Are you a fan of the movies?  My wife and I are definitely cinephiles.  In many years, we have seen all of the films nominated in the six major Academy Award categories (Picture, Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress & Director) before Oscars night.  Whether it’s a film at the local theatre or streaming on Netflix or Apple TV, we love seeing great stories brought to life on film.

 

I am writing this on October 24, otherwise known as World Polio Day.  To bring attention to its global eradication efforts, Rotary is promoting the film Breathe.  This is a film I’m really looking forward to seeing.  Starring Andrew Garfield (Academy Award nominee for his role as Medal of Honor recipient Desmond Doss in Hacksaw Ridge) and Claire Foy (Golden Globe winner for her role as Queen Elizabeth in The Crown), Breathe is the true story of Robin Cavendish.  Robin contracted polio in Kenya in 1958.  Almost immediately, he was paralyzed from the neck down and confined to a hospital ward.  He needed the assistance of a breathing machine to stay alive and was told he would not survive more than a few months.  With the help of his wife Diana and a groundbreaking invention by one of his friends, Robin not only escaped the hospital, but lived a full and passionate life - raising his son, traveling the world and devoting his life to helping other polio patients.

 

 

At the heart of this movie about polio is a celebration of positivity, bravery, and human possibility - a theme which struck a chord with Andrew Garfield. At the film’s opening at the London Film Festival earlier this year, Garfield said “Robin Cavendish fought for value of life. He fought to make life meaningful and not just survive it, but to live a rich and connected life. Out of such loss and suffering, [Robin & Diana] created such joy, and that’s just an inspiration for all of us.  What I saw in their story was a template of how to live. How to live a life of meaning with the inevitable loss incorporated into one’s life.”

 

As Rotarians, we are all engaged in the same fight for the “value of life” championed by Robin Cavendish.  Our service on community projects right here in the East Penn area, as well as participation in the End Polio Now initiative and other projects funded by The Rotary Foundation, enables us to “live a life of meaning” and to help others “live a rich and connected life.”

 

Maybe I’ll see you at the theatre when Breathe comes to our area.  In the meantime, take a moment to watch the trailer by clicking here.

 

Yours in Rotary,

 

Burt

Thursday morning we had the pleasure of JP and his committee inducting 4 new members into our club.  Each new member has a sponsor and their sponsors had a few minutes to introduce each new member and tell a little story about them.  Bruce Fosselman introduced the first new member Richard Ward.  Bruce works with Rich's wife in the office of Lower Macungie Township offices.  Rich works as a Senior Vice President of Alliance Advisors in New Jersey.  In June Rich was appointed to the Lower Macungie board of Commissioners.  He served on several Lower Macungie Township Committees before taking on the responsibility of commissioner.  The second member to be inducted was Elijah Ngugi.  Elijah could not make the presentation but Nelly, Elijah's sister and sponsor had a few words to say in his absence.  Elijah was born in East Africa, he is studying to be a minister following in their father's footsteps.  He has a Masters in Clinical Counseling and he is presently practicing counseling today.  He wrote a book "The Eagle that refused to dance with the chicken".   Our next inductee is not new to the club but she has been traveling with her husband Gary Rohrbach on many Rotary trips through out Gary's career in Rotary.  Dee Rohrbach worked for Gary's Tree service until her retirement last year.  Gary, her husband and Cindy Hornamann were co sponsors for Dee for membership.  Ceil Birdsell had the pleasure of introducing her new member Kelliann Herman.  Kelliann is currently employed by LVHN, and has been for the past 35 years.  She is a senior specialist (student Affairs) in the department of education.  She is responsible for Student affairs with regards to LVHN's partnership with the University of South Florida.  She coordinates transitioning students from the select medical student program of USF. 

         Bob Rust presented new member pins.  Don Blose gave out tee shirts to the new members and Valerie Deneen explained the 4 way test.

        JP had the pleasure of presenting perfect attendance pins to a number of Emmaus Rotary members.  Our first members are new perfect attendance receivers.  This included Jeff McElhaney, Cindy Hornaman and Don Blose.  Burt Duren has 4 years perfect attendance, Fred Herman has 5 years, JP has 11 years, Dale Dries has 45 years, and Wilmer Schultz who has 67 years of perfect attendance.  Please take a moment and introduce yourself to the new members and thank the perfect attendees for their service to the Emmaus Rotary Club. 

 

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