Category: News

In the spirit of getting new club members and long time members up to speed on Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio, a Lawrence Central trio updated members on this critical commitment. Janice Bunker provided background on the impact of the disease and the international efforts to fight it. Polio is a highly contagious and crippling disease that caused world wide misery. Jonas Salk discovered a vaccine in 1955 that successfully provided protection from the disease. The United States experienced the last case in 1979, but the disease still raged in other parts of the world. In 1985 Rotary joined with the Gates Foundation and the Center for Disease Control to form a Global Initiative to eradicate polio. By 1988 world wide cases were reduced by 99.9 per cent. Melissa Sieben described how climate change, geography and war can set back efforts to vaccinate. Presently, there are only seventy some active cases in rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, the disease can be quickly reintroduced to a population not fully vaccinated. Bob Rademacher shared personal stories of family members who were afflicted and disabled by the disease. The Global Initiative is on the verge of eliminating polio, providing every last case is accounted for. Rotary support is more important than ever and donations are matched by the Gates Foundation.

Club member Daniel Palen is a frequent flyer, which is truly an understatement. When Daniel is not working his regular job as a City of Lawrence police officer, there is a good chance he is on a trip somewhere, logging credit card points for a future trip. Daniel has logged 1.6 million lifetime miles and visited 47 states, 37 countries, and 5 continents. Daniel became fascinated with travel at an early age and did travel writing and reviews for a number of years. Daniel relies on a couple of travel sites for information that help him travel with minimal out-of-pocket expense. Flyertalk is an expert frequent flyer community site that provides a forum for travel and points. He also recommends Google Flights for booking and general travel information. Daniel reviewed several of the best credit cards and the merits of their points systems. However, he maintains the best part of his travels is meeting new people and making new friends.

Memories from previous years.

Dawn Buehler is the Riverkeeper and Executive Director of Friends of the Kaw. She works as a nongovernmental advocate for the health of the Kansas(Kaw) River which involves environmental oversight of a watershed encompassing parts of three states. The Kaw provides recreation and drinking water for thousands of Kansans and its health is a primary concern. Dawn is an advocate for the river and is Chair of the Kansas Water Authority and also a member of the Oil and Gas Advisory Commission. She monitors a pollution reporting system, and educates people about river awareness and appreciation. Friends of the Kaw sponsors educational paddle trips, a kids educational program, an adopt a boat ramp program and an ecosystem restoration project. Friends of the Kaw relies on donations and grants to fund their activities. The 9th annual Beers of the Kaw fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, November 3rd.

LiveWell Douglas County Director Ginny Barnard oversees the work of a unique coalition of groups working to improve the health and well-being of county residents. The organization was created in 2008 as a result of the Douglas County Community Foundation’s proposal to the Kansas Health Foundation. Today more than twenty groups partner in this effort, including community organizations, school districts, local governments and volunteers. These partners develop a variety of evidence based public health practices for the community. LiveWell maintains a number of work groups: Healthy Built Environment, Healthy Foods For All, Healthy Kids, Sexual Violence Prevention, Tobacco Free Living and Work Place Wellness. Grants and donations fund LiveWell’s work and a home base is provided by Douglas County K-State Extension.