High Gear, August 6, 2014

Picnics are fun. Whether they are held outdoors with grills blazing and people sitting around on blankets

Great to see old friends

with drinks in hand or, as East Hartford Rotary defines them, indoors with a catered dinner and drinks in hand, picnics are fun. And when the group gathered includes so many old friends who have been part of the Rotary family for so many years, the fun is increased exponentially.

Dogs belong at picnics, right? Arriving at the Ridge, we were greeted by President Mary pedaling an undocumented Mexican dog. Seems the poor fellow has lost his master and is facing deportation if someone doesn’t take custody soon. Here’s hoping a benefactor is found in time. Maybe Rick Perry will step up.

Honored guests belong at picnics. And we were graced with both the new District Governor Mike Roy and Assistant Governor Marty Fins. Rather than giving the political speech common at town wide picnics, D.G. Mike

District Governor Mike Roy with our own Jay Stewart

opted to mingle with the crowd and pay close attention to the wisdom offered by one of our own Past District Governor’s Spouses, Jay Stewart. Hard to believe it’s been twenty five years since D.G. George Stewart was making these same Club visits.

Old friends are always are welcomed at picnics.  Joining us tonight were dear friends Jean Roland, Rita Brown, Bev Leone, Bunny Belanger, Kathy McCabe, Tom Galvin and John Shemo, all looking bright eyed and bushy tailed. It was great to see them and to share stories of days too soon gone by.

Good news is always welcomed at picnics.

Yvette and Mary greet old buddy, John Shemo

Greetings from Bill Flynn and news that he is doing well and still “missing the Club” brought a smile to many faces. And an announcement from our Foundation Chair, Sheryl O’Connor that the District has awarded us a $3,000 grant to support our Coats For Kids Project brought a round of applause. Combined with our own contributions, we will be able to outfit more than 125 youngsters this year with spanking new winter warm gear. Good news that warms the heart as well.

Nothing is more welcomed at picnics than good food. Maneeleys Catering of South Windsor took ample care of that. We feasted on BBQ Ribs, Chicken, Baked Beans, Corn on the Cob, salads, corn bread and rolls, Clam Chowder, Watermelon, and Strawberry Shortcake. Many thanks to Dick McCarthy and Jay Stewart as well as the Sergeant At Arms Committee for putting it all together. Now you know where your weekly fines go.

And, of course, no picnic is complete without at least one announcement. So Bill Saunders stepped up to inform us that the Golf Committee would be meeting next Wednesday at the Ridge at 11:30 a.m. to keep the upcoming event on track.

The best picnics taper down gradually.  People share private conversations and common experiences in small groups with the crowd gradually dwindling and heading home. As our last attendees descended from the Ridge, a voice could be heard in the wind:

“Picnics  are Fun”

No  Food  Shortage Here!