THE ROTARY CLUB OF EAST HARTFORD, Club 6494                       

High Gear, Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Maybe summer has finally arrived. It was hot out, the conversation was spirited inside, the American League East standing are in their proper order, our new President has taken charge, and all is well. Dan Russell offered a thoughtful blessing and the Chicken Cacciatore with Bean Salad and Pasta arrived at the table. Fred Campbell and Assistant DG Mike Garnett were our guests, with Fred being introduced by Bill The Chipmunk Saunders, busily masticating some Banana Nut Cake while introducing him. Donna Bys and Ross LaBella led the Welcome Song.
Sergeant At Arms Jack Ghagan reported on birthdays for Ceil Collins, John Shemo and Bill Saunders. Despite their requests for silence, Carmen declared we would sing anyway. So we did. Dan Larson and Don Pitkin paid for pix in the papers and Dan thanked all who expressed interest in brother John (former East Hartford Rotarian and present Member of U.S. Congress - his two claims to fame) who had a valve replacement yesterday.  According to Dan, the good news is that the surgery was successful and John has a new cow's valve; the bad news is that that Connecticut's share of the Stimulus Money will now be delivered in milk.  Nick Cecere paid for new digs and George Agnelli paid for a nine year old “new” car. George may be the only guy in America who went out and bought a “cluncker” just so he could trade it in and get an new car rebate. Any thing to get his hands on Government money.
Today was a Club Assembly and there were lots of announcements:
o     ADG Mike reminded us the Polio Challenge will resume in September. This is the attempt to raise $33 per Rotarian to help cover Polio Plus expenses.
o     He also encouraged us to plan to attend the Rotary International Convention next June in Montreal, Canada. The District is reserving a block of rooms and will be hiring buses for participants.
o     Bob Richmond is looking for three more players for next Monday's District Golf Tournament in Feeding Hills, MA. Call him if interested.
o     Bill Saunders is running the Club Golf Outing on August 19th prior to the Klocks' Picnic. 18 Holes with a cart and a free meal later in the day for only $45. 20 signed up to date with room for more. Bill needs the money next week. Playing a scramble at Twin Hills with a shotgun at 9:30 a.m.
o     The Club Golf Committee is meeting next week at 11:45.
o     November 7th is Rotary United Nations Day. See President George for details.
o     Tuesday, August 18 at six p.m. three trucks are needed along with some strong backs to transport tables and chairs over to the Klocks' for the Picnic. Also need help taking things back at end of Picnic Wednesday evening. Contact Sue (sueklock@gmail.com) if you can help.
o     Saratoga Trip is this Sunday. Meet at the Ridge at 8:15 a.m. (Jacoby, that means 8 a.m. for you)
o     The East Hartford Book is now on sale on Amazon.com. with the first public sale scheduled for Raymond Library on August 21st.  They will also be available at the Picnic. Remember this is a Club Fundraiser and we are on the hook to sell 500 of these at $21.99 each (buy in batch and you can negotiate the price.)
o     We need advisors for the Interact Clubs at EHHS and CIBA. If you can make afternoon meetings a couple of times a month and want to lend a hand working with some terrific young people (my granddaughter was a VP of the Club at CIBA this past year), talk to Sue Klock. We are working with the Manchester Rotary Club about starting a RotaryAct Club at Manchester Community College and need advisors for that as well. See Peter Klock on this one.
Okay, so much for announcements.  President George spent the balance of the meeting reporting on the excellent early start to his Rotary year. To his evident surprise, all committees are actively engaged in setting out goals and objectives and getting underway in planning their activities. What George is just learning is that 90% of Club business runs on autopilot, and members have so much experience doing their thing that the President can sit back and relax or stand up and get involved, doesn't matter. It just gets done either way.
President George also reported on some budget decisions he and the Board have made for the coming year. They plan to use about $11,000 of last year's surplus to help fund an approximate $131,000 Operating and Charitable Giving Budget. Major Fundraising will consist of the Golf Tournament ($22,000 projected), a new Wine Tasting Event ($10,000), Book Sales ($3,300) and the Citrus Sale ($500-600). Dues make up the rest.
As to Charitable Giving, the plan is to increase the Coats for Kids program, and to continue to support but decrease the funding for Project Lead The Way. President George wants us to focus on the Hunger, Shelter and Clothing needs in East Hartford.
In the comment section of the meeting, Jim Fallon suggested the Club examine the possibility of using an assessment approach to fund raising instead of relying on ticket sales and raffles and such. Under this idea, each member would be assessed a certain amount over and above his/her dues to provide monies for Charitable Giving. There was enough interest in this idea that it bears further discussion. To help in that regard, we will be putting up a Forum Topic on the issue on our Website. Please add your comments there when you get a chance.
Also both Heather Summerer and George Fitch requested a more holistic approach to seeking corporate support for Club activities. Instead of nickel and dimeing  companies by approaching companies over and over with each cause, decide at the beginning of the year what is needed and make a single request that can be processed more efficiently. Great idea and Heather promised if we did it, she would get us lots of money.
Enough. So, Ruthie, if Ralph Kramden was a Loveable Loser, does that make Big Papi a Loveable User?  
Doug Willett
High Gear, Wednesday, July 29, 2009

 Presided by President George Schoen

 Rotary song sung by all

 Pledge of Allegiance stated by all

 Special guests:  Fred Cambell, former club member

Welcome song led by Tom Galvin and Doug Willett

 Invocation provided by Anwar Hossain 

Menu:  cheeseburger, corn-on-cob, potato salad, water melon

 Happy Birthday to:  Yvette Roming

Happy Rotary Anniversary to:  Jacquie Danise (19) and Art Bradbury  (41)                    

Sergeant of Arms, Dan Larson reports:  All those listed above celebrating anniversaries and birthdays paid.  Art Bradbury paid for the marriage of his granddaughter this past weekend.  Louise Mazzoli paid for her son’s visit home from Fort Lewis.  Mike paid for his weekly visit to his nurse.  Don Pitkin paid for being at lunch.  Bill Leone paid for his love of Dan Larson.  Nell owes because Dan made something up about my parking.  Dan, you run it all at Goodwin (a very good thing).  Give yourself break at Rotary….Welcome August SOA,  Jack Ghagan   

Club Runner  Doug Willett thanks all who are engaging in the site.  Doug will have a camera with him at the next couple of meetings.  If you would like your photo on the site, Doug will take your picture and he will assist in the photo upload. Reminder that training and support is always be available. Members who choose to use traditional mail, telephone, etc will continue to participate fully in this manner. 

Club Picnic and Golf Outing, August 19    Picnic at Sue and Peter Klock’s will take place 4:30 – 8pm.  The picnic will serve as August 19 meeting.  Sign up sheet distributed at meetings.  Appetizers/finger delights wanted and spouse/ adult guest welcome.  Picnic contact:  Sue Klock.  Golf outing contact:  Bill Saunders 

For your calendar:

• IMPORTANT:  Club Assembly is August 5 not August 12.
• August 9:  Saratoga.  Depart 8:15am.  Return 9pm. $50 per.  Contact:  Carol Krantz
• August 10:  District golf tournament.  Contact:  Bob Richmond 
• August 19:  Picnic at the Klock estate
• September 21:  22^nd annual golf tournament.  Contact:  Bill Saunders
• October tbd:  Mystery Road Trip.  Destination ideas welcome.  Contact:  Sue Klock
• June 19 – 24, 2010:  Rotary International Convention.  Montreal

Announcements:

Back to School supplies/dollar donations are needed for East Hartford students, K-12.  New supplies such as spiral notebooks, backpacks, highlighters, colored pencils, markers, crayons, easers…  Please bring your donation to next weeks meeting, August 5 or drop off at Social Services Department, lower level, Town Hall, 740 Main Street, 8:30 – 4:30 week days (Thursday till 6pm)  Contact:  Neal Cunningham 

• Polio Plus:  Each member is encouraged to make a three year/$100 total commitment at $33 annually or one payment of $100.  Huge thanks to members for keeping this important Rotary initiative a priority

• Yvette Roming has an empty office which needs to fill up with golf raffle prizes.  Each member is asked to provide one/two.

• Golf teammates wanted for Club tournament.  Contact:  Kathy McCabe.
• Order your copies today of the beautiful pictorial book showcasing EH history.  Contact:   Jacquie Danise
• Each club member should secure at least one golf tournament sponsor @ $150.  A list of previous years’ sponsors will be available shortly.  Club members can also donate raffle prizes.  Contact:  Bill Saunders

Of special interest:  Hamden Rotary President, John Karavas is looking to our Club for Big E volunteers.  Volunteers will help at the AMBER/Missing Child Alert ID registration booth.  Dates of Big E are September 11 thru October 4.  President Karavas requests that a member of our Club coordinate volunteers from our Club.  More to follow. 

Committee information:

• Sergeant of Arms committee to meet next week, August 5 at 11;30
• Golf committee to meet at 11:45, August 12 and August 26
• Program committee to meet 11am August 5

Raffle winner:   Congratulations to George Finch, ticket # 2847. 

High Gear notes submitted by Nell  Bourgoin, July 29, 2009.

High Gear, Wednesday,June 3, 2009Well, at least the day started out with sunshine, and it carried thru to our Rotary meeting, where lots of happy shining was evident up at the Ridge! Ceil Collins led us in the Pledge to our beautiful American flag, Carol Krantz offered a thoughtful invocation, and we sat to the wafting aroma from the candles on Dan Firestone’s humongous birthday cake. Some cute little blond gave a very good imitation of Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday” serenade of JFK, and we were off and running!!! We sat to a tasty but rather glum-looking dish of sirloin tips with gravy over mashed ‘taters, accompanied by the first George Bush’s un-favorite vegetable, limp broccoli. Oh well, Dan’s birthday cake & ice cream for dessert left a good taste in our mouths, right, Moe?  

Guests? We had ‘em today! President Sue called on Ross Labella & Herb Tischofer (& of course, Sheryl O’Connor at the piano) to lead our Welcome Song for: Matt Ryan, Principal of EHHS; Scholarship recipients (see below) and their parents; ole friend Denny Weir and club President Bob Dugger of Glastonbury; prospective members Marc Glass and Dave Parry; and a bunch of delightful entertainers of the “Fantango & Company” troupe. 

