November 27, 2001

NEXT WEEK, MONDAY, DECEMBER 3... Darianne Wilson, State of Mississippi, will talk to us about Tourism.

LAST MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26... Dr. Rick Carlton, President of the Mississippi Diabetes Foundation, told us about "The Burden of Diabetes in Mississippi." Rick told us that the incidence of Diabetes is increasing because of our sedentary life style, obesity, and fatty diets. Mississippi ranks extremely high in the nation in cases per capita, he said, and an estimated 240,000 Mississippians have the disease. The consequences are heavy: In addition to blindness, kidney failure, and lower extremity amputation, persons with Diabetes are three times more likely to die from heart disease and five times more likely to have a stroke than persons who do not have the disease. Rick told us that treatment of Diabetes is relatively simple and has improved greatly in recent years. Mostly, it's a concern of diet and exercise. Thanks to Mary Fortune and Hugh Trussell for arranging and introducing this program.

OUR ANNUAL ELECTION IS NEXT WEEK… when we'll choose six new members of our Board of Directors to take office next year. Sample ballots have been available for the last two weeks, and you can mark your official ballot during the meeting on December 3.

OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH… Andy Covington, whose wife Becky is still in serious condition from injuries in the tornado that struck Madison last week. The Covingtons lost their expected child, and daughter Amanda is still hospitalized. They also lost their home and all their possessions in the storm. A fund has been set up in the name of "Andy Covington and Family." Details are available from any branch of Trustmark National Bank.

YOU MAY HAVE SEEN IN THE NEWS… that the new fire station in the Deerfield area was named for the late Doug Hudgins, 77th President of our club, whose tireless efforts led to its establishment.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS… numbers 17 and 18 of the new Rotary year. Introduced at the November 26 meeting were: