Nick Cecere 1932 - 2019 -- 32 Years in East Hartford Rotary

God's Speed, Old Friend	Age 87, in Aruba at the Casino, playing poker. Well played, buddy.

Nothing special about today’s weather - cloudy and cool, not cold, not windy, just an average so-so Winter’s day!  The first to arrive were members of the Scholarship Committee.  It was their kick off meeting to plan the process of awarding our six $2000 scholarships.  A redesign of our cover page was necessary because our Club was fortunate to have received a $100,000 bequest from the estate of Gioconda B. McGettigan.  This money was put into our scholarship trust of which Sheryl O’Connor is a Trustee.  We will be designating one of our winners as a McGettigan Scholar per the terms of the bequest.  Again, Larry Hangland will print the applications and prepare the final submissions for all members of the committee to read and evaluate.  The committee is grateful and appreciative of Larry’s expertise and willingness to tend to this most important job!!

The usual hustle and bustle were present around the vestibule, but order was quickly restored when president Kevin rang the ceremonial Rotary Bell.  We sang and pledged, and Bill Saunders offered a thoughtful Invocation and ended with thoughts of Nick Cecere. We were promptly dispatched to the buffet as Jack Sayre was ready for us today.  Our Lunch consisted of two kinds of Lasagna, one a meat based, the other a vegetable combination.  A nice salad and fresh Italian bread rounded out the table. Reports were that both Lasagnas were quite good.  I would second those comments.  Cookies and beverages were available in the main hall.  Sue Klock commented that she and Peter would supply regular silverware to replace the environmentally unfriendly plastic ware provided.  Ceil Collins had similar thoughts.  One small step for a better future for our planet!