 Sgt at Arms (pro tem) Jack Sayre told us that the coffers were enriched by Gil Wishart (8 Rotary yrs); Herb Tischofer and Dan Firestone, birthdays; Luke Blanchard, for an old 26 years (of birth, not in Rotary!); and Stu Harris’ daughter, Julia, for being Salutatorian of her class! 

Scolarship recipients who graced our gathering, along with their proud parents, were introduced by Larry Frazier, as follows:

Kristin Duquette, studying to be a motivational speaker; Ariana Larson (absent, please see below); Julia Harris, Lafayette Univ; Jimmy Nguyen, UConn; and Jessica Gustamachio. A wonderful group of young people; it made us all proud to have them here! 

Notes and news of interest:

• A whole bunch of Rotarians aided and abetted the IB Interact young’uns in their “Shelterless” event last Friday night, and then again made breakfast for everyone Saturday morning. They raised $2500 toward Shelter boxes (covering 25 disaster victims for 6 months or more!). Thanks all!
• Our club is working on sponsoring a young adult applicant for a Rotary Foundation Peace Scholarship, first time ever, under the mentoring guidance of (who else) Bill Secord!
• As noted above, Marc Glass & Dave Parry were present today, attending a Rotary information session. Their signed applications signify the start of a 7 day period after which they will be eligible to be admitted into our club, providing that no one has submitted to Pres. Sue reasons why either should not be allowed into our membership (all of this in accordance with our Bylaws).
• Next year’s officers, under the guidance of Sheryl O’Connor, are planning the move of our Website to ClubRunner. Members, especially committee chairs are urged to become trained in its use. There are instructions for getting into this…see Peter, or Sue, or Sheryl, for details.
• The Past Presidents’ outing will be held on Sunday, July 19, at the Spellman Pt Clubhouse, down at the Stewart cottage on Lake Pocotopaug.
• Bill Leone has gotten (for the state) every single raffle ticket, sold or unsold. Amazing! Good job!!
• And under good news: Betty Russell will be coming home next Tuesday; better clean the sink, Dan!

     and Ariana Larson is home w/a headache after a night in the hospital caused by a biking accident.;

          hopefully also of good news, good friend Skip Guillemette just had open heart surgery at     

          St. Francis Hospital. We’re sure cards are in order and would be appreciated.

 Remember, INSTALLATION DINNER; When; June 17, 6:30 Cocktails, 7:30 Dinner. Where: The Gallery.

Dinner selections: Filet Mignon, Chicken Marsala, Sea Scallops w/ bread crumb topping. Tariff: $40 pp, due to Kathy McCabe by June 10^th. No noon meeting that day, or on the earlier party, before that one, next Wednesday, the 10^th, the Sergeant at Arms Party, at Bill Leone’s, next Wednesday.

 Sorry to be so brief in its description, but the Dance Party program, featruring the Fantango & Company troupe, brought to us by Dan Firestone, was something else…you really had to be there. Thanks, Dan!

 Oh yeah, Bill Leone won the raffle; wasn’t that fitting? and Glastonbury Rotary’s Lobster Fest tickets are only $50. Interested? Call Bob Dugger in Glastonbury. That’s all, folks

HIGH GEAR: Wednesday,  May 27, 2009

    Our weekly meeting seemed to have a lively bunch of members. It takes an authoritative gong to bring us to order.  The Rotary song, then Louise Mazzoli led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to our nation's flag.   George Schoen offered a meaningful preamble to his prayer before the meal, quoting words written by a Guatemalan woman whose village had received the blessing of clean water.  We forget our many blessings.  George gave thanks for the opportunity we all have to put service above self.
    Lunch consisted of an open-faced turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, cranberry sauce, followed by strawberry-rhubarb pie.  That's more food than most ordinary folks need.
    There were many announcements.  Kathy McCabe reminded us that the Installation Dinner is June 17th, sign up by the 10th, $40 per person, choice of filet mignon, chicken marsala, or sea scallops.  The evening is free to new members and their guests! Venue is the Gallery in Glastonbury, lower level.  Cocktails at 6:30 pm, dinner at 7:30 pm.  
    President Sue told us that the program today would be in the form of a mini-club assembly.  Lots of things to listen to and to talk about.
    Guests today included James Russell from the Springfield Club, Dave Parry, former New Jersey Rotarian, who is with the BSA here in Connecticut, Michael Williams, guest of Dean Roland, Giglio Miglieft Jr, guest of M. Williams, Ken Messier, representing the Children & Adult Mobility Project, Conrad Thamm, Marc Glass, guest of Steve Jacoby, Claire Litton, who will be an Ambassadorial Scholar, starting her Masters at a University in Perth, Australia beginning in February and Ryan McNeil, who is a student intern working under Herb Barall. And Dick Seidman, former District Governor.
    Sergeant-at-Arms Tom Galvin had a lengthy report.  Bill Saunders paid because his granddaughter, Kristina Liner, was named an O'Brien Scholar, one of the top thirteen students in this year's graduating class at East Catholic.  Lots of intelligence in the Liner family.  And Bill also paid because Neal Cunningham did such a fine job last Wednesday evening, giving a history of baseball---the East Hartford Dovelettes, at the East Hartford Historical Society meeting.  And the Pittsburgh Penguins are in the Stanley Cup Finals.  Birthdays:  Stephen Bates, 53, Dean Roland, 87, George Agnelli, who paid handsomely, 79.  All wished no singing.  Anniversaries:  Mary Sullivan, two years, and Stephen Bates, 22 years.  Brian Liss paid for some sort of accreditation, but this reporter missed what it was.  And Tom Galvin needs help-vans or trucks-getting stuff to and from for the Sergeant-at-Arms Party at Leone's, 103 Skyline Drive, on June 10th.  Sign-up sheet was being circulated.
    There were multitudinous announcements from the floor and the podium.  The piggy bank netted $16.82 last week.  President Sue told us that the first water project in Guatemala cost $2500, then we got another $2500 put together for a second project, then two non-Rotary Foundations came forth with matching grants, so two more villages will have clean water.  And one or two of the villages, again thanks to our help, have set up Family Centers, for teaching nutrition, health, child care and similar socio-economic subjects.  George Schoen reminded us to turn in our committee preference sheets to him.  Gil Wishart thanked all who participated in the Rock Cats outing.  Under consideration is expanding the outing to include other clubs.  Peter Klock has issued a challenge-he will match dollar for dollar any member's contribution to the Rotary Foundation, designated for the Annual Program Fund, made before the end of June.  Those monies will be part of what comes back to the District, which will be during Sue's DG year!  Claire Litton spoke briefly; she is looking forward to her school year in Australia.  She was born in Canada, lives in Los Angeles, and is in Connecticut to celebrate her Grandfather's 90th birthday.  She enjoys Rotary Clubs, and was complimentary about our singing.  Mike Williams, a former member of the Coffee Club, had as his guest Ken Messier of the Children & Adult Mobility Project.  Ken will be riding across country with others, Avon to Los Angeles, to raise fund which will benefit soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. The push-off is soon, but the contribution forms do not state the date. And there will be an August Picnic in the Klock's backyard.
    The raffle was won by Ruthie Sheehan, who had number 2222.
    Brian Liss:  our goal was thirty new members under the age of thirty, we need just one to make that goal.  And as the rest of us age, gracefully, we hope, we need to think about still attracting new vibrant young members.
    We are unique, benefiting with West Hartford, from the Dunn Scholarship fund, which underwrites advanced study for scholars from East or West Hartford exclusively.  We have interviewed two very good candidates, Claudia Testa and Gabriel Falco.  Those applications have been forwarded to the Dunn Committee.  Any of the Dunn applicants not chosen will have their names submitted to the general District pool of candidates.
    George Schoen:  Golf Committee meeting, 11:30, next week.  George has worked up a proposed budget for his year which reflects our desire not to have raffle.  We still will have the Golf Tournament, and will have to have some other fund raising events.  A wine tasting/auction is under consideration.   The Board will be willing to listen to any and all proposals.  Sheryl O'Connor urged us to look at the website:   http://wwwclubrunner.ca/, we are considering having them oversee our website, or maybe it is an accomplished fact. Click on “Visit Live Sites.”
    Make ups:  George Schoen, Manchester, possibly twice; Sue & Peter Klock, Manchester and District Meeting; Frank & Ceil Collins, District Meeting; Brian Liss, Sue Klock, Bill Saunders, George Schoen, Neal Cunningham, Doug Willett:  Membership Committee.  
    That is probably more than you all want to read, but then again, that's what the meeting was.  It was a good meeting, filled with important information.  The only way to report it is to put it down on paper!
    Good to be with you-have a great week.  Dan Russell

High Gear, Wednesday,May 20, 2009

It was a loud crowd today enjoying pre-lunch fellowship.  Ah, the joy of Rotary. 

It must be the up coming Memorial Day Holiday because we decided to do the Pledge of Allegiance twice.  A little extra patriotism never hurts.  Bill Saunders led the invocation reminding us all about Service above self, being a friend to all, and ended with a request to the Almighty that the day on the course today be a good one.  Golf anyone?

GUESTS
President Sue asked for the introduction of guests.  For being on time today, Steve Jacoby was rewarded with both of our guests sitting at his table.  Steve introduced Bill Doak, Editor of The Gazette, and Dave Perry of the Boy Scouts of America.  Steve and singing partner Carol Krantz led a rousing rendition of the East Hartford Rotary Welcome song. Great job guys! 

SERGEANT AT ARMS
After a lunch of stuffed peppers, broccoli, potatoes, and delicious chocolate cake, Dr. Feisty, Tom Galvin gave the Sergeant at Arms report.  Lionel Lessard had a Birthday, and Dave Amberg paid for his 10 year anniversary in Rotary.  Fines today were light - Don Pitkin for the weekly picture in the Gazette, Glen Peterson for his all expenses paid sabbatical to Japan, and Louise Mazzoli paid for the safe return our her son to Fort Lewis, home from Iraq.  Doc Galvin said there are a lot of “stiffs” who have not paid for birthdays yet…watch out next week.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Larry Frazier, chair of the Scholarship gave a brief report.  He thanked the committee for whipping him into shape.  He made note of the effort that was made to make the scholarship selection a “blind process” because many of the applicants are related to Rotary.  All of the following recipients are from East Hartford High School: Kristin Duquette, Arianna Larson, Julia Harris, Jimmy Nguyen, and Jessica Gustamachio.  The students will join us at our first meeting in June.

