Spring Has Sprung.  The crocuses are blooming and Rotarians are in good voice. We had 37 members and guests present today.  Steve Jacoby made it 38 by meal time. President George started off the meeting in good fashion; the song and pledge were followed by a thoughtful invocation (by George) who stressed our efforts for a Polio-free world. We sat down to a delicious lunch of a garden salad followed by Shepard’s pie with custard for dessert.Image Our songsters, Jim Watts and Nate Quesnel made the rounds, greeting all.  We had several guests: Mike Fitzgerald, a director of BSA, and our featured speakers from Engineers Without Borders, Spencer Dew, David Hammond and Eliannah Hunderfund.

 

ImageAndy Andreo returned to the fold after a long winter; Andy, a long-time member, was honored by Rotary International for all his past contributions to RI Foundation. He was presented with the RI Major Donor Award, a crystal paperweight and diamond pin.  When asked to speak about the "why" of his giving he proudly spoke of giving back, Polio Plus, and the blessing of living in a country of opportunity and freedom.

 

Announcements, Announcements, Announcements:

Herb Barall - This Saturday. East Hartford Cultural Center.  1 PM, dance and music.

Sue Klock -  Senior Prom. Wednesday,  April 23rd.

Brian Gorman -  3rd annual Boy Scouts of American golf tourney,  May 19.

Mike Fitzgerald - BSA is looking to start an Alumni BSA group to mentor young scouts.

Dan Larson - Pathways High School had a ribbon cutting.

Dan LarsonBob Buettner's 8 year old granddaughter wanted to know why he received the Bald and Hairless Award.

Susan Hansen has been proposed for membership.

Stu Harris submitted his resignation due to work load.

Jim Reik has been voted to Honorary Membership.


MOLLY ROSE LISS has arrived! April 7, 2014. Great job, Chris!  Congratulations to the Liss Family. 

 

  

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Good Golly, Miss Molly! 

 

SGT AT ARMS report: Man, was Jay Stewart busy. The following paid for UCONN"S wins:   George Schoen, Gil Wishart, Dan Firestone, Ruth Sheehan, Neal Cunningham, Nick Cecere, Nate Quesnel, Jay Stewart and Steve Jacoby. Condolences to Notre Dame from Dan Firestone and Bob Wood. Both Andy Andreo and Roger Nicholson donated to the scholarship fund for their birthdays. Dan Larson for his brother Tim's help with men and equipment to clean up the DUCK RACE path. Frank Collins and Nick Cecere for seeing Andy at the meeting, and finally Sheryl O'Connor, Ruth Sheehan and Jay Stewart for MOLLY ROSE's arrival.

 

Here & there:

Sue Klock passed around the sign-up for the Senior Prom, to be held April 23rd. Still room for more volunteers. Mo Moshovos presented a flag from the Northfield, MI. club; Neal Cunningham sent around an envelope to collect funds for EH Social Services to buy needed school supplies for the fall; and Honorary member Gerry Brady is laid up at home with a case of shingles.

 

DUCK RACE Tickets were passed around to the members in attendance by her highness, Mary Martin, two books each. Team captains will keep track of sales and money.  Mary pointed out that 30-some Rotary projects are funded through the proceeds of the DUCK RACE and the Golf Tournament, so it is extremely important that members push for sales.

 

Our speakers were 3 young individuals who are giving their personal time to go to Sabhung, Nepal to help with the installation of a water system. Much like our Guatemalan project, EWB sends teams to the Far East to assess, design, engineer, implement and support the water system. Image The communities provide the labor and are very involved.  In Sabhung, a community of almost 1000, women and children must trek several km each day down the mountain and return with water. The new solar-powered systems, when finished, will allow these same  people to do more productive things.  These projects are not government sponsored and the individual communities build and maintain them.

With writer’s cramp, goodbye for this week….

Bob Buettner