Kiwanis Club of North Suburban Golden K St. Paul

It was another fine on-time start for our new, but now seasoned president, LaMar who led us in the Harris stretch to get our blood circulating for another interesting meeting.

There are circle three reports again this week. Bill Flittie updated us on Art Hedstrom’s progress with the broken hip. The surgery went well and Art is now using a walker to get around and hopes to get back here in a few weeks. Wayne Carlson reported that Larry Feldsien is out of the VA hospital, but has to remain at home due to a very weak immune system. Bill Larson reported on two members. Dick Holmsten seems to be doing better and is getting around with a cane. Don Baker is not doing as well – has trouble with his memory. Both were very appreciative of Bill’s visit. Fred Bergsrud is back home from England and had grandkids and other to visit with this week so he had to miss today’s meeting. He will be back among us soon.

The happy dollars flowed again today. Gordon Martin noted that Don Rasmusson was not here today, but his granddaughter was again in the newspaper for her accomplishments for swimming, but also had a very prestigious scholarship awarded to her – glad to see someone is following all her successes! Ken Bergstedt enlightened us with another of his jokes – a bad parrot has punished for his bad attitude by spending time in the owners freezer and ended up wondering “just what did that turkey do”. Oh well – you had to be there I guess. Erv Oelke put a dollar in for his guest – Dr. Jim House. Joe Kilpatrick put his buck in for his attendance at the inter-club “turkey shoot” – a good time was had by all – lots of turkeys given away too. John Sweeney also attended the “turkey shoot” and commented on how their attendees made our group look young. Wayne Carlson put his dollar in welcoming his neighbor, Ken Rosso, to the meeting – two guests today! Gil Ward put in a dollar for his move to Applewood coming through and his wife having two names – does that mean she gets two social security checks – pretty sure not, Gil! LaMar Zollinger put a dollar in noting that Gil Ward makes those great certificates we hand out to our guest speakers each week – thanks Gil!

Just a continued reminder that our holiday buffet and Christmas carol sing-a-long is coming up on December 2oth – great food and great entertainment (our Jim Whiting’s son Kim, will come and lead us). Note that the cost is $12.50 per person – same as last year – so get those checkbooks out.

Today Bill Flittie introduced our speaker, Dr. Badrinath R. Konety, professor and chair of Urologic Surgery at the University of Minnesota. His topic was of interest to all – prostate and bladder cancer – two very significant health issues for men – particularly those of us reaching the golden years. There were over 240,000 cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in 2010 – leading all categories of diseases for men. Bladder cancer is fourth on that list. Some interesting facts were given about both conditions with some very graphic, but good pictures to help us understand where these organs are and how they are affected. Dr. Konety commented on how having the diseases increases in likelihood if there is also the same diseases in past generations.

He also indicated that vitamin D does have something to do with the diseases and why more people above the Mason/Dixon line are likely to contract these conditions. He spent a little time covering the PSA testing controversy currently started by the government. His position was clearly in favor of continued testing. He outlined a lot of possible treatments and outcomes and how medical technology and chemistry have really advanced in the treatment of these diseases. He ended by commenting on the importance of getting good counseling before and after any treatment and the importance that the role of family plays in the support of people going through the effects of this condition.

Next week we go north of the border to hear from the Canadian Consulate General in Minneapolis, Franco Manarin. His topic is titled “The Canada Factbook” and covers agricultural, trade, oil and energy resources, fishing and tourism across the border. It promises to be another interesting topic so bring a friend to the meeting and enjoy the experience. Our social time is 1:30 - the meeting starts promptly at 2 PM.