President Sue announced that there will be a Membership Meeting next week at 11:30 at the Ridge.

Kathy McCabe passed around the sign up list for the Installation Dinner coming up on June 17th.  It will be held at the Gallery in Glastonbury (Lower Level).  Please get your RSVP, dinner selection (Filet Mignon, Chicken Marsala or Sea Scallops) and moolah ($40 per person) to Kathy no later than June 10th.  Drinks at 6:30, Dinner at 7:30, and for the finale, George at the 8:30.  Good Luck George.

President Sue gave a brief recap from the Board Meeting:
o     Board has accepted, with regret, the resignation of Skip Guillmette and Gerry Brady.
o     Todd Gaertner will be transferring to a new club and there are two new proposed members coming our way soon.
o     Board voted for PRIVP Abe Gordon to be a member of the 2009-2010 nominating committee for President of RI 2011-2012 from Zone 32.
o     We will be using $2000 to support the Strong Family Center in Cojomachaj, Guatemala administered by the Behrhorst Partners.  We will present the check for the Water Project at a Manchester Rotary Meeting March 26th.
o     The board also authorized $1500 for the purchase of a new keyboard and stand.
o     We are looking at shifting to Club runner for our website.  It'll take a few months, but it will enhance our web presence.
o     The IB “Shelterless” fundraiser will be May 29 at First Church.  We will be presenting a check for $500 for their fundraising.  Please come by anytime to show your support, and if possible your help would be appreciated flipping pancake for the kids in the morning.
o     Finally, Sue pulled out a pair of handcuffs that were left at their house by Bill Saunders after the Board Retreat.  As Bill himself said, “Watch out for the quiet ones.”  I guess this falls under “Don't ask, Don't tell”.

RAFFLE
The Raffle was won by Bill Secord. It's going toward the moving expenses.  Good job Bill.

PROGRAM
Our very own Larry Hangland was our speaker today.  As the chair of our International Committee, Larry said, unlike most of what we do as Rotarians, we should all ask “What's in it for me?” because with the exchange programs its all about what you get from being a host, a great Rotary experience.  The three programs are Group Study Exchange, 1 year academic exchanges, and short term exchanges.
Each is experience is unique and worthwhile. 

President Sue ended the meeting with a reminder to all new members (July 1-present).  The club will pay for them and a guest to attend the Installation.  We really want to encourage our new members to enjoy some of our extra curricular activities.  Please come, it promises to be a great night. 

It's been an honor and a pleasure…See you all next week at the Ridge.

bpl

NOTE:

FIRST FEDERAL GOLF LEAGUE
Tuesday, May 26, will be dedicated GEORGE STEWART NIGHT.

This night has been selected to recognize and pay tribute to George, a founding member of our league.  Many of our former league members are being invited back to share in the fellowship as only George would have it.  Beverages, the expense of which will be borne by George's sons, Doug and Bob, will be available starting at 6:00.

George's wife, and best friend, Jay, will be in attendance.

You are invited to share some of your memories of George as they related to the league and otherwise. Please plan on staying and sharing your thoughts.

Make-ups

Steve Jacoby, Sue and Peter Klock (4), Frank and Ceil Collins (4) Sheryl O'Connor (3), Mary Sullivan (2), Larry Hangland, George Schoen (3), Bill Saunders (2), Pat Gately, Herb Tischover, Bill Secord, and Dave Amberg

Golf-Committee: Jim Fallon, Bob Richmond, Bill Saunders, Glen Peterson, Yvette Riming, Dick McCarthy, George Schoen, Dean Roland, Jim Watts, G. Herboldt, Steve Tamiso, Kathy McCabe, Gil Wishart, Carol Krantz, and George Agnelli

 /High Gear, wednesday, May 13th

We finally got  a perfect Spring day to go along with our Wednesday Rotary outing.  The crowd seemed slow to assemble, but when Acting Pres. George Schoen brought the meeting to order there was a goodly number of Rotarians in their seats.  After the Rotary Song and the Pledge, John Shemo gave a thoughtful prayer in which he asked for comfort, shelter, guidance, protection, and a safe and healthy environment for our Rotarians.  A tasty meal of Hawaiian chicken, rice pilaf, squash, and sponge cake was quickly served.

 Following lunch our guests, David Parry, Erica Bourgoin, Ricky Ferrell, and Terry Piscatello were introduced and serenaded with the Welcome Song led by Pat Gately and Gina Herboldt.  Sgt. at Arms Tom Galvin had no birthdays or anniversaries to announce, but he had several Rotarians who had their pictures in various publications - Frank Collins, Ceil Collins, Dan Larson, and Guy Labella!    It was nice to see Leo Christmas back after his long Winter in Florida! 

Pres. Sue returned from the district assembly and hijacked back the meeting from George! She had a most important task- the induction of a new member, Nell Bourgoin, sponsored by Jay Stewart.  Sue stressed the importance of new members to our organization!  Keep them coming!!!!!  Sue had several announcements:

1.  She wished to thank all who worked at the Senior Citizen's Prom.  Steve Tamiso was able to get Several gift certificates, and Ed Cassala was able to get many of our supplies at a good discount.  The entire event cost our club $300.70 - very reasonable for feeding almost 200 people.

2.  There will be a New Board Retreat Saturday at 1:30.

3.  There will be a regular Board Meeting on May 18th.

4.  The CIBA Interact  club will participate in a Shelterless night on May 29th on the grounds of First Congregational Church.  Stop by and support them with a donation.  Our club architects will judge their cardboard houses.  Should be an interesting and symbolic event!

5. We will be sending 5 students to RYLA: 2 on scholarship, and 3 at their own expense.

6.  There will be a Memorial Service on May 24th for June Cox, wife of former District Governor Neil Cox, at the Rocky Hill Congregational Church.

7.  Don't forget the Rockcats Baseball Game Friday.  Gates open at 5, Dinner at 5:30.

8.  Chuck Clarke could use help putting out Flags on Veteran's graves, Saturday 5/17at 8:00 AM Hillside Cemetary.

9. On Wednesday, May 20th, Neal Cunningham will give an historical talk on the East Hartford Dovalettes Softball team at the Raymond Library, 7:00 PM.

10.  Next week - Golf Committee meeting at 11:30.  Membership meeting on the 27th.

The Raffle was won by Art Apostol.

A note of concern - Betty Russell is recovering from a stroke at Hartford Hospital. She will go to Riverside Rehab on Thursday. Our thoughts are with her and with Dan.

 Art Apostol introduced our speaker, Earl Crown, who presented a program on Long Term Care Insurance.  He indicated the importance of LTC in terms of its financial impact.  The average cost of LTC in Connecticut is now about $310 a day.  He indicated that the rise in Bankruptcies among those in the 75-84 year old group has risen 433% in recent years, primarily due to healthcare costs.   He explained several ways to pay the costs -self insurance, LTC insurance, and various governmental programs such as Medicaid (which is being severly cut back).  He gave some examples of various types of insurance and the coverages of which  one should be aware.  Particularly important is the waiting period before drawing benefits and an inflation rider to keep the policy amount rising with the cost of care.  He said that if you had questions, you could call Art Apostol, who is knowledgable in this area.

 Make ups: Sue and Peter Klock (3), George Schoen, Sheryl O'Connor, Mary Sullivan, Pat Gately, Steve Jacoby, Frank and Ceil Collins, Yvette Roming, Leo Christmas, Jack Ghagan, and Brian Liss.

 Bob Wood, Pinch Hitting for Heather Summerer

 Wed. May 6, 2009

 “Rain, rain, go away!” Surely we all remember that riff from our youth, and it still works today, as the sun came out just as soon as Dave Amberg asked: “So, are your clubs in the car?”  With President Sue in NYC, soon-to-be President George rang the opening bell and we moved to the buffet tables for a serve-yourself, but very tasty, repast of pasta, chicken and jello salads, butterfly shrimp, and cookies for dessert.  For some reason, the crowd was thinner today, by at least 2 tables???

 Guests today included good friends from Houston, Loretta and Dan Dienst, Dave Parry, Glastonbury, Mary Panyatedes New Alliance Bank, and our speakers, former East Hartford Rotarian Donna Kehoe and her associate, Lydia Sonabria. With  lots of flair, Larry Hangland and Chuck Clarke, helped by Sheryl O’Conner, welcomed one and all with Tom Westbrook’s favorite lyrics.

 Acting Pres. George told us that the famous Pig collected $34 bucks last week ($20 of it from PDG Dick Seidman), bringing the monthly total to $102.90! Also of note from the dais were these tidbits:

• Distr. Assembly at Clarion Hotel in W. Springfield next Wed. evening, May 13,  (let George know if you can go); all club leaders urged to go; Car pool from Commuter Lot 6:45
• Installation Dinner- DG Herb Toback (and all new club presidents), June 11, 6PM, La Renaissance, $50pp. For meal choices & other pertinent info, call/Email Sue or sign up by May 20.
• May 17^{th, ,-}3PM – Benefit Concert for Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and the Michael Abelon Memorial Scholarship Fund. Ryan Campbell (teacher at CIBA) on guitar/vocals) $5 per.
• Sgt at Arms Party at Bill Leone’s, June 10.
• Softball at Glastonbury Rotary, July 27
• Committee Meetings at 11:30: May 19 Golf, and May 27 Membership.
• Next week’s program: Earl Crown, Sr. VP of One America, on Long Term Care and Estate Planning.

 Sgt. At Arms Tom Galvin told of these offenders who all helped stuff our fine bank: Loretta Dienst for 50 years in the EHWC; Brian Liss and Art Apostol for Red Sox bragging; Bill Saunders for witnessing his partner’s Hole in One at the Tallwood Tuesday nite League started by George Stewart in 1969; Birthdays: Spurge Stokes 84 (75plus sang HB to him), Jim Watts and Stu Harris; 25^th Anniversary for George & Peggy Schoen; club Anniv’s: Pat Gately-4, Herb Barall-17/25, Neal Cunningham-18. Raffle today won by Scott Nosik, lucky guy!

