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COVID-19 ALERT: The Denver/Lake Norman Rotary has temporarily relocated its meetings to St. Peter by the Lake Episcopal Church, 8433 Fairfield Forest Road in Denver.  Chillin' and Grillin' has resumed serving its fabulous buffet breakfast.  However, masks are recommended when not eating.
President's Message
Ellen Fichtelman
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Hello Rotarians!

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday! I look forward to seeing you bright and early Wednesday morning for breakfast! 

YIRS,
Ellen
 
Jim Peskin Presents the History of Ellis Island Via Zoom
 
By Steve Baker
 

On Wednesday, November 17th, the Denver Lake Norman Rotary took a step back in time with a presentation about Ellis Island. Jim Peskin, a current Tour Guide with the Save Ellis Island Foundation presented remotely. With additional commentary from Rotarian Bill Baker Jim presented an overview from the opening thru the closing of Ellis Island.

Ellis Island played a tremendous role in the building of the cultures that now exist in United States. There are many books and videos available that cover the times that Ellis Island shaped our lives. Some websites and Facebook locations are listed at the end of this article.

Ellis Island was named after the last private owner, Samuel Ellis. From 1892 to 1924, Ellis Island was America’s largest and most active immigration station. Over 12 million immigrants were processed here.  To them, Ellis Island, was an Island of Hope. At its peak, over 500 workers were employed there.  These included inspectors, interpreters, nurses, social workers, doctors, and many others.

When arriving, immigrants, were transferred into a room called “The Great Hall” and walked before a series of medical officers for a physical inspection. Due to the vast number of immigrants that were being processed, a new method to keep their lines orderly and moving was created. This method used lines that went up and down and across the room like a continuous letter "S". This method is still being used today in situations where there is a need to move a vast number of people through a line to a common entrance. Most of the immigrants were able to move on, but if doctors saw someone who they felt had some type of physical or mental, problem, they were chalked with a letter on their clothing and moved to another line for additional inspection. The chalked letters could be B (back problems), F (face problems), H (health problems), and several others. These marked immigrants were then given a detailed medical exam to determine the extent of their health. If it was determined that they were carrying a contagious disease, had mental health problems, criminal records, or low moral character they were returned to their country. Others were sent on the hospitals for treatment. Once the immigrants had been successfully medically treated for any minor diseases, they were re-examined and given permission to continue to The United States.

During its years of operation, 1892 to 1954, there were over 12 million immigrants processed on Ellis Island but the numbers each year varied:

1907 – 1,004,756 immigrants processed

1924 - 315,587 immigrants processed

1925 – 137,492 immigrants processed

The hospital treated a total of 416,196 patients with 5,431 recorded deaths. The hospital provided interpreters for those in the hospital and many of the nurses were able to speak at least two languages. Of the 12 million people who passed through Ellis Island only around 2 percent were found to be medically unfit to become a citizen of the United States. It is estimated that 40 percent of all Americans can trace their roots back to Ellis Island.

Multiple books and information are available on the Ellis Island www.ellisisland.com covering its the history between 1892 through 1954.  There is a current restoration effort going on to restore the buildings with portions of the hospital having already been restored. On Wednesday, December 01st, Rotarian Bill Baker will speak to the club. Bill’s father was a Doctor on Ellis Island. Photos taken from the house that Bill lived in while his father worked on Ellis Island, have been used in books and on Facebook. 

Club Information
Denver/Lake Norman Rotary - Founded 1995
Denver/Lake Norman
Wednesdays at 7:30 AM
Unity Presbyterian Church
8210 Unity Church Road
Denver, NC 28037
United States of America
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Bulletin Editor
Craig Buhrendorf
Upcoming Events
Angels/Foster Child Christmas Party
Dec 10, 2021
 
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Speakers
Dec 01, 2021
Ellis Island, Part II
Dec 08, 2021
Lincoln County Director of Soil and Water
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News

Denver Fire Department NOEL 2021

Email from Jay Flynn of the Denver Fire Department:
 
Good Afternoon,
 
As in years past, the Denver Fire Department hopes to be Neighbors Offering Encouragement & Love through our annual NOEL project this Christmas Season. Unfortunately for the second year now, NOEL will be much different however because of the issues surrounding COVID-19.  We are again working with our local elementary schools and social services to identify families in need of help from NOEL for 2021. With COVID, we will unfortunately not have a  face-to-face experience with the families, but intend to be just a much of a blessing to them. 
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Denver/Lake Norman Rotary Launches 5th Annual Helmet Fund Campaign
The Denver/Lake Norman Rotary has instituted its 5th annual Helmet Fund fundraiser for the United Services Organization (USO). The USO (www.uso.org) is a non-governmental organization that provides emotional support and a "taste of home" for our men and women in uniform, especially those serving abroad in forward operating bases and other areas of conflict.  Money donated to the USO is used to provide "USO2GO" care packages, "Phone Home" live phone calls and FaceTime options for personal visits with Family, support for families of the Fallen, and more.  Last year, the Club donated just over $500 for this worthy Fundraiser which is AWESOME!!  The Helmet will be available for donations at Rotary meetings every week through early December.  As we all plan for our Holidays here at home together, give thanks for remembering those serving "out there on the wall", far removed from their own homes, families and loved ones. 
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Links
District Zoom Meeting
Million Dollar Meal Meeting
Denver/Lake Norman Rotary in the Press
Denver Citizen: Denver Concert Series Signals a Return to Normalcy
Russell Hampton
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