, who sort- District Disaster Chair, immediately took over the extraor- ed clothes, blankets, food, toiletries, baby goods, linens, dinary task of coordinating deliveries from trucks from as bedding, toys, etc. for days at both Route 17 warehouses. far away as San Diego. When Peter accepted the role of Dis- Volunteers also offered to long distances – some as far trict Disaster Chair almost a year ago, he thought this as Brigantine, NJ or Long Beach, Long Island to deliver the would be a simpler job that might involve just writing some much-needed supplies. Dana Tarello, a resident of North- checks. Little did he know how this storm was going to vale, heard about what we were doing from Fred Campagna change his life and how demanding it would be. Peter has (Paramus Rotary). She immediately arranged a clothing worked tirelessly night and day since the disaster started to and supply drive by the Saturday after the storm. On No- arrange our reception of all of the trucks coming to our dis- vember 13, Dana and her boyfriend hosted a wonderful re- trict and all of the deliveries to the affected areas. Peter also ception, in conjunction with the Northern Valley Rotary worked to recruit volunteers to sort out the thousands of Club, at Biddy O ‘Malley’s, a bar and grill in Northvale. The pounds of donated goods. Janet Sharma, a member of the event raised $1,000 for relief efforts – plus we may have Englewood Rotary and head of the Bergen County Volunteer several new Rotarians joining us. Center, assisted Peter in this endeavor. Peter and I have taken turns participating in VOAD, Volunteer Organiza- Remember Mateus Laurino, the Youth Exchange student tions Assisting in Disasters. Through this organization, we whose host family homes were destroyed? Our own District are able to collaborate with other organizations in the area Secretary, Pat LaRocco and her husband Mike took in providing aid – Red Cross, FEMA, Rebuilding Bergen, NJ Mateus into their own home in Fair Lawn until after the Office on Volunteers and many more. I hope to have a party holidays. Mateus has been adopted by the Fair Lawn Rotary for all of the volunteers in January to thank them (and Club, although he will still be sponsored by the Amityville, maybe we will even attract some new Rotarians who have Long Island Rotary Club. We are still looking for host fami- already demonstrated how much they care.) lies in Fair Lawn for the rest of the year. Mateus came with me to a couple of Rotary Club meetings when I made Gov- Rotary Club of the Palisades’ Rory Sutherland, our District ernor’s visits, and has just started at his new school at Fair Webmaster, made it easy for us to get the word out to eve- Lawn High. We welcome him to our District and we are so ryone. Thanks to Rory, we already had a website in place, grateful that the LaRocco’s have opened their home and www.nynjrotary.org that was initially set up for us to ascer- hearts to him. tain whether people were hearing the radio commercials now airing on CBS Radio. This website became our lifeline At this point, we have had 58 trucks visit our area from all to the world for the entire area. Rory added a Hurricane parts of the country. Trucks came loaded with goods con- Sandy Disaster Aid tab to the website. On Friday, November 9, tributed by Rotarians from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Mary- the website had more than 2,000 visits from people all over the land (the first to arrive), North Dakota, Vermont, Chicago, world. Rory has been updating the website regularly, and has San Diego, Maine, Virginia. Some trucks delivered paper added pictures of both the initial disaster and our response to goods. District 7210 to our north, led by DG Bill Bassett, it. We got the word out through Facebook, Linked-In and other donated 20 much-needed generators. social media. And everyone jumped in to help. (Continued on Page 5, Col. 1)

GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER – DISTRICT 7490, November, 2012 4

Scenes of Hurricane Relief Relief Efforts by Rotarians and Other Volunteers

A sampling of letters on Hurricane Sandy received from corre- spondents from around the world.

GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER – DISTRICT 7490, November, 2012 5

Letter from the District Governor Working together with Rory, Calisto also put together a way (Continued from Page 3) for outsiders to contribute online.