 Speakers today were Executive Director of East Hartford ChildPlan, Inc., Donna Kehoe, and her associate, Lydia Sonabria, a parent, board member and active participant. ChildPlan is a collaborative, non-profit advocacy organization which is dedicated to children and families within our communities. This means they try to coordinate the work of different agencies in the area, reducing duplicate efforts, and attempting to build creative programs for children. With a 501 C3 tax status, they have been successful in obtaining grant money as they’ve conducted parent training as well as after school programming. Lydia spoke enthusiastically about the value of the parent training she has experienced, giving her confidence to negotiate with school administration, and the tools to do a better job of parenting. A most interesting program; thanks, Sheryl O’Conner, for bringing it to us.

 Next week, the pen’ll be passed to Bob Wood; meanwhile, nice we could get together.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009
The touch of yesterday's summer warmth gave way to a more natural spring-time breeze, complemented by spring-time lovers sitting on the bench in the front of Veterans' Memorial. But we veterans inside had something better - open-face turkey club sandwiches with coleslaw, pickles, chips, and cheesecake. Art Apostol asked for blessings upon our food, our gathering, and our country and for the wisdom to know what we can change in this world and the courage to do so.
Steve Jacoby introduced guest Mark Glass, CEO and chief bottle-washer at Glass Insurance Agency on Silver Lane. Dan Russell introduced prospective member Nell Bourgoin from Goodwin College. President Sue introduced District Governor Elect Herb Toback, here for the first of visits yet to come. Mary Sullivan and Dan Larson, who himself operated under strict and vocal orders from Mary not to mess things up, led the “Welcome Song.”
Sergeant-at-arms report: Jack Ghagan, resplendent in south-sea-islands attire, celebrated his 82nd birthday with his customary tablemates, bringing their combined ages to 544 years, minus only a few for George Finch. Nick Cecere placed a $1.00 bet on Pioneer of the Nile to win the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. That's $0.50 more than he usually gambles, so everyone should take the tip. Guy LeBella paid for something - that's what he gets for sitting with Larson. Steve Bates and Larry Frazier both paid for their individual receptions of the St. Joseph Medal of Honor from their respective parishes. Party-girl Mary Sullivan paid for the mess she left behind - again. Sheryl O'Connor paid for the graduation of her son from Northeastern University this Friday.  And the sweetest of all - Ruthie Sheehan paid for the wonderful weekend given to her by the club's Yankee fans. The PIG collected $18.50 last week.
DGE Herb Toback, Larson's last friend, announced the dress code for his upcoming official visit to East Hartford as governor - informal dress! He himself attends top-level rehearsals in jeans - for which he has been duly admonished by PDG Karen Pierce. He commented that he enjoyed adding his good voice to our singing. The reason for Governor Herb's presence today was to present the club with a check from the Rotary Foundation for $500, based upon our past contributions to the Foundation. He also noted that he hopes to direct much of the district's charity work during his term to the many needs of distressed communities across our own nation. President Sue pointed out that one of our club's focal charities, Shelterbox, has provided disaster aid to American communities such as New Orleans.
Announcements:  _Nell Bourgoin has officially applied for membership in East Hartford Rotary.  _The East Hartford/Hockanum River Canoe/Kayak Clean-Up Happening takes place this Saturday beginning at 11:00 A.M. at Labor Field and continuing down the Hockanum River to Two Rivers Magnet Middle School.  _Guy LaBella reminded that everyone is invited to the dedication of the new Goodwin College campus on Friday, May 1, at 10:00 A.M.  _Anyone who still wants to attend the Rock Cats Family Day on May 15 must get in touch with Gil Wishart now!  _Vice President George Schoen will be running next week's meeting, and he and Bill Saunders will be representing us at the East Hartford Middle School Career Day being held next Thursday.  _Catering next week will be short-staffed so we will be picking up lunch kits set up in the side meeting room.  _The program speaker next week will be former member Donna Kehoe, who will talk about Connecticut's Child Care Plan.  _Bill Saunders won today's raffle.
Program: East Hartford High School's Project Lead the Way Program:
Bill Saunders introduced Michelle Hacker, the East Hartford School District's department head for career and technology education, and Steve Socolosky, instructor in the Project Lead the Way program that the East Hartford Rotary Club has supported. Over the past two years, our club has provided $30,000 for the program's required teacher training and for curriculum materials such as computer software. Michelle indicated her gratitude for the club's support for Project Lead the Way and said that the present economy probably would have sunk the program if we hadn't been there to support it. It is an expensive program, but its effectiveness has been tested and its relevance for East Hartford, the home of Pratt and Whitney Aircraft, is obvious. Over a four-year period, the school district will need to allocate $69,490 to implement a minimum of five classes. As each course is introduced (the program has a four-year sequence of classes), the instructor is required to attend a two-week training program at an area university. Steve Socolosky studied for two weeks at Worchester Polytechnic Institute last summer for the course he is teaching this year. Michelle hopes eventually to introduce a biomedical and/or aeronautics course for seniors, along with a capstone course where students design and build an original team project. The new superintendent of schools, Mark Zito, comes from a school district that has implemented Project Lead the Way, and he is very supportive of the program.
Steve Socolosky spoke about his experience starting the program this year with a course entitled Introduction to Engineering Design (IEDs!). He and the students had to learn design software named “Inventor,” and within three weeks the students were showing Steve how it worked. The approach Steve takes is to have students do “reverse engineering” on any number of manufactured products. This technique should please Don Pitkin, who complains that assembly engineers on the shop floor at Pratt and Whitney always had to redo the plans of the design engineers because the plans couldn't be manufactured they way they had been drawn! Steve focuses on accuracy, precision, and the collection and organization of data. His course includes elements of metacognition (analysis of one's own learning process) and engineering ethics (IEDs?). He also provides as much hands-on experience as he can; for instance, his class took a field trip to the Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) in Windsor Locks, where the students were able to experience the structure, operation, and maintenance of helicopters - up close in 20° cold weather. Next year the program will introduce manufacturing machinery that will allow students to actually build their own projects. Every day there is something in the news that Steve can apply to his classroom.
In the question and answer period, Michelle indicated her excitement that the National Academy of Finance (the parent organization of East Hartford High School's Academy of Finance) also supports an academy of engineering program that uses Project Lead the Way as its curriculum. The school will be looking at the possibility of connecting with that program.

Make-ups:  Scott Nozik (2), eClub; Herb Tischofer, Naples Bay; Jay Stewart, Glastonbury; John Mozzicato (4) and Leo Christmas (3), Charlotte Harbor; George Schoen, Sue and Peter Klock, and Ceil Collins, board of directors meeting; Frank Collins (2), PETS speaker; Pat Gately, East Windsor; Jim Watts, Moe Belanger, Art Bradbury, Frank Collins, and Jackie Danise, Rotary Information meeting; and Roy Spiller, Bill Secord, and Jackie Danise, history book committee.
Respectfully submitted, Bill Secord
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
District Governor Nominee Designate (whew!) Sue Klock opened the meeting, and Anwar Hossain took documentary videos as we sang a rousing version of the R.O.T.A.R.Y song under the guidance of piano lady Sheryl O'Connor. On this Earth Day, Dan Larson delivered the invocation, giving thanks for the change of seasons, the welcome warmth, and new light. He asked for blessings upon President Sue as she undertakes her new duties at the district level. Luncheon consisted of the always-welcome chicken pot pie, salad, and chocolate cupcakes with thick vanilla frosting.
Scott Nozik introduced guest Sarah Kelley, his administrative intern from UConn. He admitted that Sarah had been his student in elementary school-only three years ago. Carol Krantz introduced Professor Dr. Michael Dellnitz, a return visitor from Germany, where he is a professor at the University of Paderborn's Institute for Industry and Mathematics. Carol also introduced Jaime Angulo, a visiting Rotarian from San Jose, CA. After having taken a taxi from Hartford to the Ridge (a maneuver not often seen in these parts), Jaime was given a ride back to his hotel by Dan Firestone (in his Hudson?). Nick Cecere introduced guest Ted Marena, president of Marena Industries of East Hartford. Assistant Governor Mike Barnett attended today's meeting to give recognition to President Sue for her electoral victory-district governor for the year 2011-2012. “The Welcome Song” was led by Scott Nozik, Frank Staples, and Dan Larson-a Triumvirate reminiscent of Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus. (Crassus was the one with the money. You decide.)
Dan Larson fined Jim Fallon (in absentia) and George Finch for birthdays, George Agnelli for an anniversary, and Steve Bates for his continued absence even though the tax season is over. Tom Westbrook paid for having his patented “Welcome Song” sung at a Rotary meeting in Florida, and Chuck Clarke paid for his picture doing the singing-without Tom's written permission. Dan reported that he finally sold his last book of raffle tickets at the district conference. The PIG collected $17.42 for the Foundation. President Sue asked those members who had attended the district conference to stand-Dan Russell, Neal Cunningham, Bill Saunders, George Schoen, Peter and Sue Klock, Dan Larson, Dave Amberg, and Mary Sullivan. Mary Sullivan had actually already done a stand-up routine at the conference with a put-down of Rotary's mysterious abbreviations (RI, GSE, PDG, PHF, PP, ADG, DGNG, RCC, XXX, etc.) and a sterling imitation of Past Rotary International Vice President and UN Representative Frank Collins. Tina Fey watch out!
Announcements:
Those members using a Mac computer to access our club's website need to use a browser other than Safari.  _Bill Leone is looking for 70 missing raffle tickets. If he discovers whose tickets they are before the miscreant owns up, he'll put a call into Providence.  _Bill Leone reported that the Scholarship Trust Fund suffered from the stock market decline this year (value dipping from $185,346 to $128,544), but that its dividends improved (up to $7,536 from $7,265). Similarly, the Brewer scholarship fund dipped in value (down from $23,372 to $16, 998) but improved in income (up to $1,025 from $1,016). Nice investment work! These scholarship monies are available to students graduating from East Hartford High School, the International Baccalaureate Academy, East Catholic High School, and Cheney Technical High School. The Brewer monies can be awarded to students even if they are related to a Rotary member, but Scholarship Trust Fund awardees cannot be related to a present Rotary member.  _The Rock Cats family night is scheduled for May 15. Money must be in by next week. Forty-nine people have signed up; eighty-nine signed up last year. _The District Assembly is scheduled for May 13 at the Clarion Conference Center in West Springfield. Vice President George Schoen urged all members interested in Rotary's organizational structure to attend. The assembly runs from 7:15 to 12:00 (with breakfast provided). Our club will pay expenses, and we hope to car pool.  _At the monthly board of directors meeting, Jackie Danise and Roy Spiller reported on the progress of our club's Images of America: East Hartford book. Scheduled publication date is around August 15.  _Board of directors action on local charitable giving: 1) Academy of Finance scholarships, $3,000; 2) adult literacy program at Wickham Library, $500; 3) Interval House, $500; 4) Mercy Housing, $1,000; 5) American Lung Association, $500; 6) South Windsor Music Series, $250; 7) Talking Books, $500; 8) East Hartford YMCA, $1000; and 9) local Eagle Scout project, $125. The board also funded our budgeted special international projects: the Guatemala Water Project organized by Rick Lawrence of the Manchester Rotary Club, $4,000; and Women-to-Women, a recovery program focused on women victimized by ethnic warfare in the Democratic Republic of Congo, $500.  _Sue and Peter Klock will be our delegates to the Rotary International Conference in Birmingham, UK, in June; Frank and Ceil Collins will be their alternates.  _The Senior Citizens Prom is next week at East Hartford High School from 2:30 to 5:30 (or time in between). You may park best by using the first driveway into the high school (coming from Silver Lane) and driving around the back of the school to the cafeteria entrance.
Program: Kevin Sullivan, Executive Director of the Children's Museum in West Hartford.
Kevin Sullivan, former mayor of West Hartford and former Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut, began his talk by commenting that he was glad that even in this distressed economy it was possible for anyone to find a job, as evidenced by Dan Larson's lucrative position as sergeant at arms. Kevin noted that he found working with children and small animals much easier than working with politicians, since sometimes children and animals don't fight with each other. The target audience of the Children's Museum is children under 10 years old with a focus on providing science education and hands-on experience. Founded in 1927, the oldest pre-school science museum in the nation, it acts as a gateway, furthering an interest in science that will continue throughout life. Every year, the museum interacts with 20,000 to 30,000 school children in their classrooms. Its present facilities on Trout Brook Drive in West Hartford house a state-of-the art digital planetarium with overhead video projection capability. The museum also operates the Roaring Brook Nature Center and acts as an animal sanctuary and rescue center. Last week, for example, it inherited an apparently abandoned 10-foot-long python! The museum's displays include such interactive exhibits as an excavation station (simulated archeological dig pits), and it is expanding its operations into such areas as teacher training, including partnership programs with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology in East Hartford. An integral part of the museum's mission is to raise career orientation in science, especially among girls. The recently implemented Connecticut Mastery Test in Science has revealed that only 40% of Connecticut's fifth-grade population has a basic knowledge of science-and only 15% to 20% of students in the state's poorer districts. The Children's Museum is anxious to join forces with the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford, which will focus on the 'tween-through-adult population. The Children's Museum is unique in that it receives no public funding: it is entirely dependent upon private contributions and memberships. An amazing benefit from membership in the Children's Museum is reciprocal membership in over 200 other children's science museums around the world. In response to a question from Sheryl O'Connor about green technology, Kevin noted that a new facility is in the works and is needed before the museum can do much more in this area. He hopes to raise enough funds for a new, “green” facility by 2014.
Make-ups: Peter and Sue Klock at Bloomfield Rotary; the whole team that attended the district conference in Portsmouth, NH.
Respectfully submitted, Bill Secord

