Bulletin Issue 558 Volume 12  - No. 31 –   15th June 2018

(if you have any comments or questions, please contact the editor
 
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Meeting Information

 ALL YEAR Dinner Out 1st Tuesday of each month 7pm at a restaurant

Meetings Friday 12.00 noon - 2pm @ Millennium Hotel in Jungceylon
Rat-U-Thit Road Patong Beach
 
                                                        
Click for map
 
 
Visitors Welcome
registration mandatory
 
November – April 2nd 3rd & 4th Friday - May – October 2nd & 4th Friday only
 
Dress code - Smart-Casual
(long pants and shirts with collars for men, women: smart-casual)
 
 
 
 
 
Thought of the Week:
 

Dear fellow Members & Friends,

Greetings from sunny California! ☀

I am in Sacramento celebrating the 80th birthday of a dear family member! 🎂 🎈

Planning to be back in Phuket on June 14th just in time for our Club Assembly!

 

June is Rotary Fellowship month and is the last month of the Rotary Year; a time to reflect. 

 

During the past year our Club helped again many less fortunate & marginalized people within our communities. Making a Difference at work! 

Without people like us their world would be less lucky for sure!

Overall I believe our Club had yet another fantastic year which we can all be proud of. 

 

Let me share with you my reflections, comments & recognitions on June 15th during my final Club presentation talk before handing over to incoming President Karen.

 

Looking forward seeing all of you on Friday the 15th then.

 

Have a great week and make it a productive one.

 

YIR

 

Andy Becker
President 2017/18

YIR

 

 
 
Upcoming Events
RCoPB Installation Evening
Millennium Resort, Lakeside Patong Phuket
Jun 30, 2018
7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
 
Weekly Meeting
Jul 06, 2018
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
 
District Foundation, Public Image and Club Trainer
Aug 04, 2018
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
 
           
 
  
 An appeal to all members
Join in on Monday 11th @ 3.30pm when the official opening takes place  
 
 
If you have attended any meetings recently or read the bulletin, you must be aware of the Water Safety Program our club is sponsoring. 
 
 
 
 
This is an effort over time to teach every 4th grade child in Patong to swim and the fundamentals of water safety.  This year, the pilot program will teach 98 students from the          Sai Nam Yen School in Patong. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The program is held every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday beginning June 11th @ 3.30pm and lasting for ten weeks
at the Fun Start Camp swimming pool in Katu. 
 
The instructors, one for every 5 children, are all professional divers certified as Dive Masters and Dive Instructors by PADI.   In addition, they have all received sixteen hours of additional training on this specific program. 
 
Here’s a great opportunity to contribute to our club community service activities by taking an hour or two to attend the opening of the program on 11 June at 3pm.   
 
Also, feel free to drop by on any Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday at 3pm at the pool.             73/6 Moo 1 PHRA PHUKET KAEW ROAD  KATU 
 
Fun Start is located at the back of the Chalekeree Village Housing Estate on Pra Phuket Gaew Road, Kathu. That is the road that runs from the Caltex Gas Station (outside Patong) to Tesco Lotus. If you come from the Caltex Gas Station end then the entrance to the village is just after the Shell Gas Station. You will see the big sign.
                   If you need directions to the pool, let me know. 
                 
PP Larry Amsden
Program coordinator
 
 
 
      
        Friday 15th June 
 
 
 
Club Assembly  
 

This week President Andy, the board and chairs will present a review of the 2017/2018 year.  P.E. Karen will outline her board's plans for 2018/2019.

This is an important time to provide your input regarding how you'd like to see your club over the next year.

 

 

The final Bulletin for the

Rotary Year 2017-2018

will be sent to all on Sunday 24th June

Your contributions are welcome, if received by Friday 22nd June 

editor Denis 

 
Saturday 30th June 
 
 
 

 Join us to celebrate the handover from President Andy to Karen and the new  board of 2018/19. 

An evening to recognize our accomplishments, and celebrate those who have made 2017/18 a great year.

It will be an evening of a few (very) speeches and a lot of fellowship supported by great food, drink and entertainment.  