We have filled up and emptied out the warehouses four What’s next? Rotarian Jay Fowler (Ridgewood AM Rotary), times already, making deliveries to Ocean and Monmouth a contractor, will take up the immense task of rebuilding in Counties, Atlantic County, Nassau County, Suffolk County, our district. Jay will work together with the mayors of Little and of course, to badly affected areas in Little Ferry and Ferry, Moonachie, Hoboken and Jersey City, as well as with Moonachie in our own District. the Rotary Clubs there (South Bergen, Hoboken, Jersey City) to determine what buildings or homes Rotary can help South Bergen Rotary’s President Robert Olson, Jr. and Ho- rebuild and refurbish. boken Rotary’s President Ryan Mitchell were constantly on the phone with Peter and me, updating us on the progress DGE Len Agrusti (Wayne Rotary) has already made contact that had been made in their communities, and advising us with Frank Smith, Captain of the Moonachie Ambulance of their needs. Our South Bergen club held a Thanksgiving Squad, whose building and equipment were completely de- dinner on Sunday that fed hundreds of the displaced people stroyed. When Len told Captain Smith that Rotary would from that community a wonderful feast, featuring all of the take care of replacing the equipment and rebuilding the traditional Thanksgiving dishes from turkey to cranberry ambulance corps headquarters, Captain Smith was in tears. sauce to yams and dessert. We are also reaching out to the schools in Moonachie. Peo- ple all over are offering to donate books for the libraries. The generosity of Rotarians and people all over the world Rotarians throughout the country have offered to send us has been overwhelming! Before the storm even hit, I re- volunteers to help rebuild. ceived an e-mail from my friends Andrey and Irina Konushok in Biagoveshensk, Russia (District 2225), telling Each of the District Governors in the involved areas will me that they were praying for us and had already started create a list of sustainable rebuilding projects (and other raising funds for us. We received messages from Shanghai, related projects such as providing mental health services to from , from Thailand, from , from Brazil and those who have been traumatized by these recent events), from Israel. I was invited to address the Rotarians assem- and we will work together to coordinate these projects so bled at Rotary Day at the U.N., and was thrilled with the that we can best capitalize on the generosity and willing- support that I was given from Rotarians present there – ness to volunteer by Rotarians from throughout our own from as far away as Israel, Istanbul and all over . District and all over the country and the world. We will even develop some proposals that we will submit to the Ro- At our Zone Director Bryn Styles’ suggestion, we have set tary Foundation for assistance. up a coalition of all of the affected Districts so that we could work together to get the word out. PDG Bill Rupp (Maywood That brings me to the Rotary Foundation. November is Rotary Foundation month, and as I said earlier in my message, Rotary) has created a Memo of Understanding that all six we were thrilled to have RI Foundation Chair Wilf Wilkinson affected districts, stretching from the furthest tip of Suffolk with us for several days during the heart of the disaster. During County (7260) through Brooklyn, Queens and Nassau Coun- our District Staff meeting, Wilf brought the Foundation mes- ty (7250), then Manhattan and Staten Island (and the sage home. Folks, our District has not traditionally done well in Bronx) (7230), our own District, to Monmouth and Ocean making to the Annual Fund of the Rotary Founda- Counties (7500) and Atlantic and Cape May Counties (7640) tion. – a stretch of land extending 300 miles. (We have given the lowest amounts in the Northeast U.S.) In By November 14, we had already deposited more than the past, I have heard many Rotarians here tell me that they $26,000 with MUCH more on the way. DGN Calisto Bertin, would rather put their donations in a place closer to their own as head of the Walter D. Head Foundation, is also coordinat- communities. But now, donations from the Rotary Foundation ing accepting and thanking donors for the monies that are are being used right here in our own backyard. pouring in to support us all in our time of need. Continued on Page 7, Col. 1) GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER – DISTRICT 7490, November, 2012 6

Scenes of Hurricane Relief Relief Efforts by Rotarians and Other Volunteers

GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER – DISTRICT 7490, November, 2012 7

Letter from the District Governor PRIP Wilkinson Visits BH/R and Wayne Clubs (Continued from Page 5) At a recent meeting of the Bergen Highlands/Ramsey Rota- It is time for us to recognize that donations to the Annu- ry Club, members welcomed Wilf Wilkinson, who served as al Fund change lives not only abroad, but at home. President of Rotary International from 2007 to 2008. Mr. That’s what the Annual Fund does – provide funding for Wilkinson shared some inspirational thoughts on the good work Rotary does globally. programs all over the world that focus on change in six areas (Education & Literacy, Maternal & Child Health, Water & Sanitation, Disease Prevention, Peace & Con- flict Resolution, Entrepreneurship & Economic Devel- opment.) The donations also help to fund peace initia- tives, special programs in collaboration with organiza- tions like Mercy Ships, and scholarships to Peace Acad- emies throughout the world. I realize that many of us are still caught up in trying to overcome the disaster. But when you do receive a request to give to the Rotary Foundation later this month or early in December, please give generously. You could be helping your neigh- bor – or helping children in Kenya or Honduras or help- ing mothers in India or . You will be making a dif- ference.