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The most wonderful thing about having a luncheon run by Heather Summerer is that you get to have dessert first-plates full of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, chocolate chip cookies, and miniature lemon tarts, cannoli, cheesecakes, and crème puffs at everyone's table. An even more succulent main dish was served buffet-style-after a prayer by Ned Lynch, who asked that the food we thankfully received would nourish us for the challenges ahead. And what nourishment! Salmon wrap, fried shrimp wrap, veggie tempera wrap, chicken and roast beef sandwiches, two salads, and a rice and spinach dish. Today's venue at Pratt and Whitney's marvelous museum within its huge hanger was impressive-perfect sound system, looming projection screen, and cloth napkins and table cloths! 
Joining us were Joe Bonillo, administrative intern and guest of Glen Peterson; Patty Toce, guest of Gina Herboldt; Nell Bourgoin, guest of Jay Stewart; and Diane Bazzano, guest of Brian Liss, who got lost escorting Diane from Cabela's next door. Gina Herboldt, Dan Larson, and Sheryl O'Connor (in replacement for her absent piano) led the “Welcome Song.” Heather, tell your bosses at Pratt and Whitney that in support of the arts they should add a Steinway grand to complement their grand display of monstrous jet engines.
Sergeant at Arms Dan Larson fined Bill Secord, Dave Amber, and Andy Andreo for their birthdays. Andy and Roger Nicholson were born on the same day 81 years ago, and Andy contributed a check to the scholarship trust equal to the sum of their ages. Roger reciprocated from his redoubt in the Allegheny Mountains! Nick Cecere paid for “over 30 years” in Rotary; Glen Peterson paid two happy dollars in honor of his administrative intern; Don Pitkin paid for a picture in Hustler (or some other local investigative journal); Diane Bazzano herself paid for being late to today's meeting (Brian Liss thereby missing his chance to be gallant); and Dan himself paid in honor of his father, a career officer on Pratt and Whitney's self-contained fire department, a group duly praised by Heather in her PowerPoint presentation.
And would you believe it, Don Pitkin won the raffle (and turned the cash over to the scholarship fund).
Announcements: Golf committee meeting before the April 22 meeting at the Ridge at 11:30. Past-Presidents' Picnic coming up at Jay Stewart's island bungalow on Lake Pocotopaug in May. Gil Wishart announced that the Rock Cats sign-up sheet will circulate again next week. Herb Barall encouraged everyone to attend the 18-piece Big Band Concert this Sunday at the Cultural Center from 2:00 to 5:00. The GSE Farewell Party for the visiting team from Thailand will take place at the Storrowton Tavern at the Big E in Springfield on Thursday, April 23, from 6:30 to 8:30. (Let's pray they find everything safe when they return home.) Our Interact Club at the Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy is sponsoring the 4th Annual Michael Abelon Memorial Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Walk on May 16 on the high school campus. The club is looking for sponsors, who will get their company logos on the T-shirts given to the participants. Contact Rachel Buck or Jennifer Sawyer at 622-5590. The Interact Club is also holding a fund-raiser to raise money for a Shelterbox by sponsoring an “IB Shelterless” sleep-over on May 1 on the grounds of the First Congregational Church. Club members need donations of large pieces of cardboard to build their “shelters.” For reasons discussed at the last meeting, the Plant Sale has been cancelled. President Sue clarified that Skip Guillemette had not attended the Paul Harris recognition dinner because he did not want special recognition for his club and community service. Next week: Kevin Sullivan from the Children's Museum in West Hartford will be our speaker.
Program: Heather Summerer began her presentation with a video clip that demonstrated the remarkable types of torture inflicted upon each family of Pratt and Whitney engines before being offered to the marketplace. Everyone's favorite test must be the ingestion of bird carcasses, some of whose feathers decorated the rear seat of Heather's family car when her father used it to transport contraband in an effort to escape the watchful eyes of chicken lovers. Pratt and Whitney is one of three United Technology Corporation divisions, along with Hamilton Sundstrand and Sikorsky, devoted to aerospace. Even in this shaky economy, UTC's profits have increased 7% over last year. One of many remarkable statistics: 52% of UTC income results from sales outside the United States. Pratt and Whitney itself has 38,000 employees around the world-8,000 in East Hartford and 2,000 in Middletown-including 7,500 engineers. (As Don Pitkin would say, “Pratt and Whitney is not an aircraft manufacturing company; it's an engineering company.) P&W engines power 50% of the world's commercial fleet and the military aircraft of 27 different nations.
P&W's commitment to corporate responsibility includes the donation of $5 million a year to local communities, including $200,000 to the East Hartford Public Schools. Engineers from P&W mentor students in math and science In support of “Quest to Fly,” an after-school program developed by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology. P&W also supports the East Hartford summer concert series, the Podunk Music festival, the YMCA's Science Exploration Camp, the School-Business Partnership, and the East Hartford Child Plan program. P&W employees in Connecticut give 10,000 hours of volunteer time to community service, and P&W itself pays $6.5 million in taxes to the town of East Hartford. One of the most significant aspects of the UTC vision for the future is a concerted effort to develop clean energy and the construction of LEED-certified manufacturing facilities. We came away from today's program impressed by UTC's corporate success.
Make-ups: Chirag Thaker and Dan Russell at Rockville; Jackie Danise, Bill Secord, and Roy Spiller at a Rotary book committee meeting; Mary Sullivan at East Hartford Career Day; and John Mozzicato at Charlotte Harbor.
Respectfully submitted, Bill Secord

Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Another full house! Spring must truly have arrived, and the snowbirds are coming back. Glen Peterson gave the invocation, giving thanks for the people here with us today and for the providers (people, plants, etc.) of our luncheon fare-and asking us to remember all those throughout the world who are without food at all. The Krause menu consisted of their usual fine pot roast and roasted potatoes together with a mixture of string beans and carrots. Bread pudding topped it off. Steve Jacoby introduced the guest at his table, insurance agent Mark Glass from Glastonbury. Jay Stewart introduced Nell Bourgoin, director of development at Goodwin College. Don Pitkin introduced former member Dave Malinguaggio, brother of Mike Malinguaggio (who proceeded to deliver a speech about “macaroni”-or some such subject). And Mary Sullivan introduced the person to whom she had sold the winning $10,000 raffle ticket, Nancy Gianetti of Marlborough, along with her husband Todd. We were led in the “Welcome Song” by Pat Gately and Chuck Clarke, both of whom had practiced their technique earlier in the month in a knock-out performance together at a Rotary club in Florida. Nick Cecere won today's raffle.
Sergeant at Arms Dan Larson fined yours truly for misattributing the identity of last week's invocation speaker. (I was thankful to discover Dan's literacy.) Chuck Clarke and Don Pitkin paid for their birthdays (Don's 88th). John McNaughton paid for 21 years in Rotary, and Skip Guillemette paid for 27 years. Spurge Stokes is celebrating 56 years of marriage to Elizabeth Ann. Ted Mosebach got his badge back from Mo Moshovos' chest (I'm not sure who paid the fine). John Oates paid for the article he wrote for a national trade journal. Art Apostol paid a happy dollar for the new home on Lake Chaffee that he stole from Andy Matos. Anwar Hossein, even though he found his pin in his pajamas, paid for failing the Four-Way Test. Ned Lynch paid $1.00 for the previous day's Red Sox win and another dollar for the Yankee loss. And Carol Krantz paid for her daughter's being named adjutant general of Connecticut's Army National Guard. And just before her presentation of today's program, Susan Holway of the Thomaston club paid a Happy Dollar in recognition of East Hartford Rotary's unique status as “The Singing Club.”
President Sue announced that in an effort to increase attendance at the Senior Citizens' Ball we plan to sell tickets at the door. For that purpose we need two volunteers. The ticket taker doesn't need to be able to stand up, so everyone in the club is eligible! In the light of the great success of the raffle, President Sue is reconsidering the status of the plant-sale fund raiser. We need a full-day commitment from 40 people in order to be able to run the plant sale effectively. She asked for a show of hands for that possibility, and 20 members committed. Sue indicated she would discuss the club's options with the fund-raising committee.
Reminder: Next week's meeting is at Pratt and Whitney's Air Museum/Hanger. Directions: Enter at the Pratt and Whitney Silver Lane entrance and keep to the right. Go past the UT Research Center and the Customer Training Center on your left. The Hanger parking lot will be on your left before you come to the traffic lights on Willow Street. Directions are also on the Website. Reminder: The sign-up sheet for the Rock Cats Family Day on May 15 is circulating. Announcement: The golf committee will be meeting on April 22 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ridge. Announcement: The 2nd Annual East Hartford Hockanum River Canoe and Kayak Race is taking place May 3, 2009. The race needs sponsors to pay for insurance, posters, police, etc. Sponsors will have their names/logos printed on the race's T-shirts and on promotional flyers and posters and will receive credit in newspaper coverage. Contact the East Hartford Hockanum River Race, C/O Paula Saaf, 50 Chapman Place, Room 216, East Hartford, CT 06108. Make checks out to East Hartford Hockanum River Race.
Program: The work of Rotary Clubs to provide clean water for impoverished peoples around the world was highlighted in a presentation by Susan Holway of the Thomaston Rotary Club. Eighty per cent of the world's illness is caused by poor water sanitation. The Thomaston club has adopted a project focusing on South India in communities devastated by the AIDS epidemic. Funds donated by District 7890 help pay for an ingenious water purification devise that uses local sand and gravel to clean contaminated water of 100% of pathogens, 95% of bacteria, and 95-99% of heavy metals. The Bio-Sand Pure Water Initiative was started by a former Peace Core volunteer who revisited the area he had worked in 20 years ago only to find the numerous wells the Peace Core had constructed had failed. The former volunteer took classes on how to build the Bio-Sand Water Filter. Each devise serves 15-20 families. Myrada, a social service group helping AIDS victims, introduced the devise to villages in one of the poorest areas in South India, where 15 to 17% of the deaths are AIDS related. Families hit by AIDS are devastated by loss of income, school drop outs, etc. Support for this program by District 7890 has provided 500 HIV-devastated families with clean water. There is a possibility for district clubs to work together to obtain a matching grant to provide continued support for the program.
Make-ups: George Schoen, Dan Larson, Heather Summerer, and Larry Hangland for the Group Study Exchange.                Respectfully submitted, Bill Secord

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

In keeping with the international theme of today's meeting, Glen Peterson began our luncheon with an ancient Egyptian invocation praising God for shining light upon the earth and giving life to all beings. Guy LaBella followed with a prayer of thanks for all our troubles, limitations, and setbacks-out of our troubles come our blessings. The club today was blessed with the presence of the Group Study Exchange Team from Thailand and with many members of the Windsor/Windsor Locks Rotary Club, hosts for the Thailand team. Not a single seat was vacant in our Memorial Hall. Special guests from Windsor/Windsor Locks included Past District Governor Karen Andrews, Assistant Governor for Area 7 Pam Nupoli, and Jerry Wistrom, who introduced the GSE guests. Other guests were Janet Hangland and David Parry. Heather Summerer and Guy LaBella led the “Welcome Song.”

Sergeant-at-arms Dan Larson, with uncustomary chutzpah, asked members of the visiting club to stand up to be recognized and then fined them approximately $20 seat tax (which Jerry Wistrom gallantly paid). Larson attempted to redeem his faux pas by offering Jerry outdated Thai 20-baht currency that the leader of the GSE team said might now be worth 20 cents. So much for the Irish empire. Larson also fined Jack Gagnon and Anwar Hossain, who claimed he had left his Rotary pin attached to his pajamas. Sheryl O'Connor paid a fine for her daughter's PhD. defense at MIT scheduled for Thursday.

Bill Leone made a summary report on the raffle. The club sold 3229 tickets for a gross income of $32,290 and a net profit of $21,140! Our only expenditures were $100 for raffle permits from the state and town. Larry Hangland printed the tickets for free, and Tom Westbrook crafted a legacy-level rotating drum large enough to meet state criteria for holding all the stubs for the drawing. That means we have to have another raffle next year. Skip Guillemette's team (Glen Peterson accountant) led the sales figures with 492 tickets sold. Carol Krantz's team was second with 469 tickets sold; and Brian Liss's team was third with 416 tickets sold. George Agnelli's team-he himself alone!-sold 300 tickets, more than double his nearest salesperson rivals Bill Leone (133 tickets) and Sheryl O'Connor (131 tickets). Bill Leone instructed all members to return any unsold raffle to ticket to him over the next week. We need to account for all tickets to conform to state regulations. Dan Larson is still selling his tickets, so he was given a grace period (Lord knows he needs it).

President Sue inducted new member Gina Herboldt, the second new member this year sponsored by Carol Krantz. Gina is a crisis counselor at Interval House in Hartford. Gil Wishart announced a family day to be held on May 15-another Rock Cats baseball game! Jane Goodell, a self-described camp follower from the Windsor/Windsor Locks club, won the raffle.

President Sue announced a mandatory meeting for all new members (those who joined after July 1, 2008) to take place before next week's meeting at the Ridge from 11:30 to 12:00 or after next week's meeting from 1:30 to 2:00. Sue also announced that the sign-up sheet for the Senior Citizens' Prom, scheduled for the afternoon of April 29, will circulate next week.

Program: The Group Study Exchange Team from Bangkok, Thailand, presented East Hartford with a gift of framed golden silhouettes of Bangkok landmarks and a gorgeous scarlet club banner. President Sue gave the team an East Hartford Rotary bell manufactured in nearby East Hampton, CT. Larry Hangland had organized team visits throughout the day in East Hartford. The team's flight from, Bangkok took 27 hours. Their PowerPoint presentation provided us with colorful background on Bangkok and the extensive activities of Rotary District 3330, located in northeast Thailand. This year is the 175th anniversary of friendly relations between the United States and Thailand (formerly known as Siam). The leader of the team, Quanchai Laohaviraphab (Ken) owns a steel products manufacturing mill. Two members of the team-Jirapom Kannsuwan (Gungnang) and Sawitree Muangyai (Kob)-work or teach at Thai universities, and one member-Unchalee Boonyanurak (Unlee)-teaches high school English. Team member Chawengsak Lertritsirikul (“C”) is an industrial engineer who owns an automotive interiors manufacturing company. Among District 3330's many activities are a Clean Water Project and Polio Plus involvement in Thailand itself. Their clock tower project for their city literally towers over our lovely gazebo. We thank the Windsor/Windsor Locks for the unique opportunity to meet these gracious people and to learn more about their country.

Make-ups: Chuck Clarke and Herb Tischofer-Florida; Ned Lynch-e-Club; Peter and Sue Klock, Frank and Ceil Collins-membership conference; Jim Fallon, Gil Wishart, Kathy McCabe, Glen Peterson, Jim Watts, Bob Richmond, Bill Saunders, Dick McCarthy, Carol Krantz, and Dean Roland-golf committee.

Respectfully submitted,
Bill Secord
High Gear, Wednesday, March 25th

 The Gallery was already packed at 6:20 with Rotarians, spouses, family members and even District Governor Jim Dusza ready to hear the results of the raffle and honor four members of the East Hartford Rotary Family as Paul Harris Fellows.  The crowd enjoyed hors d’oeuvre, cocktails, and lively conversation.

 Bill Leone was actually calm only 10 minutes before the drawing, testimony no doubt to the many hours he and other members of the Ways and Means Committee devoted to making sure the raffle was well organized.  Mike Haydek, one of the Channel 3 morning news casters, was on hand to spin the barrel (designed and built by Tom Westbrook) and draw the three winning tickets.  Third place went to member Chuck Clarke, who is still in Florida.  Second prize went to Gil Wishart Jr, son of our member Gil Sr.  The grand prize went to Nancy Gianetti, of Marlborough.  The ticket was sold by member Mary Sullivan.  The raffle netted the club about $21,000.  This is a great result considering that only two weeks ago we had barely reached the break even point.  The entire club is truly indebted to Bill Leone and the members of the Ways and Means Committee for all the work they put in behind the scenes to make the raffle a success. 

 The meeting was called to order at 7:30.  We began with the Rotary Song.  Bill Saunders led the pledge and Larry Frazier gave the invocation.  President Sue made some introductory remarks about the purpose of the evening and the work of the Rotary Foundation.  She also told those assembled that the club donated $1000 to the Rotary Foundation in the name of each of the evening’s Paul Harris recipients.

 We inducted two new members: Yvette Roming sponsored by Don Pitkin, and Carol Lawton, sponsored by Carol Krantz.  Welcome to Rotary and our club!

