High Gear, Wednesday, November 5th
We met in post election bliss or remorse, depending upon political affinities, in South Congregational Church (known around here― I write this from my office― as the other Congregational church) on a beautiful fall day. South Church has done a great job hosting our meetings! I wonder if the preaching there on Sunday morning is as good? I think President Sue should go and find out. She could give us a full assessment at our next meeting. The least our President could do, seems to me. Anyway, thank you South Church for all your gracious hospitality! Back at the good ole Ridge next week.
Cheryl O'Conner helped open the meeting with a rather stirring accompaniment of the Rotary song. I almost started to dance! You go girl! John Shemo opened with prayer seeking divine guidance for our newly elected national leader and the team he will soon assemble. An excellent job by John. Maybe he could go along with Sue on Sunday morning? It would be another perspective.
There were some fines rendered by Dan Firestone the ever diligent Sergeant at Arms.
Mike Malinguaggio (spell that without looking it up) paid for having his picture in the paper while he was at an Italian parade. I guess they are good spellers in Italy. Ceil Collins paid for a Rotary anniversary, Frank Collins for a Rotary anniversary and a wedding anniversary (wait a minute, what about Ceil?), Glen Peterson, because his daughter's smart and got straight A's, Stu Harris because his daughter's smart too and swims great and is number two in the East Hartford High School senior class, Andy Andreo paid for something but I can't read my writing, Nick Cecere for his 2007 Rotary anniversary (yes, that date is right).
George Schoen paid to announce that the other Congregational church is presenting a choir concert. For a mere five bucks you can be transported to spiritual heights just by listening. The date is Sunday evening, November 16th. A bargain for your soul.
New member Chirag Thaker was welcomed into the club. His sponsor is Dan Russell who got a pin and a tag because he has been a sponsorholic. Chirag’s is an engineer working with Dan’s architectural firm and seems to be the kind of quality member the club needs, not to say that we are not all of some quality or another. Great job Dan! Welcome Chirag!
A basket was passed to help pay for the Rotary Float in the Rose Bowl Parade.
International Night is at Sunset Ridge on November 22nd. John Shemo is planning another grand affair. Don’t miss out on the fun!
The Paul Harris awards committee will meet next Wednesday at 11:00 AM at the Ridge. If I understand correctly, this Committee consists of all previous Paul Harris award recipients. Recommendations to the Committee for recipients this year can still be made by contacting Jim Watts directly.
Joan Dorn wrote a note of thanks for our help with the Coats for Kids Campaign through social services at town hall.
Ways and Means Committee is meeting at Bill Leone’s. If you are a member of that Committee please check with Bill about the time. I could not write fast enough.
Art Bradbury expressed appreciation for the condolences he received from club members upon the loss of his brother. Our best to you, Art.
New member Jonathan Ingalls won the raffle. Just goes to show it pays to be a Rotarian. Quickly.
The club decided to hold a plant sale fund raiser sometime in mid spring with the helpful leadership of Skip Guillemette, a great guy but another name spelling challenge.
John Shemo led an interesting program around the issue of attracting good talent for the business and vocational life of the Hartford region. Some things about this look encouraging at this time, others do not. Metro Hartford Alliance, with whom John is employed, tracks statistics about this. Thanks for your work, John.
Guests from last week and this week included Rick Varner and Scott Nozik brought by Glen Peterson, Luke Blanchard a guest of Louise Mazzoli, Jack Martin an acquaintance of Mary Martin, and Marie Keizen from the Manchester club.
Next weeks meeting will be held at the South Congregational Church on Forbes St.
Have a great week!
High Gear, Wednesday, October 29th
Well, today’s meeting was certainly different. We gathered in the atrium-like showroom of FREIGHTLINER where tractors for tractor-trailer rigs are usually displayed. The interior has a slightly cobbled floor and the walls are reminiscent of an old world streetscape. The acoustics were the complete antithesis of those at “the ridge” in that it was quiet, and, unfortunately, hearing was sometimes difficult.
We picked up our box lunches—choices of ham & cheese, roast beef or turkey sandwiches (special order: veggie) with tasty potato salad, mixed fruit, a cookie and a candy, plus chilled drinks. President Sue rang the bell, Art Bradbury gave us a key, we sang, then Sue asked us to face Bob Richmond, who was wearing a flag pin in his lapel, for the usual salute. George Schoen gave an excellent invocation.
As we began eating, John Shemo took the microphone and called our attention to the invitations on the tables for International Night, November 22nd, featuring Italian Cuisine. A sign-up sheet was circulated. Should be an evening filled with good food and fellowship.
Ceil Collins was not in attendance today, so this scribe did not get the green “guest cards” with names carefully filled out. I got a few, and we’ll leave it to next week’s writer to search out the missing information. Guests included Jack Martin (Mary’s husband) Scott, Rick, Ken and Chirag Thaker. Tom Westbrook and Art Bradbury led us in the Welcome Song.
Jack Sayre, Sergeant-at-Arms, reported fines from Don Pitkin for his weekly picture in the paper, Carol Krantz, for her daughter’s picture in Hartford Magazine with Joe Liberman, taken in Iraq where she’s serving in the Army, Judge Herb Barall for his picture on Channel 30 a 7:00 am depicting him dancing an Argentine Tango, Guy LaBella for his picture at a function with John O’Connor drinking Johnny Walker blue (whatever that is) Larry Frazier for thirty-one years, Kathy McCabe for fifteen years and Jack Ghagan for thirty-five years.
President Sue thanked those club members who spent part of Saturday with kids from the Interact Club cleaning a portion of the trail which winds through East Hartford following the Hockanum River. They met on Ecology Drive, and eventually stopped the kids who were enthusiastically starting to clean the landfill—that would have taken years!
Chuck Clarke, Dick McCarty and Sue Klock spent part of Sunday morning at Burlington Coat Factory where fifty deserving and needy kids got new coats for the winter. This is a program wherein we partner with the East Hartford Health & Social Services Department.
Rotery Leadership Institute participants: Sheryl O’Connor, Brian Liss Don Munson.
Chuck Clarke has represented Rotary on the Patriotic Commission for seven years, needs help this coming Saturday, to place flags at Veteran’s Headstones at Hillside Cemetery in time for November 11th.. Be there at 8:00 in the morning.
Dan Firestone announced that our Fire Department is willing to do a CPR training session—a four hour class, need at least six participants. Cost: $55 per person. Contact Dan next week if you are interested.
Peter Klock’s citrus sign-up sheet circulated. The fruit is great, and price is good, and the small profit the club makes goes toward our dictionary program.
If I heard correctly, John Shemo’s son was badly burned in an accident and is in hospital in Bridgeport.
Make-ups: Peter and Sue Klock at the Evanston Lighthouse Club in Illinois.
Kathy McCabe won the raffle.
Sheryl O’Connor introduced our three speakers from FREIGHTLINER. Marty Paganini, Vice President, welcomed us and gave a short history of how and why Freightliner happens to be in East Hartford. The owners have built the business up to where they have a hundred employees. The business generates well over $50 million per annum in revenue. This is the place to come if you need a real rig: $86,000 to $126,000 a pop, 7 miles per gallon, 450 horsepower—not quite a Corvette, but similar is some aspects! Marty finished with a human interest story about a special kid who had serious cancer. Christine Jones who is in charge is sales of smaller van-type vehicles happens to be a member of the Avon-Canton Rotary Club, spoke not about her job, but the human interest aspects of it and her life. And Jim Lyons is a Sales Manager who specializes in designing and getting built fire trucks. Those you do not buy off the showroom floor, but order to your very own special specifications. Jim’s specialty is life saving apparatus. He is a former firefighter, as was his father and grandfather. And Jim had a special interest story about the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. All three speakers held us spellbound. What a fascinating place. Thanks to Freightliner for having us.
N.B. Doug Willett’s new address: dougwillett96@gmail.com
That’s it for my month—Dan Russell
High Gear, Wednesday, October 22, 2008
As I sat down to write this, on a very cool New England evening, I was told that it was snowing in Buffalo. We should count our blessings; winter cannot be too far away! The warmth and conversation around the Rotarians tables is something hard to match. We are privileged to share it. President Sue hit the bell, Sheryl hit the ivories, and all was in order. Pat Gately offered the invocation, quoting some of St. Francis of Assisi’s famous words.
Lunch Menu: rolls and butter, meat loaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, string beans, chocolate cake, the usual beverages. It was appropriate for a fall day.
Frank Collins called to the front Ruthie Sheehan and George Stewart, and then did a short quiz: who were the five past District Governors from East Hartford: Ray Miller, Spike Spiegal, George Stewart, Frank Collins and Jimmy Sheehan. Dick Seidman, from the Hartford Club, also a PDG, joined the group. Then Frank asked President Sue to step forward, and he announced that the District Nominating Committee had chosen her to be one of the next District Governors. By my figuring that would be in something like 2010-2011. What an honor for Sue and for East Hartford! We all doubt that the challenge period will produce anything negative.
Guests today: PDG Dick Seidman, Luke Blanchard, guest of Louise Mazzoli, and guests of Dan Larson: Mais, Jalal and Maha, all young ladies from Jordan, all in the military, who are at Goodwin College to study nursing. Mary Sullivan and Tom Jarish led the Welcome Song, and a fine job they did.
We seem to have enough weekly announcements to fill a society column in an upscale newspaper! Larry Frazier’s mother died recently; our sympathies to Larry and his daughters.
President Sue announced that at the Board Meeting earlier in the week the Board approved the expenditure of $600 which will send two young women to a vocational school for an entire year in Calcutta, India.