This has been an overwhelming experience for me! Person- ally, I have been asked to take part in radio programs as far away as Minnesota, and will be part of a in Allen- town, PA. I am SO GRATEFUL to everyone in this district Pictured (l to r) are past District Governor (DG) Emil Geering, BHR who has helped – our leadership, our volunteers, our own Club President Marcello Gloria, Wilf Wilkinson, past DG Joe Rotary Clubs, the Rotary Districts run by my wonderful col- Laureni, and Past DG Raj Bhatia. leagues in Zones 24 and 32 (extending from Russia to Canada, Alaska, and the Northeast US, plus Bermuda, plus a small strip in the northernmost states of the U.S.) If I have already visited your Rotary Club, or you were at my Installation last June, then you heard my tale of the “starfish thrower.” Well, fellow Rotarians, we are sure making a difference to a lot of starfish. I am so proud to be a Rotarian, to be able to work to- gether with all of you to help make this awful situation better. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Have a wonderful Thanks- giving!

With kind regards

Bonnie

Donations for Relief Efforts of Hurricane Sandy

Rotary District 7490 Walter D. Head Foundation Wayne Rotary was honored in an early November visit to have c/o Calisto J. Bertin Wilfrid Wilkinson, Former President of Rotary International, and currently Chairman of the Rotary Foundation, speaking to the 66 Glen Avenue group. Here, he receives a Club banner from DGE Lenny Agrusti. Glen Rock, N.J. 07542 Wilf spoke about his amazing experiences with international trav-

el and how the Rotary Foundation has positively affected millions of lives around the world. His current visit to our area is to raise money from major donors. His goal for this year is $120 Million. Rotary Hurricane Relief Updates: After complimenting Wayne Rotary and District 7490 for the work done during our local crisis, he talked about some of the projects www.nynjrotary.org Rotary International has done, such as the Polio Plus effort to eradicate this dreadful disease from the world. GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER – DISTRICT 7490, November, 2012 8

District Staff Meeting Devoted to Relief Efforts of Hurricane Sandy .

Peter Wells, chairman of Rotary District 7490’s Disaster Relief Committee, as he spoke at the District Staff Meeting on Nov. 5 of the effects of Hurricane Sandy. Never did he believe, Peter said, that the Committee would need to come to the aid of residents of his own state of New Jersey.

Janet Sharma, Executive Director of the Volunteer Center of Ber- gen County, Inc., speaking of the effects of Hurricane Sandy at the District Staff Meeting on Nov. 5.

Past Rotary International President Wilfred J. Wilkinson speaking on Nov. 5 at the District Staff Meeting of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy. Mr. Wilkinson, now chairman of the Rotary District 7640 Governor John Andrews pointing to the six southern Foundation, had originally planned to speak on the Foundation New Jersey counties which make up his district as he described when his visit to the Staff Meeting was being planned prior to the the storm damage in Atlantic, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Oct. 29 storm’s arrival. Gloucester and Salem.

GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER – DISTRICT 7490, November, 2012 9

District 7490 Recognized for Implementing Youth Protection Measures at Zone Institute Meeting

Rotary District 7490 was recognized last month for its ef- forts to prevent the abuse of children and teenagers who participate in Rotary-sponsored programs.

District Governor Bonnie F. Sirower was presented with a Certificate of Achievement for its efforts in this regard on Oct. 18 during the Rotary Zone 32 Institute, an annual six- day meeting that was held in Vancouver, British Columbia on Oct. 18 – 23. Of the 22 Rotary districts in parts of five nations that comprise Zone 32, District 7490 was the only one to be so recognized.

Among the manifestations of the youth protection measures for which the District was cited was the Youth Protection Seminar of September 15 that was chaired by the District’s Youth Protection Officer, Past District Governor William F. Rupp. District Governor Bonnie F. Sirower at the District Staff Meeting on Nov. 5 after having presented Past District Governor Emil J. In recognition of the fact that the youth protection measures Geering with a Certificate of Achievement for having implemented were implemented under the stewardship of Emil J. programs for the prevention of the abuse of children and teenag- Geering when he served last year as the District’s governor, ers who participate in Rotary-sponsored programs. Governor Governor Bonnie on Nov. 5 presented him with the Certifi- Bonnie received the Certificate on Oct. 20 at the Zone 32 Institute. cate of Achievement at the District’s monthly Staff Meeting.

