Portsmouth Rotary Log for Thursday, May 14, 2015 by Dick Seery
​Photos by Sara Treacy
 
Our Guest List today was highlighted by District Governor Lawrence Furbish.  His sole announcement complimented the Club for its illuminating hospitality at the District Conference held at Wentworth by the Sea two weeks prior.  He distinguished Mort Schmidt for his concierge services making the Club’s hospitality –“party” – room the finest all weekend. 
 
 
Birthday greetings went out to Dan Hoefle (29 years in Rotary), Basil Richardson (38 years), Dale Smith (40 years) and Al Bergeron (31 years).
 
Mr. Finemaster himself (aka Neal Ouellett) cited Larry Gray and John Lyons only to discover their absence – Neal does not forget, folks!  Other notable targets, Jim and Ellen Labrie, were fined, as they should be, for celebrating 55 years of marriage. 
 
Happy Dollars came from Judy Ringer announcing an evening singing concert. Sheri Donnermeyer also donated. She recognized the proposed new Portsmouth Parking Garage and Nancy Clayburgh’s original song praising the new structure. The composition, blithely ignoring rhyme or melody, had the club roaring. Nancy had earlier song the song in front of City Council as they debated approval of the project.
 
 
Announcements included James Petersen’s mention of five new sponsors for the Golf Tournament. Leo Gagnon has another Rotarian Social Hour planned for the Atlantic Grille on Monday, May 18th.  Finally, John Rice made one last request for Vocational Service Award nominations.
 
Nancy Notis next introduced our guest speaker, Sarah McDuffie, DO, Portsmouth Regional Hospital / Medical Director of Palliative Care.  The title of her presentation – Have you had the Talk? “The Other Talk.” (Not to be confused with the one about birds and bees.) 
 
 
Her presentation addressed the importance of communication, concerns and issues of end of life care.  Personal concerns and religious traditions, amendments to your Advance Directive for Health Care and Living Will, complete “Your Exit Plan.”   
Sarah explains Palliative Care as pre-hospice treatment, focusing on relieving patient anxiety based upon a person’s values. Those values govern treatment for terminal illness, decision making, and spirituality, quality v. quantity of life, independence and the family’s role.  She distinguishes Palliative Care from Hospice Care, which is post-curative treatment.  Socrates talked about Death being a narrow theme with a wide audience, so think about your “Exit Plan” before appearing in the obituaries.  You and your loved ones will avoid stress and potential feuding when difficult decisions have to be made.
 
Respectfully submitted by Richard Seery.
 
 
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