 
 
Birthdays 
  
 
 
O.B. Wetzell  - 28th June 
 
 
 
 
 
    Friday 1st June 
 
 
 
 
Meeting opened at 1pm with the usual screw-up on the National Anthem audio. 
 
President Andy was absent as usual, so VP Sam presided with a pitifully small turn out of  6 members + Khun Bier. 
 
PE Karen reminded the members and guests of our upcoming dinner out on Tuesday 5 June and our installation activity at the end of the month.  
 
 
 
PP Larry updated all on the progress of the water safety project, to kick off on 11 June. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SSA Gary introduced our 6 guests, two of whom were from St. Petersburg Russia, with limited English, but Dr. Johan filled in with his fluent command of the Russian language.
 
PE Karen introduced the ground rules for our discussion on fundraising with the focus being on new (hopefully creative) ways to refill our coffers. 
 
Her goal during her presidency is to raise one-million Baht, to fund our many community service activities.

 
 
 
Members and guests all contributed to a lively discussion with Karen and Sam summarizing the results.  Too bad O.B. and David were both absent, as they were the primary beneficiaries of the discussion and ideas presented.  
 
The meeting closed at 2pm with the traditional toast, and a moment of silence in remembrance of our founding member, Paul Spring, who passed away on Thursday.
 
 
Reporter: Larry Amsden  Photographer: Gary Eidsvik-Moody
- thank you ed
 
 
Dinner Out 
 
 
Tuesday 5th June
Dinner Out @
Naughty Nuri's 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Despite heavy rain, flooding and landslides early in the day, the weather moderated for our dinner out and we had a good crowd at Naughty Nuri's in Patong. 
 
They advertise the best ribs and they were indeed very nice.  Although someone kept them away from Johan so he did not get to sample the ribs! 
 
There was a good assortment of other food, and it was nice to taste some Indonesian delicacies.  
 
Naughty Nuri's is a surprising place inside, as it is a bit like Dr Who's TARDIS, and seems larger on the inside than is possible from the exterior. 
 
They had several bouts of the staff breaking into dance during the dinner and had a band come on just as we were finished eating. 
 
I enjoyed the night and hope everyone else did as well.
  
 
 
Reporter & Photographer: David Arell 
- thank you ed
  
 
A Ceremony to present safety vests to Patong police
as part of the Helmet Safety project
 
 
 
 
 
 
BanYa Literacy Centre Award best Student event 30/5/18
 
220 students & parents attend special award best student presentation
for the completed year 
 
Community Service Projects

Central to the formation of the Rotary Club of Patong Beach, was the desire for service.
 
This was soon tested with the Tsunami,which was a mighty response, that has been a benchmark for what a small expat club with very different members with different values and experiences can do.

Our club has sought to go beyond what is expected by Rotary clubs, and develop our club as a club which can achieve new heights and inspire each other, so together we can achieve more community service, than was thought possible
 
To stretch ourselves to even greater levels of service.

In my short time with the club, commencing with the dedicated leadership of PP Denis, I have experienced each president, who has brought with them their own unique leadership.
 
To those who have taken on this role, I can only marvel at their tenacity to see the presidential year through.
 
This presidential year has been no exception. The service projects have drawn on the skills and temperaments of different people, and when this Rotary year concludes very shortly, I feel we can genuinely say we “Made a Difference”.
So President Andy from me “congratulations”.

The club completed several water and sanitation projects, assisted the BanYa Literacy Centre into a great spot, that supports over 200 children, assisting them to escape from poverty, continued with phase three of the scholarship project by increasing its literacy outreach and extending into higher education.

The RCoPB made a huge contribution to the Patong Hospital, thanks to the generosity of one member, and a high level of understanding of how Rotary works (not easy!) by another, and actively pursued with the local police a campaign to reduce fatalities on motorcycles.
 
Not to be outdone, one of our more senior members established a long-term “Water Safety” project following our efforts to organise a "Dental Mission" in the midst of the Songkran Festival.
None of this is easy and only possible, because as different as we may be, it is service that draws us together.
 
Dr. Peter Harris
Community Services Chair  
 
               ***********************************************
 
This is the Good Shepherd School in Phuket Town.   
I went to visit the centre as these children were all part of our dental mission.        
They live in the poorest area of Koh Sire, and most families are working on the fishing boats.  
The Dental  mission looked after about 30 children as part of their overall health program  
 
 They would gain much  from a portable dental clinic.
 