Paul Harris nominations are needed—the Committee will meet November 12th. Three from the Club, one from the Community—that’s the number of nominations needed. Make suggestions, fil out a nomination form.
There will be an evening gathering of newer members and their significant others late November/early December.
President Sue announced that five local churches are sponsoring a six-session seminar, Demystifying Islam. Our own Anwar Hossain is one of the presenters for two sessions, his wife Diana, for one session. We surely are a multicultural community.
International Night will be November 22nd, at Veterans Memorial Clubhouse, cooking by Bill Leone and John Shemo: Carmen’s Night—southern Italian fare. It should be a great lot of fun.
The sign-up clip board for our Annual Citrus Sale was circulated. Talk it up. The fruit is great, it usually earns the Club about $500, which should cover the cost of the dictionaries we give to the East Hartford school kids.
The Vocational Service Committee is sponsoring next weeks meeting, at the FREIGHTLINER, 222 Roberts Street, East Hartford. Dan Larson suggested overflow parking next door at 290 Roberts. Box lunches will be provided: any special needs, contact a member of the committee: John Shemo and John Kelleher are chair and vice-chair.
President Sue announced that East Hartford had an excellent at the District Leadership Workshop.
East Hartford Social Services Department is looking for volunteers to help distribute food share non-perishable items, twice a month. This will be a fairly long-term commitment.
Art Bradbury will be playing King Pellinore in the Little Theater of Manchester production of “Camelot” which opens on Halloween. It plays for three consecutive weekends, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with Thursday added to the middle weekend. Cost: $23, $21 for seniors; box office: 647-9824.
George Shoen announced: South Congregational Church, Liturgical Concert, 4 pm, November 16, $5 donation, includes refreshments. Good music!
Jack Sayre, Sergeant-at-Arms report: late arrivals, early leavers, Glen Peterson for various sins (no specifics), Art Bradbury and George Schoen for announcements, Art Apostle and Jack Ghagan for anniversaries, Don Pitkin for his picture in the paper (almost as bad as Rupert Murdock) and Dan Larson for having so many guests from Jordan, and especially for the birthday of Mais. We sang!
Today’s speaker was Kiran Jain, Director of Marketing for Bradley International Airport. Kiran has a number of college degrees, a couple of children who attend St. Christopher School here in East Hartford. She is originally from Kenya, which explained the slight hint of a British accent.
Bradley is developing as a medium sized hub—over two hundred planes a day, flying to as many as thirty-eight cities. It is located, as we are, in the middle of a wealthy and intensely populated region. Eight million passengers per year. She said that flying prices are not likely to come down, that fuel prices have not yet stabilized. And baggage prices are probably here to stay.
Airlines will be flying thirty percent fewer flights, than last year, over the Thanksgiving weekend—they want the planes full. The short- lived Northwest flight to Amsterdam got off to a very successful start, but the winter was difficult—no one flew. January, February, March, they “tanked.” Bradley is trying to get the service reinstated, probably on a reduced basis, but we are up against other airports. These things take time—flight planning takes place six to eighteen months in advance of actual taking off. Kiran suggested that we use our frequent flyer miles before the airlines holding them combine with some other carrier.
Kiran was knowledgeable and interesting.
High Gear for October 15, 2008
Autumn days don’t come much nicer than today—mild temperatures and bright sunshine. For some reason, our group seemed more subdued than last week—but then, we didn’t have twenty-some high school students to engage in conversation. President Sue appeared preoccupied by the fact that our guest speaker had not shown up. She rang the bell on time, we sang saluted our flag, and then Frank Collins offered the invocation, in praise of volunteers and all that they can do.
Lunch was breast of chicken, roasted veggies and squash or sweet potatoes with apples Dessert was a scoop of vanilla ice cream adorned with a couple of strawberry slices. Only two guests today: Mayor Melody Currey and Chirag Thaker, who has been proposed as a new member and who had just met with the Rotary Information Committee. Apparently it was a very interesting information session because Chirag asked many questions. Anyone who has any objections to his membership must get them to President Sue within seven days. George Finch and Pat Gately led us in the Welcome Song.
There were many announcements: Leo Christmas has been missed. We are concerned about his health, which has been a struggle. Leo is being treated for myasthenia gravis caused by an abnormality with his thymus gland. He is at home after a recent stay at the hospital. Cards would be appropriate, because he’s having difficulty speaking.
District Conference will be in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, April 17-19, 2009. It will be a joint effort between Districts 7890 and 7980. There will be lots of demand for rooms, and the hotel is not huge. Register by November 15th and you save significant dollars. President Sue has copies of the registration form: suehklock@gmail.com. The combined District Foundation Dinner will be Thursday, November 6th at the Farmington Marriott. Past RI President Jonathan Majiyagbe will be keynote speaker. Cost: $65 per person. If we put together a table of ten, the cost drops to $60 per person. Let President Sue know if you are interested.
East Hartford Social Services has again asked us to participate in the annual Toys for Children Program. The need is up, and they want gifts by Friday, December 5th. We’ll concentrate on older children, ages 11-12. Educational gifts, MP3 players, CD players, art & craft kits, make-up kits and gift cards to such stores as Wal-Mart, Target and Bob’s are suggested.
Fall Membership Evening for Area 6 Clubs will be Tuesday, October 21st, 7-9 PM at Manchester Country Club. Chairs or a representative of the Membership Committee, Foundation and Public Relations Committees should attend.
Polio Plus Pins were available for the taking. Banks are available for your change during the $33.33 for the month campaign. Peter Klock is again heading up the Citrus Sale. Sign-up sheet was circulated.
The Vietnam Traveling Wall Exhibit will visit East Hartford, and will be on display at Rentschler Field October 15-19. The exhibit is 8 feet high and 370 feet long, and bears the names of 58,260 men and women lost or killed during the Vietnam War. The exhibition opens at midnight, that must be today, and will remain open through 7 PM on October 19. Various ceremonies will include a 612 rider motorcycle escort, a Marine Color Guard, a Drill Team, and Drum & Bugle Corps. Enter Rentschler at the north end, Blue Parking Lot.
Neal Cunningham reported on the manning of the Marathon Water Station. A great time was had by Art & Charlotte Bradbury, Neal himself, David & Nicole Donsbough, George Finch, Dan Firestone, Pat Gately, Todd Gaertner, Rosemary Hogan, Anwar Hossain, Dan & Dorothy Larson, Mary Martin, Barbara & Courtney Mcilrath, James & Lisa Watson, Bob & Debby Wood, George & Jay Stewart, Dick McCarthy, Frank & Ceil Collins and Gil Wishart. That group could hand out gallons and gallons of water!
Meeting on the 29th will be at Freightliner on Roberts Street. Time to put on thinking caps, and come up with some nominations for our annual Paul Harris Awards. Jim Watts has forms and instructions. It is a fine way of honoring members or individuals from the community who have done that little bit extra. That’s what Service above Self means. Rotary has honored more than one million persons in this manner, and when you consider that $1000 has been donated to the Foundation for each of those individuals, it adds up to a lot of money. Flu shots will be available at the Lung Association on Ash Street on November 6th. Ross LaBella won the raffle. Our donations to the South Congregational Church food pantry are making a difference; keep it up.
Sergeant-at-Arms report: Payees: Peter Klock because his phone rang, Sheryl O’Conner had a birthday (she played, we sang), Don Pitkin had his picture in the paper again. Jim Reik paid for being appointed Harbor Master for the Town of East Hartford. Glen Peterson paid because his school received $3000 from Bob’s Stores. Dan Firestone because he has a crazy cat. Doug Willett paid minimally because of the Rays audacity. And our speaker, State of Connecticut Comptroller Nancy Wyman, paid $5, $4 for her grandchildren, and $1 for the invitation to speak.
Nancy’s message was in complete opposition to the weather outside—doom and gloom. At this point she is predicting a $300 million deficit for the fiscal year, and a $500 million shortfall in structured monies, something which was not totally explained. The governor has thirty days in which to come up with a plan of action and revision when our budget is off by that much. She threw a lot of numbers at us. Some $500 million (shortfall?) was carried forward from last year’s budget. As we all know, Wall Street and the economy are in chaos. Five percent of Connecticut’s work force is in the financial industry. Not good. Possibly the $300 million shortfall might be covered by our rainy day fund, which is $1.4 billion. Nancy does not want to touch the grants to cities and towns, because doing so would directly affect individual tax payers. The future is difficult to predict. Nancy is charming, has a great sense of humor, and obviously a very professional grasp on her duties as our Comptroller.
On a sad note Art Bradbury’s brother died this week. Our sympathy goes to Art and his family. Nice to be reporting; three weeks completed, two to go.
High Gear October 8th
Charrier Hall at South Congregational Church, our temporary meeting location, was fuller than usual today. There were perhaps twenty from East Hartford High School, participants in our annual Job Shadow program. That’s more individuals than in some Rotary Clubs! We began as usual, the bell, the Rotary Song, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a succinct invocation by Ted Mosebach, who asked that we might learn to always share. Lunch was garden salad, garlic/herbed bread, ziti with meatballs, deep fried zucchini, followed by a ying and yang of vanilla and chocolate ice cream
Introduction of guests included Heather Sommerer who thanked the assemblage for all the greetings and cards on the birth of her baby. The students took the prize today—they displayed an incredible array of talents and interests. In no particular order, we were pleased to welcome Sandy Phengsomphone, Shantae Bond, Mike Ryan, Todd Aikens, Shalaya Mack, Troy Hester, Jessica Edwards, Mike Huynh, Duke Asare, Kristin Owen, Emma Dingle, Timothy Dang, Bernard Benjamin Tim Shea, Matt Kenyon, Chad Sobo, Shaniqua Dent, Shawntie Allen, Eliana Medina, Avery Fusick, Manas Raval and Joshua Gorda. Other guests: Chirag Thaker, guest of Dan Russell, Ralph Gray from East Hartford High School and Assistant District Governor Michael Barnett. At some point the “kids” were asked to stand. The rest of us applauded. Talk about feeling surrounded! The Welcome Song was led by Glen Peterson, who is getting quite professional at it, and George Schoen.