Rotary International Zone 32 Director Bryn Styles presents a Cer- tificate of Achievement to District Governor Bonnie F. Sirower on Using a slide presentation at the Youth Protection Seminar on Oct. 20 in recognition of the District’s efforts to prevent the abuse Sept. 15 to illustrate his point, Past District Governor William F. of children and teenagers who participate in Rotary-sponsored Rupp, the District’s Youth Protection Officer, offers pointers on programs. The Certificate was presented during the six-day Zone the protection of children and teenagers who participate in Rota- 32 Institute that began on Oct. 18 in British Columbia. ry-sponsored programs.

GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER – DISTRICT 7490, November, 2012 10

Ruby Tuesday in Support of District 7490 District Donates $2,000 to PolioPlus Drive

Military Family Assistance Center

Ruby Tuesday restaurants in Paramus and Wayne have joined together with Rotary District 7490 Military Family Assistance Center to provide funds for the families of our military. The beautiful part of this joint endeavor is that it is done at no cost to Rotarians participating in this fund drive. Upon identifying themselves as Rotarians to the Ruby Tuesday staff on certain days, the restaurant will donate 20% of the lunch or dinner check (minus tax, tips and alco- holic beverages) to the Rotary District 7490 Military Family Assistance Center. Eating at Ruby Tuesday on the desig- nated days, Rotarians can enjoy good food and the good feel- ing of having done double duty.

This beneficent gesture by Ruby Tuesday will take place on (mark your calendars) certain Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in December and January. In addition, the restaurant is throwing in a couple of extra dates. At the District Governor Bonnie F. Sirower presents Past Rotary Interna- Paramus and Wayne Ruby Tuesday, the dates are: Decem- tional President Wilfred J. Wilkerson with a $2,000 to the ber 4-5-6-11-12-13- 18--19-20-25-26-27. For January: 1-2-3- Rotary Foundation’s PolioPlus fund. The funds came from the 8-9-10-15-16-17-22-23-24-29-30-31. Make sure to identify District Picnic of Aug. 12 and contributions to “Bonnie Bus” With you and your family or friends as Rotarians entitled to this Governor Bonnie and Mr. Wilkerson, who is chairman of the Rota- ry Foundation, is Past District Governor Adele E. Miller, chair- largess. woman of District 7490’s Rotary Foundation Committee.

This was facilitated by Paramus Ruby Tuesday Managing Partner Garrett Mellott, Manager Sabrina (Sam) Talamantes-Diaz and Wayne Manager Marlene Barr. Rotar- District Staff Meeting and Holiday Party ians involved are District Governor Nominee Calisto Bertin, Past District Governor Dan Shiver, Rotarians Lois Horowitz Monday, Dec. 10, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and Sam Stone. More information will be forthcoming, but one can contact District Governor Nominee Calisto J. Bertin District Staff Members, Club Presidents, at [email protected], Past District Governor Dan Spouses and significant others are invited. Shiver at [email protected] or Lois Horowitz at [email protected] for more information. Deluxe buffet dinner and wine

$40.00 per person

Please bring an unwrapped toy valued at anywhere from $10.00 to $20.00

Please RSVP Ray Falcon at

[email protected]

Holiday Inn, 283 Route 17 South Hasbrouck Heights, NJ .

Newsletter Editor.

From left-to-right are: Ruby Tuesday Manager Sabrina Stephen Stamos is the editor of the Governor’s Newsletter. Talamantes, Lois Horowitz of the Paramus Rotary club, Sophie His home telephone number is 201-823-0247 and his e-mail Stone, District Governor Nominee Calisto J. Bertin, Past District address is [email protected]. Governor Dan Shiver and Sam Stone. Both Sam and Sophie Stone are members of the Paramus Sunrise Rotary Club.

GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER – DISTRICT 7490, November, 2012 11

District Rotary Foundation Committee Jim Miller Appeals for WDH Hurricane Donations

Raises $3,000 in Dinner‐Theater James J. Miller, Jr. this month urged members of the Jersey City Rotary Club to support Rotary’s hurricane relief efforts by donating to the Rotary District 7490 Walter D. Head Foundation.

