"Clara Barton: No Ordinary Courage" is the topic for the Rotary Club meeting on April 12, 2018, at 6:30pm, the 106th anniversary of her death. Public Service hallmarked Clara Barton’s life from her initial career as a school teacher to her medical support and nursing during the Civil War, establishment of the American Red Cross and First Aid Association in 1905. A favorite civilian volunteer of Generals Ambrose Burnside, Benjamin Butler and Ulysses S. Grant, she received a rare compliment from President Abraham Lincoln via his published request to the public supporting her missing soldier’s identification work. This presentation explores the talents and events that guided Barton throughout her life and her legacy to the American people through the American Red Cross. This will be a brief first person portrayal by Susan Rosenvold from Montgomery History, as Clara Barton tells her own story.
President Todd Nitkin thanked former Rockville Mayor and current County Executive Candidate Rose Krasnow for her presentation.
President Todd Nitkin and Neil Cohen welcomed Maryland State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci and Captains Jimmy Seavy and Eric Bernard from the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department. [Photos by Tom Lewis]
President Todd Nitkin exchanged club banners with visiting Florida Rotarian.
Rotarians from the RC of Kathmandu Mid-Town and Dr. Milan Maharjan, Chairperson of Ear Care Nepal (ECN), appear in the picture below. The big piece of equipment is an operating microscope that will be used in the performance of ear surgeries. To the right is a portable, battery operated audiometer, which is used to facilitate ear screening without access to electricity. This piece of equipment is needed to overcome problems posed by frequent power outages in Nepal; and an impedance meter, a very important diagnostic tool that ECN can now use to perform better diagnoses of ear problems prior to surgery. Global Grant 1637950 provided this equipment at a cost of approximately $19,000. The Grant is also paying for the screening of 5000 Nepalese children for hearing problems and ear surgery for 100 good candidates for ear surgery to prevent or reduce hearing loss.
The Rotary Club of Potomac-Bethesda is the international sponsor of this Global Grant. The Rotary Club of Kathmandu Mid-Town is the host Club. Additionally, financial contributions were provided by the Rotary Clubs of Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Metro Bethesda, and Pleasant Valley, New York, as well as various individual donors.
The City of Rockville is creating a new 6.5 acre park in the Chestnut Lodge neighborhood and reached out to residents for suggestions on the name of the new park. Among the suggestions were several to name the park in honor of recently deceased Deputy State Fire Chief and Captain of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, Sander Cohen. The suggestions were reviewed byRockville Recreation and Parks Advisory Board and a recommendation was made by the Board to name the park, "Chestnut Lodge Park." The Board indicated that "a person must be deceased for at least one year prior to naming something in their honor." However in speaking to the Department of Parks and Recreation, it has been determined that the policy is a guideline only and that the Mayor and Council has final decision-making authority on the future park's name.
Please consider signing this petition to ask the Mayor and Council to override the Advisory Board's recommendation. Consider submitting written testimony to cityclerk@rockvillemd.gov or City Clerk's Office, City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850. Attend the public hearing on the name at 7 PM, Monday, April 30, at City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave. The Mayor and Council are scheduled to take action on the recommendation at their May 7 meeting. Thank you. Arlene and Neil Cohen
Sander Benjamin Cohen, born August 26, 1984 in Washington , DC., died at the age of 33 on December 8, 2017 in Rockville, MD. He heroically passed serving in the Line of Duty for the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office. Sander Cohen was a nine year veteran of the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office, where he held the rank of Deputy Chief. He served as the Regional Commander of the Northeast Regional Office. Throughout his career, Sander received numerous awards including a Unit Citation from Prince George's County Fire & EMS Department for his involvement in a multi-agency investigation. In addition to his public service as a State Fire Marshal, Sander was a 14 year veteran of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, where he held the rank of Lieutenant, and was posthumously promoted to Captain. Sander was a dedicated and active member holding many positions including Shift Officer and Director. He was awarded a Citation of Bravery for his life saving actions at an apartment fire on December 22, 2003. Sander Cohen, a longtime Rockville resident, exemplifies what it means to be a member of this community and we can think of no better way to honor his sacrifice than to name the newest City park in his memory.
President Todd Nitkin thanked Paul McDermott, Professor Emeritus, Montgomery College, who had great photographs and maps to go along with his talk, "Strolling on the C&O Canal" at the meeting on March 29, 2018.
Tom and Barbara Allen gave a mini-forum on "Opioid Awareness" at the Rotary Club meeting on January 11, 2018. Their nonprofit James’ Place Inc. provides education, advocacy and scholarships for recovery housing.
[L-R] Tom and Barbara Allen with Rotary District Governor Greg Wims