Sergeant-at-Arms Jack Sayre reported: More Belanger “paid big” for a seventy-seventh birthday, and asked for silence. Sam Leone paid for a birthday, Glen Peterson for a TV appearance with a bunch of 5th graders. Jim Reik also “paid big” for an anniversary, and Steve Jacoby, for an anniversary. President Sue displayed a full page full color RI advertisement from USA Today.
Announcements: Mike Barnett, ADG, reported that the District Conference will be April 17-19, 2009, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Early registrants receive a $50 discount. The conference will be casual, the hotel has somewhat limited space, so the idea of signing up early has merit. The Foundation Dinner, which is also featured in the current District Newsletter, will be at the Farmington Marriott on November 6th. Cost will be $60 per person. Great speakers are guaranteed.
Neil Cunningham reported on the Water Stations for the Hartford Marathon on Saturday. Weather forecast is good. Streets will be closed at 7:30 am, so Neil wants all those participating in handing out water to be at East River Drive before that time. The doughnuts will be there too.
Mary Martin had a phone call from a Rotarian in a corner of New York State to far away that it is almost in Canada That Club is looking for volunteers to weigh fish at a Carp Fishing Tournament which will be on the Connecticut River for three days, October 15, 16 and 17. Interested: Call Kathy Kelly. Her phone: 315-250-3310. There will be twenty-four fishing teams competing.
Nomination forms for Paul Harris Nominations are available: read the instructions, says President Sue. November 22nd will be our International Night (Southern Italian cuisine) with Bill Leone and John Shemo charge. October 15 is the deadline for signing up for the Rotary Leadership Institute “lunch and learn.” Cost will be picked up by the Club. Next week’s speaker: Nancy Weiman, Comptroller of the State of Connecticut. Our 33 Days of Change program is under way. Remember it is our way of having each member, over three years, contribute $100 to Rotary’s POLIO PLUS campaign. Apparently Sam Leone just wrote a check, just prior to leaving for Florida. Pamphlets for polio eradication are available on the ‘handout table.” Chuck Clarke won the raffle.
Our speaker today was Ralph Gray, who teaches at East Hartford High School. Ralph was recently surprised by receiving the Invest Teacher of the Year Award. One of the programs at EHHS is an “Academy of Finance” which is under the aegis of the National Academy Foundation. Students are a true cross section of EHHS. Many of them, through the program, get very interesting jobs related to finance during the summer break. The program is an outgrowth of the insurance industry, looking for young people to come into the companies. Many of our students have gotten not only internships but college scholarships. Ralph called upon three of our student guests to tell about themselves. Shawntae Allen, who spent the morning with Art Apostle, wants to be a Wall Street investor. Avery Fusick, who spent her morning with Mary Sullivan, currently has an internship with the Travelers. She was interested in seeing the workings of a smaller company. Mike Ryan, who spent the morning with Tom Galvin, commented on the knowledge and craftsmanship involved with dentistry.
We can never know how the morning’s activities might affect some of these young people. Years ago, a young man from EHHS spent the morning at my office, thinking he might be interested in architecture. He went to an architectural school in Philadelphia, graduated, worked for my firm, did his apprenticeship, took his exams, became an architect, and then was hired away by a much larger firm. We still talk occasionally. We closed with one verse of “My Country ‘tis of Thee.” Then students and sponsors gathered for a series of group photos.
Nice to be writing--- Dan Russell
High Gear October 1st
It’s hard to believe that 2008 is now seventy-five percent gone! But here we are into October already. After a heavy morning downpour complete with thunder, the skies clears and the day became delightfully sunny—just right for our weekly Rotary Meeting. President Sue wandered around a bit, gavel in hand, looking for all the world as if she were ready to give someone the biz—but she only attacked the bell, gently. How fortunate we are to have Sheryl at the keyboard. Rotary Song, Pledge of Allegiance, a fitting invocation by Bob Wood, and the Krause Crew served lunch: beef stew in acorn squash shell, grilled veggies, rolls and butter, followed by pudding with a dollop of whipped topping. Tasty. The Reverend Al Turner, Pastor at South Congregational Church, joined us for lunch, guest of George Schoen. Al took the opportunity to tell us that the East Hartford Food Bank needs are currently greater than usual. There is a spot for us to drop off non-perishable food items in the hallway. Let us each try to remember to bring at least one item weekly.
Guests today: Dick Kelley, PDG, member of the South Windsor Rotary Club, Al Turner, as above, Vidya Iyer, from Glastonbury, guest of Peter Klock, and Joy Bittner, guest of Mary Martin. Glen Peterson led us in a spirited rendition of the Welcome Song.
Jack Sayre began his month as Sergeant –at- Arms. Jack Ghagan paid for his grandson Jacob’s 15th birthday. Donna Bys and Dan Russell had anniversaries, Ned Lynch and Brian Liss were late, and paid additional monies for something to do with the Red Sox. Guy LaBella paid for his picture, as President of the Chamber of Commerce, in the newspaper.
President Sue announced that the Polio Pig netted $140 in September. PDG Dick Kelley spoke about the Polio Plus Campaign, begun some twenty-seven years ago. The District’s goal then was one million dollars. Our current goal is a hundred dollars a member over the next three years, all of which will be put into matching the incredibly generous grant from the Gates Foundation—one hundred million—but that is what it will take to truly eradicate polio from the face of the earth. South Windsor will be hosting a Golf Tournament to get their three year goal met early.
Dick then talked about Rotary’s Ambassadorial Scholars and the Dunn Scholarship Fund. He has served on the District Scholarship Committee for well over a decade, and today he was delighted to introduce Joy Bittner, an East Hartford resident and native, who will be our next Scholarship recipient, traveling abroad for a year’s study in September 2009. Joy stood out above a field of ten applicants. She is very attractive, well spoken and obviously bright, with bachelors and masters degrees to her credit. Dick then opined that world peace will come through Rotary, one step at a time—let us not leave it to the politicians!
Other announcements: Jim Watts is soliciting nominations for our annual Paul Harris Awards. Sheryl O’Connor reminded us that the Job Shadow Program is next Wednesday—Rotarians are to pick up students at East Hartford High School at 8:00 am, and after a morning at various businesses, take the kids to lunch, and then return them to the High School. Some car pooling after lunch may be available. October 29th, we will have lunch off site—at the Freightliner on Roberts Street. Neil Cunningham wants all those signed up for the Water Station to be sure that they are signed up on the web site, because that will give those workers a Hartford Marathon Jacket.
The weekly raffle was won by Ross LaBella.
Our speaker today was our own Frank Collins, an incredible Rotarian: Past District Governor, Past R.I. Vice President, trainer at PETS. He’s been to seventeen International Conventions, many Zone Institute gatherings. Frank and Ceil have participated in N.I.D (Immunization Day) in Nigeria and Egypt. He chaired East Hartford’s Redevelopment Agency for twenty-one years. His list of awards would fill anyone’s living room wall. Frank purpose was to talk about the Rotary Leadership Institute, which was begun and is run by Rotary volunteers, started in the early 90’s by David Linett in Northern New Jersey. David was disheartened, as a District Governor, by the lack of knowledge Rotarians had about opportunities beyond their own clubs. The Institute has grown and grown, now circles the globe. A typical Part I Session would include: a Welcome; Rotary beyond the Club; Membership Retention; Introduction to the Foundation; Leadership and Team Building and Service Projects. That’s all in one day. Good training for anyone in business, for anyone who aspires to be a club officer, and certainly a necessity for anyone wanting to go on to the District level or beyond. The Institute continues through Parts II and III, and becomes a “graduate program” in Part IV. There is a Session, one day, October 25 in Chicopee, Massachusetts; costs are reimbursed by the Club. Anyone can attend. President Sue and Peter have attended three sessions, she is entirely enthusiastic. Knowledge never hurt anyone
.Makeups: Don Munson, East Longmeadow; Mary Martin twice, Ambassadorial Scholarship Committee Meeting, Worcester Massachusetts; Anwar Hossain, E-Club; and Steve Jacoby, N.E. Links, Ambassadorial Scholarships.
A lot of material was covered in today’s meeting! Nice to be with you.---- Dan Russell
High Gear September 24th
We meet (again) at the “South Church” for our regular Rotary meeting, and, yes, it we’re still in a string of beautiful days though a tad nippy around the edges.
REMINDER: WE MEET AT SOUTH CONG.CHURCH UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE: WE NEED HELP WITH SET –UP AND TAKE DOWN TABLES, ETC. STARTING ABOUT 10:30 AM.
After our Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Pres. Sue called upon Bryan Liss, who delivered a thoughtful prayer to the Almighty for all of us and our continuing efforts to make this world a better place.
Pres. Sue followed with reminders of several Committee Meetings, all at 11:30 AM next week . ALSO Carol Krantz (ckmetlife.com) is now in charge of keeping our website up to date weekly. Keep her email address handy so you can send her changes or additions as needed.
Golf Committee Chairman George Schoen reported that our 21st annual Golf Tournament was the best of all for overall receipts. The weather was beautiful and the golfers had a great day. Bill Saunders reported that Nick Cecere won two nice clubs in the Raffle and his team won low net and the putting contest. In a spirit of generosity, Nick said he gave the loot to the “Liars Club of America”.