 Dr. Tom Galvin was the emcee for the recognition ceremonies.  It was a great pleasure to be able to honor four members of our Rotary family: Jean Roland, Sam Leone, Bill Secord, and Skip Guillemette.   Kathy McCabe introduced Jean Roland, Roy Spiller introduced Sam Leone, and I introduced Bill Secord.  Unfortunately Skip couldn’t be with us.  After the introductions the recipients said a few words.  It was great to hear from Kathy, Jean, Roy, Sam and Bill.  They all spoke movingly and we learned why each of them is truly deserving of being a Paul Harris Fellow.  Following the introductions the honorees were given their medals and pins by District Governor Jim, President Sue and the member who introduced each of them.  Jean, Sam, Bill, and Skip have all devoted years of service to the club, the community, and even the region.  Each one of them embodies the Rotary motto of “Service above Self.” 

 Announcements:

There will be a golf committee meeting next Wednesday at 11:45 prior to the meeting.

 Bob Richmond has a new e-mail address, rich.bob66@hotmail.com.  Unfortunately he hasn’t been able to get into his old e-mail so if you’ve sent him anything recently and didn’t get a reply, it wasn’t intentional.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Bob Richmond and the Invocation was given by George Schoen.  We celebrated St Patrick's Day (albeit one day late) with corned beef and cabbage for lunch.  We had a raucous meeting full of good cheer.
We had 5 guests: Jeff Lee of Goodwin College, Dr Michael Dellnitz a visiting Rotarian from Germany who is at UTC for 3 months, and 3 proposed members Carol Lawton from Met Life, Gina Herboldt from Interval House, and Yvette Roming, who is the VP of Operations for a local Nursing Services company.
Today's Sgt-at-Arms is Jack Sayre.  Dick McCarthy, Carol Krantz, and Steve Tamiso are celebrating birthdays this month, and Carol Krantz is also celebration her Rotary anniversary.  Bill Saunders contributed to remind us who won the Super Bowl, who was it again?  Heather Summerer contributed to celebrate her baby's baptism.  Sheryl O'Connor's daughter won the $10,000 Amelia Earhart research grant.  Glen Peterson made a donation because the Glastonbury Town Council voted to buy land to build his school.  Dan Larson contributed because today is the anniversary of something outrageous he did many years ago relating to Dick Lemieux and blue hair.
Announcements:
¢     We are looking for applicants for Ambassadorial Scholarships which pay for a year's study abroad.  Contact Bill Secord.
¢     Please e-mail info about make-ups to Ceil Collins as soon as possible.  You don't need to wait to give her a card.
¢     Mary Martin will be taking a 6-month leave of absence, primarily job related.
¢     The District Conference is in April.  Only 15 members are attending, this is very low for us, please consider attending.  Portsmouth, NH is a great town.
¢     Paul Harris Dinner.  New Wed, March 25 at the Gallery on New London Turnpike in Glastonbury.  The Raffle drawing will be held at 6:30 and the cocktail bar will open immediately following the drawing.  Dinner will begin at 7:30.  The dinner entrée choices are Filet Mignon, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and Salmon.  Tickets are $40 each and the money is overdue.
¢     No lunch meeting on 3/25 because of the Paul Harris Dinner.
¢     GSE Team from Thailand will be visiting during the 1st week in April.  They will be here for the meeting, which will be held at Pratt. We are looking for vocational activities for them in East Hartford.  Any ideas?
¢     Ways & Means Committee will meet on Monday, 3/23 at Bill Leone's house at 6:00.
¢     Raffle Update.  Bill thinks we'll earn at least $10,000 from the raffle.  All tickets must be turned in to his office before Wed.  If you have any last minute tickets you must bring them to the Gallery between 5:30 and 6:00 prior to the drawing.
¢     Brian Liss reported that we are close to meeting our 3-year membership goal of bringing 30 members under the age of 55 into the club.  As of today we have brought in 26 new members, 3 are being proposed today, which brings the total to 29.  We need just one more by June 30 to reach the lofty goal we set for ourselves.  Golf Committee will meet on April 3 prior to the regular meeting.

Make-Ups:  Sue Klock 5, Peter Klock 4, Glen Peterson 1, Bill Secord 2, Ceil Collins 4, Bill Saunders 1, Sheryl O'Connor 1, Frank Collins 4, George Schoen 4, Steve Jacoby 4, Jim Watts 1, Art Bradbury 2, Moe Belanger 1, Jacquie Danise 1, Jay Stewart 1, Dick McCarthy 1, Steve Tamiso 1, Carol Krantz 2, Art Apostol 1, Mary Sullivan 2.

A Phone Chain was distributed and George Agnelli's name is missing, please add his name to the bottom of the list that begins with Jacquie Danise.

Program
    Steve Tamiso gave a report about the Fireside Chats that occurred during February.  He stressed that several members have requested an evening club assembly.
    Incoming President George Schoen attended the Presidents' Elect Training Seminar (PETS) in Nashua, NH last weekend.  Although most incoming presidents take the trip alone, George had special support from the Klocks, the Collins, and Steve Jacoby.  He had fun, has learned a great deal about being a club president, and has become a true believer in the Foundation.  Next year Rotary Theme is, “The Future of Rotary Is in Your Hands.”

Three new members are being proposed for the Rotary Club of East Hartford:
Carol Lawton, classification   01-05 Financial Analyst, Proposed by Carol Krantz
Gina Herboldt, classification 10-01 Community & Social Services Counselor, Proposed by Carol Krantz
Yvette Roming, classification     22-99 Medical/Health Care Provider, Proposed by Carol Krantz
If any East Hartford Rotarian questions or challenges any of these proposed new members, he/she must state his/her concerns in writing via email to Susan Klock (sueklock@gmail.com), and mail a printed copy of the challenge via USPS to Rotary Club of East Hartford, c/o Susan Klock, Club President, PO Box 280722, East Hartford, CT 06128-0722, within 7 days of this notice published on March 19, 2009.

High Gear,  Wednesday, March 11, 2009

A cloudy, drizzly, sorta raw pre-spring day greeted us at the Ridge, making the gas-lit fireplace a warm, welcoming addition. This scribe could tell it's almost spring, though, 'cause he saw earthworms trying to crawl across his driveway!

Ceil Collins led us in the Pledge, Jacquie Danise trotted out an authentic Irish blessing in honor of ole Patrick's upcoming day, and we sat to a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixin's. (Sure an begorrah, where was the corned beef and cabbage?) Mighty tasty, ending as it did with a chocolate mousse. We were a big, noisy group, with lots of jovial camaraderie going on among good friends.

Guests today included Boy Scouter Dave Parry, a possible Rotary transfer from New Jersey, Yvette Roming, friend and prospective Rotarian friend of Don Pitkin, Cate Evans a visiting Rotarian, and Ralph Petzold, who had joined George Schoen, Roy Spiller, and Jack Sayre in judging entrants in an area science fair. Steve Jacoby and Tom Jarish did the honors with our Welcome Song, accompanied with flair by Sheryl O'connor at the ivories.

Sgt at Arms Jack Sayre gave us reason to sing Happy Birthday to Larry Hangland & Neal Cunningham; Dan Larson celebrated 12 tumultuous and happy years in Rotary; while Steve Jacoby paid for having astounded all by being there when the opening bell rang! Without a real connection, President Sue told us that “the Pig” had netted $19.73 last week (at least a buck and a half of it in Euros!)

Announcements of note:
o     John Shemo asked that we send to him any entrants for Vocational Service Awards; remember that's the same night as the upcoming Paul Harris dinner. (see below)
o     Kathy McCabe reminded us that the Paul Harris dinner is Mar.25 at the Gallery; raffle will be held at 6:30, followed immediately by dinner, (choices: Filet Mignon, Chicken Cordon Bleu, & Salmon) $40 each, due by next Wed, the 18th!
o     Bill Leone reported that we've finally “turned the corner” on raffle ticket sales, which means we're $1600 past the break-even point of paying for the prizes. Any unsold books should be turned in to Bill next week. Meanwhile, sell, sell, sell!
o     Orientation Meeting next week at 11:15 for a couple of prospective members.
o     Board Meeting next Monday at the Cultural Center; remember, anyone can come!
o     Next week's program: reports on our Fireside Chats.

Old reliable Spurge Stokes  had a guest (the Boy Scout!) pull the weekly raffle winner… and it belonged to Don Pitkin who graciously donated it to the club's scholarship fund. Nice gesture, Don!

In a good move which benefited us all, President Sue asked seven of our newest members to stand and identify themselves. We were happy to better come to know: Jay Stewart, a professional volunteer; John Oates, E,H.'s Fire Chief; Charig Thaker, with Russell & Dawson, architects; George Finch, Development officer at a local credit union; Ned Lynch, entrepreneur (as well as long ball hitter & master putter);  Luke Blanchard, sales & service for AFLAC (and chief duck-sitter); Anwar Hossain. Architect; and Scott Nozik, principal of a local Magnet School. Thanks, President Sue, that was a great idea!

Make Ups included: Saunders, Cape Coral, FL; at Fireside Chats -  J & G Stewart, Cecere, Cunningham, Finch, Mazzoli, McCabe, Bradbury, Sayre, Barall, Hangland, Roland, & Moshovos; and in Charlotte Harbor, FL, twice, Mozzicato and Christmas.

A pleasure to fill in for that absent stellar editor Glen Peterson….

              Arthur

Hi again, all:
I'm sorry, but in checking with Dean Roland while in the middle of writing, I neglected to mention in High Gear the note about Tony Picano being in the hospital.  Dean talked with him this afternoon, said he hopes to go home by Friday, and would welcome phone calls. His room # is 1138, and the hospital # is 548-5000.

 

High Gear, Wednesday, March 4th

 Members sat with their assigned raffle teams.  The invocation was given by Larry Frazier.

 Lunch consisted of salad, chicken pot pie, and red Jell-O. 

Jack Sayre was the Sgt-at-arms.  Tom Galvin is celebrating 26 years of Rotary and Bill Leon is celebrating 39.  Bob Wood paid for a birthday.  Don Pitkin paid for 6 photos in the paper (was that just one edition?) 

Many Make-ups:  Todd Gaertner 4 in Derby/Shelton; Bill Saunders in Cape Coral, FL; Herb Tischofer and Chuck Clark in Naples, FL; Sheryl O’Connor, Heather Summerer, and Frank Collins for Program Committee; Ned Lynch 2 with the e-club; Dick McCarthy 3 with the Ft Myers, FL Sunrise Club; Frank Collins 2 in Valley Forge, PA; Mary Marin at an Interact Club meeting; and Jonathan Ingall in Guilford

 Announcements:  President Sue read a letter the club received from Ed Fuda, the Rotary Secretary General due to George Stewart’s passing. 