At the Club’s meeting on Nov. 15, Jim explained that all monies donated to the Foundation are directed to their stat- ed purpose, with none being used for administrative ex- penses. With the destruction in New Jersey wrought by Hurricane Sandy on Oct. 29 so pervasive, he said, the Foun- dation will be an appropriate vehicle by which to support those relief efforts.

Past District Governor Adele E. Miller, chairwoman of Rotary Dis- trict 7490’s Rotary Foundation Committee, sits to the right of Fran Miller, wife of James J. Miller, Sr. of the Jersey City Rotary Club at the Blue Morel Restaurant during dinner on Nov. 18. Adele orga- nized the dinner and reservations for the musical production Man of La Mancha as a fundraiser for the Rotary Foundation.

James J. Miller, Jr. speaking at the Jersey City Rotary Club’s meeting on Nov. 15 as he urged members of the Club to contrib- ute to the Rotary District 7490 Walter D. Head Foundation in order to alleviate the affects of Hurricane Sandy.

Dr. Pierre Guibor was supposed to be honored at a champagne reception at Drew University’s Shakespeare Theater during an intermission of the musical production Man of La Mancha follow- ing the dinner at the Blue Morel for his membership in the Foun- dation’s Bequest Society. However he was called away in order to The scene at Casino-in-the-Park on Nov. 15 as James J. Miller, Jr. treat a patient while he was at dinner. He is shown here with Past spoke on behalf of the Rotary District 7490 Walter D. Head Foun- Rotary International President Wilfred J. Wilkinson, chairman of dation. Approximately 75 people, including three members of the the Rotary Foundation and Past District Governor Adele E. Miller City Council, were in attendance that evening to hear Dr. Sue at the District Staff Meeting of Nov. 5. Henderson speak of her vision for New Jersey City University.

GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER – DISTRICT 7490, November, 2012 12

Paramus Rotary Club in Cardio‐Start Mission and Purchase of Bulletproof Vests for Police

Dr. Mariono Brizzio, Cardiac Surgeon at Valley Hospital, and On Monday October 15th some thirty five members of the good friend to many of our Rotary members, visited us on Nov. Paramus Rotary Club attended the Bonefish Grill’s Wine Din- 8 with a PowerPoint presentation on his (and Paramus Rotary ner in support of the Paramus Police Officer Bullet Proof Vest Member Marty Diamond’s) recent Humanitarian Assistance Fund. Hosted by Bonefish Grill’s Managing Partner Arun Joshi, Mission to Peru with CardioStart International. Rotarians were treated to Maryland Crab Cakes & Wagyu Beef- Ginger Dumplings, Filet Mignon with Mushroom Marsala, CardioStart International’s humanitarian missions provide free Swordfish topped with Feta, and ending with a Brownie and heart surgery and medical services to children and adults in Key Lime Pie. developing countries. CardioStart also teaches the local doctors and nurses advanced cardiac care, elevating surgical outcomes Our wine tasting started with a sample of Kenwood Vineyard’s and overall patient care long after CardioStart volunteers de- Cuvee Brut California. Between courses we experienced the part the country. sampling of Marlborough, ’s Crossings Sauvignon Blanc, and the Kunde Family Estate Chardonnay, from Sonoma Since 1987, with its league of dedicated volunteers, CardioStart County California…and ending the evening with Adult Choco- International has strived to play a role in the ever-advancing late Milk Vodka. need to fight the world’s #1 killer– cardiovascular disease (CVD). $50 of the $65 ticket price is going to the Paramus Police Be- nevolent Association Vest Fund. The money will be used to off- On this most recent trip to Peru, 26 volunteers from our area set the $800 to $900 it typically costs to buy a bulletproof vest. performed 105 Cardiac Consults and 20 Surgical Procedures on The fund is not supported by any other means as all funds 11 adults and 9 children. Additionally these volunteers trained raised for the Vest Fund are through the generosity of the gen- local Peruvian Doctors and Nurses, built a therapy room, and eral public and events like the Paramus Rotary Club - Bonefish provided dental care and training. Grill’s Wine Dinner. On other recent CardioStart missions, medical and non-medical volunteers enjoy taking part in several outreach activities. Some projects involve helping to repair physical structures of orphanages, schools or an elderly group home such as painting, cleaning, landscaping and light renovation projects.

Other outreach efforts include conducting physical exams and health assessments of the poor who have little to no access to healthcare. Volunteers teach in areas of personal hygiene, nutrition, dental practices and wound care as well as warning signs and symptoms of heart attack and stroke. Some outreach projects address issues related to stress and emotional health. Volunteers helped children and adults with music and art therapy, exercise, and relaxation tech- niques.

