Tompkins Weekly

Rotary addresses vaping, opioid drug use



 

 

Vaping initially became popular in 2007 when people were saying it was “just a harmless water vapor,” said Moira McJury, the education and prevention coordinator for the Alcohol and Drug Council of Tompkins County.

“But it was not harmless then because it was filled with chemicals, and it’s become even more dangerous and life-threatening today,” she said.

Groton High School and Groton Rotary Club co-sponsored a parent information session on vaping and opioid drug use presented by McJury at the STEAM Learning Center in the high school on Thursday, Nov. 21.

McJury delivered an informative and sobering presentation to a rapt and engaged audience of Groton Rotarians, faculty and staff members of the school and some parents.

McJury shared some facts and statistics about vaping that she said show a cause for concern. It is not only a leading cause of lung disease, she said, but the severity and rapid onset also tears the lung tissue and wears it away, resulting in lengthy hospital stays and some cases of users going into a comatose state, all with no hope of a cure. It is the cause of 34 deaths in 24 states.

McJury also stressed how dangerous the chemicals used in vaping devices are, not only for the user, but also for those who may inhale the “second-hand smoke” if they are near others who are vaping.

The short list of substances that may be found in the vaping liquid are nicotine, propylene glycol (a known carcinogen when heated), formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, acrolein (an herbicide primarily used to kill weeds) and glycerin (though used topically in skin care and cosmetics, it is toxic to cells when ingested).

For more information on vaping, opioid drugs or any sort of addiction, or to arrange for McJury to speak to your group, club, school, classroom, etc., contact her at mmcjury@alcoholdrugcouncil.org.

The Groton Rotary Club regularly meets at the Groton Community Health Care Center, 120 Sykes St., on the first and third Thursday of every month at 6:15 p.m. and welcomes everyone to attend a meeting any time to see whether they might like to become involved in the club.

Nasar Khan, president and CEO of the Groton CHCC, is also the president of the Groton Rotary Club. Gary Wood is the secretary/treasurer for the club, and a number of other Groton neighbors are members.

“Groton Rotary is doing a lot of good work both in the community and internationally,” Khan said. “Our members do a great job promoting and engaging the community.”

The club’s upcoming activities are open to all, and the variety is sure to appeal to the interests of almost everyone.

The National Wreaths Across America group coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at more than 1,600 locations across the United States, at sea and abroad. Join the Groton Rotary Club on Saturday, Dec. 14, as we travel to remember and honor the veterans buried at Bath National Cemetery, in Bath, New York. The ceremony will include the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each veteran aloud.

Anyone wishing to participate in the trip to Bath, should meet at Bun Appetit Bakery, 215 Main St., at 8 a.m. for breakfast. The group will carpool to the cemetery and plans to arrive by 11:30 a.m. to participate in the Remembrance Ceremony at noon.

Those who can’t make the trip but want to support the group’s efforts to honor our veterans may consider donating a wreath. Wreaths are $15 each, and orders (with payment) must be received in the group’s main office by Monday, Dec. 2. The Groton Rotary ID number is NY0311, and each order must be labeled with the ID number NYBNCB. For more information, or to order a wreath, the Wreaths Across America website is wreathsacrossamerica.org

There are still a few seats available on a chartered bus trip to for a “Day on Your Own in New York City.” The bus will leave Groton High School on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 6:30 a.m. and returns to GHS on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 1 a.m.

The cost of the trip is $70 per person. Contact Tim Heller at Groton Central School, (607) 898-4588 to reserve a seat. Seats are selling quickly and are first-come, first-served.

Perhaps a trip to the Big Apple doesn’t quite fit your budget, or you may have so much fun with the group to the city that you want more! The club invites the public for some holiday food, fun and line dancing from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 at the Cortland Country Music Park, 1824 State Rt. 13. Lessons are available for those new to line dancing. Cost is $5 per person. Reserve a spot with Mona Forney at monaforney@aol.com.

The Groton Rotary Club is selling the 2020 Waterfalls of the Finger Lakes calendars, contributing all proceeds to its water project in rural Uganda, “Water for Water.” The calendars retail for $15.95, and the club sells them for $12. Available at Brittany Station or from any Groton Rotarian. Call (607) 898-4994 for more information.

Khan said the Groton Rotary is growing, but he would love to see it grow even more. He also said that Rotary is a club where members can share their interests and passions for service, and they will be supported.

Groton on the Inside appears weekly. Submit news ideas to Linda Competillo, lmc10@cornell.edu or 607-227-4922.

In brief:

Groton Community Choir performances

Save the dates and plan to attend one or more performances of the Groton Community Choir’s 69th musical cantata. Under the direction of Ginny Casey, the group will present the Christmas musical, “Song of Joy,” arranged by Marty Hamby, created by Dale Matthews.

Opening night will be Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Groton Community Church, 204 E. Cortland St.

There will be two more performances Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. at Dryden Baptist Church, 138 Virgil Rd. in Dryden and on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. at Groton Assembly of God, 701 S. Main St.

Light refreshments will follow each performance. There is no charge for the concerts, but free-will donations will be gratefully accepted. No one affiliated with the choir benefits financially, but the cost of music books and other materials needed seems to only increase each year.

TST/GHS Students of the Month

The following Groton students were recognized as outstanding students of the month for October at the TST BOCES Career and Technical Education Center: Demetri Brooks, Career Exploration Program, Taylor Moffitt, Cosmetology, and Nick Radley, Sports Conditioning and Exercise Science.

These students are chosen based on qualities such as character, leadership, citizenship, work ethic and attendance and should be compassionate, honest, trustworthy, responsible and a positive role model.

Each outstanding student receives a certificate, a CTC Food Services pizza coupon and a Career and Tech Center backpack.

Congratulations to these exceptional career and tech students in our school!

No parking

Town of Groton Highway Superintendent Mike Perkins reminds the public that the parking of vehicles is prohibited between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. from Nov. 1 through May 1 on all town highway right-of-ways within the town of Groton. Violators will be subject to a fine, and vehicles may be towed at the owner’s expense.

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