Dr. Peter Harris  
Community Services Chair  
 
 
                 
 
What a journey!
 
 
 
As the Rotary year draws to a close, Juliet Riseley reflects on the experience of a lifetime – working alongside her husband Ian, Rotary International’s president for 2017-18.

Well, we have come to the end of a 33-month journey since Ian was formally announced as the Rotary presidential nomination for the 2017-18 year.
 
And what a journey it has been.
 
 
 
We’ve met thousands of Rotarians and stood with them in thousands of photographs.
 
We’ve visited and heard about hundreds of Rotary projects and been inspired by them all.
 
We’ve both planted trees, and we put our personal count at some hundreds.
Those trees are thriving in over 50 countries. What a joy and what an honour it has been to represent you all.

So, what do I know now that I didn’t know way back in October 2015? Much of our experience has been seeing and experiencing first-hand what we have always assumed about Rotary:
that Rotary is truly an international organisation with a strong global presence.

Rotary projects are often enhanced by the very nature of their worldwide connections.
 
Rotarians often work across borders and boundaries when others cannot. Our projects and programs are frequently replicated in other places, with brilliant results.
 
A grand example of this is the network of children’s burns rehabilitation centres that are operating in Central and South America – all supported by local Rotary clubs and districts.
 
Rotarians have ambitious plans that work. We build community centres, libraries, welfare and emergency response facilities. We plant and nurture food gardens for reliable food sources and we plant forests to help the environment. We maintain schools and learning centres, we run mobile health camps, and we recycle a vast range of goods in appropriate and sustainable ways.
 
And Rotarians are extraordinarily generous with sharing their personal expertise and vocational skills to improve the lives of others.

These are the things we knew, but now we have had the experience of a lifetime seeing our Rotary in Action making a difference every single day. The world is a far, far better place because Rotarians and their Rotary clubs serve communities.
 
And, you know – the Rotarians we have met are positively delighted with their hard work and with their successes.

The world truly needs this Rotary to be a better place. Thank you for sharing it with us.
 
Juliet Riseley
 
(P.S. You can ask me for tips about living out of a suitcase!)
 
 
*******************************************           
 
 
 
 
      
Between 65 and death,
An Excellent List for Aging
 
I don’t know who wrote this though I don’t disagree with anything they’ve written......
 
 
Many of us are between 65 and death, ie. old.  My friend sent me this excellent list for aging . . . and I have to agree it's good advice to follow:

1. It’s time to use the money you saved up. Use it and enjoy it.  Don’t just keep it for those who may have no notion of the sacrifices you made to get it. Remember there is nothing more dangerous than a son or daughter-in-law with big ideas for your hard-earned capital. Warning: This is also a bad time for investments, even if it seems wonderful or fool-proof. They only bring problems and worries. This is a time for you to enjoy some peace and quiet.

2. Stop worrying about the financial situation of your children and grandchildren, and don’t feel bad spending your money on yourself. You’ve taken care of them for many years, and you’ve taught them what you could. You gave them an education, food, shelter and support. The responsibility is now theirs to earn their own money.

3. Keep a healthy life, without great physical effort. Do moderate exercise (like walking every day), eat well and get your sleep. It’s easy to become sick, and it gets harder to remain healthy. That is why you need to keep yourself in good shape and be aware of your medical and physical needs Keep in touch with your doctor, do tests even when you’re feeling well. Stay informed.

4. Always buy the best, most beautiful items for your significant other. The key goal is to enjoy your money with your partner. One day one of you will miss the other, and the money will not provide any comfort then, enjoy it together.

5. Don’t stress over the little things. You’ve already overcome so much in your life. You have good memories and bad ones, but the important thing is the present. Don’t let the past drag you down and don’t let the future frighten you. Feel good in the now. Small issues will soon be forgotten.

6. Regardless of age, always keep love alive. Love your partner, love life, love your family, love your neighbor and remember: “A man is not old as long as he has intelligence and affection.”

