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12 Jim Ryan: Man of the Year in Civics BY PATRICIA PROVEN Northport resident Jim Ryan has been selected as The Times of Northport's Man of the Year in Civics for the scope of his work helping citizens attend to the practical, personal and spiritual aspects of their lives. Ryan, a former French teacher and Northport resident for 32 years, works as a financial planner for LPL Financial Services and serves as president of Northport Rotary He also counsels DWI convicts who have been sentenced to the county sheriff's DWI Alternative Facility in Yaphank. In the past year. he has helped launch an informal commu- nity forum and has continued his regional circuit of motivational speak- ing on \The Art of Happiness.\ based on his personal mantra. which also forms the basis for his upcoming book He's also a musician. Retired Spanish teacher Lois Baisley. who worked in the foreign language department with Ryan during his 14-year tenure in Bethpage School District. recalled how Ryan livened up classes. sometimes bringing hns guitar to class and singing in Fremch. \The students liked that,\ Baisley said. \He was very. very well-loved. He was a wonderful teacher and a wonderful guidance coun- selor. He's a very kind caring person.\ Long after both left the district, Baisley keeps a number handy for Jim Ryan, whose work involves mutual funds. \I have investments with him because I trust him so completely.\ Baisley said, adding that Ryan has made better profit for her, percentage-wise, than financial planners with bigger companies have. Northport resident Jean Snyder said the Rotary's fundraising success this year owes much to Ryan. \Jim has been terrific,\ she said. \It really depends on the leader and ... I think because of our fundraising activities that he has spear- headed, we are able to give this money to the Gift of Life.\ This year was a record-breaking one for Rotary,; its annual Wine in the Courtyard fundraiser at the Vanderbilt Mansion in Centerport raised $49,000 to help bring children from impover- ished nations to the United States for life-saving heart surgeries, performed locally at Stony Brook University Hospital. Jonathan Scherr, who directs the county sheriff department's DWI Alternative Facility, has seen Ryan's impact as a counselor to men at the alter- native facility. \He has such a positive attitude on life. in a place [where] a lot of people are depressed, away from their families, and they don't know what's going to happen when they get out.\ Offenders typically serve one to four months at the alternative facility. As part of their probation, they are required to attend either Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Ryan, who was referred through the Diocese of Rockville Centre's prison ministry. wel- comes the men to call him any time after their release. Scherr said. Many of the men do seek his counsel. *\*He's one of the few that most of the men will remember the things that he says.\ Scherr said. \He has such a differ- ent attitude than many people. It's just always positive, that things are always going to get better.\ What is it about his message that makes the difference? Scherr said, \Just that life is so wonderful, and there are people out there who love you and help you if let them.\ He said he believes Ryan deserves recognition. \It's like he gives much more than he receives,\ Scherr said. While he guesses that Ryan gets much personal satisfaction from helping peo- ple. he said, \I think the people he talks to and counsel get more.\ Northport resident and Rotamnan Ann Stevens said, \Jim is a warm, generous spit who gives much to Rotary. to the Northport community and beyond.... It's wonderful to see that such a well- deserving person is receiving your award.\ She added, \Because of Jim's musical talents, I guess I have a special connec- File photo Jim Ryan pictured earlier this year at a Consciousness in the Courtyard meeting that he helped organize in Northport. tion with him. The night he was installed as president at the Rotary Inaugural Dinner, he made the decision that music would be the order of the evening rather than speeches. And it was my personal pleasure to have accompamed him when he treated all the Rotamans to lus singing.\ Northport-East Northport Public Library Director Stephanie Heineman has also known Ryan through Rotary for five years. \I feel very close to him as a person that I can rely on and that | can feel a bond of fmendship with,\ she sard. \In the Rotary we talk about service above self as our governance by which we live, and 1 think that that's a true statement of Jim's community work and his dedication to making things better in the world.\ Meditation teacher and Northport rev- ident Maggie Kalas worked with Ryan in helping to launch Consciousness in the County ard. a loose forum for publ dis- cussion that met four times between August and November Kalas said,. \I happened to be doing my work [as al Reik: master on the ben- efits of joy He was doing work on the art of happiness We wanted to help peo- ple get into a good place on whatever subject was out there, to raise conscious- ness on a more individual level, on how Continued on page A19 Wine Me, Dine Me and you will find me at 'A Taste of Long Island * on Thursday, March 30, 2006 at the Larkfield Manor. Hosted by Visiting Nurse Service & Hospice of Suffolk, East Northport Chamber of Commerce and East Northport Rotary. Proceeds will benefit the Hospice House in East Northport. Enjoy an evening of fine wine and foods while supporting a worthy cause! ‘pmn 24 Larkhield Road, East Northport, 11731 Call the Chamber at 261-3573 Wishing You... THE GIFT OF LOVE THE GIFT OF PEACE THE GIFT OF PROSPERITY THE GIFT OF HEALTH - Grace & Ron Frrreger May Those Gifts Be Yours This Holiday Season, AnduayTheNuYurBame‘WithGoodChmrAndGoodwm. Entrust Us With Your Real Estate Needs And Receive - THE GIFT OF COMMITMENT: |