RAFFLE: George Finch:gave to Herb Tischofer for Sgt/Arms Fund (generous GF, but unnecessary).
George Schoen, who sponsored Jonathan D. Ingalls, presented him to the Club as a new member, and President Sue gave him a proper welcome with the credentials to make it all legit.
Committee Meeting of Note: Ways and Means Committee: October 1, 2008 at 6:30 P.M at Bill Leone’s house – Supper provided.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Bike tour this weekend. Contact new member, Jonathan Ingalls.
More: Ruth Sheehan : Condolences to Friends of Yankees; Art Apostol: Congrats To Friends of the
Socks (?); BIRTHDAYS: Peter Klock and Ned Lynch.
CLUB ANNIVERSARIES: John Shemo (27 years); Dean Roland (35 years}
MAKE-UPS: SCHOEN, FALLON, SAUNDERS, McCARTHY.
GUESTS: Ravin Dran (Russell); Chris Hartenstine (Peterson); Paul LeBlanc
VISITOR: Atty. Deborah Eisenberg (Glastonbury).
SERGEANT AT ARMS FOR OCTOBER: Jack Sayre Warning: LOOK OUT!
Our speaker today was Doug Willett who gave us a very well-prepared summary of his Membership committee’s work in setting out some conditions of our Club a few years ago, describing among other matters the average age of our members then and the critical need for the Club to encourage bringing in new and younger members to expand our membership and at the same time lower the average age of our members. It’s evident that the effort to accomplish these goals has been successful to date, but the need to continue these efforts goes on. “Time and Tide wait for no man”. Doug then continued to describe a broader approach with specific goals outlined for the future. Great job by Doug and his group.
COMMENT: Create a copy of the Power Point Presentation for circulation among the Members, or at least among committee chairs. If a copy of each “slide” could be made into a pamphlet for each member that would be best. Too bad Doug’s talk wasn’t taped as a “model” for circulation among other clubs and go as far in that direction as is reasonable. Our concerns are not unique to East Hartford.
We closed as Pres. Sue rang the Bell.
GWB
High Gear September 17th
This time we meet (again) at the “South Church” for our regular Rotary meeting, and, yes, it was a sunny day.
A REMINDER: WE MEET AT THE CHURCH AGAIN NEXT WEEK AND FOR AN AS YET UNDETERMINED NUMBER OF WEDNESDAYS THEREAFTER. We need a bunch of strong guys to set up tables and chairs starting at 10:30 A.M AND DOING THE TAKE-DOWN AT THE END OF THE MEETING..
After our Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, Pres. Sue called upon Carol Krantz, who led us in prayer to the Almighty to bless us all and our efforts to further the purposes of Rotary.
Welcome Song was led by Steve Tamiso and Herb Barall and accompanied by Sheryl O’Connor at the 88’s.
Pres. Sue followed with reminders of several Committee Meetings, all at 11:30 AM next week. We need a piano player for next week: Volunteers call Pres. Sue. ALSO Carol Krantz (ckmetlife.com) is now in charge of keeping our website up to date weekly. Keep her email address handy so you can send her changes or additions that she may need.
Golf Committee Chairman George Schoen reminded us that a few more volunteers are needed to help out on game day, the 21st annual Golf Tournament . Place: Manchester Country Club. Monday (next) September 22nd . George also reported that 130 golfers (10 more than last week and probably a cut-off number, but check with George). We do need more Raffle prizes, and Monday is the drop-dead date to get raffle prizes delivered. See George.
NOTE TO ALL: Jonathon D. Ingalls, having been proposed for membership and, having gone through the procedures, will be voted on for admission to the Club on September 24th, unless an objection to his admission is made to President Sue in writing prior to such meeting.
Sheryl O’Connor said she has 25 E.H. students lined up for ”Job Shadowing Day” at 8:15 a.m.
October 8th . Pretty impressive. But do we have 25 Rotarians still working? Oh, I get it. Each Rotary job holder shepherds three students through his or her day work day and one “mature” Rotarian takes one student to the Coffee Club. All kidding aside, good job, Sheryl!
Committee Meetings of note: International Committee Next Wednesday , October 24, 2008 6:00 P.M. at Tom Galvin’s house.
Ways and Means Committee: October 1, 2008 at 6:30 P.M at Bill Leone’s house – Supper provided.
Water Stations: Neal
Cunningham is looking for help to pass
out water cups to the runners in the Greater Hartford Marathon on October 11th.
How about some volunteers?
Board Meeting: To vote, inter alia, on a proposal to make a donation of $500.00 to the Raymond Library for weekly book purchases. You Board members know the date and time.
This week’s announcement on special happenings were made by Sgt At Arms Herb Tischofer for various and sundry events such as pins and badges and specifics such as: Wedding Anniversaries: Herb and Reggie Barall (56 years); Bill and Linda Secord; Glen and Lauren (Cragg) Peterson –Birthday George Schoen (71) ; Anniversary: Glen Peterson Also, the family picnic at Wickham Park last Sunday – good fun, good games (Credit Glen Peterson).
MAKE-UPS, CLUB VISITORS AND GUESTS: Herb Barall and his wife, Reggie; Also Ian Picken.
With make-ups being on the low side, Pres. Sue reminded us that there are some easy ways to keep attendance at a higher level, one being to have committee chairs turn in the names of members present at committee meetings to the attendance committee or to the collector of luncheon cards at a regular meeting. It would seem that those working the Golf Tournament next Monday should be given an attendance credit. Each one gives up a lot more time than they would at a regular meeting. There are other occasions which would also qualify.
The raffle was won by Art Bradbury (sorry, Ruth, you gotta be here!).
Pres. Sue also mentioned Mercy Housing and presently a need for shoes to wear in job interviews, thus shoes which are decent looking and wearable (not ready for the trash bin).
SPEAKER: Pat Gately introduced our speaker, Kathy Randall, a former President of the E.H. Board of Education and an ace member of the E.H. Lions Club. And before she got into her recruiting mode, she recited a few areas the Lions have a special interest in, namely, student scholarships, eyeglasses, Fidelco. The E.H. Club has 44 members, 25-30 usual attendees, etc. etc. and now onto the recruiting program. At this point Pres. Sue worked the “misdirection play” and soon we were singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee, Sweet land of Liberty…”.
Amen for this week except for the following “P.S.”
P.S. Last weeks winners in the great Rotarian poetry quiz were, in the order of answer receipts:
First: Joan Brow The Poem : “The Cremation of Sam McGee”
Second: Larry Frazier The poet: Robert W. Service, an Englishman who migrated to Canada at about the age 20 in 1894, became a newspaper writer, freelance writer and poet. Wrote occasionally about the Alaskan Gold Rush and the areas near and about Dawson (City).
Third: Sue Klock
Fourth: Tom Westbrook
Opening line of poem: “There are strange things done ‘neath the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold;” …The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold” etc.
The clues, most of which point to Alaska, are:
a) A furnace. The boiler in a derelict boat on the edge (“marge”) of Lake Lebarge, in which the tale teller built a fire in the boat’s boiler (furnace) to cremate Sam since Sam had made him promise to do, so Sam (from Tennessee) would once again be warm. And he was, and was smiling a big smile when the story teller, after a long wait, opened the boiler door was told by Sam to shut the door. It was the first time he was warm since he left Tennessee .
b) A recent new figure on the big political scene. Sarah Palin, Governor of the State of Alaska and Vice-Pres. nominee.
c) Red-Nosed Rudolph. - A reindeer somewhere in the area of the North Pole.
d) The Dawson Trail. – Dawson, a ‘City” roughly in the middle of Alaska, and the Dawson Trail ran into and out of the road (“trail”) to Dawson.
I had some fun and four others did, too. But given the many Rotarians in our Club, the percentage of participants led to a “cease and desist” order.
“Mmmmm” Two men and two women? Try again? Nahhh! …..BUT, “You may talk o’ gin and beer when you’re quartered safe out ‘ere, ‘ An’ you’re sent to penny-fights an’ Aldershot it; But when it comes to slaughter you will do your work on water, ‘An you’ll lick the bloomin’ boots of ‘im that’s got it. …. ”
High Gear -- September 10, 2008
Again we meet at the Sunny Ridge for some Rotary fun and serious stuff.
Pres. Sue called first upon Stu Harris, who delivered a thoughtful prayer to the Almighty to bless us all and our efforts for the common good through Rotary.
Pres. Sue followed with reminders of forthcoming Committee Meetings, all at 11:30 AM next week, which are as follows: Program Com., Public Relations Com., Golf Com. (a couple of volunteers needed by George Schoen to help out on game day). George also reported that 120 golfers will tee off and 120 sponsors will have signs posted on the tees in their honor. George must have twisted some arms,
AND BIG NOTE TO ALL: We are meeting next week at South Congregational Church and continuing thereafter at the Church for an undetermined number of weeks. For next week, we need help in setting up tables starting at 11:30 AM;
NOTE TO ALL NO. II: Jonathon D. Ingalls, having been proposed for membership and having gone through the procedures, will be voted on for admission to the Club on September 24th unless an objection to his admission is made to President Sue in writing prior to such meeting.
A huge amount of money was collected by the Sgt At Arms Skip Guillemette for various and sundry events: Birthdays: Empress Mary Martin, Bob Richmond (silence), Art Apostol, Wedding Anniversaries: Jack Ghagan and Sam Leone; Wedding Anniversary and Birthday ; Dan Larson – 2 Announcements (maybe heard one if he actually said Diamond George Agnelli repaired two watches sans charge for 2 Jordanian visitors; Picture in paper -Don Pitkin.