7. Be proud, both inside and out. Don’t stop going to your hair salon or barber, do your nails, go to the dermatologist and the dentist, keep your perfumes and creams well stocked. When you are well-maintained on the outside, it seeps in, making you feel proud and strong.

8. Don’t lose sight of fashion trends for your age, but keep your own sense of style. There’s nothing worse than an older person trying to wear the current fashion among youngsters. You’ve developed your own sense of what looks good on you – keep it and be proud of it. It’s part of who you are.

9. ALWAYS stay up-to-date. Read newspapers, watch the news. Go online and read what people are saying. Make sure you have an active email account and try to use some of those social networks. You’ll be surprised what old friends you’ll meet. Keeping in touch with what is going on and with the people you know is important at any age

10. Respect the younger generation and their opinions. They may not have the same ideals as you, but they are the future, and will take the world in their direction. Give advice, not criticism, and try to remind them that yesterday’s wisdom still applies today.

11. Never use the phrase: “In my time.” Your time is now. As long as you’re alive, you are part of this time. You may have been younger, but you are still you now, having fun and enjoying life.

12. Some people embrace their golden years, while others become bitter and surly. Life is too short to waste your days on the latter. Spend your time with positive, cheerful people, it’ll rub off on you and your days will seem that much better. Spending your time with bitter people will make you older and harder to be around.

13. Do not surrender to the temptation of living with your children or grandchildren (if you have a financial choice, that is). Sure, being surrounded by family sounds great, but we all need our privacy. They need theirs and you need yours. If you’ve lost your partner (our deepest condolences), then find a person to move in with you and help out. Even then, do so only if you feel you really need the help or do not want to live alone.

14. Don’t abandon your hobbies. If you don’t have any, make new ones. You can travel, hike, cook, read, dance. You can adopt a cat or a dog, grow a garden, play cards, checkers, chess, dominoes, golf. You can paint, volunteer or just collect certain items. Find something you like and spend some real time having fun with it.

15 Even if you don’t feel like it, try to accept invitations. Baptisms, graduations, birthdays, weddings, conferences. Try to go. Get out of the house, meet people you haven’t seen in a while, experience something new (or something old). But don’t get upset when you’re not invited. Some events are limited by resources, and not everyone can be hosted The important thing is to leave the house from time to time. Go to museums, go walk through a field. Get out there.

16. Be a conversationalist. Talk less and listen more. Some people go on and on about the past, not caring if their listeners are really interested. That’s a great way of reducing their desire to speak with you. Listen first and answer questions, but don’t go off into long stories unless asked to. Speak in courteous tones and try not to complain or criticize too much unless you really need to. Try to accept situations as they are. Everyone is going through the same things, and people have a low tolerance for hearing complaints. Always find some good things to say as well.

17. Pain and discomfort go hand in hand with getting older. Try not to dwell on them but accept them as a part of the cycle of life we’re all going through. Try to minimize them in your mind. They are not who you are, they are something that life added to you. If they become your entire focus, you lose sight of the person you used to be.

18. If you’ve been offended by someone – forgive them. If you’ve offended someone - apologize. Don’t drag around resentment with you. It only serves to make you sad and bitter. It doesn’t matter who was right. Someone once said: “Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Don’t take that poison. Forgive, forget and move on with your life.

19. If you have a strong belief, savor it. But don’t waste your time trying to convince others. They will make their own choices no matter what you tell them, and it will only bring you frustration. Live your faith and set an example. Live true to your beliefs and let that memory sway them.

20. Laugh. Laugh A LOT. Laugh at everything. Remember, you are one of the lucky ones. You managed to have a life, a long one. Many never get to this age, never get to experience a full life. But you did. So what’s not to laugh about? Find the humor in your situation.

21. Take no notice of what others say about you and even less notice of what they might be thinking. They’ll do it anyway, and you should have pride in yourself and what you’ve achieved. Let them talk and don’t worry. They have no idea about your history, your memories and the life you’ve lived so far. There’s still much to be written, so get busy writing and don’t waste time thinking about what others might think. Now is the time to be at rest, at peace and as happy as you can be!

REMEMBER: “Life is too short to drink bad wine or warm beer”.  
 
(Cheap scotch is OK )
 
                                                                Thank you Larry Demco