High Gear, April 16, 2014
Well, who’da thunk it? Go to bed in the spring time and wake up in winter-time, again! That about says it for the weather in southern New England last night and this morning (temp on the Bradbury thermometer was 30 degrees!). But cheer up, warmer days are sure to be with us soon (if not, let me tell you about the May 8th blizzard up in Lewiston, Maine back in 1948!). And while we were talking about the weather, we (all 32 of us!) sang the R-O-T-A-R-Y song, saluted our beautiful flag, heard from President George of long-time member Jim Reik’s passing on yesterday, April 15, and then listened to an invocation in which were expressed thanks
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| Jim Reik, Gentleman and Friend |
for the friends, food, fun, and fellowship provided to us by the wonderful world of Rotary! We stood in relatively short lines for a most delicious buffet offering of beef stroganoff, as well as a new and different dish of salmon, with peppers, lemon slices and several other tasty things, all of which earned high marks from most of the Rotarians present. Amiable “waiter” Larry Hangland did nobly in re-filling the coffee/iced tea cups for his fellow table-mates.
Guests today included member-in-waiting Susan Hansen, town Librarian, and Pat Gately’s 7 year old grandson, James Miano. Pat and Ceil Collins provided the leadership for our Welcome Song, sung with usual East Hartford Rotary gusto.
“Smilin’ Jack” Martin, (he always looks as though he’s just heard a really funny story) entertained us (as he usually does!) with the Sgt-at-Arms report, telling of: Jim Fallon’s birthday; Dan Larson’s grandson’s no hitter (the score was 30-29, and his Little League team lost!); his own trip to Nashville for great basketball; and Mike Costa’s new home purchase –no, Jack, the mortgage wasn’t handled by Quicken Loans! Early enterers and leavers also contributed $$$.
Announcements informed us of:
· May 17’s the date for placement of American flags in Hillside Cemetery – call Chuck Clarke if you can help.
· Next Wednesday, April 23, is Senior Citizen Prom Day; volunteers always needed if you’re available to prepare,set up and serve.
· District Conference in Portsmouth, N.H., weekend of April 25-27th - Every “goer” bring some snack food for Hospitality suite being co-hosted with West Hartford and Manchester clubs.
· Scholarship Committee meeting Next Wednesday, April 23, at 11:30.
· District Assembly- May 12, from 4:30 to 8:30; a leadership seminar for new members at the Windsor Marriott.
· Jack Sayre is collecting “things” and checks for the Back to School packs –by Aug. 1st.
Big lottery winner was Big Jim Fallon!
Program today featured soon-to-be “Empress” (next year’s Prexy) Mary Martin,
who called our attention to several items on our tables, to wit: a ”Committee Preference” form and an “Ideas and Club In-Put” form, both of which she requested that we return to her by next week’s meeting. The latter form listed a number of projects which have been on our docket in one form or another over the years or are being proposed for the next club year. Mary told of her preliminary plans for the year, and encouraged us all to “get on board” with new or different ideas. There followed lively discussion, in which several suggestions were aired. If you weren’t there today, seek out a copy of this listing of ideas, think about them, and be helpful to the process by giving your thoughts to Mary. This was a good beginning of input for the planning of our next club year…take part, be an active member of the East Hartford Rotary Club!
And before I forget it, we’re looking for the holder of anyone who has a key to the “downstairs at the Ridge” storage room. Give Pres. George a call, okay?”
Make-ups: Frank & Ceil Collins, April 12 at the Somers Club’s 50th Anniverary.
Subbing for regular writer this month, the flower-man, Bob Buettner, ……………………….Arthur