High Gear, August 13, 2014

Posted by W. Douglas Willett

Moderate turnout on this bleak, rainy day. Lots of energy in the room despite the exterior unrest The meeting started with the opening song and a thoughtful invocation commenting on the value of rain in our lives, delivered in a sonorous voice by Art Bradbury.

Art delivering the Invocation

Our guests today were Conrad Sienkiewicz from the Torrington Club and Nikicha Nieto Rosas, a Rotary Scholarship recipient now in her junior year at Boston University where she is majoring in Biology and International Studies with Medical School in the future. Jack Martin and Michael Kerrigan led the Welcome Song.

President Mary read thank you notes from Monique Atkinson – lengthy- and McKenzie Satalino – brief. They will be attending Boston University and Clark University, respectively. The Prez also acknowledged a Thank You from D.G. Mike Roy who enjoyed our Picnic last week and the chance to socialize with our members and guests. Thanks to the Social Committee as well as the Sergeant At Arms Committee for this event.

People who make badges take their instructions literally so when you use a latin word to indicate that you are unsure if the previous word is spelled correctly, what you get back is a badge that says: Susan Hansen, Libarian (Sic). Time to try again.

New Sergeant At Arms taking charge today. Dave Amberg, working off a Club Roster, collected from Bob Buettner for his 50^th Anniversary, Ceil Collins for a birthday, Frank Collins for his 44^th Anniversary as a Rotarian, Marc Glass for lacking a pin, Steve Jacoby for the usual, Bill Saunders for a birthday and an Anniversary, Jay Stewart to announce that the Social Committee deserved recognition for the Picnic, Gil Wishart for a birthday,

Dave Amberg outs the miscreants

and Alex Wisz for booking a cruise.

Lots of Announcements today.

Ceil reported on the plight of a 9 year old boy in Manchester who has several severe medical problems and is in need of financial assistance. She circulated an envelope for contributions and announced a pasta dinner on August 24 at the Manchester Elks. See Ceil for further details.
Bill Saunders informed us of the Nancy Richmond Memorial Golf Tournament on August 21 at Top Stone Golf Club. See him for details. He also invited one and all to dinners each Friday night at the new East Hartford Golf Club dining room. Informal gathering each Friday at 6 p.m.
George Schoen noted a “poor response” thus far in support of the Golf Tournament less than six weeks away. We need sponsors, raffle prizes and players. President Mary suggests that each member support the Tournament by obtaining or being a Hole Sponsor and/or providing a raffle prize (not necessarily golf related) worth $50.
The Empress also reminded us to begin thinking about the annual Job Shadow Day which will be held in late October. Looking for working members to commit morning to High School students from the Academy of Finance at EHHS and bringing them to our noon lunch meeting.
The Empress is also seeking return of any Club owned items.
And she is seeking interest in any member who would like to join the Board of Directors.
Peter and Sue Klock attended a Rotary Makeup Meeting in Jackson Hole, WY.
Jim Fallon won the raffle.

Frank Collins, PP, PDG, PIVP - 44 Years a Rotarian Extraordinaire

Since we had no program today, the meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m.