The sun was shining and the noon time temperature was hovering in the high seventies, as I approached the parking area and noticed fewer cars than what is normal for early September, when most folks are usually back in town from their various summer activities. Mary mentioned something about a regional Rotary event which has siphoned away some of our absent Rotarians.
Nate Empties Wallet
President Dave rang the bell on time calling us to stand and join in the Rotary Song followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. He then asked the “Reverend” Wood to deliver the weekly invocation. We were reminded of our duty of “Service Above Self” to all those who are needy, displaced by conflicts, and ravaged by natural disaster. How thankful we need to be for what we have.
Buffet lunch had a spread of mashed potatoes, chicken marsala, mixed vegetable, salad and bread rolls. Yes folks, the rolls are back, thanks to Jack Sayre and his committee. Dessert was wedges of carrot cakes.
Dan Firestone, our Sergeant-at-Arms, was seen siphoning cash out of Nate Quesnel’s wallet at an alarming rate for a number of events, one of which was his wish to see the NY Yankees make it to the play-off. I am sure Nate, who was also our Guest Speaker today, must have stopped at the nearest ATM to replenish his wallet before returning to the office. Other victims were George Schoen for his birthday at 25c/year, Dick McCarthy for our new Zip-liner Ruthie, Mary Martin for the sequel to the “daughter” story, Doug Willett for the survival of his winter home after Irma, Dan Firestone for retooling his 1974 VW convertible and as usual, Steve Jacoby for being late. So the sequel, as narrated by May goes like this: Jack and Mary for their wedding twenty-seven years ago had hired a piano player for the occasion. He approached Jack at the end of the event and said “Father of the bride, I am done and I would like to get paid”.
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Fireside Chats, Road Race Upcoming
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
1.President Dave thanked the Lunch Committee for the great job.
2.Doug Willett announced that the first Fireside Chat will take place on October 16 and the last one on October 19. There will be three chats east of the river and one on the west. He is looking for chat leaders.
3.President Dave reminded us that the Hurricane Relief envelope was in circulation this week too.
4.If anyone is still having trouble signing on line for the Habitat event, call President Dave. He will walk you through.
5.Neil Cunningham announced that the Hartford Marathon water station event will be on October 14 starting at 7:00 AM adjacent to Two-Rivers School in East Hartford. He passed out the sign-in sheets. Volunteers please fill it and hand it back to Neil. No need to put you through the not so user friendly online system.
6.Last date for sign up to attend the Rotary meeting at Goodwin College next Wednesday is Monday. Contact Ceil.
7.George Schoen announced that there are 84-86 players for the tournament on Monday. Raffle prizes are plenty. He thanked the volunteers. The weather is expected to be nice.
State of Town Schools Reviewed
Since Sandy Buettner, our last week’s Raffle winner, was not there, Happy Jack had Dick McCarthy pick the winning ticket. This week’s winner, sitting at the same table, was Wes Willett.
Dan introduced Nate Quesnel, a fellow Rotarian and the Superintendent of East Hartford School System. Nate provided us a thumbnail picture of the accomplishments and challenges. The system consists of 15 schools, approximately 7000 students and 1,300 teachers. He thanked Rotary for being a strong partner. There are many challenges facing the system but it is a system like no other with dedicated staff, diversified student body, innovative programs, safe environment and numerous national recognitions. He concluded the presentation with the story of the kid on the beach throwing star fish back in the ocean making a difference in the life of “this starfish”.
25c/year, Dick McCarthy for our new Zip-liner Ruthie, Mary Martin for the sequel to the “daughter” story, Doug Willett for the survival of his winter home after Irma, Dan Firestone for retooling his 1974 VW convertible and as usual, Steve Jacoby for being late. So the sequel, as narrated by May goes like this: Jack and Mary for their wedding twenty-seven years ago had hired a piano player for the occasion. He approached Jack at the end of the event and said “Father of the bride, I am done and I would like to get paid”.
east of the river and one on the west. He is looking for chat leaders.