 President Sue sent $90 to the RI Foundation for February donations to the Pig.

 The Sign-up is going around for the Paul Harris Dinner.  The dinner will be held on Wed, March 25 at the Gallery on New London Turnpike in Glastonbury.  The Raffle drawing will be held at 6:30 and the cocktail bar will open immediately following the drawing.  Dinner will begin at 7:30.  The dinner entrée choices are Filet Mignon, Chicken Cordon Bleu, and Salmon.  Tickets are $40 each and the money is due by March 18.

 Golf Committee:  There will be a meeting at the Ridge at 11:45 immediately before next week’s luncheon.

 Raffle was won by Luke Blanchard….again!

 Nomination forms are available for the vocational service award.

 Program:  Club Assembly 

President Sue spoke about the need to recruit members.  Although our club is doing a great job bringing new members into the club, there has been no net increase in membership this year because we have also lost members.  She suggested approaching former members who might be interested in rejoining.

 Bill Leon spoke about the need to sell raffle tickets.  The drawing is only 3 weeks away and we have barely reached our break even point.  All the tickets sold from this point forward will be profit for the club.  He shared some statistics about the number of members who haven’t yet sold or turned in any tickets.  Several members were asked to share how they sell tickets.  George Agnelli, always one of the top sellers, is simply very friendly starts up conversations with people and ASKS.  Remember the worst thing that can happen is someone will say no, thanks.  Carol Krantz sent out an e-mail to lots of people explaining that the club is selling tickets and explained how the funds would be used. Mary Martin wore a button that read “Raffle ?” and people asked her about it.

George Schoen, the incoming president, is working on his 09-10 budget.  Contact him with idea.

 Moe Balanger recommended that we don’t do raffles in the future in preference for hands-on fundraising efforts, which was a perfect segue for Skip Guillemette who spoke about the plant sale coming up during the first weekend in May. 

Art Bradbury related that he and George Stewart had discussed the idea that perhaps the club is spending too much.  Perhaps we should limit spending to an amount that could be covered by the golf tournament proceeds and some small fundraisers without a 2nd major event.

President Sue explained that in recent years the majority of golf money ($15000) goes to one particular thing such as Project Lead the Way.  We also support a variety of other local and international projects and need to raise other funds to support them.

 Peter Klock, club treasurer, said that 20 members haven’t yet paid their dues for the first half of 2009.  Please send it or bring it to a meeting.

HIGH GEAR Wednesday,February 25, 2009

The day was bright, the crowd filled most of the tables and President Sue rang the bell on the dot. Sheryl O'Conner struck up the East Hartford Rotary Song and the meeting was underway. Dave Amberg led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Dan Larson presented a stirring Blessing asking us to remember George Stewart, whom I'm sure, was already fully in the thoughts of all in attendance. He will never be forgotten!

The welcome song leaders were announced...Carol Krantz and Nick Cecere...while Carol and Nick tuned up with the help of Sheryl - Guests Karen Andrews (Past Dist Gov, Nancy Indrigczyk (GSC Team Leader)were  introduced by Frank Collins and the world famous Gil Spencer (Glastonbury).

Jack Ghagan, Sergeant at Arms fined - Frank Collins (birthday), Heather Summers (picture in the paper) - John Kelleher (grand daughter #4) - Dan Russell (birthday) - Don Pitkin (picture in paper). There were a number of early leavers who failed to pay their dollar....Was that fair to all Concerned?

Announcements:
o     Don Pitkin was called to the podium by President Sue to announce that the Nursing Services were sponsoring : JAVA - Jazz - Chocolate”. This will be held at 7PM on Saturday the 28th at the Community Center. Tickets at the door will be $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for seniors. President Sue announced that Don Pitkin had been honored at the annual Republican Lincoln's Dinner for “Excellence in Public Service” and that Don had received a citation form the State Legislature and Congress as well as recognition by Gov. Rell and Mayor Curry.

o     George Schoen repeated the information on George Stewart, Thursday Feb 26th calling hours at D'Esopo's Funeral Chapel 4pm - 8pm. Memorial Service at South Congregational Church at 11am Saturday Feb 28th. Rotarians will have an area set aside until 10:45 when it will be open to others.

o     Past Dist Gov. Karen Andrews presented E.H. Rotary with a check in the amount of $500.00 from “The District Grants”. This is called a Simplified Grant. It is funds coming back through the District that have been donated for various reasons to Rotary International. The check was to Ceil Collins for use in the Dictionary project.

o     Next week the meeting is back at the Ridge! (Club Assembly - Membership issues) PLEASE SIT WITH YOUR TEAM NEXT WEEK!

o     Fireside Chat at Dan Larson's has been rescheduled from Feb 26th to Tuesday March 3rd.

o     Program Committee Meeting before next week's meeting (11:30 at the Ridge)

o     Attny Leone is looking for his coat....Blue almost Black. Dan Larson was checked, but if he took it, it's down at the pawn shop on Main Street.

o     Please get out and sell your tickets for the Raffle. The funds are used by Rotary for good works here in the community, the country and the world!

o     PAUL HARRIS DINNER - March 25th 2009, The Gallery -Glastonbury - 6:30 Cocktails - 7:30 Dinner - Signup sheet will be passed next week - $40.00 per person Due March 18th.

Our speakers this year have been excellent and timely. Today Dan Firestone introduced Dave Ogle, who has a resume far too long to list here, but let it suffice to say he is an international expert on the Indian Sub - Continent. Its' conflicts, the effects of the several hundred years of British occupation and American medaling. He spoke of how the division of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh has affected the development of the modern day Taliban, Al-Qaeda and the various tribal forces we are at odds with today.


High Gear February 18 2009

Our Day was on the grey side, as we prepared for a light snow this evening, but the Spirit of Rotary was in abundance. Talk was of Basketball, politics, and food. The opening pledge was led by Frank Collins, and our Blessing by Gill Spencer. Lunch flowed out of the kitchen, a crisp tossed salad, a heaping portion of lasagna. No one went away hungry today. This may have been the first day I ever remember without a guest, so no song, also a first. Dan Firestone acting as today’s Sergeant at Arms and he had some interesting Birthdays Mike Malinguaggio (joined Rotary Aug 28th 1984.…..but only gets credit for 3 yrs) Andy Andreo - 26 yr Rotary , Donna Bys - her birthday, Don Pitkin - picture in paper, Frank Collins - picture in Rotarian, Brian Liss a first birthday party for his son. Happy Birthday was serenaded to Donna. Announcements:

High Gear Wednesday, Feb 4th

The day started with a puff of fresh white snow, enough to cover the fading snows of the past months and sparkle with the bright blue sky of our noon day meeting. We came together with talk of Super Bowl - pitchers & catchers can’t be far away. A blessing of hope for the ages both new and old from Jack Sayre got us started. We broke the normal pattern with the early introduction of Gloria Stokes (East Hartford’s Fire Marshal) being presented a giant check in the amount of $2,999.00. These funds are for the "Make Dreams Real Project". They will be used to purchase fire detectors for homes with children who cannot afford them. Gloria thanked Rotary and mentioned previous programs that Rotary and the E. H. Fire Dept had worked together for the benefit and safety of the public. Our meal was served as she spoke. It was Pot-roast, green beans, mashed potatoes, with apple pie to follow. Jackie Danise was called upon to introduce our only visitor, Craig Williams. Craig received our usual serenade led by the duo of Ned Lynch and Danny Boy Larson. Our Sergeant of Arms Jack Sayre had a very good day: Peter Klock 19 years in Rotary, Art Bradbury a new great-grandson Ty Patrick Rindge, John McNaughton a new granddaughter Ruby Rose McNaughton (named after Lucile Bailey’s Mother), Mike Malinguaggio married 63 years, Nick Cecere- birthday, Neil Cunningham picture in paper, & Roy Spiller 32 years in Rotary Announcements:

1. The Pig sent 60.00 to Rotary International
2. Membership Committee meeting rescheduled to Feb 18th
3. Rotary will meet at South Church on Feb 18th and Feb 25th
4. Kathy McCabe made a special thank you to all who supported her during her mother’s passing
5. Steve Tamiso asks that we please attend the Fireside Chats - A great way to get into the swing of Rotary and to get to know the other members. Get directions if you need them…Call and change the date if not good for you, and let both Hosts know of the change.
6. President Sue - TIME TO Push on your raffle tickets
7. Sheryl O’Connor: SW Cultural Arts concert on Friday at 7:30pm Feb 6th is FREE &. It’s at the 1st Congregational on Old Main St. Pratt sponsored a Quartet from the Czech Republic. Seating is 1st come!
8. Next week the speaker should be very interesting regarding UTC’s Realty issues

We welcomed two new members to the club: Scott J. Nozik sponsored by Glen Peterson John H. Oates sponsored by Roy Spiller In addition to the new member packets presented to Scott and John, Roy and Glen were presented with a special Rotary pin showing the number of new members they had sponsored……very nice. During the induction there was some fun banter about the 4 way test, Glen was able to rattle it off…..in the right order and without peeking….again very nice……Guess who won the raffle for this week….Glen Peterson. The funds were donated back to Rotary International, Thank You Glen. Make Ups: Bill Secord - Lebanon-Riverside (2), Herb Tischofer - Naples Bay (3), Chuck Clark - Naples Bay (3), Dan Russell - Juniper-Palm Beach, Ned Lynch - E-Club, Pat Gately - Vernon & Glastonbury, Rotary Information Watts, Tamiso, Belanger, Bradbury, F Collins, Danise, Liss, and Wood Frank Collins, PDG, and Complimented President Sue on the meeting organization and introduced our speaker, the new President at MCC, Dr. Gena D. Glickman. Dr. Glickman covered a range of information on MCC as well as the community college program as a whole. A few highlights include the fact that they share in the use of the 4 way test, enrollment is up, there are 1,195 community colleges, and total enrollment is 11.5 million with 50,000 in Ct. MCC is the largest, the average age is 25 and getting younger…it was 29 Ole Grandpa John

 {Editor's Note::  To see other, past issues of High Gear, double click here on archives.]

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