RIP Paul Perreault

 

Paul Perreault, who is seen at the center of this photo taken at our meeting last November 21, was an outstanding Rotarian and a friend to most of us. We mourn his recent death at the age of 82 and send condolences to his family. Paul exemplified the ideal of a gentleman and a scholar. His obituary, along with information about calling hours, can be found here. At this morning's meeting, we named our annual scholarship in his honor.

Also this morning, Town Supervisor Cynthia Young discussed water districts, police funding, and a "budget crunch." She said a pedestrian crossing will be constructed across Route 9 from Town Hall to Ellsworth Commons.

Last week, our speaker was Joyce Crawford, RN, manager of clinical operations for The Community Hospice in Saratoga, Washington and eastern Montgomery counties.  

Not all patients die in hospice, she said. Some recover and "graduate" from the program, which is mostly funded by Medicare and free of charge. Some younger patients are covered by private insurance. Most are at home or in a nursing home. She also mentioned Mary's Haven and The Gateway House of Peace, two small local facilities where patients are usually in their last months of life. While hospice is professionally run with doctors, nurses, aides and social workers, it is also supported by volunteers, along with private donations which fund "extras" such as massage.