The raffle was won by Ruth Sheehan. Way to go Ruth! Skill does it every time.
MAKE-UPS: At a nearby Rotary Club: Jim Watts, Art Bradbury, Frank Collins, Jackie Danise, George Stewart, Brian Liss. At a farby Club, Steve Jacoby, Amsterdam from whence he brought a banner and presented it to Pres. Sue.
VISITORS: Dan and Loretta Dienst (Frank Collins, looking good and we’re all glad to see him back so soon after his ordeal); Trenishia Gibbs (Brian Liss); Jonathan Ingalls (George Schoen); Peg Spiller (Roy); Ian Picken, visiting us from Jolly Olde (BobWood).
Many thanks to Art Bradbury for his most welcome assistance in feeding the undersigned 99% of the meeting info, or this could be a one liner: “We met, we ate, we left”.
And now the Program presented to us by Tom Spiller, Assistant Fire Marshall for the Town and Todd Lomento, Medical Officer from the Fire Department. A very interesting presentation followed by many questions from those present. The discourse revolved around an Automatic External Defibrillator
(A.E.D.) for use in emergency 911 situations when a person is in dire circumstances from heart failure and/or other emergency. They are used by the respondent medics or trained EMT’s to use directly on the patient in his/her home, or wherever, to restore heart function by electric shock, if needed, or other means to keep the patient alive until transport to a hospital can be made. The A.E.D. gives out its operating
procedures automatically, guiding its operator through each step with recorded voice instructions. Not cheap at $2,000.00 a copy but life-saving under practically any conditions.
Our guest speakers also distributed to all a “File of Life” kit for placing on your home refrigerator or other convenient spot. This is to be filled out with personal vital health statistics to in sure proper for home occupants, including prescriptions used, general health matters, etc. This kit is being circulated by the Fire Department and is sponsored by the East Hartford Housing Authority.
Again, a good program of interest to all.
GWB
P.S. No blame to Art for the following:
A surprise quiz of interest to some, to a few or to none – as follows:
What is the name of a certain poem, the location of its tale and its author?
The first line of the poem is “There are strange things done ‘neath the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold;”
You may have read it during you middle teen years (Tom Westbrook and/or Bill Leone in Form III or IV).
A couple of clues: a) A furnace.
b) A recent new figure to the big political scene.
c) Red-Nosed Rudolph.
d) The Dawson Trail.
P.P.S. Good luck.
High Gear -- September 3, 2008
Seemingly a smallish gathering, the numbers swelled before our eyes, or was it the shiny new silverware? Labor Day usually marks that inevitable dividing line between summer and fall, but this one really felt like a summer one, with more than a little heat and humidity. Dave Amberg was well prepared to ask for the blessings of divine guidance through not only the meal, but also the Rotary year ahead.
Even before the meal was served, President Sue rang us into order for a few important messages from our sponsor (actually, from Sheryl O’Connor!), to wit: 1) the So. Windsor and East Hartford Rotary Clubs are co-sponsoring a series of nine Cultural Arts classical music concerts (freebies) beginning on Oct. 26th and running through May 3, 2009; and 2) Oct. 8 will be the date of our Job Shadowing Day adventure for EHHS students. Needed are Rotarians to pick ‘em up, host, teach, mentor, bring them to lunch at Rotary, and then return the kids to school. Lots of planning needs doing, so it’s imperative that sign-ups happen by next Wednesday, the 10th. And then Glen Peterson told of the Family Committee’s next venture, a picnic at Wickham Park on Sept. 14, 1 to 4:00PM. A Sign–up sheet started around. We all know how successfully the Rock Cats venture turned out, so lets all get behind this picnic idea; bring your own food to grill and beverage to drink; there’ll be games to play and a real bonding opportunity for the East Hartford family of Rotary.
While all this info was being offered and digested, stuffed peppers (now there’s one we haven’t seen in a long time!), mashed potatoes, and green beans claimed our attention, followed by some very tasty cake for dessert. The main meal always provides a good chance to try out the Welcome Song for our Guests with different leaders, and today they were Ed Casella, Mo Moshovos, and the increasingly reliable Sheryl at the helm. (I feel sure Don is smiling down at us every Wednesday noon!). Good job, guys! Oh yeah, the Guests were Chirag Thaker, Maria Keiser, Jonathan Ingalls, and today’s speaker, Jim Kate.
Sgt. At Arms Herb Tischofer used his Bully Pulpit to make a convincing case for conscientious “greeters” each week, so that visiting Rotarians (or any visitors) feel welcome and at ease. President Sue echoed this refrain with an appeal for assigned Greeters to be on hand at 11:45. Herb also reported on Glen Peterson’s 48th birthday with a request that all under 48 rise to serenade him. Due to the spirited membership drive activities urged by Doug Willett, there were actually 7 or 8 members rising to fill the bill. President Sue told of her goal this year to assign new members to committees immediately after joining, thus helping in the assimilation process.
Subbing for Golf Committee chair George Schoen (in attendance, but suffering from severe bronchitis), Bill Saunders cited the short 2 ˝ weeks ‘til tournament time, and urged members to come up with raffle prizes and hole sponsorships, both of which are basic to producing a financially successful tournament. It was noted that pre-meetings next week include the Golf and Family Committees, both at 11:30, and the Rotary Information Committee at 11:15. (There was undoubtedly an agenda today, but for some reason it seemed sort of inside out; probably just my note-taking). Oh yes, the raffle winner was guest Chirag Thaker (Dan Russell probably bought him his ticket!)
We heard from President Sue that the Rotary PIG took in over $139 during August, with the district-provided oinkers soon to be gracing the mantle in all of our homes. And we learned that next week’s meeting will feature Leroy’s son Tom Spiller, the Town Fire Department’s Asst Fire Marshall, as he educates us with a demonstration of one of their new defibrillators. Sounds like something we need to know more about. And if we needed any more evidence of a fast approaching fall season, we learned that our meetings will commence at South Congregational Church on Forbes St. on Sept.17th, only 2 weeks away (for the annual conversion of the Ridge into a Haunted House!)
Reported make-ups included Gaertner in Bristol; Bradbury, Schoen (along with former EH Rotarian Roger Nicholson) in Saco Bay, ME; and a whole host of us, perhaps working at the Klock’s picnic: Saunders, Fallon, Schoen, Wishart, McCarthy, McCabe, Roland, Peterson, & Frazier.
Program today, introduced by Pat Gately, featured our town’s Coordinator of Recycling, and a retired former union electrician, Jim Kate. On a subject which more and more involves all American’s, Jim cleared up a number of issues, questions and concerns about what, when, how often, where and how we should be disposing of lots of things that once simply filled our trash barrels: plastic, batteries, newspapers, and all kinds of hazardous waste. We learned how to find out what other towns are doing, and when, about annual electronic recycling, by clicking onto WWW.CRRA.org. And we learned (or at least this reporter did) that Jim Kate spends about 3 hours of each workday acting as “big brother” in actually peeking into our rubbish barrels, at the curb in front of our homes, to make sure we’re not breaking recycling rules, or laws, as spelled out in town ordinances. Yes, there are warnings and, ultimately, fines for not following them. Most interesting, and very informative.
This was a fill-in job today for Gerry Brady, who hopes to be with us and then back at his computer keyboard next week. Nice we could get together.
Arthur
The kiddies returned to school today, so the summer is rapidly drawing to an end. But you couldn’t tell that by the large, enthusiastic crowd that gathered at the Ridge to celebrate a significant milestone in the history of East Hartford Rotary. Today is not only the 88th anniversary of women obtaining the right to vote in this country, it is more importantly the 20th anniversary of women in the East Hartford Rotary Club. Our first woman Rotarian, (along with Barbara Benson), and our first woman Club President, the Empress, Mary Martin, celebrated her Club anniversary today.
Since her admission to the Club, women have come to make up more than 20% of our membership, and we are currently benefiting from the administration of our third female Club President, Susan Klock. And the contributions made by longest tenured woman Rotarians Mary Martin, Kathy McCabe, Jackie Danise and Carol Krantz have made a world of difference to our Club and provided an example for our less tenured Rotarians, both women and men, to emulate. Who was the intrepid Club President who risked his administration to bring in Mary and Barbara anyway? The name is lost in time.
Our guests today for a ample buffet were Tim Bartles, Maria Keiser from Manchester, Jonathan Ingles once again, and Ray Johnson, local historian. Kim Beauregard and Dan Firestone provided leadership for the Welcome Song and Dan Larson, departing from his usual demeanor, offered an appropriate grace.
George Finch, American Eagle Credit Union and Kim Vamvakas from Goodwin College were inducted into our midst today. They mark the 30th and 31st new members inducted since the start of our 30 Under 55 Campaign two plus years ago, and bring the number of new members under 55 to either 21 or 22, depending upon verifying a couple of birthdays. We have 10 months to come up with another 8 or 9 qualifying members, so keep that is mind as you are out and about in the community.
Sergeant At Arms Nick Cecere had another light day today with fines from Don Pitkin who paid because his picture wasn’t in the paper this week, causing us undue embarrassment, Todd Gaertner, who paid to celebrate his daughter going off to college, and the afore mentioned Mary Martin, who paid handsomely for her Club anniversary. Club President Sue singled out Kathy McCabe for her outstanding contributions to the very successful Club Picnic last week.
Jim Fallon rose to make the case for the rapidly upcoming Golf Tournament. We need to confirm today the golfers who will be playing. Not eventually before the Tournament on September 21st, but today! We make our money from key sponsors at $150 a pop, and we need those signed up today. We need raffle prizes declared and delivered to Larry Frazier today. Suffice it to say, we are now in crunch time and that sucking sound you are hearing is our Golf Committee trying to keep its collective head above the water hazard and out of the sand trap. Do what good Rotarians do in these circumstances.
More great news today. We have been informed that our nominee for the Gladys and Robert Dunn Scholarship, Joy Bitner, has been selected to receive the $23,000 stipend for a year’s study abroad in 2009-2010. Many thanks to Mary Martin who nominated her, and Bill Secord, who helped her through the process. Rumor has it that Miss Bitner, who was home schooled here in town, and who has spent her summers working with the poor in Latin America, blew them away in her interviews. Take that, West Hartford Rotary.
Sign up next week if you haven’t already for the Family Picnic to be held Sunday, September 14 from 1-4 p.m. at Wickham Park. We will be at the McGraft Pavilion and you can bring your own picnic lunch. Grilling facilities are available and all are welcome, kids, grandkids, rug rats, dogs, horses, the more the merrier.
In this week’s non program, Jackie Danise and Bill Secord reported to the Club on the East Hartford “Images of America” project. This will produce a photo book covering the history of East Hartford and the committee (add Roy Spiller and Ray Johnson) is looking for historical photos, prints, ephemera, etc. by the end of the year. The stories will be told in captions under the pictorials. All proceeds will go to the East Hartford Rotary Scholarship Funds. Contact Jackie, Bill or Roy for more information or to submit material. It is projected to be ready for the 2009 Holiday season.
Our first official program begins next week with James Kate, East Hartford’s Recycling Director scheduled to present.
And to close this month’s High Gear assignment off, some even more great news. Frank Collins survived his extensive operation and arrived home this day tired but thankful. Drop him a line.
That’s it from the beach. Go Rays. WDOUGW
East Hartford Rotary has had a lot of great picnics and outings over the years, and some of them may have been equal to last night’s affair, but certainly none in my memory outdid this one. It was a large crowd, more than 90 strong, with a rich mix of old friends and new faces. It was great to see Scottie and Ann, Roy and Peg Spiller, the Liss family including the six month old future Rotarian baby boy, Rita Brown, and so many other Rotarian spouses and old and new friends. Our hosts President Sue and Peter Klock set up extra tables and they were put to good use. It was a beautiful evening, with the sun shining and the air carrying more than a hint of the upcoming autumn season.
The set up was a little different this year, with hors d’oeuvres and desserts provided along with the main meal. There was a wide selection and everything was delicious. Sausage and Peppers, Stuffed Mushrooms, Meatballs, Cheeses and crackers, Salsa and Chips, Olives. Followed by Chicken, Salad, and Potatoes. And topped with ice cream treats. And all for just $5 per person. Somebody is either robbing the food locker or someone with deep pockets is subsidizing this affair on the q.t.
The committee that put it all together and deserves our thanks was led, as usual, by the indefatigable Kathy McCabe with lots of assistance from Ed Cassela, Ruth Sheehan, Ceil Collins, Neal Cunningham, Larry Frazier, Tom Galvin, Louise Mazzoli (did the work but was unable to attend), Bob Richmond, Dean Roland, Tom Jarish and Tom Westbrook. Not mentioned but I suspect doing more than his and her share were our hosts, Peter and Sue. PP Dan Larson did triple duty collecting the fees, impersonating a minion of Price, Waterhouse to deliver the Golf Outing results, and acting as official bell ringer. More on the last later. Art Bradbury did his usual job of providing a thoughtful invocation.
The Golf Outing was another success on this beautiful late summer day. The pacesetters were the team of Bill Saunders, Chuck Clark, George Schoen and Doug Willett but they were followed closely by the team of Dave Amberg, Art Bradbury and Bob Mayo (Steve Tamiso’s son-in-law), and the team of Jim Fallon, Glen Peterson and Steve Jacoby. A good time was had by all.
There were few announcements today but again the Club is reminded that the Youth Service and the Vocational Service Committees are each meeting next Wednesday at 11:30 at the Ridge. (May be a good way to reduce the number of announcements each week is to require our President to stand on a diving board above a pool of cold water during this portion of the meeting. Seemed to work well tonight.) No raffle or Sergeant At Arms report was offered this evening.
Your High Gear editor was having too much fun eating and drinking and conversing to take many notes tonight, so this is all there is to this week’s edition. Other than the closing incident of Danny and the Bell. It seems that a 150 pound bell is just the thing to cause Danny Boy to unleash his aggressions by pounding the hapless bell so spiritedly that the bell detached from its stanchion, plunged to the pool deck, and scattered Jack Ghagan, Larry Frazier and all the others who were seated in the vicinity. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men were required to lift and reposition the unfortunate object. No one had the heart to look for cracks in the bell’s surface, but suffice it to say that Big Dan will not be invited to Philadelphia anytime soon.
Well it looks like the Bronx team is turning out to be somewhat less than Bombers this year, so we are reduced to rooting for the Rays and the Twins to join the Angels for the chance to meet Manny’s red hot L.A. Dodgers in the post season. Who you pickin’, Ruthie?
WDOUGW
Great turnout today to welcome newly minted District Governor Jim Dusza of the Holyoke Club. The DG has already visited 42 clubs since the first of July and finally got around to the best of them all today. More on his remarks below.
Guests were plentiful today including visiting Rotarians PDG Dick Seidman (he needs to start paying dues!), Ralph Gray and Maria Keissler of Manchester, Rotarian candidate Jennifer Vamvakas, potential Rotary candidate Jonathan Ingalls of American Financial Services at Founders Plaza, and my favorite Rotary Annie, the inestimable Diane Willett.
Great to see Moe Belanger back after a rough couple of months at the Lake. Rumor has it that he has a brand new motorized wheelchair that comes with a GPS system and a Harley Davison tattoo. The word in Coventry is “keep the kids in the house and out of his way. “ At least until he learns to steer and stop the thing.
Following up on Jay Stewart’s truly memorable invocation last week, PeePee Bill (Saunders that is) quieted us with a thoughtful message about the precarious nature of the world and the opportunity Rotarians have to make a difference. Several of us were looking for the roman collar but none was to be seen. Tom Westbrook and Art Bradbury and Cheryl O’Connor (let us not forget dear Cheryl) lead us in a rousing rendition of the Welcome Song.
Sergeant At Arms Nick Cecere reported on birthdays for Gil Wishart (77), Herb Barall (76) and John Shemo (55); Rotary anniversaries for PRIVP & PDG Frank Collins (38 years) and Marion Martinez (1); and, the big one today, the 61st wedding anniversary of George and Jay Stewart. There has to be a special place in Heaven for anyone being married to George for 61 years. Maybe you can help the rest of us get in when our time comes, Jay.
Just a few announcements today:
v George Schoen asked that those who plan to play in the Golf Tournament, please, please fill out the needed forms. We need to commit to the Club on the number of golfers to expect.
v President Sue reported on several nice thank you notes received this week.
v The Youth Service Committee and the Vocational Service Committee will both be meeting in two weeks, August 27th at 11:30.
v No noon meeting next week – Club Picnic at the Klocks’ starting at 5 p.m. All members are encouraged to be there or be square.
At this point, PresSue introduced our new District Governor, Jim Dusza, the youngest DG is some time at the tender age of 44. He runs his own business, something involving warehouses, and still finds the time to spread the message of Rotary. The details of his bio were a little sparse at the meeting but his focus and enthusiasm for Rotary was very evident in his energetic remarks.
DG Jim urged us to “Make Dreams Real” by considering how we can help reduce the tragic fact that more than 30,000 kids die every day from preventable causes. We can do that by contributing to international efforts to reduce polio, measles, and malaria and by supporting water and literacy projects around the globe. But DG Jim particularly challenged us to think “local” – what are the things we can do right here in our community to cherish and protect our children?
DG Jim followed this challenge up with another we can all take pride in and achieve without great sacrifice. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has already written a check for a Matching Grant to Rotary International for our Polio Campaign to the tune of $250,000,000. Rotary needs to raise $100,000,000 to keep our end of the bargain. DG Jim is asking every Rotarian in the District to participate in a “33 Days of Change” campaign, wherein each Rotarian will agree to place loose change in a piggy bank provided from September 2nd to October 4th. The goal is to collect on average $33 from each Rotarian each year for three years. If we can get the 1.2 million Rotarians around the world to do the same, the needed match is a layup.
In addition to the R.I. Theme for the year, DG Jim has one of his own for the District. “What can the District do for you?” From updating the District Conference to make it more informative and more family friendly (and more affordable), to expediting the awarding of District funds in matching grants, to a District Resource Guide, to help with attracting new members, DG Jim is determined to give back to each Club as much as he can. He is full of ideas and enthusiasm and is off to a great start.
That’s it for today. We’ll see you next week at the Klocks and, in the meantime, keep rooting for Michael Phelps. He is a once in a lifetime athlete, a seemingly unaffected kid, and he is setting records that we are unlikely to see challenged in our lifetime. Let’s enjoy him pure before the Great American Marketing Machine inevitably begins to shove him down our throat.
So as baseball’s most dynamic announcer says whenever ARod goes yard…Seeeee Yah. WDOUGW
“The seasons spinning round again; the years keep rolling by.” Harry Chapin
Another Rotary year is well underway and President Sue has taken charge of the house – as well as the garage, the outbuildings and the summer cottage at the beach. Her command presence at the podium and enthusiasm for all things Rotary should serve us in good stead this year. We are fortunate to enjoy such a rich continuum of leadership in this key position.
