The Appalachian Trail and Trail Museum (Aired on AM on June 28 & on FM June 30, 2013)

Seated: Larry Luxenberg. Standing: co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell

Seated: Larry Luxenberg. Standing: co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell

New City Rotarian and Appalachian Trail expert Larry Luxenberg has enjoyed educating people about the joys of outdoor adventure for over 30 years. Author of Walking the Appalachian Trail, called the “classic of the genre,” and featured in the May 2013 edition of The Rotarian magazine, Mr. Luxenberg has also established and is CEO of the Appalachian Trail Museum in Pennsylvania, with over 20,000 visitors since 2010. Working many years to protect the environment around the trail from pollution, pipelines, and other environmental hazards, Mr. Luxenberg is an example of a Rotarian who has used his own skills and volunteer efforts to make the world a better place. Here he shares interesting stories and such fascinating statistics as the length of the trail is over 2,000 miles.

Learn More:
The Appalachian Trail 
The Appalachian Trail Museum
The Appalachian Mountain Club 

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June 28, 2013 · Posted in Environment  

ShelterBox: Rotary’s Disaster Relief Program (Aired on AM on June 21 & on FM on June 23, 2013)

Lou Turpin

Lou Turpin

Rhinebeck Rotarian and ShelterBox Ambassador Lou Turpin was interviewed “live” at a meeting of the Red Hook Rotary at the Bread and Bottle Restaurant in Red Hook. ShelterBox is a program that provides disaster relief in the form of a specially designed tent that can hold an entire family and also the tools, food, cookware, and water filtration needed to support that family for up to half a year. Before deploying the ShelterBoxes, which resemble trunk-sized Tupperware boxes, a highly trained team of SRT’s (Shelterbox Relief Team members) performs reconnaissance of the disaster and its needs. As a ShelterBox Ambassador for the Hudson Valley, Turpin has undergone the rigorous SRT training program, rumored to be more strenuous than Marine basic training. In the program, we learn many more facts about the Shelterbox program including the surprising news that today ShelterBoxes are deployed in conflict disasters, such as the Syrian Civil War, and that newly designed mini-tents are used for short-term relief.

Learn More
USA ShelterBox Program
History of ShelterBox Program
ShelterBox Ambassador Lou Turpin

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June 21, 2013 · Posted in Hudson Valley  

Family Services in the Hudson Valley (Aired on AM on June 14 & on FM on June 16, 2013)

Seated: Brian Doyle. Standing: co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell

Seated: Brian Doyle. Standing: co-hosts Jonah Triebwasser, Sarah O’Connell

Brian Doyle, CEO for Family Services in Poughkeepsie, describes the enormous scope of his organization such as Youth Services, Comprehensive Crime Victim services (and Forensics), Domestic Violence Service, and Substance Abuse Prevention and Family Education. The Family Partnership Center, a centerpiece of Family Services, collaborates with several other organizations for a unified approach to human services and building community. With over 43,000 clients last year, this extraordinary organization responds to societal ills that threaten families and seeks ways to prevent those problems, with a focus on youth activities (athletics, homework support, etc.) and programs to help young people grow to be caring and effective parents. Although Family Service in Poughkeepsie is located in the Hudson Valley, similar centers operate in neighboring counties, and the Hudson Valley organization can provide contact information for them.

Learn more:
Family Services
Family Services on Facebook
Hotline: 845 485-5550
Crime Victims: 845 452-7772

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June 14, 2013 · Posted in Domestic Violence, Dutchess County, Education, Health, Hudson Valley, Support Groups, Youth  

Youth Exchange: Building Global Friendships (Aired on AM on June 7 & on FM June 9, 2013)

Standing: Outbound Students. Adults L to R: co-host substitute Dave Kruger, Outbound Co-Dir. Betty Djerf, Outbound Dir. Donna Bemiss, co-host Sarah O’Connell, YEX Chair David Greenwood. Kneeling: Inbound Students. Adult: Inbound Dir. Nan Greenwood.

Standing: Outbound Students. Adults L to R: co-host substitute Dave Kruger, Outbound Co-Dir. Betty Djerf, Outbound Dir. Donna Bemiss, co-host Sarah O’Connell, YEX Chair David Greenwood. Kneeling: Inbound Students. Adult: Inbound Dir. Nan Greenwood.

 

Loads of fun at this on-site interview with two sets of high school Rotary Youth Exchange students: Inbound students from all over the world who have spent a year in the Hudson Valley and Outbound Hudson Valley students who will be leaving to spend a year abroad. The students are endearing, charming, and at times very funny. Inbound students describe the foods they enjoyed (for example—the Thailand student’s favorite is lasagna), the difference in schooling here and at home, and what they learned from their experiences. Outbound students describe why they decided to participate in an exchange program and what they hope to learn.

 

 

Learn More:
Rotary District 7210’s Youth Exchange Program
Rotary International’s Youth Exchange

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June 7, 2013 · Posted in International Exchanges, New Generations, Rotary District 7210, Youth