High Gear, August 1, 2012
The months fly by and here we are into August already. The room was set up in a rectangle to encourage discussion during our Club Assembly later in the meeting. Marc Glass read the Foundation Minute and Bob Buettner provided an appropriate blessing. There were no guests present to enjoy the meal of chicken parmigiano, salad and fruit.
An off-key rendition of “Happy Birthday” was proffered to Bill Saunders who marked the big 7-0 today. Ceil Collins, who is also in a birthday frame of mind, quickly declined the honor of an encore. Her husband, Mr. Rotarian himself, Frank was celebrating 42 years in the Club. President Sheryl paid up to honor the “boys of summer” who survived last week’s softball game. Brian Liss paid in recognition of his 10 years of wedded bliss (one wag asked how many years he’s been married?) and for impressing his kids by recognizing a Tom Galvin Fish Tale when he saw a picture of one. Sue Klock paid because she is going on vacation immediately after the meeting. Sergeant At Arms Dick McCarthy is off to a good start.
Bob Wood presented Yvette Roming a bottle of Lucky Duck Merlot to recognize her efforts in our successful Duck Race in May. (Give her three bottles and you’ll hear her quacking all the way from South Main Street.)
President Sheryl reminded us that there is no noon meeting next week. “We are having ambergers at the Hamburgs”, the Prez announced from her podium which was on a decided tilt much like her locution.
What she meant was we are gathering at The Dave and Chickie Amberg’s Estate at 486 Oak Street (long driveway, house tucked in back) for our summer picnic starting at 5 p.m. Heads up – there is no parking in the Synagogue lot this year as they have an event going on. Park along Oak Street or in the driveway. Anyone who can help move tables and chairs from the Ridge to the Ambergs is asked to meet Bob Buettner at the Ridge at noon next Wednesday.
The annual Back to School Drive is underway with Neal Cunningham circulating an envelope he seeded with a big bill to get the money flowing – a old trick he learned from Ray McKenna passing the hat back in the Dovelette days. It worked too as the Club gave generously.
Brian Liss asked us to save the date of October 18, 2012 for a YMCA Fund raiser featuring Archie Manning at the Hartford Marriot Downtown. Manning is the star quarterback for either the N.Y. Giants or the Denver Broncos; I can’t remember which…wait a minute, strike that, those two are his kids. He’s the Old Miss guy and former quarterback of the New Orleans Saints who never won a thing.
Ruth Sheehan reports that she talked with Jeanette Campbell and that Fred is doing better and is at home. Andy Andreo’s wife is recuperating at home as well. She can be reached at 401-322-6034.
Among other announcements were reminders that the DG will be here on August 22; that Brian Liss is the guy to see if you need a new badge; and that the Salvation Army finally got around to sending out a thank you note for our role in helping them raise $160,000 in their 2011 Holiday Campaign.
Finally, President Sheryl presented George Schoen the Wounded Warrior Award
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The balance of the meeting was given over to the Club Assembly. Committee Chairs were asked to briefly review their plans for the year and what they hoped to accomplish. Lots of good information was exchanged and, as usually happens in this format, the one minute presentations turned into five minute presentations and we quickly ran out of time. Among the highlights of the copious information provided: we will be doing another duck race this spring,
we hope to support the East Hartford Library system with a Book Mobile purchase; the Rock Cats outing will moved to June; the Holiday Party will be December 5, 2012 and the Paul Harris Dinner will be on March 20, 2013; and we plan to participate in the Soap for Africa project during the course of the year. Lots of other good stuff that you’ll be hearing more about.
With time marching on, we adjourned forthwith.