Lots of activity today, particularly in the depths of summer, with committees meeting everywhere, and a large and boisterous crowd enjoying Rotary fellowship. Dan Larson and Brian Liss led the Welcome Song to greet visitors including PDG Dick Seidman, ADG Mike Barnett, old buddy Fred Campbell, Ted Marina, guest of Nick Cecere, and Julie Lipton, sister of our newly minted Treasurer and First Gentleman, Peter Klock.
Jennifer Vamvakas, from Goodwin College, one of two prospective new members, was also present. Jennifer, and George Finch, American Eagle Credit Union, who couldn’t stay for lunch, but did attend a Rotary Information session prior to the meeting, are hereby posted for membership and anyone with any objections to their inclusion in the Club should notify President Sue and/or the Board of Directors within seven days.
Sergeant At Arms Jack Sayre announced the birth of a granddaughter to Pat Gately last Sunday, Elsa Catherine Gately – could it be that the old fashioned names are also “spinning round again”? Bill Saunders and Ceil Collins paid for birthdays (“the years keep rolling by”), Mary Martin paid for being all over the media, and Stu Harris paid to brag about his daughter, Julia, a member of the LEHY Swim Team who competed in the YMCA National Swim Meet in D.C. last week. And, finally, one Jack Sayre paid handsomely for fifty, count ‘em, fifty years of wedded bliss with the divine Miss Jan (speaking of the “years rolling by”). Dan Russell won the weekly raffle.
Lots of announcements today with a couple of calendar reminders:
• August 20th is the Club Picnic at the Klocks, just below the Ridge – starts at 5 p.m. - $5 per person – all food provided by the committee (unlike past years when canapés and desserts were assigned alphabetically). (Aside to newer members – this event is always a highlight of our Rotary Fellowship year and you are urged to get a baby sitter if need be and to participate with your significant other – there is no better way to get a glimpse of Danny’s underwear.)
• Steve Tamiso is running a Club Golf Outing the same day at Tallwood beginning at 8:45 a.m. Call Steve is you would like to join the Scramble. (Again to new members – golfing skill is definitely not required to have a good time.)
• The Saratoga Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes Trip to the race track is this coming Saturday. Those who signed up are asked to be at the Ridge to board the bus at 8:15 a.m. Snacks and drinks will be on the bus but you are on your own for dinner.
• A more important Golf outing is just weeks away and Chairman Schoen is once again pleading for raffle prizes, registrations and sponsorships as soon as possible. Of course, we all know that the vast majority of these will come in at the last possible second, but George remains a good natured, mild mannered optimist. You would ease his anxiety if you could overcome your deep seated propensity for procrastination and just do it now.
• The Community Service and the International Service Committees are meeting next Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. prior to the luncheon meeting.
• East Hartford’s Summer Youth Festival is celebrating 44 years of enjoyment this summer and has presented us with a handsome plaque thanking us for our support over the years and recognizing the contributions of one its founders “in loving memory of Don Hallquist.”
Our summer schedule non-program today was a Club Assembly. President Sue announced that the Board has approved both her calendar and her budget for the year. The calendar includes no meeting on December 24th and a wine and cheese meeting on December 31th. President Sue has folks looking for hands on community projects, and plans to increase our International contributions, including contributing to the Polio Rehab program she and Peter visited in India. PDG Seidman gave us a heads up on a special Polio Plus fundraising project seeking a $100 contribution from each Rotarian over three years. More to come on this. Our World Share commitment to the Rotary Foundation has been set at $9,000 this year. Doug Willett announced that we are within striking distance of our three year membership goal of 30 new members less than 55 years of age by next June. More to come on this. Jim Watts outlined the work of Rotary Information which strives to put prospective new members in a position to decide to join or not. Larry Hangland reviewed the Club’s intent to get back into the Youth Exchange picture and discussed some of the challenges with this. More to come.
Next week is our District Governor’s Visit so President Sue would appreciate a great turnout to hear what DG Jim has to say. No suits or ties are required. So other than a shout out to Ruthie, asking “who’s your Manny now?” I’ll bring this first High Gear of August to a close. WDOUGW
No Wednesday meeting this week because . . .
It was a warm and sunny Monday evening in Glastonbury. A beautiful summer’s eve for enjoying a friendly softball game against our annual arch-nemesis, the Rotary Club of Glastonbury. The G-Men were finely decked out in matching blue shirts. We weren’t. The East Hartford All Stars led early in the game with a score of 6 to 3. You shoulda seen the plays made by Todd Gaertner at first base and George “Face Plant” Schoen at second! Players also included both LaBella’s, Ned Lynch, Tom Jarish, Steve Bates, Coach Neal Cunningham, and assorted and very welcome sons. The final score? Wait’ll next year!
By 7p.m. about 35 East Hartfordites had repaired to the pavilion for a delicious dinner of prime rib, smashed spuds, tomato salad, and a fruit and custard-style parfait. Quite yummy. Neal Cunningham did the honors of thanking Glastonbury for their fine hospitality. Since we were not on home ground, we dispensed with our usual announcements, raffles, and fines. It was nice to see that Rotary raffle graft and corruption exists at other clubs as the young son of one of their players was tapped to pull the raffle ticket, and miraculously pulled his own! A fine Rotary tradition.
I guess now is a good time to clean up the errors and omissions of last week’s High Gear.
The picnic at the Klock’s lovely home will take place on the evening of Wednesday, August 20 (Kathy McCabe will honcho this). Earlier that day there will be a golf outing at the Tallwood Country Club. Steve Tamiso (568-6310) is organizing the sporting part of the day so make your checks payable to him by the 12th. Steve says the cost of playing golf with a cart is only $45, and that includes a contribution toward prizes. If you decide to play, present yourself at Tallwood no later than 8:30 a.m.. Get your team together.
Maybe it was the large cowboy hat that was covering my ears last week, but oh boy did I get the wedding anniversary report wrong. Please be advised that the Bradbury’s have enjoyed 61 years of wedded bliss as of June 28, 2008 and that the Wood’s have also been married long enough to not have given birth to any children far in advance of their wedding day. My apologies!
The Family Committee is to meet with Chairman Gil Wishart at 11:30 a.m. at the Ridge next Wednesday, August 6th.
The Membership Committee has been called to a meeting by its chairman, Doug Willett, at 11 a.m. at the Ridge next Wednesday, August 6th.
Mysterious “snitch” from K.M. regarding Dave Amberg: he is known to steal eggs out of a robin’s nest. No, I don’t know what it means.
Finally, and with much sadness, we have learned that Past President Frank Kreson passed away on Saturday. Please consult the local obituaries for an announcement of a memorial service. We may activate the “phone chain” to spread the news when it is available. If we do, please be sure to call the person listed after your name, and if you only leave a message, then also call the next person to be sure the word gets spread in a timely fashion. Frank was a lovely man. A very soft spoken and self effacing gentleman. We will miss him.
That’s all from the Empress of the World. My “High Gear” duties for July are done. See you next week.
Howdy, pardners! We sure had a rip roaring time at the New Members-sponsored Country Western Barbeque today. Weather conditions meant we were in the gym at the historic East Hartford Community Cultural Center. It was a neat venue for our buffet of bbq chicken, chili dogs, corn on the cob, and apple pie with ice cream. All catered by “Bobby T’s”. I, for one, went away stuffed.
The meeting started with an invocation well done by Todd Gaertner. Sixty-two members including a number of friends, family, and just plain guests answered the call of the chuck wagon triangle. We were lucky to have both Art Bradbury and Tom Westbrook to lead us through the Rotary Song and the Welcome Song sans piano. Guests included our own Fred Campbell, Frank Staples’ niece, little seven year old Kyesha Rucker, and members of the Kim Beauregard entourage (Michael Nappi of Inter Community Mental Health Group, Joyce Screen, and Debbie Ward).
Both the raffle and Sergeant-At-Arms fines were waived due to our temporary venue. Still in all Sergeant Dick McCarthy voluntarily received “donations” from the following for their wedding anniversaries: Bob and Debbie Wood ( 23 years); Art and Charlotte Bradbury (a whopping 40 years); and Tom Jarish (holding his own at 19 years). I guess Rotarians make good lovers.
Bob Wood handed in two make ups from the Rotary Club of the Bridgton Lakes Region from Down East. Reminder to everybody to hand in your make ups and let the Club Secretary know if you have attended a committee meeting on behalf of our Rotary business. That counts, too, as a make up. Don’t be shy!
Anyone interested in playing in the District Golf Outing must give their registration information sheet to Bob Richmond by August 7 (actual date of the tourney is the 11th). The outing will take place at the Oak Ridge Golf Club in Feeding Hills, MA. Cost is $110 per player but only $30 if you want to join the group for dinner only.
Times a’wasting for giving your back to school donations to Ceil Collins. August 6th will be our last day. Needed are filler paper for binders, highlighters, and markers. Ceil is happy to accept cash and do the shopping for us.
This just in: Past President Frank Kreson is in Hartford Hospital and could really use a get well card from every person in the Club. Please address your card in care of his sister-in-law Jane Cline, 446 Main Street, Apartment 104, East Hartford, CT 06118.
It’s almost time for our annual softball battle and joint dinner meeting with the Glastonbury Rotary Club. Neal Cunningham is looking for members and their friends, family, or “ringers”, to play ball and join in the festivities on Monday (yup, Monday), July 28 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Glastonbury Elks (yup, Elks) Grounds. For the newer members, here is how it works: we go to watch or play softball at Glastonbury, then we all repair to the open-air pavilion for drinks and a hearty dinner shared with our fellow Rotarians. The meeting and eats are usually over by 7:30 p.m. and it’s held rain or shine. Use your GPS to find the location (take Exit 10, Country Club Road, off Route 2 East) or check our website. Be there to cheer us on! There will not be a Noon meeting on Wednesday, July 30.