Over the past 8 years Dr. Brizzio and his team of volunteers (most of whom gave up their personal vacation time) took part Pictured above are Past District Governor Emil Geering, Paramus in 10 similar missions performing 162 surgical procedures. Rotary Club; President David Fowler, Bonefish Grill Managing Dr. Brizzio shared the following startling facts with our Rotary Partner Arun Joshi, Scott Hutchinson from Allied Beverages, and Club attendees: Mike Giulini from Deutch Family Wine and Spirits.

80% who die from cardiovascular problems live in 3rd world counties.

While 90% of cardiovascular problems are diagnosed in the USA, only 30% are diagnosed in 3rd world counties like Peru, which is the poorest of South American Countries.

In Peru the life expectancy of an infant reaching 1 year old is only 50%.

In light of these alarming statistics, CardioStart and its world- wide volunteers conduct two-week missions in such countries as Peru, , Uganda and Vietnam.

To find out more about the great work of CardioStart Interna- tional please go to their website at http://cardiostart.org/about- Pictured are members of the Paramus Rotary Club as they await- us/ ed the next sampling of wines. GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER – DISTRICT 7490, November, 2012 13

Scenes from Rotary Foundation Seminar of October 27

Past District 7450 Governor Russell P. deFuria listening to a ques- Danny Wood, a motivational speaker, explaining with the aid of a tion being put to him during the Rotary District 7490 seminar on chart the reasons people either participate in, or donate to given the Rotary Foundation which took place on Oct. 27. Mr. deFuria is causes. He spoke at Rotary District 7490’s Rotary Foundation Rotary International’s Regional Coordinator for the Rotary Foun- seminar on Oct. 27. He said that people buy products or donate to dation. causes in order to “avoid pain” rather than because they like ei-

ther the product or cause.

James Abraham, a Peace Fellow who worked in Timor-Leste, speaking on Oct 27 at Rotary District 7490’s Rotary Foundation seminar. He discussed his participation in a micro-lending pro- gram in the former territory of Indonesia. Noting that his father is Dr. Christine Guedri Giacalone speaks on Oct. 27 of her three- a Christian whose first name is Abraham, Mr. Abraham explained month teaching assignment in Jordan. Dr. Giacalone taught Span- that Christian boys in India assume as their surname the given ish to Jordanian tourism travel officials in preparation for their name of their fathers. interaction with tourists from .

GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER – DISTRICT 7490, November, 2012 14

Scenes from Rotary Foundation Seminar of October 27

Governor-elect Leonard Agrusti talks with two other Rotarians Chart from Power-Point Presentation during the Oct. 27 Rotary Foundation seminar. With her back to A chart shown by Past District 7450 Governor Russell P. deFuria the camera is Judy Montgomery of the Pompton Lakes Rotary illustrating grants that were available from the Rotary Foundation. Club. Judy Messineo of the Garfield Rotary Club stands next to The grant structure is being simplified, he said so as to render her, facing Lenny. Mukesh Malkin of the Paramus Sunrise Rotary them more useful to their recipients. Club can be seen to Judy Messineo’ immediate right.

Past District Governor Suraj P. Bhatia (in the center of this photo- graph) with four participants in the Rotary Foundation seminar illustrating the Foundation’s grant structure. From left-to-right are Rajaram S. Vasan of the Jersey City Rotary Club with Past District Paul A. Platek of the Teaneck Rotary Club; District Governor Governor Emil J. Geering on Oct. 27 during Rotary District 7490’s Bonnie F. Sirower, Raj, Mukesh Malkin of the Paramus Sunrise Rotary Foundation seminar. Rotary Club; and Thomas Shea of the Sunset Bergen Rotary Club.

GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER – DISTRICT 7490, November, 2012 15

District Holds Interact ‐ React Conference By Mel Fabrikant, The Paramus Post

New Generations Committee Chair Bob Traitz held the an- nual Interact/React conference at the Cornerstone Church Multi-Purpose Room in Wyckoff. With the largest attend- ance ever, about 250 students plus their teacher advisors representing 20 different schools in the Bergen, Passaic and Hudson Counties, Bob had Rotaract Co-Chair Geoffrey Garlick along with District Governor Bonnie Sirower, Dis- trict Governor-Elect Len Agrusti, Past District Governor Emil Geering as well as members of his Rotary Club, Allen- dale/Saddle River to assist with the well thought out pro- gram. Bob Traitz, chairman of District 7490’s Interact-React Committee, A Continental breakfast was set up in the church kitchen so speaking to Interact and React students on Oct. 27. that no one would go hungry. Lunch, obtained through The Market Basket was provided near to noon before the stu- dents and their advisors mounted their buses and headed back to their schools. Lunch is always a production, trying to get the massive group fed almost as once. Traitz and his Rotary Club have it down to a science and were able to set up several tables for the food and one table for the drinks and snacks.

Volunteer tables were set up along the hallway outer perim- eter and manned by various Rotary groups and charitable organizations. The goal of the Volunteer tables is to provide information and to offer opportunities for these young Ro- tarians to network, and to gather information and ideas on how they might get more involved in our community & in- ternational volunteer organizations. The idea is to inspire them and provide them with the resources that will help Interact and React students and their teachers at the conference them move forward in Rotary and in Service Above Self (Ro- in Wyckoff, N.J. tary's Motto). The entourage was broken down into smaller groups and assigned starting tables from which they had to move along at designated times.

One of the tables was manned by Rotarian and www.ParamusPost.com Co-Publisher Sophie Stone who was there to acquaint the onlookers with her native land, Burma now known as Myanmar. Sophie tried to contact people overseas via Skype, but the signal was too weak to make it come to fruition. The students were very interested in be- coming 'pen-pals' with their peers in Myanmar and will be contacting them soon via e-mail.

Other tables included Touch The World, Jericho Road Homeless Shelter, Maywood Rotary's Kenya Project, IHAF - International Humanitarian Aid Foundation which provid- ed aid to the earthquake victims in Haiti, Gift of Life an ongoing District 7490 project that has provided cardiac re- lief for children from underdeveloped countries, Military From left-to-right are Dr. Stuart Gold, of the Park Ridge Rotary Family Assistance Center, Save our Soles and a table ex- Club, District Governor Bonnie F. Sirower, Governor-elect Leon- plaining the District Conference to be held in Mystic, Con- ard Agrusti and Joseph Chinnici, President of the necticut. Alllendale/Saddle River Rotary Club.

GOVERNOR’S NEWSLETTER – DISTRICT 7490, November, 2012 16

Kenya Trip Planned to Aid Maasai Mara School YE Student and PDG Laureni at Rotary UN Day By Kevin Williams, Maywood Rotary Kenya Project Chair

You know you joined Rotary to make a difference and maybe even to see the world.

Here's your chance. Mark your calendars now for the trip of a lifetime! Maywood Rotary's Kenya Project team will make a seventh trip to the Maasai Mara in Kenya to vol- unteer at its second adopted school there, and we want you to join us. The dates of the next trip are July 12-22, 2013. What a wonderful opportunity to see this exotic part of the world accompanied by many seasoned veter- ans who are familiar with the area.

You will experience great joy in knowing you are helping families educate their children, but there will be plenty of time for you to go on safaris and to explore the natural beauty that is the Mara, or spotted savannah, as it is called by the locals. Before you even arrive at Siana Springs Camp, you will visit a famous Giraffe Park and on the way home you will have a side-trip to shop for Kazuri beads. This is a chance to really bond with family Rotary Youth Exchange students participating in the annual Rota- members. In the past there have been grandparents tak- ry-UN Day November 3 at United Nations headquarters in Manhat- tan. ing grandchildren, fathers taking daughters and mother- son teams. All are welcome so you may travel as an adult single or couple if you prefer.

The deadline to apply is December 1, 2012, and you may do so by logging onto the Maywood Rotary Club’s Kenya project website at www.maywoodrotarykenyaproject.org and downloading an application. The estimated per per- son cost will be $4,300.00 plus $220.00 single supple- ment if applicable.

You probably have questions about weather (it's glorious, not hot), pre-trip shots (fewer than you are guessing, just one actually) and accommodations (much nicer than you are imagining). These will all be answered at group meetings to be held months before the travel dates. Do not hesitate to apply now. Because of the large amount of volunteer work it takes to put together a trip like this, Rotary International General Secretary John Hewko with Past we have not scheduled a trip beyond 2013. Please join us District Governor Joseph Laureni, RI’s representative to the Unit- next year!! ed Nations, at the Rotary-UN Day observance on Nov. 3.