You heard it here first: Sue and Peter Klock are again hosting us to a poolside picnic at their lovely home at 94 Sunset Ridge Drive (that’s the first house down the lawn from the Veterans Memorial Clubhouse where we usually meet). The event will begin at 5 p.m. with the official meeting starting at 6:30 p.m.. The cost is only $5 per person with food and drink supplied by the Club. Kathy McCabe will be circulating a sign-up sheet. Earlier that day you can join a ragtag group of golfers at the Tallwood Country Club in Hebron. If you wish to be a part of this side of the festivities, give Steve Tamiso a call.
President Sue pointed out the porcine blue ceramic Polio Plus Pig (how’s that for alliteration?). This portable gobbler of pocket change is eager to accept your donations to end polio world-wide. She reports that we are getting better every week about making sure the porker gets fed.
Note that our August 6 meeting will be a Club Assembly. That’s an opportunity to hear more of the business side of our local Club and ask any questions you have about process or where our money goes. Always a popular topic.
So today’s festivities were brought to us by the New Members inducted during the past year: Todd Gaertner, Anwar Hossain, Don Munson, Frank Staples, Heather Summerer, Jay Stewart, Kim Beauregard, Louise Mazzoli, Marion Martinez, Ned Lynch, and Ross LaBella. Yours truly acted as their Fairy Godmother and is pleased as punch at what a great event they cooked up. Jay had us donate caps with sports logos on them to give to kids participating in Parks Department summer events.
We were entertained by a 14 year old duo of Country Western singers: Alexa Beauregard (daughter of Kim) and her back-up singer Alexis Ward. Wow! What stage presence for girls their age and such talent. The girls were nice enough to donate sales of their CD ($10 per) to Inter Community Mental Health Group and Rotary. Each organization got $5 from each sale and by the end of the day had each netted over $70. These young ladies have a bright musical future ahead of them and already know how to give back to the community at large.
A special thank you goes out to the East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department for hosting us at no charge, that’s right, for free! They had a great crew of young helpers that worked diligently to make sure our indoor event was successful. How can we thank them? On top of that, Parks Director Roger Moss made sure we had plenty of free passes to see the 13th Annual Podunk Bluegrass Festival being held July 31 through August 3 at Martin Park. Need another free pass? Mary Martin will bring them to the softball game on Monday or call her.
Well little doggies, it’s time to fade into the sunset for this High Gear. We did not serenade any cattle with a closing song, but everybody jumped in to help clean up the gym and head out into the mid-afternoon thunderstorm.
See y’all on Monday in Glastonbury,
Empress of the World
I have to say that Jackie Danise gave one of the best invocations to start off today's meeting. President Sue rang the bell at 12:15 which sent Sheryl O'Connor sprinting toward the piano. Then Jackie launched into a succinct prayer that wove in the tenets of Rotary with a nondenominational but still spiritual theme. Lunch was served immediately after: salad (but why waste calories on rabbit food?), lasagna, and vanilla ice cream drenched in chocolate sauce. We were off to a very good start!
The meeting moved along quickly with the introduction of three guests. Dave Parry looks like a potential transfer from the Bridgeton, New Jersey Rotary Club; Dick Seery joined us all the way from Portsmouth, New Hampshire; and Guy Labella brought along his umpteenth guest from Goodwin College, Jennifer Vamvakas. Guy is showing the right spirit by introducing all these bright and shining faces to our lunch time goings on. But not too many come back. Hmm, it can’t be the food, and it can’t be our Club business that turns them away. So it must be Guy, I guess. At any rate, Brian Liss helped Guy belt out the Welcome Song to these fine visitors.
Sergeant-At-Arms Dick McCarthy stood at the door, nay, blocked the door, to collect his share of fines. He reports it was a good day. First, he finally nailed Bill Leone for celebrating his 65th birthday with the jinx of paying in advance removed. Then he grabbed Skip Guillmette for a dual event, 73rd birthday (I’ll have what he’s having to look that good) and a 49th wedding anniversary. There were fines for late comers and early leavers and the Empress of the World paid to put the following advertisement in High Gear.
For Sale: a 34 inch Sony Trinitron Wega HDTV for $500. Bought new in ’05 for $1,600. Excellent working order (the husband bought a BIGGER one!). Call the Empress if interested or pass it on.
On to the un-paid announcements:
Next week is our lunch time barbeque at the Town Green on Main Street. It’s a Western -themed event presented by our New Members complete with entertainment at our very own Rotary Gazebo. We will have tents for shade or, if the weather is too bad, we will go inside the Community Center. Most important - - please bring a baseball-style cap with a sports logo on it to donate to the kids participating in Parks and Recreation Department summer activities. Dietary concerns? Give Louise Mazzoli a call. Give Mary Martin a call if you are not sure how to get there.
School supplies, or the cash to go shop for them, are still being coordinated by Ceil Collins. Back packs, spiral bound notebooks, etc. are needed. Please don’t delay. The last day for donating will be Monday the 28th when we play softball at the Glastonbury Rotary Club.
President Sue has made directions to the Elks Grounds in Glastonbury, the site of our meeting with Glastonbury Rotary, available. Also out on the table in the lobby were copies of the telephone chain and a listing of all committee assignments. There were pocket-sized “What Is Rotary?” informational cards also on the table that we can easily give to any person who wants to know what we are about. Guarding these hand-outs was the Blue Ceramic Polio Plus Pig. The Pig is eager to gobble up your spare change to aid in efforts to eradicate polio worldwide. Feed the poor thing, he looks hungry!
Carol Krantz has a sold-out bus making the annual pilgrimage to Saratoga Springs racetrack. Something about working toward “improving the breed of racehorses” was overheard. If you are part of this research team, be sure to meet at the VMC (formally known as the Veterans Memorial Clubhouse; also known as The Ridge) at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, August 9. Please give Carol a call ASAP if you cannot attend as she has folks on a wait list.
Carol’s donated tickets to a September 9th Red Sox game were won by high bidder George Schoen.
Our annual Golf Tournament is only two months away. George Schoen announced that letters have gone out to last year’s volunteers to confirm their interest in helping again this year. New members: this is your first opportunity to contribute your time and efforts to this major fund raiser. We are able to support over $20,000 in community projects each year by virtue of this event. Please give George a call to see how you can help. At the very least, you will get to spend Monday, September 22nd with your new Rotary friends and cap the day off with a great banquet at the Manchester Country Club.
Spurgeon Stokes, in concert with President Sue, pulled off a major Sting by winning his own raffle. What a bunch of suckers we are!
Before Sheryl O’Connor accompanied us in “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”, Peter Klock gave us the opportunity to watch a video of a presentation made by a Rotarian who experienced the tragedy of contracting polio first-hand. Her account of her personal experiences, and those of others afflicted by this insidious disease, only confirms our need to eradicate polio worldwide. The new trend is also toward providing rehabilitation services for those 30% to 50% of survivors who fall victim to Post Polio Syndrome some 20 to 40 years after their survival point.
See you at the BBQ,
Empress of the World
This High Gear is dedicated to Birthday Girl Peggy Schoen who just ended her un-official year as the Rotary Club of East Hartford’s Secretary. Peg, you did a fabulous job! Enjoy your year as un-official President-Elect. There’s more fun on the way.
Summertime and the living is easy. Maybe not so easy when the heat and humidity strike. It kind of makes the mind wander. With that in mind, and lest I lose your attention, let’s start with announcements and a peek at our up-coming calendar.
Peter Klock has volunteered for promotion from First Spouse to Club Treasurer. He remains adamant about representing the Post Office in his sartorial splendor. This means that Ceil Collins has taken over from Peg Schoen as our Secretary. Be sure to let Ceil know of your make-ups. New members: a fun way to meet other Rotarians is to drop by a Club while you are on vacation. Maybe you can even bring back one of their flags? Frank and Ceil Collins made up at a District Governor Installation Banquet, as did Jay Stewart.
The Family Committee (headed by Gil Wishart) is already hard at work planning a family picnic at Wickham Park. Circle Sunday, September 14th on the family calendar so you don’t miss the fun.
Our New Members are ready to host the Club at a Western-themed BBQ lunch meeting at the Town Green Gazebo on Wednesday, July 23. Don’t forget to bring a baseball style cap with a sports logo on it to donate to the kids participating in Parks and Recreation Department summer activities. Questions? Talk to Louise Mazzoli.
Now that the 4th of July has passed it’s time to start getting ready for the school year. What!!?? Sad, but true. Ceil Collins will be collecting your donations of backpacks, spiral notebooks, crayons, etc.. If you are not into Back-to-School shopping, just give your cash or check to Ceil. Need this done by the 28th.
There is a great opportunity available to young (ages 25 to 40) business and professional people to join a Rotary Group Study Exchange with Thailand next February. An experienced (I guess that means older than 40) Rotarian will lead a small hand-picked group for a four week tour of that country. The purpose is to exchange information and goodwill while learning about international Rotary projects. Applicants must live and/or work in Western Massachusetts or Northern Connecticut to qualify as a District 7890 team member. Larry Hangland should be contacted well before the August 15th deadline.
It’s almost time for our annual softball battle and joint dinner meeting with the Glastonbury Rotary Club. Neal Cunningham is looking for members and their friends, family, or “ringers”, to play ball and join in the festivities on Monday (yup, Monday), July 28 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Glastonbury Elks (yup, Elks) Grounds. For the newer members, here is how it works: we go to watch or play softball at Glastonbury, then we all repair to the open-air pavilion for drinks and a hearty dinner shared with our fellow Rotarians. The meeting and eats are usually over by 7:30 p.m. and it’s held